Abstract: An image sensor and method for using the image sensor to capture an image are disclosed. The image sensor includes an imaging array, a first block amplifier and a controller. A first plurality of pixels in the imaging array includes pixels having a photodiode connected to a first node by a gate transistor, a reset transistor connected between the first node and a reset node, a pixel amplifier having an input connected to the first node and an output, and an output gate for connecting the pixel amplifier output to an output bus. The sensor has a monitoring mode and an image capture mode. In the monitoring mode the reset node is connected to the first block amplifier whose output is monitored and used to trigger the image capture mode when the output exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An image sensor having a first substrate on which a CCD array is fabricated in a first fabrication system is disclosed. The CCD array includes a node through which charge from the pixels passes during a readout operation. The first substrate also includes a first FET fabricated on the first substrate in the first fabrication system, the first FET having a gate connected to the node and a source or drain connected to a first conducting pad on the first substrate. A capacitor connects the node to a second conducting pad on the first substrate. A switch is connected across the first capacitor such that the first capacitor is shorted when the first switch is closed. The first switch is controlled by a reset signal on a third conducting pad on the first substrate. The first substrate can be connected to a second substrate having amplification and control circuitry.

Abstract: A CCD imaging array and a charge measurement amplifier for use in such imaging arrays is disclosed. The array includes a plurality of pixels that accumulate charge when exposed to light, a readout amplifier having input and output ports. The readout amplifier has a variable gain that is set by a gain control signal. The readout amplifier also includes a reset path between the input and output ports, the path having an impedance controlled by a reset signal. A controller generates the gain control signal and the reset signal during a charge measurement cycle. Initially the gain is set to a first value after generating the reset signal. The gain is changed to a second value during the charge measurement cycle if the output signal exceeds a first threshold value. The readout amplifier can be constructed from an operational amplifier having a capacitive feedback loop.

Abstract: An imaging array having a CCD imaging array that includes a plurality of pixels that accumulate charge when exposed to light and a readout amplifier is disclosed. The readout amplifier includes an operational amplifier having an input and an output port and a feedback capacitor connecting the input and output ports and a variable impedance path between the input and output ports, the path having an impedance controlled by a reset signal. A reset signal generator generates the reset signal in three sequential phases in which the path between the input and output ports has three impedance values to provide a starting voltage at the amplifier input prior to the measurement of charge from each pixel that has reduced noise.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus and a method for synchronizing the velocity of an image of a moving object or target and the clocking of image sensor elements used to track the moving target.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for synchronizing the velocity of an image of a moving object and the clocking of image sensor elements used to track the moving target. The imaging apparatus includes a two-dimensional array of image sensor elements being configured to sense a first set of image elements in a first direction according to a clock rate. A plurality of rows of image sensor elements are spaced from each other. The rows of image sensor elements are configured to sense a second set of image elements of the target moving in the first direction according to the clock rate. Each row has image sensor elements that are different in length from the image sensor elements of the other rows. A measurement module is coupled with the plurality of rows of image sensor elements to measure the sharpness of detected image elements and to identify the row of image sensor elements having the sharpest detected image elements.

Abstract: Large area, fast frame rate, charge coupled devices (CCDs) are provided. Interline transfer CCDs can have interleaved pinned photodiodes and vertical shift registers. The interline transfer CCDs are ideal for producing high frame rate video images from a continuous light source. The photodiodes transfer charge indicative of the previous video frame to an adjacent vertical shift register with little or no lag, while light from the current video frame is integrating in the photodiodes. The charge signals only have to travel a short distance from a photodiode to an adjacent vertical shift register. The charge signals indicative of each video frame are then shifted out of the vertical shift registers. Each vertical shift register has a doping gradient that increases the charge transfer rate. All of these factors provide a fast and efficient video frame rate, even in a large area CCD.

Abstract: Large area, fast frame rate, charge coupled devices (CCDs) are provided. Interline transfer CCDs can have interleaved pinned photodiodes and vertical shift registers. The interline transfer CCDs are ideal for producing high frame rate video images from a continuous light source. The photodiodes transfer charge indicative of the previous video frame to an adjacent vertical shift register with little or no lag, while light from the current video frame is integrating in the photodiodes. The charge signals only have to travel a short distance from a photodiode to an adjacent vertical shift register. The charge signals indicative of each video frame are then shifted out of the vertical shift registers. Each vertical shift register has a doping gradient that increases the charge transfer rate. All of these factors provide a fast and efficient video frame rate, even in a large area CCD.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus and a method for synchronizing the velocity of an image of a moving object or target and the clocking of image sensor elements used to track the moving target. In one embodiment, an imaging apparatus comprises a two-dimensional array of image sensor elements being configured to sense a first set of image elements of a target moving in a first direction with respect to the two-dimensional array of image sensor elements, to integrate light from the set of image elements into corresponding pixel values, and to shift the pixel values along the image sensor elements in the first direction according to a clock rate. A plurality of rows of image sensor elements are spaced from each other and extend in the first direction.

Abstract: Large area, fast frame rate, charge coupled devices (CCDs) are provided. Interline transfer CCDs can have interleaved pinned photodiodes and vertical shift registers. The interline transfer CCDs are ideal for producing high frame rate video images from a continuous light source. The photodiodes transfer charge indicative of the previous video frame to an adjacent vertical shift register with little or no lag, while light from the current video frame is integrating in the photodiodes. The charge signals only have to travel a short distance from a photodiode to an adjacent vertical shift register. The charge signals indicative of each video frame are then shifted out of the vertical shift registers. Each vertical shift register has a doping gradient that increases the charge transfer rate. All of these factors provide a fast and efficient video frame rate, even in a large area CCD.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to an apparatus and a method for synchronizing the velocity of an image of a moving object or target and the clocking of image sensor elements used to track the moving target. In one embodiment, an imaging apparatus comprises a two-dimensional array of image sensor elements being configured to sense a first set of image elements of a target moving in a first direction with respect to the two-dimensional array of image sensor elements, to integrate light from the set of image elements into corresponding pixel values, and to shift the pixel values along the image sensor elements in the first direction according to a clock rate. A row of image sensor elements extends in the first direction to sense a second set of image elements of the target moving in the first direction.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for producing video data using a sensor with charge coupled devices. Signals from the CCD pixels are alternately stored into one set of memory devices and read out of another set of memory devices. Once the signals from the pixels are read out of the memory devices, they are used to produce video frames. The orientation of each portion of the frames is independent of the direction the signals are read out of each of the charge coupled devices. The orientation of each portion of the frames is independent of the physical orientation of the CCDs in the x,-y plane. The pixel signals from the CCDs can be used to produce video data in near real-time. The image reconstruction techniques can be re-programmed to account for different CCD focal plan configurations and orientations.

Abstract: Large area, fast frame rate, charge coupled devices (CCDs) are provided. Interline transfer CCDs can have interleaved pinned photodiodes and vertical shift registers. The interline transfer CCDs are ideal for producing high frame rate video images from a continuous light source. The photodiodes transfer charge indicative of the previous video frame to an adjacent vertical shift register with little or no lag, while light from the current video frame is integrating in the photodiodes. The charge signals only have to travel a short distance from a photodiode to an adjacent vertical shift register. The charge signals indicative of each video frame are then shifted out of the vertical shift registers. Each vertical shift register has a doping gradient that increases the charge transfer rate. All of these factors provide a fast and efficient video frame rate, even in a large area CCD.

Abstract: Large area cameras that sense light using charge coupled devices are provided. The large area cameras have a scintillator that senses short wavelength (e.g. x-rays) radiation and provides light at a longer wavelength. Optical fibers transmit the light to charge coupled devices arranged in an M×N array. Subsets of the image signals can be summed together to increase signal strength and frame rate. The image signals can be amplified and digitized to accomplish image reconstruction in near-real time for a plurality of CCDs. To accomplish image reconstruction in near-real time for a plurality of CCDs, the digitized signals for one image frame are stored in first memory circuits, while image signals from another frame are read out of second memory circuits. The image signal are written into and read out of the memory circuits in configurations that are independent of the orientation of the CCDs within the CCD array.

Abstract: Charge coupled devices (CCDs) can be placed next to each in a tiled array to reproduce a larger image. The seams between the CCDs in a tiled CCD array can be reduced by placing fiber optic arrays on top of each CCD in the CCD array. The fiber optic arrays have numerous optical fibers that are tilted with respect to the plane of the CCDs. The optical fibers can retrieve electromagnetic radiation falling in gaps between the tiled CCDs. The optical fiber arrays substantially reduce the seams that appear in the image. Electronic pixel binning configurations can be adjusted to accommodate the placement of the optical fibers. The fiber optic arrays can have beveled edges near the gaps between adjacent CCDs to image light in the gaps. Techniques for reducing the dead zone between CCDs in a tiled array and for forming fiber optic arrays on a common plane are also provided.