Patent ID: 8314873
Filing Date: 2012-11-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for producing multiple 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 all of the pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a first time, wherein the charge packets from the pixels have a first integration period; binning charge packets in the VCCDs by shifting a portion of the charge packets one or more charge storage elements in each VCCD, thereby combining charge packets in the portion of charge packets with other charge packets in the VCCDs; ending light integration for all of the pixels; transferring charge packets from all of the pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a second time, wherein the charge packets from the pixels have a second integration period, thereby binning charge packets of the same color and having at least two different integration periods in the VCCDs; and reading out the charge packets from the VCCDs.