Patent ID: 8724003

Claim:
A method of image capture utilizing an image sensor comprising an imaging array (i) comprising a plurality of columns of photo-sensitive regions (PSRs) each associated with a vertical CCD (VCCD) and (ii) having at least first and second different and independently controllable regions, the method comprising: in a first image-capture mode: acquiring an image via accumulation of charge in the PSRs of both first and second regions, transferring accumulated charge in the PSRs of the first region to VCCDs of the first region, transferring accumulated charge in the PSRs of the second region to VCCDs of the second region, transferring charge in the VCCDs of the first and second regions to one or more horizontal CCDs (HCCDs) electrically connected to the VCCDs, and reading out charge from the one or more HCCDs via one or more output circuits electrically coupled to each HCCD; and in a second image-capture mode: acquiring a first image via accumulation of charge in the PSRs of the first region, transferring accumulated charge in the PSRs of the first region corresponding to the first image to VCCDs of the first region, transferring charge corresponding to the first image from the VCCDs of the first region to VCCDs of the second region, acquiring a second image via accumulation of charge in the PSRs of the first region, transferring accumulated charge in the PSRs of the first region corresponding to the second image to VCCDs of the first region, transferring (i) charge in the VCCDs of the first region corresponding to the second image and (ii) charge in the VCCDs of the second region corresponding to the first image to one or more HCCDs electrically connected to the VCCDs, and reading out charge from the one or more HCCDs via one or more output circuits electrically coupled to each HCCD.