Patent ID: 8194165
Filing Date: 2012-06-05
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for capturing images with an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels each including a photosensitive area, a plurality of vertical charge coupled devices (VCCDs) each comprising a plurality of charge storage elements and positioned adjacent to respective columns of pixels, and transfer mechanisms for transferring charge packets from the photosensitive areas to respective charge storage elements, the method comprising: beginning light integration for all of the pixels, wherein the photosensitive areas accumulate charge packets; transferring charge packets from a first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a first time, wherein the charge packets from the first portion of pixels have a first integration period; ending light integration for all of the pixels; shifting the charge packets one or more charge storage elements in each VCCD; transferring charge packets from the same first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a second time, wherein the second time is subsequent to the first time and the charge packets from the first portion of pixels have a second integration period that is different from the first integration period; reading out the charge packets from the VCCDs; transferring charge packets from a second portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs, wherein the charge packets from the second portion of pixels have a third integration period that is substantially equal to the sum of the first and second integration periods; and reading out the charge packets from the VCCDs.