Image Sensor and Method with Multiple Scanning Modes

Abstract

Multiple scanning modes are provided for an array of electromagnetic radiation sensors. In the preferred implementation both selectable subarrays and the overall array can be read out and reset in any desired order, including interrupting a full array scan for a subarray scan and then resuming the full array scan.

1 . An imaging system, comprising:
 a sensor array for sensing an images;   a read out circuit connected to read out sensors of said arrays; and   a control circuit connected to said read out circuit to enable a read out of the sensors in selectable subarrays of said array and integrated in the imaging sensor to facilitate read out and reset of the sensors in the imaging array, wherein said control circuit controls operation of the imaging system on chip by specifically generating multiple sensor selection and reset signals outside of the sensors and determining the specific sensors and/or sensor subarray to be read, reset or both.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said control circuit is also connected to selectably enable a read out of the full array. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein said control circuit is programmable to initiate a read out of the full array, to interrupt said full array read out and enable the read out of a selected subarray, and to thereafter complete said full array read out. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said sensor array is arranged in rows and columns, and said control circuit enables a read out of a selected subarray by designating start and stop columns and start and stop rows for said readout. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a reset circuit connected to reset the sensors of said array, said control circuit connected to said reset circuit to enable a reset of the sensors in said selectable subarrays. 
   
   
       6 . An imaging system, comprising:
 an array of electromagnetic radiation sensors; and   a multiple mode control circuit controllable to scan selectable subarrays within said array and integrated in the imaging system to facilitate read out and reset of the sensors in the array wherein said control circuit controls operation of the imaging system on chin by specifically generating multiple sensor selection and reset signals outside of the sensors and determining the specific sensors and/or sensor subarray to be read, reset or both.   
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said control circuit is also controllable to scan said array as a whole. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said sensors are included in respective pixels, each pixel further comprising:
 a respective reset transistor connected to enable, when activated, a reset of the pixel's sensor; and   a respective logic gate connected to activate said reset transistor in response to a plurality of reset signals.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein said sensors are included in respective pixels and said control circuit comprises:
 a controller configured to produce a control signal that designates a subarray to be scanned;   a selection circuit responsive to said control signal to select a subarray to be scanned, and   a scanning circuit connected to scan the pixels in a selected subarray.   
   
   
       10 . The imaging system of  claim 9 , wherein said scanning circuit comprises:
 a read circuit configured to read out pixels of said array; and   a reset circuit configured to reset pixels of said array.   
   
   
       11 . The imaging system of  claim 10 , wherein said selection circuit comprises:
 a decoder connected to provide location signals to indicate a subarray to be scanned; and   a multiplexer circuit configured to enable either said read circuit or said reset circuit for each pixel in a selected subarray.   
   
   
       12 . The imaging system of  claim 11 , further comprising a shift register responsive to said decoder to enable either said read circuit or said reset circuit for the pixels of a selected subarray. 
   
   
       13 . The imaging system of  claim 10 , wherein said read circuit comprises:
 a logic gate connected to transmit a sensor signal to a read bus; and   a transistor connected to said read bus to enable said sensor signal to be read out from said read bus.   
   
   
       14 . The imaging system of  claim 10 , wherein said reset circuit comprises:
 an individual pixel reset circuit connected to reset a selectable pixel in response to a plurality of reset signals.   
   
   
       15 . The imaging system of  claim 14 , wherein said individual pixel reset circuit comprises:
 a respective reset transistor associated with each pixel and connected to enable a reset of said pixel; and   a respective logic gate associated with each pixel and connected to activate the pixel's reset transistor in response to a plurality of reset signals.   
   
   
       16 . A method of reading out an array of electromagnetic radiation sensors, comprising:
 reading out the full array of sensors;   selecting a subarray of said sensors-;   reading out said selected subarray separate from reading out the full array; and   integrating a control circuit in each sensor to facilitate read out and reset of the sensors in the array, wherein said control circuit controls operation of the imaging system on chip by specifically generating multiple sensor selection and reset signals outside of the sensors and determining the specific sensors and/or sensor subarray to be read, reset or both.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting a plurality of different subarrays of said sensors and reading out each of said selected subarrays separate from reading out the full array. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising resetting the selected subarray after the selected subarray has been read out. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the reading out of said full array is interrupted, said selected subarray is read out during said interruption, and said full array read out is thereafter completed. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said sensors are arranged in rows and columns, and the read out of a selected subarray is controlled by designating start and stop columns and start and start rows for read out. 
   
   
       21 . An imaging system, comprising:
 a pixel array for sensing an image;   a read out circuit connected to read out the pixels of said array;   a control circuit connected to said read out circuit to enable a read out of the pixels in selectable subarrays of said array;   a shift register; and   a decoder connected to provide location signals to indicate a subarray to be scanned; wherein the shift register is responsive to the decoder to enable either the read out circuit or the reset circuit for the pixels of a selected subarray.   
   
   
       22 . An imaging system, comprising:
 an array of electromagnetic radiation sensors;   a multiple mode control circuit controllable to scan selectable subarrays within said array; and   a shift register;   wherein the multiple mode control circuit comprises a read circuit configured to read out pixels of the array, and a reset circuit configured to reset pixels of the array; the selection circuit comprises a decoder connected to provide location signals to indicate a subarray to be scanned; and wherein the shift register is responsive to the decoder to enable either the read circuit or the reset circuit for the pixels of a selected subarray.