Analog Devices,inc.

Stuart D Boyd

Steven J Decker

Laurier St Onge

Dahong Qian

In one embodiment, an image sensor includes an area pixel array, column readout lines, and array readout lines, wherein the area pixel array includes columns of pixels, each including pixels of a first type, each column readout line is selectively coupled to outputs of the pixels of the first type that are included in a respective column of pixels, and each array readout line is selectively coupled to at least one of the first column readout lines. In another embodiment, an image sensor includes a pixel array, column readout lines, and array readout lines, wherein the pixel array includes a row of pixels which includes pixels of a first type, each column readout line is selectively coupled to an output of a respective pixel of the first type that is included in the row of pixels, and each array readout line is selectively coupled to at least one of the column readout lines.

Image sensor using multiple array readout lines

In one embodiment, an image sensor includes a linear pixel array and array readout lines, wherein the linear pixel array includes a group of pixels arranged in a row, and each array readout line is selectively coupled to an output of at least one pixel included in the group of pixels. In another embodiment, an image sensor includes a linear pixel array and an array readout line, wherein the linear pixel array includes a first group of pixels, sensitive to a first color of light, arranged in a first row, and a second group of pixels, sensitive to a second color of light, arranged in a second row, and the array readout line is selectively coupled to outputs of pixels included in the first group of pixels and outputs of pixels included in the second group of pixels. In another embodiment, an image sensor includes array readout lines and a pixel, wherein an output of the pixel is selectively coupled to each of the array readout lines such that the contents of the pixel may be provided to any one of the array readout lines without being provided to any other of the array readout lines. In another embodiment, an image sensor includes a linear pixel array and array readout lines, wherein the pixel array includes a group of pixels, sensitive to a particular color of light, arranged in a row, and each array readout line is selectively coupled to an output of at least one pixel included in the group of pixels.

Pixel readout scheme for image sensors

Spatially offset, row interpolated image sensor includes a linear array sensor having a first row of longitudinally extending pixels with a first spatial periodicity and a second row of longitudinally extending pixels having a second spatial periodicity laterally adjacent the first row and longitudinally staggered with respect to the first row; and a read circuit for individually, selectively sampling pixels of the rows for producing a composite output which has a combined spatial periodicity which is shorter than either of the first and second spatial periodicities and has a number of samples equal to the combined samples of both the rows.

Growing community of inventors

Hamilton, MA, United States of America

Stuart D Boyd