Patent ID: 7920198
Filing Date: 2011-04-05
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of transferring charge from a photosensitive array, the method comprising: using a plurality of vertical shift registers, each having a plurality of vertical elements including a first vertical element and a last vertical element, wherein each of the plurality of vertical elements stores charge, wherein the plurality of vertical shift registers, when operated, transfer charge from each of the plurality of vertical elements to a respective adjacent one of the plurality of vertical elements in a first direction from the first vertical element to the last vertical element; using at least one horizontal shift register having a plurality of horizontal elements, each of the plurality of horizontal elements of the at least one horizontal shift register arranged to receive charge transferred from the last vertical element of a respective one of the plurality of vertical shift registers, wherein the at least one horizontal shift register, when operated, transfers charge from each of the plurality of horizontal elements to a respective adjacent one of the plurality of horizontal elements; operating the at least one horizontal shift register during a plurality of horizontal operating intervals; and operating the plurality of vertical shift registers during at least a portion of each of the plurality of horizontal operating intervals, wherein the plurality of vertical shift registers are selectively operated in at least a first mode or in a second mode, wherein the first mode has reduced noise coupling relative to the second mode, and wherein operating the plurality of vertical shift registers comprises operating the plurality of vertical shift registers in the first mode when operating the plurality of vertical shift registers during at least the portion of each of the plurality of horizontal operating intervals.