Double charge storage area image capture device pixel structure

A method of acquiring an image using an image sensor comprising a pixel circuit having a photosensitive element, the method comprising:

• accumulating electrical charges from the photosensitive element of the pixel circuit during a first period;
• transferring the electrical charges accumulated during the first period to a first electrical charge storage region of the pixel circuit;
• after transferring the electrical charges accumulated during the first period, accumulating electrical charges from the photosensitive element during a second period having a duration different from that of the first period;
• transferring the electrical charges accumulated during the second period to a second electrical charge storage region of the pixel circuit;
• successively transferring the electrical charges stored in the first and second storage regions to a common reading node of the pixel circuit separate from the first and second storage regions;
• acquiring a plurality of images from electrical charges transferred to the reading node from the first and second storage regions, respectively;
• and
• combining the acquired images into a resultant image.

A method of acquiring an image using an image sensor comprising a pixel circuit having a photosensitive element, the method comprising:

• accumulating electrical charges from the photosensitive element of the pixel circuit during a first period;
• transferring the electrical charges accumulated during the first period to a first electrical charge storage region of the pixel circuit;
• accumulating electrical charges from the photosensitive element during a second period;
• transferring the electrical charges accumulated during the second period to a second electrical charge storage region of the pixel circuit;
• transferring the electrical charges stored in the first and second storage regions to a common reading node of the pixel circuit separate from the first and second storage regions;
• acquiring a plurality of images from electrical charges transferred to the reading node from the first and second storage regions, respectively;
• and
• combining the acquired images into a resultant image.

An image acquisition device comprising:

• at least one pixel comprising
• a photosensitive element,
• first and second electrical charge storage regions,
• a reading node coupled to said first and second electrical charge storage regions,
• a first transistor coupled between the photosensitive element and the first storage region,
• a second transistor coupled between the second storage region and the reading node, and
• a reading circuit coupled to the reading node;
• and
• a control circuit cooperating with the at least one pixel to
• accumulate electrical charges from the photosensitive element of the at least one pixel circuit during a first period,
• transfer the electrical charges accumulated during the first period to the first electrical charge storage region,
• after transferring the electrical charges accumulated during the first period, accumulate electrical charges from the photosensitive element during a second period having a duration different from that of the first period,
• transfer the electrical charges accumulated during the second period to a second electrical charge storage region of the pixel circuit,
• successively transfer the electrical charges stored in the first and second storage regions to the reading node of the pixel circuit separate from the first and second storage regions,
• acquire a plurality of images from electrical charges transferred to the reading node from the first and second storage regions, respectively, and
• combine the acquired images into a resultant image.