IMAGER WITH INCREASED READOUT CAPACITANCE

摘要

An image sensor may be provided. The image sensor may be a high-capacitance image sensor or a dual-mode image sensor having a high-capacitance operational mode. A high-capacitance image sensor may include image detectors and associated unit cells. During operation, the image sensor may integrate image signals from each detector row using unit cells in multiple unit cell rows. The image sensor may integrate and readout image signals in an interleaved process that allows each detector row to capture image data using multiple unit cells. A dual-mode image sensor may operate in a similar manner to a high-capacitance image sensor when operated in the high-capacitance mode. The dual-mode image sensor may have switches interposed between unit cells to selectively couple and decouple the unit cells for switching between the high-capacitance mode and a normal operational mode.

主权项

1. A dual-mode image sensor having a normal mode of operation and a high-capacitance mode of operation, comprising:
an array of image detectors arranged in detector rows and detector columns; a corresponding array of unit cells arranged in corresponding unit cell rows and unit cell columns, wherein each unit cell is associated with a particular one of the image detectors and wherein each unit cell includes a charge storage region for integrating charges generated by at least one of the image detectors; and a plurality of switches, wherein each switch is coupled between the charge storage regions of two of the unit cells and wherein the plurality of switches are operable to switch the dual-mode image sensor between the normal mode of operation and the high-capacitance mode of operation.