Patent ID: 7471324
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a shared column amplifier in an imaging pixel array, said method comprising: sampling and holding a first charge accumulated signal from a first desired pixel in a first pixel array column; sampling and holding a second charge accumulated signal from a second desired pixel in a second pixel array column; sampling and holding at least one of a first and second respective reset signal from said first and second desired pixels; sequentially amplifying through one amplifier circuit path said first sampled and held charge accumulated signal and then one of said sampled and held first and second reset signals; providing, substantially simultaneously, said amplified signals of said first sampled and held charge accumulated signal and said one of said sampled and held first and second reset signals to a downstream circuit; sequentially amplifying through said one amplifier circuit path said second sampled and held charge accumulated signal and then said one of said sampled and held first and second reset signals; and providing, substantially simultaneously, said amplified signals of said second sampled and held charge accumulated signal and said one of said sampled and held first and second reset signals to a downstream circuit.