Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a control signal which corresponds to movement of an object in contact with a first surface are described. The apparatus includes a platen having the first surface. The platen is characterized by a critical angle beyond which light incident upon the first surface is not transmitted. A source of electromagnetic radiation emits electromagnetic radiation through the platen thereby illuminating the object. A detector having a plurality of sectors receives a portion of the electromagnetic radiation diffused by the object and transmitted through the platen beyond the critical angle. The sectors of the detector accumulate charge in response to the incident electromagnetic radiation. Conversion circuitry then converts the charge accumulated in the detector to the control signal, which in a specific embodiment is for controlling the movement of a pointer on a display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a control signal which corresponds to movement of an object in contact with a first surface are described. The apparatus includes a platen having the first surface. The platen is characterized by a critical angle beyond which light incident upon the first surface is not transmitted. A source of electromagnetic radiation emits electromagnetic radiation through the platen thereby illuminating the object. A detector having a plurality of sectors receives a portion of the electromagnetic radiation diffused by the object and transmitted through the platen beyond the critical angle. The sectors of the detector accumulate charge in response to the incident electromagnetic radiation. Conversion circuitry then converts the charge accumulated in the detector to the control signal, which in a specific embodiment is for controlling the movement of a pointer on a display.

Abstract: A technique and structure is used for producing high resolution color images using a monochrome area charge-coupled device (CCD) 64 and a sequential color illumination scheme. The monochrome CCD 64 comprises a plurality of semiconductor storage cells 76, the semiconductor storage cells 76 being configured in an array having vertical columns 74 and horizontal rows 79. The entire CCD 64 is exposed to a first color image. The charge packets 82 stored in two adjacent horizontal rows as a result of the exposure are then shifted into a third horizontal row. The CCD 64 is then exposed to a second color image. The charge packets 82 stored in the first horizontal row as a result of the second exposure are then shifted into the second horizontal row. The CCD 64 is then exposed to a third and final color image. The CCD output is digitized and stored in a frame. The color information of a particular location on the CCD array 64 is derived by utilizing a simple set of equations.

Abstract: A CCD-scintillator x-ray image sensor (18) has a high sensitivity at room temperature and a low profile, enabling the use of the x-ray image sensor in most modern mammography x-ray machines. A cassette 10 that encloses the CCD-based x-ray image sensor has the approximate dimensions of 10.5.times.7.7.times.0.6 inches, and is thus form and fit compatible with conventional film-based cassettes. An electronic interface to the cassette requires but a single cable (24) and a standard connector (22) for connection to a CCD sensor electronics unit. The CCD sensor electronics unit interfaces to a computer, such as a conventional personal computer or workstation, having a relatively high resolution display and a provision for digitally recording high-resolution electronic images. The high sensitivity at ambient (room) temperature results from an x-ray scintillator screen (18c) that is coupled to the CCD image sensor (18a) via a bias cut fiber optic faceplate (18b).

Abstract: A charge-coupled device is exposed to a color portion of an image, thereby generating charge packets in the array of photosensitive storage regions. The charge packets stored in a first set of horizontal rows of photosensitive storage regions are then moved into a second set of horizontal rows of photosensitive storage regions, remaining in the array for subsequent exposures. These exposing and moving steps are repeated for each color exposure in excess of two. Charge packets from each successive exposure are combined in the array in a predetermined manner with charge packets from previous exposures. Finally, the charge-coupled device is exposed to a final color portion of the image, thereby generating final charge packets in the array. Selected ones of the final charge packets comprise charge from more than one photosensitive storage region and from more than one exposure stored in a single photosensitive storage region.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor CCD array (10a) has a two block, full-frame, parallel-register structure. The two blocks of the array, each comprised of photosensitive radiation sensors or pixels (20), feed into a single centrally disposed serial read-out register (10b) so as to form one unified photosensitive domain. The read-out register is photosensitive except for two associated narrow clock buses (H1, H2) that are spaced apart so as to only block a minimum of input radiation in any one pixel (22) of the read-out register. Each stage of the read-out register can act as a pixel that is approximately square and that is approximately the same size as the pixels of the two full-frame blocks. In operation, the centrally disposed read-out register can be stationary for a significant first portion of a total frame time (integration period), and then in a latter part of the frame time it can be read out one or more times to provide exposure update information for all of the pixels of the array.

Abstract: A technique and structure is used for producing high resolution color images using a monochrome area charge-coupled device (CCD) 64 and a sequential color illumination scheme. The monochrome CCD 64 comprises a plurality of semiconductor storage cells 76, the semiconductor storage cells 76 being configured in an array having vertical columns 74 and horizontal rows 79. The entire CCD 64 is exposed to a first color image. The charge packets 82 stored in two adjacent horizontal rows as a result of the exposure are then shifted into a third horizontal row. The CCD 64 is then exposed to a second color image. The charge packets 82 stored in the first horizontal row as a result of the second exposure are then shifted into the second horizontal row. The CCD 64 is then exposed to a third and final color image. The CCD output is digitized and stored in a frame. The color information of a particular location on the CCD array 64 is derived by utilizing a simple set of equations.

Abstract: A method of controlling the dynamic range of a CCD or similar device. The method is used in connection with a charge-coupled device or like structure of known construction having a photogate region in which charge is generated at a rate proportional to the intensity of incident electromagnetic radiation. The photogate accumulates charge during a predetermined exposure period. A sink region is disposed to receive excess charge from the photogate region, and the passage of charge from the photogate region to the sink region is controlled by a control gate of the type commonly used for integration control. A second gated region is present for receiving charge from the photogate region for transporting charge therefrom.

Abstract: A method of controlling the dynamic range of a CCD or similar device. The method is used in connection with a charge-coupled device or like structure of known construction having a photogate region in which charge is generated at a rate proportional to the intensity of incident electromagnetic radiation. The photogate accumulates charge during a predetermined exposure period. A sink region is disposed to receive excess charge from the photogate region, and the passage of charge from the photogate region to the sink region is controlled by a control gate of the type commonly used for integration control. A second gated region is present for receiving charge from the photogate region for transporting charge therefrom.