Apparatus for testing image sensors that simultaneously output multiple image blocks

Claim 1

Apparatus for producing an image from a predetermined pattern of blocks of image data stored in a multi-output image sensor on a display without using a frame store in order to determine defects in such image sensor, the image sensor having a plurality of analog shift registers each associated with a corresponding block of image data, for serially shifting out its corresponding block of image data, image line by image line, to an output of the analog shift registers, wherein each block of image data is simultaneously serially shifted out of the multi-output image sensor comprising: (a) a plurality of first addressable analog multiplexers, each such first analog multiplexer having inputs coupled to the outputs of a plurality of the analog shift registers; (b) a second addressable multiplexer having inputs coupled to outputs of the first analog multiplexers; and (c) timing and control means for sequentially addressing the first multiplexers and the second multiplexers so that the output of each shift register is coupled to the display and each block of image data is sequentially coupled to the display at a rate selected so that an image of the pattern provided by the blocks of image data is effectively produced on the display for visual analysis.