Patents by Inventor David N. Nichols
David N. Nichols has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9049353Abstract: In various embodiments, a time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) image sensor includes (i) a plurality of integrating CCDs (ICCDs), arranged in parallel, that accumulate photocharge in response to exposure to light, (ii) electrically coupled to the plurality of ICCDs, a readout CCD (RCCD) for receiving photocharge from the plurality of ICCDs, and (iii) electrically coupled to the RCCD, readout circuitry for converting charge received from the RCCD into voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8736924Abstract: In various embodiments, a time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) image sensor includes (i) a plurality of integrating CCDs (ICCDs), arranged in parallel, that accumulate photocharge in response to exposure to light, (ii) electrically coupled to the plurality of ICCDs, a readout CCD (RCCD) for receiving photocharge from the plurality of ICCDs, and (iii) electrically coupled to the RCCD, readout circuitry for converting charge received from the RCCD into voltage.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Edward T. Nelson, David N. Nichols, John T. Compton
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Patent number: 8605187Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor includes a layer of a semiconductor material having a first conductivity type. A horizontal CCD channel region of a second conductivity type is disposed in the layer of the semiconductor material. The horizontal CCD channel region includes multiple phases that are used to shift photo-generated charge through the horizontal CCD channel region. Distinct overflow drain regions are disposed in the layer of semiconducting material, with an overflow drain region electrically connected to only one particular phase of the horizontal CCD channel region. A buffer region of the second conductivity type can be used to electrically connect each overflow drain to the one particular phase of the horizontal CCD channel. Multiple barrier regions are disposed in the layer of semiconductor material, with each barrier region disposed between each overflow drain and the one particular phase electrically connected to the drain.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2009Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Shen Wang, Eric J. Meisenzahl, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8314873Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8294803Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8279316Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8279317Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: October 2, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8194165Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8194166Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8194164Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: June 5, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8164669Abstract: A CCD image sensor comprises photosensitive elements arranged in rows and columns, vertical CCDs each having vertical shift elements associated with respective ones of the photosensitive elements of a corresponding one of the columns, and a horizontal CCD coupled to each of the vertical CCDs. The horizontal CCD comprises horizontal shift elements of two different types interspersed with one another. The horizontal shift elements of the first type are configured to receive shifted charge packets directly from respective ones of the vertical CCDs. The horizontal shift elements of the second type are configured not to receive shifted charge packets directly from any of the vertical CCDs. This configuration facilitates binning of same-color pixels for both sparse CFA patterns and Bayer CFA patterns.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8149303Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8144220Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Patent number: 8134628Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Publication number: 20110074997Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Publication number: 20110074998Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Publication number: 20110075007Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Publication number: 20110075009Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Publication number: 20110075001Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols
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Publication number: 20110075000Abstract: Multiple images are captured where the exposure times for some of the images overlap and the images are spatially overlapped. Charge packets are transferred from one or more portions of pixels after particular integration periods, thereby enabling the portion or portions of pixels to begin another integration period while one or more other portions of pixels continue to integrate charge. Charge packets may be binned during readout of the images from the image sensor. Comparison of two or more images having different lengths of overlapping or non-overlapping exposure periods provides motion information. The multiple images can then be aligned to compensate for motion between the images and assembled into a combined image with an improved signal to noise ratio and reduced motion blur.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2009Publication date: March 31, 2011Inventors: John N. Border, John T. Compton, David N. Nichols