Patent ID: 7663086

Claim:
A method for obtaining a digital image of a scene with an imager comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel comprising a photodetector and a digital storage device for incorporating data indicative of light detected by the photodetector, the plurality of pixels comprising at least a pixel PX 1 and a pixel PX 2 , the method comprising: (1) for each pixel of one or more of the pixels including at least the pixel PX 1 , performing the following operations (a), (b): (a) sensing light by the pixel; and (b) incorporating information on the light sensed by the pixel into the pixel's digital storage device; (2) after operation (1), incorporating information stored in the digital storage device of the pixel PX 1 into the digital storage device of the pixel PX 2 ; (3) when the imager has moved relative to the scene after a start of the operation (1), performing the operations (a), (b) for the pixel PX 2 to incorporate into the pixel PX 2 's digital storage device the information on the light detected in the operation (1) by the pixel PX 1 and the information on the light detected in the operation (3) by the pixel PX 2 .