Cmos linear voltage/current dual-mode imager

A voltage/current dual-mode imager that provides the outputs of pixels to a display, comprising:

• a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a readout transistor;
• a voltage-mode readout circuit responsive to outputs of each of said readout transistors;
• a current-mode readout circuit responsive to outputs of each of said readout transistors;
• and
• a mode switch selectively controlled to either provide the output of the readout transistors of each pixel to said voltage-mode readout circuit or to said current-mode readout circuit.

A voltage/current dual-mode imager that provides the outputs of pixels to a display, comprising:

• a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a first readout transistor for a voltage mode, said first readout transistor having a first size, and each pixel having a second readout transistor for a current mode, said second readout transistor having a second size different from said first size;
• a voltage-mode readout circuit responsive to outputs of each of said first readout transistors;
• and
• a current-mode readout circuit responsive to outputs of each of said second readout transistors,
• wherein the outputs of said first and second readout transistors are provided in parallel simultaneously.

A current/voltage dual mode imaging method, comprising the steps of:

• connecting outputs of each pixel of a pixel array to a voltage mode readout circuit for processing in a voltage mode;
• connecting outputs of each pixel of the pixel array to a current mode readout circuit for processing in a current mode;
• and
• selecting the voltage mode or the current mode by moving a mode switch between a first position for selecting said voltage mode and a second position for selecting said current mode.