New Interline CCD Sensor Offers Customers Faster Frame Rates and High Sensitivity

Rochester, N.Y., March 8, 2004 Eastman Kodak Company is making it easier for machine vision camera manufacturers to design and build high throughput camera systems, allowing end users to increase production while maintaining product quality.

Using the new KODAK KAI-0340M image sensor, manufacturers can now design advanced imaging systems that feature readout times up to 210 frames per second - significantly higher than the 60 frames per second supported by image sensors currently on the market. This higher frame rate allows manufacturers to dramatically improve device throughput and increase the number of items that can be processed through the system in a day.

"All manufacturers - from semiconductor companies to food packaging facilities` - are looking for ways to improve their bottom line by implementing technology that will help increase throughput without compromising on quality," said Terry Guy, product marketing manager, Image Sensor Solutions, Eastman Kodak Company. "Kodak is helping companies meet that challenge by providing them a speed advantage. Our new sensor offers high frame rates that allow more images to be captured per second, translating into faster machine vision systems for increased output."

The KAI-0340M sensor is a progressive scan, interline CCD that features exceptional sensitivity due to its peak quantum efficiency (QE) of 55 percent. This allows for image capture under a wide range of lighting conditions, making the sensor ideal for most machine vision inspection, surveillance, and other computer input applications. The sensor is also based on a smaller 1/3-inch optical format to enable designers to build more compact cameras.

The KAI-0340M has a resolution of 640 (H) x 480 (V) pixels and is available in both Single or Dual output versions for increased frame rates. Faster frame rates for each version can also be obtained by using a Fast Horizontal Line Dump to eliminate horizontal lines during readout. Using this feature, frame rates as high as 4,000 frames-per-second can be achieved at a resolution of 244 (H) x 60 (V). The KAI-0340M also features electronic shuttering, extremely low noise, low dark current, and can also be supplied with Kodak's RGB Bayer color filter array, making this an ideal sensor for critical color-sensitive applications.

The new image sensor is the latest addition to Kodak's extensive line of imaging sensors, delivering the core technology that drives the most advanced developments in digital imaging applications. A pioneer in imaging sensors, Kodak develops, manufactures, and markets solid-state charged-coupled device (CCD) image sensors for applications ranging from satellite and medical imaging applications to digital cameras and machine vision products.

The KODAK KAI-0340M image sensor is currently available. This sensor can be coupled with the KODAK KSC-1000 Timing Generator for a simplified camera design that further reduces camera part count and speeds time-to-market. For specific ordering information and lead times, please contact Image Sensor Solutions, Eastman Kodak Company at (585) 722-4385 or by email at [email protected]. For more information on Kodak's image sensor product line, visit www.kodak.com/go/imagers.

About Eastman Kodak Company and infoimaging
Kodak is the leader in helping people take, share, print and view images - for memories, for information, for entertainment. The company is a major participant in infoimaging, a $385 billion industry composed of devices (digital cameras and flat-panel displays), infrastructure (online networks and delivery systems for images) and services & media (software, film and paper enabling people to access, analyze and print images). With sales of $13.3 billion in 2003, the company comprises several businesses: Health, supplying the healthcare industry with traditional and digital image capture and output products and services; Commercial Printing, offering on-demand color printing and networking publishing systems; Commercial Imaging, offering image capture, output and storage products and services to businesses and government; Display & Components, which designs and manufactures state-of-the-art organic light-emitting diode displays as well as other specialty materials, and delivers optics and imaging sensors to original equipment manufacturers; and Digital & Film Imaging Systems, providing consumers, professionals and cinematographers with digital and traditional products and services.

Kodak is a trademark of Eastman Kodak Company.