Charge coupled device multiplexing system for image sensors

Abstract

The specification discloses a multiplexing system for an image detection array having laterally staggered first and second rows of image detectors which generate electrical signals representative of sensed images. First and second charge coupled device shift registers are connected to receive the electrical signals through channel inlets spaced along the lengths of the registers. Circuitry is operable during a first clock period for parallel loading electrical signals from the first row of detectors into a first set of alternate ones of the channel inlets of the first shift register. Circuitry is operable during a second clock period for parallel loading electrical signals from the second row of detectors into a second set of alternate ones of the channel inlets of the first shift register for storage between electrical signals from the first row of detectors. Circuitry is also operable during the second clock period for parallel loading electrical signals from the first row of detectors into a first set of alternate ones of the channel inlets of the second shift register. Circuitry is operable during a third clock period for parallel loading electrical signals from the second row of detectors into a second set of alternate ones of the channel inlets of the second shift register. Shift circuitry is provided to selectively serially clock the stored electrical signals from the output of the first and second registers to provide a composite display representative of the sensed images.