Patent EP0225133A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0225133A2
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EP
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A method of driving a two-dimensional CCD image sensor
Assignee: NEC Corp
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Filing: 1986-11-20
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-11-20
Abstract
Abstract An image sensor comprises rows 2-1, 2-2 of light sensing elements accumulating electrical charges in response to irradiation. The charges are transferred via gates 4-1, 4-2 to first transfer registers 3-1, 3-2. The charges are transferred from these registers into shift registers 5-1, 5-2 and out of the shift registers into a further transfer register 6 from which a serial output video signal is obtained via an output amplifier 8. In order to shorten the effective exposure time transfers from the rows of elements 2-1, 2-2 to the registers 3-1, 3-2 are effected at any time when the stored charges are being transferred from the shift registers 5-1, 5-2 to the further transfer register 6. The transfers from the first transfer registers 3-1, 3-2 to the shift registers occur in synchronism with the transfers from the shift registers to the further transfer register 6. A i discard drain region 30 is provided for sweeping out the first transfer registers and shift registers. In an alternative embodiment a discard drain region is positioned alongside the further transfer register 6.
Inventors
- 👤 Sadayuki C/O Nec Corporation Ikeda
- 👤 Hidehiko C/O Nec Corporation Inoue
- 👤 Kiyotake C/O Nec Corporation Nagai
- 👤 Hiroshi C/O Nec Corporation Nakajima
- 👤 Yasuichi C/O Nec Corporation Ushiyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/71; H04N25/73; H04N25/50; H04N25/53
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of shortening an effective exposure .time of an image sensor which includes a plurality of rows of light-sensing elements accumulating electrical charges in response to irradiated light thereto, a plurality of first transfer registers each coupled to each row of said light-sensing elements and receiving accumulated charges transferred from said light-sensing elements thereto, a plurality of shift registers each coupled to each said first transfer registers and storing the accumulated charges transferred from said first transfer registers thereto, and a second transfer register coupled to said plurality of shift registers and transferring therethrough the stored charges transferred from said shift registers thereto to output a video signal, said method comprising the steps of taking charges accumulated in each row of said light-sensing elements out of said elements to said first transfer register at any time when the stored charges are being transferred from said shift registers to said second transfer register, transferring the taken-out charges from said first transfer register to said shift register in synchronism with the transfer of said stored charges from said shift registers to said second transfer register, and discarding the taken-but charges.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
189 words
A method of shortening an effective exposure .time of an image sensor which includes a plurality of rows of light-sensing elements accumulating electrical charges in response to irradiated light thereto, a plurality of first transfer registers each coupled to each row of said light-sensing elements and receiving accumulated charges transferred from said light-sensing elements thereto, a plurality of shift registers each coupled to each said first transfer registers and storing the accumulated charges transferred from said first transfer registers thereto, and a second transfer register coupled to said plurality of shift registers and transferring therethrough the stored charges transferred from said shift registers thereto to output a video signal, said method comprising the steps of taking charges accumulated in each row of said light-sensing elements out of said elements to said first transfer register at any time when the stored charges are being transferred from said shift registers to said second transfer register, transferring the taken-out charges from said first transfer register to said shift register in synchronism with the transfer of said stored charges from said shift registers to said second transfer register, and discarding the taken-but charges.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
239 words
An image sensor comprising a plurality of rows of photodiodes, said photodiodes in each row being arranged in a vertical direction, a plurality of vertical transfer register means respectively coupled to said plurality of rows of photodiodes for receiving electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes and transferring said charges therethrough, storage means coupled to said vertical transfer register means for receiving electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer register means thereto and storing the delivered charges, a horizontal transfer register means coupled to said storage means for transferring electric charges delivered from said storage means thereto in a horizontal direction to produce a video signal, means for sweeping away electric charges stored in said vertical transfer register means and said storage means during a vertical blanking period, means for transferring electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means during said vertical blanking period and after said charges are swept away, means for transferring the electric charges delivered to said vertical transfer register means into said storage means during said vertical blanking period, means for transferring the electric charges from said storage means to said horizontal transfer register means during an active video period, and means for transferring electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means during said active video period while the charges stored in said storage means are being transferred from said storage means to said horizontal transfer register means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
239 words
An image sensor comprising a plurality of rows of photodiodes, said photodiodes in each row being arranged in a vertical direction, a plurality of vertical transfer register means respectively coupled to said plurality of rows of photodiodes for receiving electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes and transferring said charges therethrough, storage means coupled to said vertical transfer register means for receiving electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer register means thereto and storing the delivered charges, a horizontal transfer register means coupled to said storage means for transferring electric charges delivered from said storage means thereto in a horizontal direction to produce a video signal, means for sweeping away electric charges stored in said vertical transfer register means and said storage means during a vertical blanking period, means for transferring electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means during said vertical blanking period and after said charges are swept away, means for transferring the electric charges delivered to said vertical transfer register means into said storage means during said vertical blanking period, means for transferring the electric charges from said storage means to said horizontal transfer register means during an active video period, and means for transferring electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means during said active video period while the charges stored in said storage means are being transferred from said storage means to said horizontal transfer register means.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
358 words
A method for driving an image sensor which includes a plurality of photodiode arraies, each of said photodiode arraies including first photodiodes designated for an odd television field and second photodiodes designated for an even television field, each of said first photodiodes and each of said second photodiodes being alternatively arranged, a plurality of vertical transfer register means respectively coupled to the plurality of said photodiode arraies for receiving electric charges accumulated in said first and second photodiodes, storage means coupled to the plurality of said vertical transfer register means for receiving electric charges delivered from the plurality of said vertical transfer register means, and horizontal transfer register means coupled to said storage means for transferring electric charges delivered from said storage means in a horizontal direction to produce a video signal, said method comprising: a sweeping step for sweeping away electric charges stored in said vertical transfer register means and said storage means during one vertical blanking period for a television frame; a first transfer step subsequent to said sweeping step for transferring the electric charges accumulated in said first photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means during said vertical blanking period; a second transfer step subsequent to said first transfer step for transferring the electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer register means into said storage means during said vertical blanking period; a third transfer step subsequent to said second transfer step for transferring electric charges accumulated in said second photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means; a fourth transfer step subsequent to said third transfer step for transferring the electric charges stored in said storage means and in said vertical transfer register means into said horizontal transfer register means continuously for one television frame period to deliver a video signal of one televisions frame from said horizontal transfer register means; a fifth transfer step for transferring electric charges accumulated in said first photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means, at an optional timing during said one television frame period; and a sixth transfer step subsequent to said fifth transfer step for transferring electric charges accumulated in said second photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
358 words
A method for driving an image sensor which includes a plurality of photodiode arraies, each of said photodiode arraies including first photodiodes designated for an odd television field and second photodiodes designated for an even television field, each of said first photodiodes and each of said second photodiodes being alternatively arranged, a plurality of vertical transfer register means respectively coupled to the plurality of said photodiode arraies for receiving electric charges accumulated in said first and second photodiodes, storage means coupled to the plurality of said vertical transfer register means for receiving electric charges delivered from the plurality of said vertical transfer register means, and horizontal transfer register means coupled to said storage means for transferring electric charges delivered from said storage means in a horizontal direction to produce a video signal, said method comprising: a sweeping step for sweeping away electric charges stored in said vertical transfer register means and said storage means during one vertical blanking period for a television frame; a first transfer step subsequent to said sweeping step for transferring the electric charges accumulated in said first photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means during said vertical blanking period; a second transfer step subsequent to said first transfer step for transferring the electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer register means into said storage means during said vertical blanking period; a third transfer step subsequent to said second transfer step for transferring electric charges accumulated in said second photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means; a fourth transfer step subsequent to said third transfer step for transferring the electric charges stored in said storage means and in said vertical transfer register means into said horizontal transfer register means continuously for one television frame period to deliver a video signal of one televisions frame from said horizontal transfer register means; a fifth transfer step for transferring electric charges accumulated in said first photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means, at an optional timing during said one television frame period; and a sixth transfer step subsequent to said fifth transfer step for transferring electric charges accumulated in said second photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
215 words
An image sensor comprising an array of photodiodes, a plurality of vertical transfer register means each coupled to a plurality of photodiodes for receiving electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes and transferring said charges therethrough, storage means coupled to said plurality of vertical transfer register means for storing electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer register means, a horizontal transfer register means coupled to said storage means for transferring electric charges delivered from said to output a video signal, means for generating high-speed sweeping pulses to sweep away electric charges stayed in said vertical transfer register means and stored in said storage means during a vertical blanking period, means for generating a first transfer gate pulse after generation of said high-speed sweepting pulses to transfer electric charges accumulated in a plurality of photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means, means for generating high-speed transfer pulses after generation of said first transfer gate pulse to transfer the electric charges transferred to said vertical transfer register means from said vertical transfer register means into said storage means, and means for generating a second transfer gate pulse to transfer electric charges accumulated in a plurality of photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means after generation of said high-speed transfer pulses and before generation of said high-speed sweeping pulses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
215 words
An image sensor comprising an array of photodiodes, a plurality of vertical transfer register means each coupled to a plurality of photodiodes for receiving electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes and transferring said charges therethrough, storage means coupled to said plurality of vertical transfer register means for storing electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer register means, a horizontal transfer register means coupled to said storage means for transferring electric charges delivered from said to output a video signal, means for generating high-speed sweeping pulses to sweep away electric charges stayed in said vertical transfer register means and stored in said storage means during a vertical blanking period, means for generating a first transfer gate pulse after generation of said high-speed sweepting pulses to transfer electric charges accumulated in a plurality of photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means, means for generating high-speed transfer pulses after generation of said first transfer gate pulse to transfer the electric charges transferred to said vertical transfer register means from said vertical transfer register means into said storage means, and means for generating a second transfer gate pulse to transfer electric charges accumulated in a plurality of photodiodes into said vertical transfer register means after generation of said high-speed transfer pulses and before generation of said high-speed sweeping pulses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
385 words
An image sensor comprising a plurality of photodiode arraies, each of said photodiode arraies containing first photodiodes designated for an odd television field and second photodiodes designated for an even television field, said first photodiode and said second photodiode being alternatively arranged, a plurality of vertical transfer register means respectively coupled to the plurality of said photodiode arraies for receiving electric charges from said first photodiodes and said second photodiodes, storage means coupled to the plurality of said vertical transfer register means for receiving the electric charges from the plurality of said vertical transfer register means, horizontal transfer register means coupled to said storage means for transferring the electric charges delivered from said storage means in a horizontal direction to output a video signal, means for generating first high-speed pulses to sweep away electric charges contained in said vertical transfer register means and said storage means in the vertical direction during one vertical blanking period in one frame period, means for generating a first transfer pulse after generation of said first high-speed pulses to transfer electric charges accumulated in first photodiodes to said vertical transfer register means during said vertical blanking period, means for generating second high-speed pulses after generation of said first transfer pulse to transfer the electric charges stored in said vertical transfer register means to said storage means during said vertical blanking period, means for generating a second transfer pulse after generation of said second high-speed pulses to transfer the electric charges accumulated in said second photodiodes to said vertical transfer register means, means for generating third transfer pulses after generation of said transfer pulse to shift the electric charges stored in said storage means and in said vertical transfer register means into said horizontal transfer register means continuously during a television frame period, means for generating a fourth transfer pulse to transfer electric charges accumulated in said first photodiodes to said vertical transfer register means at a selected time point in said television frame period, and means for generating a fifth transfer pulse after said,fourth transfer pulse by a predetermined period to transfer electric charges accumulated in said second photodiodes to said vertical transfer register means, whereby an effective accumulation period in said first and second photodiodes can be controlled by selecting said time point in generating said fourth transfer pulse.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
385 words
An image sensor comprising a plurality of photodiode arraies, each of said photodiode arraies containing first photodiodes designated for an odd television field and second photodiodes designated for an even television field, said first photodiode and said second photodiode being alternatively arranged, a plurality of vertical transfer register means respectively coupled to the plurality of said photodiode arraies for receiving electric charges from said first photodiodes and said second photodiodes, storage means coupled to the plurality of said vertical transfer register means for receiving the electric charges from the plurality of said vertical transfer register means, horizontal transfer register means coupled to said storage means for transferring the electric charges delivered from said storage means in a horizontal direction to output a video signal, means for generating first high-speed pulses to sweep away electric charges contained in said vertical transfer register means and said storage means in the vertical direction during one vertical blanking period in one frame period, means for generating a first transfer pulse after generation of said first high-speed pulses to transfer electric charges accumulated in first photodiodes to said vertical transfer register means during said vertical blanking period, means for generating second high-speed pulses after generation of said first transfer pulse to transfer the electric charges stored in said vertical transfer register means to said storage means during said vertical blanking period, means for generating a second transfer pulse after generation of said second high-speed pulses to transfer the electric charges accumulated in said second photodiodes to said vertical transfer register means, means for generating third transfer pulses after generation of said transfer pulse to shift the electric charges stored in said storage means and in said vertical transfer register means into said horizontal transfer register means continuously during a television frame period, means for generating a fourth transfer pulse to transfer electric charges accumulated in said first photodiodes to said vertical transfer register means at a selected time point in said television frame period, and means for generating a fifth transfer pulse after said,fourth transfer pulse by a predetermined period to transfer electric charges accumulated in said second photodiodes to said vertical transfer register means, whereby an effective accumulation period in said first and second photodiodes can be controlled by selecting said time point in generating said fourth transfer pulse.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
176 words
A television camera apparatus comprising an image sensor for producing a video signal, said image sensor including a plurality of arraies each having a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a vertical direction; a plurality of vertical transfer registers respectively coupled to said plurality of said arraies for receiving electric charges accumulated in said plurality of photodiodes, memory means coupled to said plurality of said vertical transfer registers for receiving the electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer registers, and a horizontal transfer register coupled to said memory . means for transferring the electric charges delivered from said memory means in a horizontal direction to output said video signal; means for driving said image sensor, said driving means including a generator for generating a transfer pulse to transfer electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes into said vertical transfer registers at a selected timing during an active video period; means for detecting a level of said video signal delivered from said image sensor; and means responsive to said level detected by said detecting means for selecting said timing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
176 words
A television camera apparatus comprising an image sensor for producing a video signal, said image sensor including a plurality of arraies each having a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a vertical direction; a plurality of vertical transfer registers respectively coupled to said plurality of said arraies for receiving electric charges accumulated in said plurality of photodiodes, memory means coupled to said plurality of said vertical transfer registers for receiving the electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer registers, and a horizontal transfer register coupled to said memory . means for transferring the electric charges delivered from said memory means in a horizontal direction to output said video signal; means for driving said image sensor, said driving means including a generator for generating a transfer pulse to transfer electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes into said vertical transfer registers at a selected timing during an active video period; means for detecting a level of said video signal delivered from said image sensor; and means responsive to said level detected by said detecting means for selecting said timing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
269 words
A television camera apparatus comprising: lens means for receiving light representative of an image, said lens means including iris; -iris control means responsive to a iris control signal for controlling said iris included in said lens means; an image sensor for producing a video signal, said image sensor including a.plurality of arraies each having a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a vertical direction, a plurality of vertical transfer registers respectively coupled to said plurality of said arraies for receiving electric charges accumulated in said plurality of photodiodes, memory means coupled to said plurality of said vertical transfer registers for receiving the electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer registers, and a horizontal transfer register coupled to said memory means for transferring the electric charges delivered from said memory means in a horizontal direction to output said video signal; means for driving said image sensor, said driving means including a generator for generating a transfer pulse to transfer electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes into said vertical transfer registers at an optional timing during an active video period; amplifier means responsive to a gain control signal for amplifying said video signal to produce a processed video signal; means for detecting a level of said processed video signal to produce a level detection signal; first control means responsive to a shutter speed signal for controlling said optional timing generated in said driving means; and second control means responsive to'said level detection signal and said shutter speed signal for producing said iris control signal and said gain control signal to keep the level of said processed video signal within a predetermined range.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
269 words
A television camera apparatus comprising: lens means for receiving light representative of an image, said lens means including iris; -iris control means responsive to a iris control signal for controlling said iris included in said lens means; an image sensor for producing a video signal, said image sensor including a.plurality of arraies each having a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a vertical direction, a plurality of vertical transfer registers respectively coupled to said plurality of said arraies for receiving electric charges accumulated in said plurality of photodiodes, memory means coupled to said plurality of said vertical transfer registers for receiving the electric charges delivered from said vertical transfer registers, and a horizontal transfer register coupled to said memory means for transferring the electric charges delivered from said memory means in a horizontal direction to output said video signal; means for driving said image sensor, said driving means including a generator for generating a transfer pulse to transfer electric charges accumulated in said photodiodes into said vertical transfer registers at an optional timing during an active video period; amplifier means responsive to a gain control signal for amplifying said video signal to produce a processed video signal; means for detecting a level of said processed video signal to produce a level detection signal; first control means responsive to a shutter speed signal for controlling said optional timing generated in said driving means; and second control means responsive to'said level detection signal and said shutter speed signal for producing said iris control signal and said gain control signal to keep the level of said processed video signal within a predetermined range.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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