Patent ID: 7839438

Claim:
A CMOS image sensor comprising: a plurality of active pixel rows; and an optical black pixel row that is activated to generate a respective optical black signal upon simultaneous activation of each of at least two of the active pixel rows to generate a respective image signal, wherein a first row select pulse applied to said optical black pixel row and a first one of said active pixel rows is activated for simultaneous generation of said respective optical black signal from said optical black pixel row and said respective image signal from said first one of said active pixel rows during a first time period; and wherein a second row select pulse applied to same said optical black pixel row and a second one of said active pixel rows is activated for simultaneous generation of said respective optical black signal from same said optical black pixel row and said respective image signal from said second one of said active pixel rows during a second time period after said first time period, and wherein said optical black pixel row and said first and second active pixel rows are different rows of pixels.