Device and method for extending dynamic range in an image sensor

An image sensor, comprising:

• a plurality of super-pixels, each a super-pixel comprising an array of pixels, each pixel adapted to generate a charge upon exposure to light, wherein the super-pixel has defined therein a subset of pixels comprising one or more pixels;
• at least one first shift register in communication with the super-pixel for receiving charges generated by the pixels;
• at least one second shift register in communication with the first shift register, wherein the at least one second shift register is adapted to separately transfer a first signal generated by the subset of pixels and a second signal generated by remaining pixels of the super-pixel;
• and
• at least one amplifier for collecting the charges from the at least one second shift register, wherein the at least one amplifier is adapted to collect the first signal to define a low sensitivity image and the second signal to define a high sensitivity image, and to generate an output comprising the combined first signals and second signals from each of the plurality of super-pixels for one or more exposure periods.

A method for extending a dynamic range of an image sensor comprising:

• defining a plurality of pixel regions within the image sensor;
• defining a subset of pixels within each pixel region comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel generates a charge in response to exposure to light;
• first binning charges generated by the subset of pixels to generate a first image signal;
• second binning charges generated by the pixel region to generate a second image signal;
• separately transferring the first signal and the second signal to at least one amplifier to define a low sensitivity image and a high sensitivity image;
• repeating the steps of first binning, second binning and separately transferring for all pixel regions within the image sensor;
• and
• combining the low sensitivity images and the high sensitivity images from all pixel regions for one or more exposure periods to generate an output image.