Patent ID: 8730364

Claim:
An image sensor, comprising: a pixel array including a plurality of pixel cells organized into rows and columns for capturing image data; a bit line coupled to each of the pixel cells within a line of the pixel array; and readout circuitry coupled to the bit line to readout the image data from the pixel cells within the line of the pixel array, the readout circuitry including: a line amplifier to amplify the image data and having an input coupled to the bit line and an output; and a first and second sample and convert circuits coupled in parallel to the output of the line amplifier to reciprocally sample the image data and convert the image data from analog values to digital values, wherein the first sample and convert circuit is configured to contemporaneously sample first image data while the second sample and convert circuit converts second image data and the second sample and convert circuit is configured to contemporaneously sample third image data while the first sample and convert circuit converts the first image data, wherein the line of the pixel array comprises a given column and the line amplifier comprises a column amplifier, wherein a bit line switch is coupled between the bit line and the column amplifier of the image sensor, the bit line switch coupled to control logic to selectively disconnect the column amplifier from the bit line when not sampling data.