US5717199A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Collective charge reading and injection in random access charge transfer devices
Assignee: CID Tech Inc
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Filing: 1996-01-26
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Granted: 1998-02-10
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Expires: 2016-01-26
Abstract
Abstract Random access charge transfer devices are provided in which it is possible to simultaneously read electric charge that is stored within each detection element (pixel) that is in one of any desired combination of columns and that is also in one of any desired combination of rows. It is also possible to simultaneously read electric charge stored within each detection element or pixel in at least one selected column or row. In addition, it is possible to simultaneously cause injection of some or all of the electric charge stored in each detection element in one of any desired combination of columns and also in one of any desired combination of rows, or to simultaneously cause injection of some or all of the electric charge stored in each detection element in at least one selected column or row. In certain embodiments, a plurality of pre-amplifiers are connected to the column or row electrodes of the charge transfer device, for simultaneously producing a plurality of outputs, each output corresponding to the electric charge stored within at least one detection element or pixel in a single column or row, and a summation amplifier is provided having a feedback loop that is connected into each of the pre-amplifiers.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Carbone
- 👤 M. Bonner Denton
- 👤 Stephen W. Czebiniak
- 👤 Jeffrey J. Zarnowski
- 👤 Steven N. VanGorden
- 👤 Michael J. Pilon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/76; H04N25/40; H04N25/44; H04N25/443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of columns for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of rows for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner in order to search for unwanted high-energy events affecting said electric charge stored within at least one of said detection elements; injecting charge out of said at least one of said detection elements; subsequent to said steps of reading electric charge and injecting charge, simultaneously reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; and determining the total amount of said electric charge read in said simultaneous reading step, and performing a mathematical calculation on said total amount that compensates for absence of electric charge from said at least one of said detection elements.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
338 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of columns for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of rows for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner in order to search for unwanted high-energy events affecting said electric charge stored within at least one of said detection elements; injecting charge out of said at least one of said detection elements; subsequent to said steps of reading electric charge and injecting charge, simultaneously reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; and determining the total amount of said electric charge read in said simultaneous reading step, and performing a mathematical calculation on said total amount that compensates for absence of electric charge from said at least one of said detection elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
93 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the steps of: determining the total amount of said electric charge read in said simultaneous reading step in order to determine that said selected combination of columns and said selected combination of rows define a region of interest; and reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner, in order to obtain detailed information pertaining to said region of interest.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said desired combination of columns and said desired combination of rows define a region expected to contain a level of charge per detection element substantially lower than a level of charge per detection element in a location outside said region.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said desired combination of columns and said desired combination of rows define a region expected to contain a level of charge per detection element that tends to vary less between adjacent detection elements than a level of charge per detection element in a location outside said region.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said desired combination of columns and said desired combination of rows define a region corresponding to an analytical signal obtained in a spectroscopic imaging process.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said spectroscopic imaging process is a 2-dimensional spectroscopic imaging process, and said region is substantially 2-dimensional.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 5, wherein said spectroscopic imaging process is a 1-dimensional spectroscopic imaging process, and said region is substantially 1-dimensional.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said desired combination of columns and said desired combination of rows define a background region corresponding to an absence of analytical signal of interest obtained in a spectroscopic imaging process.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said step of simultaneously reading said electric charge comprises simultaneously producing a plurality of outputs, each of which comprises a summation of electric charge stored within detection elements in a single column or row.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 9, further comprising the step of summing each of said outputs together.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
336 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of columns for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of rows for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner in order to search for unwanted high-energy events affecting said electric charge stored within at least one of said detection elements; subsequent to said step of reading electric charge, simultaneously reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in a manner that excludes said at least one of said detection elements; and determining the total amount of said electric charge read in said simultaneous reading step, and performing a mathematical calculation on said total amount that compensates for absence of electric charge from said at least one of said detection elements.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
336 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of columns for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of rows for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner in order to search for unwanted high-energy events affecting said electric charge stored within at least one of said detection elements; subsequent to said step of reading electric charge, simultaneously reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in a manner that excludes said at least one of said detection elements; and determining the total amount of said electric charge read in said simultaneous reading step, and performing a mathematical calculation on said total amount that compensates for absence of electric charge from said at least one of said detection elements.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
377 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of columns for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of rows for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; while said array of detection elements generates and stores electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner in order to search for unwanted high-energy events affecting said electric charge stored within at least one of said detection elements; successively repeating said step of reading charge in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner; and successively comparing the amount of said electric charge read from at least one of said detection elements in each successive repetition of said step of reading charge in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner, in order to search for non-linearities in electric charge stored within said at least one of said detection elements as an indicator of an unwanted high-energy event; and subsequent to said step of reading electric charge, simultaneously reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
377 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of columns for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of rows for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; while said array of detection elements generates and stores electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner in order to search for unwanted high-energy events affecting said electric charge stored within at least one of said detection elements; successively repeating said step of reading charge in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner; and successively comparing the amount of said electric charge read from at least one of said detection elements in each successive repetition of said step of reading charge in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner, in order to search for non-linearities in electric charge stored within said at least one of said detection elements as an indicator of an unwanted high-energy event; and subsequent to said step of reading electric charge, simultaneously reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
250 words
A random access charge transfer device, comprising: an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation; a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array; a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array; at least one column or row selector configured to select a combination of columns or rows for charge reading; charge transfer circuitry connected between said column selector and each of said column electrodes, or between said row selector and each of said row electrodes, for causing a transfer of electric charge stored within detection elements in said selected combination of columns or rows; charge reading circuitry connected to each of said column or row electrodes for simultaneously reading electric charge stored within detection elements in said selected combination of columns or rows, said charge reading circuitry comprises a plurality of pre-amplifiers connected to said column or row electrodes for simultaneously producing a plurality of outputs, each of which corresponds to electric charge stored within at least one detection element in a single column or row; and summation circuitry, connected to each of said outputs of said charge reading circuitry, for summing together said plurality of outputs of said charge reading circuitry, said summation circuitry comprising an amplifier having a feedback loop that is connected into and functions as an input to each of said pre-amplifiers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
250 words
A random access charge transfer device, comprising: an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation; a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array; a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array; at least one column or row selector configured to select a combination of columns or rows for charge reading; charge transfer circuitry connected between said column selector and each of said column electrodes, or between said row selector and each of said row electrodes, for causing a transfer of electric charge stored within detection elements in said selected combination of columns or rows; charge reading circuitry connected to each of said column or row electrodes for simultaneously reading electric charge stored within detection elements in said selected combination of columns or rows, said charge reading circuitry comprises a plurality of pre-amplifiers connected to said column or row electrodes for simultaneously producing a plurality of outputs, each of which corresponds to electric charge stored within at least one detection element in a single column or row; and summation circuitry, connected to each of said outputs of said charge reading circuitry, for summing together said plurality of outputs of said charge reading circuitry, said summation circuitry comprising an amplifier having a feedback loop that is connected into and functions as an input to each of said pre-amplifiers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
59 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 13, wherein said pre-amplifiers are dual-gate pre-amplifiers, one gate of which is connected to respective ones of said columns or row electrodes to which said charge reading circuitry is connected, and another gate of which is connected to respective outputs of said at least one column or row selector.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 13, wherein said pre-amplifiers comprise MOSFET devices having drains connected to an input of said summation circuitry and sources connected to said feedback loop.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 13, wherein said summation circuitry is implemented on a semiconductor chip that also comprises said array, said column electrodes, said row electrodes, and said charge reading circuitry.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 13, wherein said pre-amplifiers have gains greater than one.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
143 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 13, comprising at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading, and wherein said charge transfer circuitry is configured to cause a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, and wherein said charge reading circuitry is configured for simultaneously reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 14, wherein said feedback loop is connected into a source of each of said dual-gate pre-amplifiers.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, and a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array: generating and storing electric charge in said array of detection elements during an imaging process: non-destructively reading electric charge stored within each detection element in at least a portion of said array in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner, in order to search for unwanted high-energy events affecting said electric charge stored within at least one of said detection elements; and subsequently reading electric charge stored within each detection element in said at least a portion of said array, in conjunction with a compensation operation that compensates for an effect on said electric charge due to unwanted high-energy events found during said searching step.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
195 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, and a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array: generating and storing electric charge in said array of detection elements during an imaging process: non-destructively reading electric charge stored within each detection element in at least a portion of said array in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner, in order to search for unwanted high-energy events affecting said electric charge stored within at least one of said detection elements; and subsequently reading electric charge stored within each detection element in said at least a portion of said array, in conjunction with a compensation operation that compensates for an effect on said electric charge due to unwanted high-energy events found during said searching step.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method in accordance with claim 20, wherein said compensation operation comprises injecting charge out of said at least one of said detection elements prior to said step of subsequently reading said electric charge.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
70 words
A method in accordance with claim 21, wherein said step of subsequently reading electric charge is performed simultanously on a plurality of said detection elements, and wherein said compensation operation comprises determining the total amount of said electric charge read in said simultaneous reading step, and performing a mathematical calculation on said total amount that compensates for absence of electric charge from said at least one of said detection elements.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method in accordance with claim 20, wherein said step of non-destructively reading electric charge in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner is performed while said array of detection elements generates and stores electric charge in response to receipt of radiation.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
90 words
A method in accordance with claim 23, further comprising the steps of: successively repeating said step of non-destructively reading charge in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner; and successively comparing the amount of said electric charge read from at least one of said detection elements in each successive repetition of said step of non-destructively reading charge in at least a partially non-simultaneous manner, in order to search for non-linearities in electric charge stored within said at least one of said detection elements as an indicator of an unwanted high-energy event.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
196 words
A random access charge transfer device, comprising: an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation; a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array; a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array; a column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for injection of electric charge out of detection elements in said desired combination of columns; a row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for injection of electric charge out of detection elements in said desired combination of rows; charge injection circuitry, connected between said column or row selector and each of said column or row electrodes, for simultaneously causing injection of electric charge stored in each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, independently of reading of the electric charge.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
196 words
A random access charge transfer device, comprising: an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation; a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array; a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array; a column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for injection of electric charge out of detection elements in said desired combination of columns; a row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for injection of electric charge out of detection elements in said desired combination of rows; charge injection circuitry, connected between said column or row selector and each of said column or row electrodes, for simultaneously causing injection of electric charge stored in each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, independently of reading of the electric charge.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 25, wherein said charge injection circuitry is configured to cause injection of substantially all of said electric charge stored within said detection elements.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 25, wherein said charge injection circuitry is configured to cause injection of electric charge stored within said detection elements that exceeds a threshold.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
16 words
A random access charge transfer device in accordance with claim 27, wherein said threshold is selectable.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of injecting charge out of a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, a column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for injection of electric charge out of detection elements in said desired combination of columns, and a row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for injection of electric charge out of detection elements in said desired combination of rows; and simultaneously causing injection of electric charge stored in each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, independently of reading of the electric charge.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
203 words
A method of injecting charge out of a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, a column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for injection of electric charge out of detection elements in said desired combination of columns, and a row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for injection of electric charge out of detection elements in said desired combination of rows; and simultaneously causing injection of electric charge stored in each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, independently of reading of the electric charge.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said step of simultaneously causing injection of electric charge comprises causing injection of substantially all of said electric charge stored within said detection elements.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 29, wherein said step of simultaneously causing injection of electric charge comprises causing injection of electric charge stored within said detection elements that exceeds a threshold.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 31, further comprising the step of selecting said threshold.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
159 words
A random access charge transfer device, comprising: an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation; a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array; a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array; at least one column or row selector configured to receive an input identifying at least one of said columns or rows and to select said at least one column or row for injection of electric charge out of each detection element in said at least one column or row; charge injection circuitry, connected between said column or selector and each of said column or row electrodes, for simultaneously causing injection of electric charge stored in each detection element in said at least one selected column or row, independently of reading of the electric charge.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
159 words
A random access charge transfer device, comprising: an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation; a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array; a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array; at least one column or row selector configured to receive an input identifying at least one of said columns or rows and to select said at least one column or row for injection of electric charge out of each detection element in said at least one column or row; charge injection circuitry, connected between said column or selector and each of said column or row electrodes, for simultaneously causing injection of electric charge stored in each detection element in said at least one selected column or row, independently of reading of the electric charge.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of injecting charge out of a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, and at least one column or row selector configured to receive an input identifying at least one of said columns or rows and to select said at least one column or row for injection of electric charge out of each detection element in said at least one column or row; and simultaneously causing injection of electric charge stored in each detection element in said at least one selected column or row, independently of reading of the electric charge.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of injecting charge out of a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, and at least one column or row selector configured to receive an input identifying at least one of said columns or rows and to select said at least one column or row for injection of electric charge out of each detection element in said at least one column or row; and simultaneously causing injection of electric charge stored in each detection element in said at least one selected column or row, independently of reading of the electric charge.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of columns for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of rows for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; simultaneously, nondestructively reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, and simultaneously reading, again, electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, in order to reduce effective read noise.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
258 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, at least one column selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said columns and to select said desired combination of columns for charge reading, and at least one row selector configured to receive an input identifying any desired combination of said rows and to select said desired combination of rows for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of columns for charge reading; selecting a desired combination of rows for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows; simultaneously, nondestructively reading electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, and simultaneously reading, again, electric charge stored within each detection element in one of said selected combination of columns and also in one of said selected combination of rows, in order to reduce effective read noise.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 35, wherein said desired combination of columns and said desired combination of rows define a region corresponding to an analytical signal obtained in a spectroscopic imaging process.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 36, said spectroscopic imaging process is a 2-dimensional spectroscopic imaging process, and said region is substantially 2-dimensional.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, and at least one column or row selector configured to receive an input identifying at least one of said columns or rows and to select said at least one column or row for charge reading; selecting at least one column or row for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in said at least one column or row; simultaneously, nondestructively reading electric charge stored within each detection element in said at least one column or row, and simultaneously reading, again, electric charge stored within each detection element in said at least one column or row, in order to reduce effective read noise.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
198 words
A method of reading electric charge stored in a plurality of detection elements in a random access charge transfer device, comprising the steps of: providing a random access charge transfer device, comprising an array of detection elements constructed to generate and store electric charge in response to receipt of radiation, a plurality of column electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of columns of said array, a plurality of row electrodes electrically connected to each detection element in a respective plurality of rows of said array, and at least one column or row selector configured to receive an input identifying at least one of said columns or rows and to select said at least one column or row for charge reading; selecting at least one column or row for charge reading; causing a transfer of electric charge stored within each detection element in said at least one column or row; simultaneously, nondestructively reading electric charge stored within each detection element in said at least one column or row, and simultaneously reading, again, electric charge stored within each detection element in said at least one column or row, in order to reduce effective read noise.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method in accordance with claim 38, wherein said desired combination of columns and said desired combination of rows define a region corresponding to an analytical signal obtained in a spectroscopic imaging process.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method in accordance with claim 39, said spectroscopic imaging process is a 1-dimensional spectroscopic imaging process, and said region is substantially 1-dimensional.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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