Abstract: Dynamic range extension (DRE) is achieved in CCD imagers with charge overflow structures by varying the potential VG on the gate electrodes of the pixel signal charge wells during charge integration. The wells are formed to function with the charge overflow structures, e.g., vertical overflow drains, VODs, a) to control the signal charge spreading due to illumination overload and/or b) as a means for the control of signal integration time. Two different VG levels are applied to the gate electrodes, the lower of the two levels VG-LOW is applied for a long duration and the higher level VG-HIGH is applied for a shorter duration during charge integration.

Abstract: An electronic system and method for minimizing the loss of image sharpness caused by image motion during the exposure interval of a camera using electro-optical area array image sensors is provided. Differential speed clocking is performed using a set of parallel shift registers to achieve improved image motion compensation ("IMC") performance. A large number of rows and columns contained in a CCD array are arranged in a variable number of row segments. In situations where IMC is needed, a variable frequency clocking method can be applied to these row segments in the CCD array. This method of parallel shift clocking provides for IMC in a reconnaissance system in low light conditions where narrow shutter widths are not practical. An aerial reconnaissance system user utilizing this IMC method can perform forward oblique reconnaissance missions in a straightforward manner. Complexity in CCD design and processing is reduced with this approach, which is utilized in either a small or large array format CCD.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for allowing television systems using solid-state image sensors to be compatible with a multiplicity of television standards. Scenes conforming to a standard which specifies a format aspect ratio or a specific number of active scan lines per frame are input into the anamorphic television system. The anamorphic television system modifies these scenes to take optimum advantage of the resolution of the solid-state image sensor. The anamorphic television system alters the dimensions of the scene along the horizontal and/or vertical axis so that the scene conforms to the format aspect ratio of the solid state image sensor and/or to the number of active scan lines per frame as specified in the applicable standard. The solid-state image sensor converts the optical information into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is retrieved from the solid-state image sensor by timing circuitry.

Abstract: A video-signal-generating system comprises a pair of similar charge-coupled area-image-sensing devices, each comprising a two-dimensional array of photosensor sites arranged in rows and columns, each site being effective to produce a charge packet in response to illumination incident thereon, a charge-detection output circuit capable of producing an output signal varying with the magnitudes of successive charge packets in sequence, and a plurality of charge-storing sites located intermediate the photosensor sites and the charge-detection circuit for effecting the orderly transfer of charge packets from the photosensor sites in sequence to the charge-detection circuit.