Patent ID: 7521661
Filing Date: 2009-04-21
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image sensor comprising: a first set of at least two pixels each sensing light of a same first color; a signal converter coupled to the first set of pixels; and a driver for controlling a respective switching element within each pixel of the first set for simultaneously coupling a respective photocurrent from a respective photodiode for each pixel of the first set to the signal converter for sensing an image of a first type, wherein each pixel of the first set has a transfer transistor, and wherein at least two transfer transistors of the first set are electrically connected to a common floating diffusion node, and wherein the driver controls the respective switching elements for coupling a respective photocurrent from each pixel of all pixels sensing light of the same first color coupled to the signal converter separately and sequentially to the signal converter for sensing an image of a second type that is different from the first type.