Methods for capturing and reading out images from an image sensor

A method for producing multiple images with an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels each including a photosensitive area, a plurality of vertical charge-coupled-devices (VCCDs) each comprising a plurality of charge storage elements and positioned adjacent to respective columns of pixels, transfer mechanisms for transferring charge packets from the photosensitive areas to respective charge storage elements, and a horizontal charge-coupled device (HCCD) comprising a plurality of charge storage elements, the method comprising:

• beginning light integration for all of the pixels, wherein the photosensitive areas accumulate charge packets;
• transferring charge packets from all of the pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a first time, wherein the charge packets from the pixels have a first integration period;
• binning charge packets in the VCCDs by shifting a portion of the charge packets one or more charge storage elements in each VCCD;
• ending light integration for all of the pixels;
• transferring charge packets from a first portion of pixels to respective charge storage elements in the VCCDs at a second time, wherein the charge packets from the first portion of pixels have a second integration period that is different from the first integration period;
• transferring one line of charge packets from the VCCDs into respective charge storage elements in the HCCD;
• shifting the charge packets one or more charge storage elements within the HCCD;
• binning charge packets in the HCCD by transferring another line of charge packets from the VCCDs into respective charge storage elements in the HCCD;
• and
• reading out the charge packets from the HCCD.