Abstract: A camera adapted for taking pictures of a moving scene is disclosed. The camera includes an imaging array, a plurality of charge-coupled device (CCD) shift registers, and a controller. The imaging array includes a plurality of CMOS pixel sensors organized as a plurality of columns and rows. The image moves in the column direction. One CCD shift register corresponds to each of the columns. Each CMOS pixel sensor includes a first transfer gate that transfers charge accumulated in the pixel sensor to a corresponding cell in the CCD shift register. The controller controls the CCD shift registers such that charge stored in a first cell in a CCD shift register is moved to a second cell in the CCD shift register where the charge is combined with charge accumulated by the pixel sensor that is connected to the second cell, the combined charge being generated from the same image pixel.

Abstract: An imaging array and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of light pixels and a sense amplifier. Each light pixel includes a photodetector that generates and couples a signal indicative of a light exposure to a light pixel node, a readout circuit, and a mixer that mixes a signal on the light pixel node with a pixel oscillator signal. The sense amplifier includes an input node that receives a signal from each light pixel, one light pixel at a time. The sense amplifier also includes a high pass filter that attenuates signals with frequencies less than a cutoff frequency and a mixer that demodulates the signal from the filter to provide a signal that is related to the potential on the light pixel node of the light pixel connected to the first input node.

Abstract: An imaging array having a plurality of pixels is disclosed. Each pixel includes a photodetector that converts light to charge, a floating diffusion node, a first amplification stage connected to the floating diffusion node, and a select gate that connects the pixel to a second amplification stage. The first and second amplification stages form a current mirror. The first amplification stage includes a buried channel device. In one aspect of the present invention, the current minor has an overall voltage gain of between 0.9 and 1.1. In another aspect of the invention, the second amplification stage is shared by a plurality of pixels.

Abstract: An imaging array and method for using the same to capture an image are disclosed. The imaging array includes an array of pixel sensors and a controller. Each pixel sensor includes a dual-ported photodiode characterized by ports having first and second gates, and a charge conversion circuit. The charge conversion circuit generates a signal that is a function of a charge on the dual-ported photodiode when the first gate in the dual-ported photodiode is activated to transfer a charge on the dual-ported photodiode to the charge conversion circuit. The controller applies a potential to the second gates and measures a current flowing out of the second gates, each second port passing charge stored in the photodiode connected to the second port when a potential in the photodiode exceeds the applied potential. The controller determines an average light intensity incident on the array of pixel sensors.

Abstract: A hybrid imaging array and method for using the same is disclosed. The image array includes a low-light imaging array and a color imaging array. The two imaging arrays can be utilized separately or in conjunction with one another. The low-light imaging array is optimized for night vision or situations in which the light levels are too low to allow a conventional color image to be formed by the color imaging array. The color imaging array is optimized for daylight or color photography. The low-light imaging array can be utilized in conjunction with the color imaging array to provide a color image with reduced noise.

Abstract: An imaging array and method for capturing an image utilizing the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes an array of pixel sensors in which each pixel includes a dual-ported photodiode or photogate and a charge conversion circuit. The charge conversion circuit generates a voltage signal that is a function of a charge on the dual-ported photodiode. The controller applies a potential that varies over the exposure to the second gates in the dual-ported photodiodes, each second port passing charge stored in the photodiode connected to the second port when a potential in the photodiode exceeds the applied potential. The potential is chosen such that charge flows through the second gates of pixel sensors that are exposed to light intensities greater than a first threshold intensity during the exposure.

Abstract: A CCD containing circuit and method for making the same. The circuit includes a CCD array and a protection circuit. The CCD array is constructed on an integrated circuit substrate and includes a plurality of gate electrodes that are insulated from the substrate by an insulating layer. The gate electrodes are connected to a conductor bonded to the substrate. The protection circuit is also constructed on the substrate. The protection circuit is connected to the conductor and to the substrate and protects the CCD array from both negative and positive voltage swings generated by electrostatic discharge events and the like. The protection circuit and the CCD can be constructed in the same integrated circuit fabrication process.

Abstract: A camera for forming an image of a scene that moves relative to the camera and the method of forming that image are disclosed. The camera includes an imaging array having a plurality of CMOS pixel sensors having a plurality of columns and rows, an imaging system, and a controller. The imaging system causes a portion of an image of a scene to be projected on the imaging array such that the image of the scene moves across the imaging array in the column direction. First and second images of the scene are formed at first and second times chosen such that the image of the scene moves a predetermined number of rows of the imaging array between the first and second times. The controller combines pixel values from rows in the first image with rows in the second image that are separated by the predetermined number of rows.

Abstract: An imaging array and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of light pixels and a sense amplifier. Each light pixel includes a photodetector that generates and couples a signal indicative of a light exposure to a light pixel node, a readout circuit, and a mixer that mixes a signal on the light pixel node with a pixel oscillator signal. The sense amplifier includes an input node that receives a signal from each light pixel, one light pixel at a time. The sense amplifier also includes a high pass filter that attenuates signals with frequencies less than a cutoff frequency and a mixer that demodulates the signal from the filter to provide a signal that is related to the potential on the light pixel node of the light pixel connected to the first input node.

Abstract: A pixel cell and imaging arrays using the same are disclosed. The pixel cell includes a photodiode that is connected to a floating diffusion node by a transfer gate that couples the photodiode to the floating diffusion node in response to a first gate signal. A shielding electrode shields the floating diffusion node from the first gate signal. An output stage generates a signal related to a charge on the floating diffusion node. In one aspect of the invention, the photodiode is connected to the floating diffusion node by a buried channel, and the shielding electrode includes an electrode overlying the channel and positioned between the transfer gate and the floating diffusion node. The shielding electrode is held at a potential that prevents charge from accumulating under the shielding electrode when the floating diffusion is at the second potential.

Abstract: An imaging array and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of light pixels and a sense amplifier. Each light pixel includes a photodetector that generates and couples a signal indicative of a light exposure to a light pixel node, a readout circuit, and a mixer that mixes a signal on the light pixel node with a pixel oscillator signal. The sense amplifier includes an input node that receives a signal from each light pixel, one light pixel at a time. The sense amplifier also includes a high pass filter that attenuates signals with frequencies less than a cutoff frequency and a mixer that demodulates the signal from the filter to provide a signal that is related to the potential on the light pixel node of the light pixel connected to the first input node.

Abstract: An image sensor and a method for using the same are disclosed. The image sensor includes an array of pixel sensors, a signal digitizing circuit, and a digitizing controller. The array of pixel sensors includes a plurality of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a photodetector, a charge conversion circuit, and a gate transistor. The charge conversion circuit generates a voltage signal that is related to a charge on the photodiode, and the gate transistor couples the voltage signal to a bit line in response to a first signal. The signal digitizing circuit converts the voltage signal to a plurality of output digital values. Each output digital value has a different level of digitization noise. One of the output digital values is selected for output in response to an output selection signal that is generated by the digitizing controller.

Abstract: A CCD containing circuit and method for making the same. The circuit includes a CCD array and a protection circuit. The CCD array is constructed on an integrated circuit substrate and includes a plurality of gate electrodes that are insulated from the substrate by an insulating layer. The gate electrodes are connected to a conductor bonded to the substrate. The protection circuit is also constructed on the substrate. The protection circuit is connected to the conductor and to the substrate and protects the CCD array from both negative and positive voltage swings generated by electrostatic discharge events and the like. The protection circuit and the CCD can be constructed in the same integrated circuit fabrication process.

Abstract: A CCD containing circuit and method for making the same. The circuit includes a CCD array and a protection circuit. The CCD array is constructed on an integrated circuit substrate and includes a plurality of gate electrodes that are insulated from the substrate by an insulating layer. The gate electrodes are connected to a conductor bonded to the substrate. The protection circuit is also constructed on the substrate. The protection circuit is connected to the conductor and to the substrate and protects the CCD array from both negative and positive voltage swings generated by electrostatic discharge events and the like. The protection circuit and the CCD can be constructed in the same integrated circuit fabrication process.

Abstract: An imaging array and method for using the same to capture an image are disclosed. The imaging array includes an array of pixel sensors and a controller. Each pixel sensor includes a dual-ported photodiode characterized by ports having first and second gates, and a charge conversion circuit. The charge conversion circuit generates a signal that is a function of a charge on the dual-ported photodiode when the first gate in the dual-ported photodiode is activated to transfer a charge on the dual-ported photodiode to the charge conversion circuit. The controller applies a potential to the second gates and measures a current flowing out of the second gates, each second port passing charge stored in the photodiode connected to the second port when a potential in the photodiode exceeds the applied potential. The controller determines an average light intensity incident on the array of pixel sensors.

Abstract: An imaging array and method for capturing an image utilizing the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes an array of pixel sensors in which each pixel includes a dual-ported photodiode or photogate and a charge conversion circuit. The charge conversion circuit generates a voltage signal that is a function of a charge on the dual-ported photodiode. The controller applies a potential that varies over the exposure to the second gates in the dual-ported photodiodes, each second port passing charge stored in the photodiode connected to the second port when a potential in the photodiode exceeds the applied potential. The potential is chosen such that charge flows through the second gates of pixel sensors that are exposed to light intensities greater than a first threshold intensity during the exposure.

Abstract: An imaging array and a method for operating the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes a plurality of light pixels and a sense amplifier. Each light pixel includes a photodetector that generates and couples a signal indicative of a light exposure to a light pixel node, a readout circuit, and a mixer that mixes a signal on the light pixel node with a pixel oscillator signal. The sense amplifier includes an input node that receives a signal from each light pixel, one light pixel at a time. The sense amplifier also includes a high pass filter that attenuates signals with frequencies less than a cutoff frequency and a mixer that demodulates the signal from the filter to provide a signal that is related to the potential on the light pixel node of the light pixel connected to the first input node.

Abstract: An image sensor having a two-dimensional array of CMOS pixel sensors, a row decoder and a column decoder is disclosed. The two-dimensional array of CMOS pixel sensors is organized as a plurality of rows and columns that are addressed with the aid of row and column decoders. At least one of the column decoder or the row decoder is located between two of the rows or two of the columns, respectively. X-rays are converted to light that is detected by the image sensor by a layer of scintillation material that overlies the two-dimensional array. The internally located decoder or decoders facilitate sensors in which the two-dimensional array includes a rectangular array having a chamfered corner such that rows or columns that extend into the chamfered corner have lengths that are less than rows or columns, respectively, that do not extend into the corners.

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 camera for forming an image of a scene that moves relative to the camera and the method of forming that image are disclosed. The camera includes an imaging array having a plurality of CMOS pixel sensors having a plurality of columns and rows, an imaging system, and a controller. The imaging system causes a portion of an image of a scene to be projected on the imaging array such that the image of the scene moves across the imaging array in the column direction. First and second images of the scene are formed at first and second times chosen such that the image of the scene moves a predetermined number of rows of the imaging array between the first and second times. The controller combines pixel values from rows in the first image with rows in the second image that are separated by the predetermined number of rows.