Sensor with trigger pixels for imaging of pulsed radiation
AssigneeE2V Technologies (UK) Limited
InventorRaymond Bell
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Abstract
A radiation sensor 10 includes an array of imaging pixels 13 electrically connectable to a readout port. At least one first peripheral row of trigger pixels 11 is located at a first edge of the array, the trigger pixels also being electrically connectable to the readout port but responding faster to x-rays than the imaging pixels. At least one second peripheral row of trigger pixels 12 may be located at a second edge of the array opposed to the first edge. Trigger pixels 11, 12 from the first and second peripheral rows may be addressable alternately in a predetermined pattern to detect a radiation signal for triggering the sensor. Various methods of clocking the sensor are also described. The sensor has particular applicability to intra-oral x-ray imaging.
Claims23
An x-ray radiation sensor comprising an army of imaging pixels electrically connectable by addressing means to a readout port and at least one first peripheral row of trigger pixels at a first edge of the array, the trigger pixels being electrically connectable to the readout port;
- wherein:
- the trigger pixels have a more rapid response to detection of x-rays than the imaging pixels;
- and
- the trigger pixels are readable by the same addressing means as the army of imaging pixels.
A method of triggering an x-ray radiation sensor comprising an array of image pixels electrically connectable to a readout port by addressing means, the method comprising:
- a. providing at least one first peripheral row of trigger pixels at a first edge of the array, the trigger pixels being electrically connectable to the readout port by the addressing means and having a more rapid response to detection of x-rays than the imaging pixels;
- and
- b. addressing the trigger pixels from the first and second peripheral rows to detect a radiation signal for triggering the sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.