公开(公告)号：US08144215B2

公开(公告)日：2012-03-27

申请号：US12464079

申请日：2009-05-11

Applicant: Chi-Shao Lin

Inventor： Chi-Shao Lin

IPC: H04N3/14

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/374

Abstract: A scheme is provided that enhances the dynamic range performance of images via multiple readouts during one exposure. The readout process circuit structure includes at least an analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The analog-to-digital converter converts analog data generated from an image sensor into digital data, allowing sub-frame readouts for improving a dynamic range of the image sensor. Additionally, methods of partial digitization (not a full number of bits) and image array are provided.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种在一次曝光期间通过多个读出增强图像的动态范围性能的方案。 读出过程电路结构至少包括一个模拟 - 数字转换器（ADC）。 模数转换器将从图像传感器生成的模拟数据转换为数字数据，允许子帧读数，以改善图像传感器的动态范围。 另外，提供了部分数字化（不是全数位）和图像阵列的方法。

公开(公告)号：US20110090238A1

公开(公告)日：2011-04-21

申请号：US12582715

申请日：2009-10-21

Applicant: Nguyen DONG ,  Amit MITTRA ,  Chi-Shao LIN

Inventor： Nguyen DONG ,  Amit MITTRA ,  Chi-Shao LIN

IPC: G09G5/02 ,  G09G5/10

CPC classification number: H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/335

Abstract: Black level calibration methods and systems are generally disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of calibrating a black level signal in a frame includes performing an iteration of averaging a first set of digital values corresponding to a first set of adjusted black level signals associated with a first set of black pixels of the frame, determining whether an average value based on the first set of digital values has reached a target black level, determining a calibration offset based on a difference between the average value and the target black level and an accumulator step, converting the calibration offset to an analog signal, generating a calibration signal based on the analog signal for a second set of black pixels of the frame, and repeating the iteration for the frame until a predetermined condition is determined to have been met.

Abstract translation: 通常公开黑电平校准方法和系统。 根据本发明的一个实施例，一种在帧中校准黑电平信号的方法包括执行对与第一组黑色像素相关联的第一组经调整的黑电平信号相对应的第一组数字值进行平均的迭代 确定基于第一组数字值的平均值是否已经达到目标黑电平，基于平均值和目标黑电平之间的差确定校准偏移和累加器步骤，将校准偏移转换 模拟信号，基于该帧的第二组黑色像素的模拟信号产生校准信号，并重复该帧的迭代，直到确定已经满足预定条件。

公开(公告)号：US20110019045A1

公开(公告)日：2011-01-27

申请号：US12509483

申请日：2009-07-26

Applicant: Chi-Shao Lin

Inventor： Chi-Shao Lin

IPC: H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/3575 ,  H01L27/14612 ,  H04N5/353 ,  H04N5/37452

Abstract: An electronic image sensor with a pixel array of a plurality of active pixels is provided. Each of the active pixels includes: a photo detector, providing a sensing node for producing a signal based on an amount of light incident thereon; a storing node for storing a plurality of photo-generated charges according to the signal; a first controllable potential barrier between the sensing node and the storing node; an outputting node; and a second controllable potential barrier between the storing node and the outputting node, wherein each of the sensing node, the storing node and the sampling node is not overlapped.

Abstract translation: 提供具有多个有源像素的像素阵列的电子图像传感器。 每个有源像素包括：光电检测器，提供感测节点，用于基于入射到其上的光量产生信号; 存储节点，用于根据该信号存储多个光生电荷; 感测节点和存储节点之间的第一可控势垒; 输出节点; 以及存储节点和输出节点之间的第二可控势垒，其中感测节点，存储节点和采样节点中的每一个不重叠。

公开(公告)号：US20090251572A1

公开(公告)日：2009-10-08

申请号：US12061413

申请日：2008-04-02

Applicant: Chi-Shao Lin ,  Amit Mittra

Inventor： Chi-Shao Lin ,  Amit Mittra

IPC: H04N5/16

CPC classification number: H04N5/165

Abstract: A black level calibration (BLC) system is disclosed. A readout chain receives and amplifies dark signal, and generates corresponding digital output. A level integrator performs integration of calibration levels in multiple steps according to the digital output, thereby achieving wide calibration range.

Abstract translation: 公开了黑电平校准（BLC）系统。 读出链接收并放大暗信号，并产生相应的数字输出。 电平积分器根据数字输出在多个步骤中执行校准电平的集成，从而实现宽的校准范围。

公开(公告)号：US08368160B2

公开(公告)日：2013-02-05

申请号：US12898419

申请日：2010-10-05

Applicant: Chung-Wei Chang ,  Fang-Ming Huang ,  Chi-Shao Lin ,  Yu-Ping Hu

Inventor： Chung-Wei Chang ,  Fang-Ming Huang ,  Chi-Shao Lin ,  Yu-Ping Hu

IPC: H01L31/042

CPC classification number: H01L31/18 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/1463 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H01L27/14689

Abstract: An image sensing device is disclosed, including an epitaxy layer having the a conductivity type, including a first pixel area corresponding to a first incident light, a second pixel area corresponding to a second incident light, and a third pixel area corresponding to a third incident light, wherein the wavelength of the first incident light is longer than that of the second incident light and the wavelength of the second incident light is longer than that of the third incident light. A photodiode is disposed in an upper portion of the epitaxy layer, and a first deep well for reducing pixel-to-pixel talk of the image sensing device is disposed in a lower portion of the epitaxy layer in the second pixel area and the third pixel area, wherein at least a portion of the epitaxy layer in first pixel area does not include the first deep well.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种图像感测装置，包括具有导电类型的外延层，包括对应于第一入射光的第一像素区域，对应于第二入射光的第二像素区域和对应于第三入射光的第三像素区域 光，其中第一入射光的波长比第二入射光的波长长，第二入射光的波长比第三入射光的波长长。 光电二极管设置在外延层的上部，并且用于减少图像感测装置的像素到像素的通话的第一深阱设置在第二像素区域中的外延层的下部和第三像素 区域，其中第一像素区域中的外延层的至少一部分不包括第一深孔。

公开(公告)号：US08217328B2

公开(公告)日：2012-07-10

申请号：US12436045

申请日：2009-05-05

Applicant: Ping-Hung Yin ,  Amit Mittra ,  Chi-Shao Lin

Inventor： Ping-Hung Yin ,  Amit Mittra ,  Chi-Shao Lin

IPC: H03F3/08 ,  H01L27/00

CPC classification number: H03F3/08 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/3559

Abstract: A pixel circuit of a CMOS image sensor is disclosed. At least two transfer transistors are configured to transfer integrated light signals of corresponding photodetectors to a first node. A reset transistor is configured to reset the first node to a predetermined reset voltage of a second node, and a source follower is configured to buffer the integrated light signals. In one embodiment, a capacitor is further connected between the first node and the second node to minimize influence of the effective capacitance including capacitance of a floating diffusion region and parasitic capacitance due to the photodetector and the transfer transistor.

Abstract translation: 公开了CMOS图像传感器的像素电路。 至少两个传输晶体管被配置为将相应光电检测器的集成光信号传送到第一节点。 复位晶体管被配置为将第一节点复位到第二节点的预定复位电压，并且源跟随器被配置为缓冲集成光信号。 在一个实施例中，电容器还被连接在第一节点和第二节点之间，以最小化包括浮动扩散区域的电容和由于光电检测器和传输晶体管引起的寄生电容的有效电容的影响。

公开(公告)号：US20110058073A1

公开(公告)日：2011-03-10

申请号：US12555654

申请日：2009-09-08

Applicant: CHIH-MIN LIU ,  AMIT MITTRA ,  CHI-SHAO LIN

Inventor： CHIH-MIN LIU ,  AMIT MITTRA ,  CHI-SHAO LIN

IPC: H04N9/64

CPC classification number: H04N5/361

Abstract: A signal chain of an imaging system is disclosed. The system includes three circuit stages. The first circuit stage includes a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) and a black level compensation (BLC) circuit that form a BLC loop. The second circuit stage includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), where a dark signal offset is added at an input of the ADC. The third circuit stage includes a digital gain circuit and a digital loop that makes a final output of the imaging system settle on a target level in the BLC mode.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种成像系统的信号链。 该系统包括三个电路级。 第一电路级包括形成BLC回路的可编程增益放大器（PGA）和黑电平补偿（BLC）电路。 第二电路级包括模数转换器（ADC），其中在ADC的输入处加上暗信号偏移。 第三电路级包括数字增益电路和使得成像系统的最终输出在BLC模式下达到目标电平的数字环路。