Patent ID: 7565033

Claim:
An imaging system, comprising: a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, the pixels in respective columns being selectively connected to a respective column output line of a plurality of column output lines; a first digitization circuit, the first digitization circuit comprising a first plurality of first processing circuits, the first plurality of first processing circuits each comprising a respective sample-and-hold circuit and analog-to-digital converter; and a second digitization circuit, the second digitization circuit comprising a second plurality of second processing circuits, the second plurality of second processing circuits each comprising a respective sample-and-hold circuit and analog-to-digital converter, wherein each column output line is coupled to one of the first plurality of first processing circuits and to one of the second plurality of second processing circuits, wherein each column output line provides pixel signals to at least one processing circuit in each of said first and second digitization circuits, and wherein: the first and second digitization circuits alternate receiving rows of pixels, and the analog-to-digital converter of the first digitization circuit processes a first row of pixels at the same time as the sample-and-hold circuit of the second digitization circuit samples and holds pixel signals from a second row of pixels.