# US 2017/0366772 A1 · Methods and apparatus for a multiple storage pixel imaging system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0366772 A1 - Document ID: US20170366772A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/185,829 - Filed: 2016-06-17 - Published: 2017-12-21 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-17 - Assignees: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC - Applicants: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC - Inventors: Richard Scott JOHNSON; Richard MAURITZSON - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170366772A1 ## CPC - H04N 25/71: Charge-coupled device [CCD] sensors; Charge-transfer registers specially adapted for CCD sensors - H04N 25/589: with different integration times, e.g. short and long exposures - H04N 25/771: comprising storage means other than floating diffusion - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise a method and apparatus for a pixel array. Each pixel may include multiple storage regions capable of storing pixel signals during integration. The method and apparatus may utilize the floating diffusion region as a storage region during both an integration period and readout period. The method and apparatus may store pixel signals corresponding to a first exposure periods in the floating diffusion region and pixel signals corresponding to a second exposure periods in a separate storage region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pixel array responsive to a processing circuit for transmitting control signals, comprising: a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel comprises: a photosensitive element responsive to light; a first transfer gate coupled to the photosensitive element, wherein the first transfer gate selectively couples the photosensitive element to a floating diffusion region during an integration period, and transfers a first charge, after a first exposure period, from the photosensitive element to the floating diffusion region in response to a first control signal; wherein the floating diffusion region stores the first charge during the integration period; and a second transfer gate coupled to the photosensitive element, wherein the second transfer gate selectively couples the photosensitive element to a storage region during the integration period, and transfers a second charge, after a second exposure period, from the photosensitive element to the storage region in response to a second control signal; wherein the storage region stores the second charge during the integration period. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pixel array of claim 1, wherein the floating diffusion region comprises a diode. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pixel array of claim 1, wherein the floating diffusion region comprises a capacitor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The pixel array of claim 1, wherein the storage region comprises a diode. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The pixel array of claim 1, further comprising a third transfer gate coupling the storage region to the floating diffusion region for transferring the second charge from the storage region to the floating diffusion region. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The pixel array of claim 5, further comprising a reset gate coupling the floating diffusion region to a voltage source. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pixel array of claim 1, wherein the floating diffusion region and the storage region each store multiple charges with corresponding exposure periods resulting in the storage region storing charge with a second total exposure period and the floating diffusion region storing charge with a first total exposure period; wherein the second total exposure period is greater than the first total exposure period. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pixel array of claim 1, wherein, during a readout period, the first charge is read out from the floating diffusion region, the floating diffusion region is reset via a reset signal, and the second charge is read out from the storage region after reset of the floating diffusion region. ### Claim 9 A method for storing charge in an imaging device, comprising: during an integration period: generating a first charge portion with a photosensitive element during a first exposure period; transferring the first charge portion from the photosensitive element to a floating diffusion region via a first transfer gate; generating a second charge portion with the photosensitive element during a second exposure period; and transferring the second charge portion from the photosensitive element to a storage node via a second transfer gate. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the second exposure period is greater than the first exposure period. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second exposure periods are synchronized to a pulsing light source. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising cyclically generating and transferring the first and second charge portions, wherein the first charge portions accumulate and are summed to form a first accumulated charge, and the second charge portions accumulate and are summed to form a second accumulated charge. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising computing a ratio of the second accumulated charge to the first accumulated charge. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the first and second exposure periods are extended based on the computed ratio. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising reading out the first accumulated charge from the floating diffusion region via a row select gate. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising resetting the floating diffusion region by applying a reset signal via a reset gate. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method of claim 16, further comprising reading out the second accumulated charge from the storage node via a third transfer gate, wherein the charge moves through the floating diffusion region. ### Claim 18 An imaging system, comprising: a control unit, wherein the control unit transmits a control signal; and a pixel array, communicatively coupled to the control unit, comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein each pixel comprises: a photosensitive element responsive to light; a first transfer gate, coupled to the photosensitive element and responsive to a first control signal, wherein the first transfer gate transfers a first charge from the photosensitive element to a floating diffusion region after a first exposure period; a second transfer gate, coupled to the photosensitive element and responsive to a second control signal, wherein the second transfer gate transfers a second charge from the photosensitive element to a storage region after a second exposure period; a reset gate, responsive to a third control signal, wherein the reset gate resets the floating diffusion region prior to transfer of the second charge; and a third transfer gate, coupled between the storage region and the floating diffusion region and responsive to a fourth control signal, wherein the third transfer gate transfers the second charge from the storage region to the floating diffusion region. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein the control unit coordinates the plurality of pixels to integrate simultaneously. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein: the floating diffusion region and the storage region each store multiple charges with corresponding exposure periods resulting in the storage region storing charge with a second total exposure period and the floating diffusion region storing charge with a first total exposure period; and the second total exposure period is greater than the first total exposure period.