U.S. Philips Corporation

Gregory E Pine

Petrus G Centen

Pieter P Brouwer

Albert J Theuwissen

Holger Stoldt

It is known to adjust the width/height ratio (aspect ratio) in charge coupled imaging devices in that a number of columns may or may not be used on either side of the imaging matrix. It is possible in this manner, for example, to reduce the aspect ratio to 4/3 starting from a device with an aspect ratio of 16/9 corresponding to a widescreen TV. Practice has shown that this reduction in the width impairs the quality of the imaging device in the 4/3 mode. According to an aspect of the invention, an FT device with an aspect ratio of 4/3 is used and operated as a 4-phase CCD in the 4/3 mode. To obtain the 16/9 aspect ratio, the height of the device is reduced in that selected lines are not used. For this purpose, the sensor matrix is operated as a 3-phase CCD, whereby the number of lines in vertical direction is increased. The aspect ratio surprisingly becomes substantially equal to 16/9, while the width remains the same and the number of lines in the vertical direction is constant, in that the excess lines are not used as video information. To operate the sensor matrix A as a 3-phase as well as a 4-phase CCD, the electrodes are interconnected by clock lines in the manner of a 12-phase CCD.

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Simi Valley, CA, United States of America

Gregory E Pine