公开(公告)号：US09497397B1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-15

申请号：US14481806

申请日：2014-09-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Suppawan Kleekajai ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/365

CPC classification number: H04N5/3696 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H04N5/23212 ,  H04N5/3572 ,  H04N5/3651 ,  H04N9/045 ,  H04N9/07

Abstract: An electronic device includes an image sensor, a memory, and a processor operably connected to the image sensor and the memory. A pixel array in the image sensor includes at least one pixel that is configured as an auto-focus pixel that is at least partially shielded from light by a shielding element. The memory stores computer-readable instructions, and the processor is adapted to produce a digital image by executing the computer-readable instructions for obtaining a plurality of coefficients representing a relationship between a ratio of two affected pixels and a ratio of two non-affected pixels in the pixel array, constructing a predictive function based on the plurality of coefficients, and computing a compensated pixel value for at least one pixel of the image sensor using the predictive function. A digital image can be created based in part on the compensated pixel value.

Abstract translation: 电子设备包括图像传感器，存储器和可操作地连接到图像传感器和存储器的处理器。 图像传感器中的像素阵列包括被配置为通过屏蔽元件至少部分地被光屏蔽的自动聚焦像素的至少一个像素。 存储器存储计算机可读指令，并且处理器适于通过执行计算机可读指令来产生数字图像，所述计算机可读指令用于获得表示两个受影响像素的比率和两个不受影响像素的比率之间的关系的多个系数 在所述像素阵列中，基于所述多个系数构建预测函数，以及使用所述预测函数来计算所述图像传感器的至少一个像素的补偿像素值。 可以部分地基于经补偿的像素值来创建数字图像。

公开(公告)号：US09293500B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-22

申请号：US13782532

申请日：2013-03-01

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Anup K. Sharma ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Xiangli Li ,  Chung Chun Wan ,  Chiajen Lee ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/235 ,  G03B7/00 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/3745

CPC classification number: H01L27/14641 ,  H04N5/35536 ,  H04N5/3591 ,  H04N5/37452

Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor. Charge accumulated in a photodiode during a first sub-exposure may be selectively stored in a storage node responsive to a first control signal. Charge accumulated in the photodiode during a first reset period may be selectively discarded responsive to a second control signal. Charge accumulated in the photodiode during a second sub-exposure may be selectively stored responsive to the first control signal. Charge stored in the storage node from the first and second sub-exposures may be transferred to a floating diffusion node responsive to a third control signal.

Abstract translation: 一种操作图像传感器的方法。 在第一次曝光期间累积在光电二极管中的电荷可以响应于第一控制信号被选择性地存储在存储节点中。 响应于第二控制信号，可以选择性地丢弃在第一复位周期期间在光电二极管中累积的电荷。 可以响应于第一控制信号选择性地存储在第二副曝光期间在光电二极管中累积的电荷。 响应于第三控制信号，可以将存储在第一和第二子曝光中的存储节点中的电荷传送到浮动扩散节点。

公开(公告)号：US09041837B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-26

申请号：US13785070

申请日：2013-03-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/3592 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14672 ,  H04N5/335

Abstract: An image sensor for an electronic device. The image sensor includes a first light sensitive element for collecting charge and having a first saturation value and a well surrounding at least a portion of the first light sensitive element and having a first doping concentration. The image sensor further includes a bridge region defined in the well and in communication with the first light sensitive element and having a second doping concentration and a blooming node in communication with the bridge region and a voltage source. The second doping concentration is less than the first doping concentration and when light sensitive element collects sufficient charge to reach the first saturation value, additional charge received by the light sensitive element travels to the blooming node via the bridge region.

Abstract translation: 一种用于电子设备的图像传感器。 图像传感器包括用于收集电荷并具有第一饱和值的第一光敏元件和围绕第一光敏元件的至少一部分并且具有第一掺杂浓度的阱。 图像传感器还包括限定在阱中并与第一光敏元件连通并具有第二掺杂浓度的桥接区域和与桥接区域和电压源连通的起霜节点。 第二掺杂浓度小于第一掺杂浓度，并且当光敏元件收集足够的电荷以达到第一饱和值时，由光敏元件接收的附加电荷经由桥接区域传播到起霜节点。

公开(公告)号：US20140252201A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-11

申请号：US13787094

申请日：2013-03-06

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Chung Chun Wan

IPC: H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14616 ,  H04N5/35572 ,  H04N5/37452 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for charge transfer in image sensors are disclosed. One example of an image sensor pixel may include a first charge storage node and a second charge storage node. A transfer circuit may be coupled between the first and second charge storage nodes, and the transfer circuit may have a first region proximate the first charge storage node and configured to have a first potential. The transfer circuit may also have a second region proximate the second charge storage node configured to have a second, higher potential. An input node may be configured to control the first and second potentials based on a transfer signal provided to the input node.

Abstract translation: 公开了用于图像传感器中的电荷转移的装置和方法。 图像传感器像素的一个示例可以包括第一电荷存储节点和第二电荷存储节点。 传输电路可以耦合在第一和第二电荷存储节点之间，并且传输电路可以具有靠近第一电荷存储节点的第一区域并且被配置为具有第一电位。 转移电路还可以具有靠近第二电荷存储节点的第二区域，被配置为具有第二较高电位。 输入节点可以被配置为基于提供给输入节点的传送信号来控制第一和第二电位。

公开(公告)号：US12219226B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-04

申请号：US17948054

申请日：2022-09-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aditya Rayankula ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N23/45 ,  G02B5/20 ,  G02B27/14 ,  H04N23/50 ,  H04N23/56

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing including a front cover opposite a back cover; a display viewable through the front cover; a light-bending mirror positioned between the front cover and the back cover and receiving light through one of the front cover or the back cover, the light-bending mirror redirecting received light along a light path parallel to the front cover and the back cover; a dichroic cube prism positioned in the light path, the dichroic cube prism receiving light through a first face of the dichroic cube prism, redirecting a visible light portion of the received light through a second face of the dichroic cube prism, and redirecting an infrared (IR) portion of the received light through a third face of the dichroic cube prism; a visible light image sensor positioned adjacent the second face; and an IR light image sensor positioned adjacent the third face.

公开(公告)号：US20230090827A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-23

申请号：US17945636

申请日：2022-09-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Gilad Michael ,  Lilong Shi

IPC: H04N9/04 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/369 ,  G06T3/40

Abstract: An image capture device is described. The image capture device includes an array of pixels, each pixel including a photodetector. A Bayer pattern color filter is disposed over a 4×4 subset of pixels in the array of pixels. The Bayer pattern color filter defines a first 2×2 subset of pixels sensitive to red light; a second 2×2 subset of pixels sensitive to green light; a third 2×2 subset of pixels sensitive to green light; and a fourth 2×2 subset of pixels sensitive to blue light. A set of 1×1 on-chip lenses (OCLs) includes a different 1×1 OCL disposed over each pixel in the second 2×2 subset of pixels and the third 2×2 subset of pixels. A set of 2×1 OCLs or 2×2 OCLs includes a 2×1 OCL or a 2×2 OCL disposed over each pixel in the first 2×2 subset of pixels and the fourth 2×2 subset of pixels.

公开(公告)号：US11239267B2

公开(公告)日：2022-02-01

申请号：US16607113

申请日：2018-04-02

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Gennadiy A Agranov ,  Oray O. Cellek ,  QingFei Chen ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/363

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (20) includes a photosensitive medium (22) and a bias electrode (32), which is at least partially transparent, overlying the photosensitive medium. An array of pixel circuits (26) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (30). Each pixel circuit includes a pixel electrode (24) coupled to collect the charge carriers from the photosensitive medium; a readout circuit (75) configured to output a signal indicative of a quantity of the charge carriers collected by the pixel electrode; a skimming gate (48) coupled between the pixel electrode and the readout circuit; and a shutter gate (46) coupled in parallel with the skimming gate between a node (74) in the pixel circuit and a sink site. The shutter gate and the skimming gate are opened sequentially in each of a sequence of image frames so as to apply a global shutter to the array and then to read out the collected charge carriers via the skimming gate to the readout circuit.

公开(公告)号：US20180160027A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-07

申请号：US15688613

申请日：2017-08-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/23212 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H04N5/3696 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An imaging area in an image sensor includes a plurality of photo detectors. A light shield is disposed over a portion of two photo detectors to partially block light incident on the two photo detectors. The two photo detectors and the light shield combine to form an asymmetrical pixel pair. The two photo detectors in the asymmetrical pixel pair can be two adjacent photo detectors. The light shield can be disposed over contiguous portions of the two adjacent photo detectors. A color filter array can be disposed over the plurality of photo detectors. The filter elements disposed over the two photo detectors can filter light representing the same color or different colors.

公开(公告)号：US09356061B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-31

申请号：US13959362

申请日：2013-08-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiaofeng Fan ,  Philip H. Li ,  Chung Chun Wan ,  Anup K. Sharma ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/1462 ,  H01L27/14625 ,  H01L27/14638 ,  H01L27/1464 ,  H01L27/14685

Abstract: A pixel in an image sensor can include a photodetector and a storage region disposed in one substrate, or a photodetector disposed in one substrate and a storage region in another substrate. A buried light shield is disposed between the photodetector and the storage region. A sense region, such as a floating diffusion, can be adjacent to the storage region, with the buried light shield disposed between the photodetector and the storage and sense regions. When the photodetector and the storage region are disposed in separate substrates, a vertical gate can be formed through the buried light shield and used to initiate the transfer of charge from the photodetector and the storage region. A transfer channel formed adjacent to, or around the vertical gate provides a channel for the charge to transfer from the photodetector to the storage region.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器中的像素可以包括设置在一个基板中的光电检测器和存储区域，或者设置在一个基板中的光电检测器和另一个基板中的存储区域。 掩埋的光屏蔽设置在光电检测器和存储区之间。 诸如浮动扩散的感测区域可以与存储区域相邻，其中掩埋的光屏蔽件设置在光电检测器和存储和感测区域之间。 当光电检测器和存储区域设置在分离的基板中时，可以通过掩埋的光屏蔽形成垂直栅极，并且用于开始从光电检测器和存储区域传输电荷。 形成在垂直栅极附近或周围的转移通道提供用于电荷从光电检测器转移到存储区域的通道。

公开(公告)号：US20140267850A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US14198540

申请日：2014-03-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/23212 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H04N5/3696 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An imaging area in an image sensor includes a plurality of photo detectors. A light shield is disposed over a portion of two photo detectors to partially block light incident on the two photo detectors. The two photo detectors and the light shield combine to form an asymmetrical pixel pair. The two photo detectors in the asymmetrical pixel pair can be two adjacent photo detectors. The light shield can be disposed over contiguous portions of the two adjacent photo detectors. A color filter array can be disposed over the plurality of photo detectors. The filter elements disposed over the two photo detectors can filter light representing the same color or different colors.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器中的成像区域包括多个光电检测器。 光屏蔽设置在两个光电检测器的一部分上，以部分地阻挡入射在两个光电检测器上的光。 两个光电检测器和光屏蔽结合形成不对称的像素对。 不对称像素对中的两个光电检测器可以是两个相邻的光电检测器。 遮光罩可以布置在两个相邻的光电检测器的连续部分上。 滤光器阵列可以设置在多个光电检测器上。 设置在两个光电检测器上的滤光器元件可以过滤表示相同颜色或不同颜色的光。