Single chip camera device having double sampling operation

A single chip camera device, comprising:

• a substrate, having integrated thereon an image acquisition portion and a control portion, both of which are formed using a logic family that is compatible with CMOS;
• said image acquisition portion integrated in said substrate including an array of photoreceptors;
• said control portion integrated in said substrate including a signal controlling device, controlling said photoreceptors to output their signals,
• said control portion also including, integrated in said substrate, a timing circuit integrated within the same substrate that houses the array of photoreceptors, controlling a timing of operation of said array of photoreceptors to read at least one element of the array by first reading a reset level of said at least one element, and subsequently, after an integration time, second reading a charged level of said at least one photoreceptor, said reading and said second reading producing output signals based on both said charged level and said reset level, further comprising a mode selector device, selecting a mode of operation of said chip wherein said photoreceptors are either photogates or photodiodes, and said mode selector device selects a first mode of operation for operation with photogates, and a second mode of operation, different than said first mode of operation, for operation with photodiodes.

A method of controlling a single chip camera, comprising:

• integrating, on a single substrate, an image acquisition portion and a control portion, both of which are formed using a logic family that is compatible with CMOS, said image acquisition portion integrated in said substrate including an array of photoreceptors with output nodes, and a signal controlling device, controlling said photoreceptors and a timing circuit integrated within the same substrate that houses the array of photoreceptors, controlling a timing of operation of said array of photoreceptors;
• resetting said output nodes;
• sampling a reset value as a first sample;
• allowing said photoreceptors to accumulate charge, after resetting said output nodes;
• sampling said output nodes after accumulating said charge, producing output signals indicative of a difference between said reset value and said sampled value after accumulating said charge.