Imaging device

1. A method of operating an imaging device having a number of pixels and one or more signal lines, wherein each pixel has a photodetector, comprising the steps of:

resetting the photodetector;

integrating the photodetector voltage as light impinges on the photodetector;

sampling the photodetector by passing the integrated photodetector voltage to the signal line; and

applying a precharge voltage to the signal line prior to the resetting of the photodetector.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

resetting the photodetector;

sampling the photodetector reset voltage on the signal line.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the precharge voltage is applied to the signal line during the entire reset and integration time of the photodetector.

4. A method of operating an imaging device having an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns and a signal line for each column, wherein each pixel has a photodetector, comprising the steps of:

resetting the photodetectors in a row;

integrating the photodetector voltage as light impinges on the reset photodetectors;

sampling the photodetectors by passing the integrated photodetector voltages to each of the signal lines; and

applying a precharge voltage to the signal lines prior to the resetting of the photodetectors.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the steps of claim 4 are repeated for each of the rows of pixels.

6. A method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the steps of:

resetting the photodetectors in the row;

sampling the photodetector reset voltage coupled to each of the signal lines.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6 wherein the steps of claim 6 are repeated for each of the rows of pixels.

8. A method as claimed in claim 4 wherein the precharge voltage is applied to the signal lines during the entire reset and integration time of the photodetectors.

9. An imaging device comprising:

a pixel element adapted to have a reset, integration and sampling operating cycle, said pixel element having a photodetector coupled to a reset switch, said reset switch being adapted to receive a reset signal and to apply a reset voltage to the photodetector;

a signal line adapted to be selectively accessed by said pixel element to be sampled; and

a precharge circuit selectively coupled to said signal line to provide a precharge voltage to said signal line prior to the application of the reset voltage to the photodetector.

10. An imaging device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the precharge circuit includes switch means adapted to be connected to a precharge voltage supply and means for connecting the switch means to the signal line.

11. An imaging device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the precharge circuit includes control means for maintaining the switch means closed when the pixel element is not accessing the signal line.

12. An imaging device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the control means includes means for detecting voltage on the signal line.

13. An imaging device comprising:

an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns and adapted to have a reset, integration and sampling operating cycle;

column signal lines adapted to be selectively accessed by the rows of pixels to be sampled; and

a precharge circuit adapted to place a voltage on the column signal lines prior to the resetting of each row of pixels.

14. An imaging device as claimed in claim 13 wherein the precharge circuit includes switch means adapted to be connected to a precharge voltage supply and to the signal line.

15. An imaging device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the switch means includes a switch for each of the signal lines.

16. An imaging device as claimed in claim 15 wherein each switch is adapted to be connected to an independent precharge power supply.

17. An imaging device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the switch means includes a switch for all of the signal lines.

18. An imaging device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the precharge circuit includes control means for closing the switch means when a pixel element is not coupled to the signal line.

19. An imaging device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the control means includes means for detecting voltage on the signal lines.

20. An imaging device as claimed in claim 14 wherein the switch means includes a number of switches, each switch connected to a selected group of signal lines.

21. An apparatus for placing a voltage on signal lines of an imaging device having an array of pixels arranged in rows and columns wherein the rows of pixels have a reset, integration and sampling operating cycle and the signal lines are adapted to be selectively accessed by columns of pixels during sampling, the apparatus comprising:

switch means adapted to be connected to a voltage supply for connection to the signal lines; and

means for controlling the switch means to connect the voltage supply means to the signal lines prior to pixel reset.

22. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the switch means includes a switch for each of the signal lines.

23. An apparatus as claimed in claim 22 wherein each switch is adapted to be connected to an independent precharge power supply.

24. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the switch means includes a switch for all of the signal lines.

25. An imaging device as claimed in claim 21 wherein the control means closes the switch means when a pixel is not accessing the signal line.

26. An imaging device as claimed in claim 25 wherein the control means includes means for detecting voltage on the signal lines.

27. An apparatus as claimed in claim 21 wherein the switch means includes a number of switches, each switch connected to a selected group of signal lines.