Abstract: Outputs from an array of input signals are amplified by an amplification section, sampled and multiplexed onto an analog bus. Amplifiers in the amplification section are segregated into groups. When the amplifiers are in a first mode, as indicated by a binning signal, the amplifiers within each group are electrically isolated from another and function independently from one another to provide a high resolution output signal. When in a second mode, amplifiers within a group operate as a single unified amplifier that averages the inputs for that group to provide a single output. Thus, in this second mode of operation, readout speed may be improved while increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of each input signal relative to the first mode of operation.

Abstract: The present invention is to make a switch out of two diodes to read out a third photosensitive transducer which integrates and stores the photon-generated carriers. The switching diodes are arranged so that during their on time, the switching resistance remains linear and constant throughout the photosensitive transducer readout time independent of the number of photon-generated carriers that are stored in the photosensitive transducer. To maintain a low constant on resistance, the two switching diodes in series are pulsed simultaneously with complementary pulses applied to the two terminals of the series diodes to forward bias them during the readout period. The third is a photosensitive transducer, which is connected to the series node of the switching diodes such that the photosensitive diode is always in a reversed bias condition, whether it is in a readout or integration mode.

Abstract: An improved BBD structure is disclosed which is realized with MOS, two layer, polysilicon technology. In the tetrode structure, the transfer gate overlaps the tetrode gate with no intermediate substrate region. The storage capacitor is off-set from the propagation channel and is formed by the two layers of polysilicon without using a p-n junction. High transfer efficiency is obtained over a wide frequency range with a shorter length per stage.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compensating for charge transfer inefficiency in imaging and other variable length charge transfer devices are disclosed. In accordance with the method a recursive filter is used to compensate for the transfer inefficiency of the device with the coefficients of the recursive filter being dependent upon the pixel position and the inefficiency per transfer, or more particularly upon the inefficiency per transfer and the number of transfers required to transfer from the pixel position to the output of the charge transfer device. In addition, a variable gain control is used to restore the amplitude of the output signal dependent upon the pixel position and inefficiency per transfer. Substantial compensation is achieved utilizing recursive filter coefficients linearly increasing with the number of transfers required, with an automatic gain control amplifier also linearly increasing in gain proportional to the number of transfers required to restore signal amplitude.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting defects in empty containers, such as dents in cans, is disclosed. The containers are magnetically struck, causing them to ring at their natural frequencies. A microphone senses this resonance; a bandpass filter filters out the known frequencies generated by an acceptable container. The energy associated with other frequencies is examined to detect defects in the containers. A circuit for reducing the effects of background acoustic noise and a circuit for sensing the amount of energy imparted to the container when it is struck are also disclosed.

Abstract: An MOS bucket-brigade device (BBD) fabricated with two layers of polycrystalline silicon is disclosed. Each stage includes a pair of spaced-apart regions, one of which is formed in a well. A holding stage is employed which includes a lightly doped substrate region which reduces junction capacitance.

Abstract: A transversal filter of the split electrode type employing a bucket-brigade device (BBD) is described. The BBD wells extend beyond the edges of the clocked gates of the BBD below second gates of different areas. These mask programmed second gates provide the filter output. Unlike other split electrode, capacitance sensing filters, these gates are not clocked, thus the filter has simplified output circuitry and a greater dynamic range.

Abstract: A semiconductor filtering apparatus substantially fabricated as a metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) integrated circuit that permits discrete time correlation or convolution of an analog input signal with a binary or analog correlating signal. The apparatus may also be employed as a recursive filter. A plurality of novel bucket-brigade charge transfer means are employed to shift the input analog signal past non-destructive read-out taps. Electrically programmable floating gate devices are used to store either a binary or analog correlating signal. The sum or difference signal associated with each of the plurality of charge transfer means is weighted to produce the final filter output in one embodiment.

Abstract: A photodiode array employing an analog shift register with a line of interlaced photodiodes. Alternate diodes are coupled to one of a pair of analog shift registers which are disposed on opposite sides of the line of photodiodes. An "anti-blooming" polysilicon line and a "transfer" polysilicon line are disposed along each side of the line of photodiodes adjacent to the shift registers. Each of the diffused region forming the photodiodes are coupled by a metal line to another diffused region formed between the anti-blooming and transfer polysilicon lines. This latter region acts as a remote, common region for both the anti-blooming function and transfer function.

Abstract: A system for measuring a dimension, such as the width, of a hot strip of material on line, particularly steel and glass. The system utilizes two arrays of light sensitive electronically scanned detectors, placed above the hot strip and spaced apart at a distance to permit viewing each edge. Each sensor images the hot strip onto the array of photo sensitive detectors. Using visible and infrared radiation of the hot strip as the energy to expose the detectors, position information of each edge is determined and electronically added to the fixed dimension between the two sensors resulting in a value equal to the total width. The measurement is automatically updated many times per second, as the occasion demands.