公开(公告)号：US06410359B1

公开(公告)日：2002-06-25

申请号：US09817639

申请日：2001-03-26

Applicant: Kevin M. Connolly ,  Jung S. Kang ,  Berni W. Landau ,  James E. Breisch ,  Akira Kakizawa ,  Joseph W. Parks, Jr. ,  Mark A. Beiley ,  Zong-Fu Li ,  Cory E. Weber ,  Shaofeng Yu

Inventor： Kevin M. Connolly ,  Jung S. Kang ,  Berni W. Landau ,  James E. Breisch ,  Akira Kakizawa ,  Joseph W. Parks, Jr. ,  Mark A. Beiley ,  Zong-Fu Li ,  Cory E. Weber ,  Shaofeng Yu

IPC: H01L2100

Abstract: Leakage current may be reduced in trench isolated semiconductor devices by providing a buffer between the trench isolation and an active area. For example, with a trench isolated photodiode, a buffer of opposite conductivity type may be provided between the trench and the diffusion that forms the p-n junction of the photodiode.

公开(公告)号：US06362695B1

公开(公告)日：2002-03-26

申请号：US09468478

申请日：1999-12-21

Applicant: Mark A. Beiley ,  James E. Breisch

Inventor： Mark A. Beiley ,  James E. Breisch

IPC: H03B2900

CPC classification number: H03K3/84

Abstract: A circuit includes a first oscillator having transistors to produce a first signal with random variations resulting from device channel resistance of the transistors.

Abstract translation: 电路包括具有晶体管以产生由晶体管的器件沟道电阻产生的随机变化的第一信号的第一振荡器。

公开(公告)号：US06215165B1

公开(公告)日：2001-04-10

申请号：US09310423

申请日：1999-05-12

Applicant: Kevin M. Connolly ,  Jung S. Kang ,  Berni W. Landau ,  James E. Breisch ,  Akira Kakizawa ,  Joseph W. Parks, Jr. ,  Mark A. Beiley ,  Zong-Fu Li ,  Cory E. Weber ,  Shaofeng Yu

Inventor： Kevin M. Connolly ,  Jung S. Kang ,  Berni W. Landau ,  James E. Breisch ,  Akira Kakizawa ,  Joseph W. Parks, Jr. ,  Mark A. Beiley ,  Zong-Fu Li ,  Cory E. Weber ,  Shaofeng Yu

IPC: H01L310232

CPC classification number: H01L31/103 ,  H01L27/1463

Abstract: Leakage current may be reduced in trench isolated semiconductor devices by providing a buffer between the trench isolation and an active area. For example, with a trench isolated photodiode, a buffer of opposite conductivity type may be provided between the trench and the diffusion that forms the p-n junction of the photodiode.

公开(公告)号：US6057586A

公开(公告)日：2000-05-02

申请号：US937631

申请日：1997-09-26

Applicant: Edward J. Bawolek ,  Lawrence T. Clark ,  Mark A. Beiley

Inventor： Edward J. Bawolek ,  Lawrence T. Clark ,  Mark A. Beiley

IPC: G01J3/51 ,  G02B5/00 ,  G02B5/20 ,  H01L27/14 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H01L31/02 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H01L31/0232 ,  H01L21/00 ,  H01L31/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14636 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H01L27/14654 ,  H01L27/14685 ,  H01L27/1469

Abstract: A method and apparatus for employing a light shield to modulate pixel color responsivity. The improved pixel includes a substrate having a photodiode with a light receiving area. A color filter array material of a first color is disposed above the substrate. The pixel has a first relative responsivity. A light shield is disposed above the substrate to modulate the pixel color responsivity. The light shield forms an aperture whose area is substantially equal to the light receiving area adjusted by a reduction factor. The reduction factor is the result of an arithmetic operation between the first relative responsivity and a second relative responsivity, associated with a second pixel of a second color.

Abstract translation: 一种采用遮光罩来调制像素颜色响应度的方法和装置。 改进的像素包括具有光接收面积的光电二极管的基板。 第一颜色的滤色器阵列材料设置在基板上方。 像素具有第一相对响应度。 遮光板设置在基板上方以调制像素颜色响应度。 遮光板形成其面积基本上等于由减小因子调节的光接收面积的孔径。 缩小因子是与第二颜色的第二像素相关联的第一相对响应度和第二相对响应度之间的算术运算的结果。

公开(公告)号：US06438276B1

公开(公告)日：2002-08-20

申请号：US09659159

申请日：2000-09-11

Applicant: Jon M. Dhuse ,  Kevin M. Connolly ,  Mark A. Beiley

Inventor： Jon M. Dhuse ,  Kevin M. Connolly ,  Mark A. Beiley

IPC: G06K920

CPC classification number: H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: What is disclosed is an apparatus for reducing row reset noise in photodiode based complementary metal oxide (CMOS) sensors. The apparatus uses at least one reference pixel for each row of pixels in a sensor array. Also, a reset noise elimination unit is provided to adjust the values received from the pixels in a particular row by an adjustment value determined from the reset values received from the reference pixels. Additionally, a method of using the apparatus is disclosed. The method has a step of providing a first reset signal to a row of pixels including the reference pixels. The method also reads out a first set of values from this row after integration. The method continues with providing a second reset signal to the row and a second set of values is read from the row. An adjustment value is calculated from the difference of the values which are read out from the reference pixels.

Abstract translation: 公开的是用于减少基于光电二极管的互补金属氧化物（CMOS）传感器中的行复位噪声的装置。 该装置对传感器阵列中的每行像素使用至少一个参考像素。 此外，提供复位噪声消除单元，用于根据从参考像素接收的复位值确定的调整值来调整从特定行中的像素接收的值。 另外，公开了一种使用该装置的方法。 该方法具有向包括参考像素的像素行提供第一复位信号的步骤。 该方法还从集成后的第一行中读出第一组值。 该方法继续向该行提供第二复位信号，并且从该行读取第二组值。 根据从参考像素读出的值的差来计算调整值。

公开(公告)号：US06433822B1

公开(公告)日：2002-08-13

申请号：US09052749

申请日：1998-03-31

Applicant: Lawrence T. Clark ,  Mark A. Beiley ,  Eric J. Hoffman

Inventor： Lawrence T. Clark ,  Mark A. Beiley ,  Eric J. Hoffman

IPC: H04N5217

CPC classification number: H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/2176 ,  H04N5/3658 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N17/002

Abstract: An architecture for self-calibration and fixed-pattern noise removal in imager chips. The column-to-column fixed pattern noise and/or pixel-to-pixel fixed pattern noise is determined through a self-calibration operation. During operation of the imager chip, when a value of a pixel is read, the read value is compensated with the fixed-pattern noise corresponding to either the column fixed pattern noise corresponding to the column having the pixel from which the value was read or to the pixel fixed pattern noise corresponding to the pixel from which the value was read.

Abstract translation: 在成像器芯片中进行自校准和固定图案噪声去除的架构。 通过自校准操作来确定柱对列固定图案噪声和/或像素到像素的固定图案噪声。 在成像器芯片的操作期间，当读取像素的值时，读取值被对应于与具有读取该值的像素的列相对应的列固定图案噪声的固定图案噪声补偿，或者 对应于读取该值的像素的像素固定模式噪声。

公开(公告)号：US06366320B1

公开(公告)日：2002-04-02

申请号：US08987131

申请日：1997-12-08

Applicant: Rajendran Nair ,  Mark A. Beiley ,  Morteza Afghahi

Inventor： Rajendran Nair ,  Mark A. Beiley ,  Morteza Afghahi

IPC: H04N5335

CPC classification number: H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/37213 ,  H04N5/374

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit having an analog storage array, a sense amplifier array in which each sense amp cell generates a differential signal pair in response to receiving first and second signals from the storage array. The circuit also includes an analog multiplexer through which a selected differential signal pair is driven into a signal processing pipe. In another embodiment, the sense amp cells each include an operational amplifier (opamp) pair configured as unity-gain closed loop amplifiers for driving the differential signal pair through the analog multiplexer. To improve settling time, the opamps are designed to provide an underdamped response while loaded with the analog transmission path through the analog mux. In yet another embodiment, each sense amp cell is activated one clock cycle before it is read. This allows speedy readout while transitioning from one cell to the next. Also, maintaining only two cells active at any given time during readout helps reduce power dissipation and substantially decouples power dissipation in the sense amp array from the size of the array. The embodiments of the invention can be used in different types of imaging systems, including for instance a digital camera.

Abstract translation: 一种具有模拟存储阵列的半导体电路，其中每个读出放大器单元响应于从存储阵列接收第一和第二信号而产生差分信号对的读出放大器阵列。 电路还包括模拟多路复用器，所选择的差分信号对被驱动到信号处理管中。 在另一个实施例中，感测放大器单元各自包括被配置为单位增益闭环放大器的运算放大器（运算放大器）对，用于通过模拟多路复用器驱动差分信号对。 为了改善建立时间，运算放大器被设计为在加载模拟多路复用器的模拟传输路径时提供欠阻抗响应。 在另一个实施例中，每个读出放大器单元在读取之前一个时钟周期被激活。 这允许在从一个单元过渡到下一个单元时快速读出。 此外，在读出期间，在任何给定时间只保持两个电池有效，从而有助于降低功耗，并将感测放大器阵列中的功耗大大地与阵列的尺寸相分离。 本发明的实施例可以用于不同类型的成像系统，包括例如数字照相机。

公开(公告)号：US06317154B2

公开(公告)日：2001-11-13

申请号：US09798406

申请日：2001-03-02

Applicant: Mark A. Beiley

Inventor： Mark A. Beiley

IPC: H04N5335

CPC classification number: H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H04N5/35527 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/37452

Abstract: A method for controlling a sensor to reduce reset noise is disclosed. The method including the steps of providing a reset command including a RESET signal and a first SAMPLE signal. The method also includes the steps of providing a read command including a first ADDRESS signal, a second SAMPLE signal, and a second ADDRESS signal. An apparatus including a system controller and a sensor controlled by the system controller is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus is provided for a sensor in a sensor array that is read-out in a pipelined fashion.

公开(公告)号：US06235549B1

公开(公告)日：2001-05-22

申请号：US09524081

申请日：2000-03-13

Applicant: Edward J. Bawolek ,  Lawrence T. Clark ,  Mark A. Beiley

Inventor： Edward J. Bawolek ,  Lawrence T. Clark ,  Mark A. Beiley

IPC: H01L2100

CPC classification number: H01L27/14636 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H01L27/14654 ,  H01L27/14685 ,  H01L27/1469

Abstract: A method and apparatus for employing a light shield to modulate pixel color responsivity. The improved pixel includes a substrate having a photodiode with a light receiving area. A color filter array material of a first color is disposed above the substrate. The pixel has a first relative responsivity. A light shield is disposed above the substrate to modulate the pixel color responsivity. The light shield forms an aperture whose area is substantially equal to the light receiving area adjusted by a reduction factor. The reduction factor is the result of an arithmetic operation between the first relative responsivity and a second relative responsivity, associated with a second pixel of a second color.

Abstract translation: 一种采用遮光罩来调制像素颜色响应度的方法和装置。 改进的像素包括具有光接收面积的光电二极管的基板。 第一颜色的滤色器阵列材料设置在基板上方。 像素具有第一相对响应度。 遮光板设置在基板上方以调制像素颜色响应度。 遮光板形成其面积基本上等于由减小因子调节的光接收面积的孔径。 缩小因子是与第二颜色的第二像素相关联的第一相对响应度和第二相对响应度之间的算术运算的结果。

公开(公告)号：US6157016A

公开(公告)日：2000-12-05

申请号：US940539

申请日：1997-09-30

Applicant: Lawrence T. Clark ,  Mark A. Beiley

Inventor： Lawrence T. Clark ,  Mark A. Beiley

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H01L31/02 ,  H01L27/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H01L31/02016

Abstract: A read out circuit for an active pixel sensor array is provided. The read out circuit includes a first circuit, coupled to a pixel of the array, to receive from the pixel information indicative of an intensity of light detected by the pixel and to drive the information to a read out device when the pixel is accessed. The read out circuit further includes a second circuit, coupled to the first circuit, to reset the read out device prior to access to the pixel.

Abstract translation: 提供了一种用于有源像素传感器阵列的读出电路。 读出电路包括耦合到阵列的像素的第一电路，以从像素接收指示由像素检测到的光强度的信息，并且当访问像素时将信息驱动到读出装置。 读出电路还包括耦合到第一电路的第二电路，以在访问像素之前复位读出的器件。