公开(公告)号：US20240079440A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-07

申请号：US17903067

申请日：2022-09-06

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Oray O. Cellek ,  Fei Tan ,  Gershon Rosenblum ,  Hong Wei Lee ,  Cheng-Ying Tsai ,  Jae Y. Park ,  Christophe Verove ,  John L Orlowski ,  Siddharth Joshi ,  Xiangli Li ,  David Coulon ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Keith Lyon ,  Nicolas Hotellier ,  Arnaud Laflaquière

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H01L27/14652 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14636 ,  H01L27/1465 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: A multispectral sensing device includes a first die, including silicon, which is patterned to define a first array of sensor elements, which output first electrical signals in response to optical radiation that is incident on the device in a band of wavelengths less than 1000 nm that is incident on the front side of the first die. A second die has its first side bonded to the back side of the first die and includes a photosensitive material and is patterned to define a second array of sensor elements, which output second electrical signals in response to the optical radiation that is incident on the device in a second band of wavelengths greater than 1000 nm that passes through the first die and is incident on the first side of the second die. Readout circuitry reads the first electrical signals and the second electrical signals serially out of the device.

公开(公告)号：US20200029035A1

公开(公告)日：2020-01-23

申请号：US16460883

申请日：2019-07-02

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Gennadiy A. Agranov ,  Gershon Rosenblum ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/357 ,  H04N9/64

Abstract: A method for processing an image includes obtaining a set of pixel values captured from a pixel array during an image capture frame. The set of pixel values includes pixel values for a set of asymmetric pixels having different directional asymmetries. The method further includes detecting, using the pixel values for at least the asymmetric pixels and the different directional asymmetries of the asymmetric pixels, a directionality of image flare; and processing an image defined by the set of pixel values in accordance with the detected directionality of image flare. In some embodiments, image flare may be distinguished from noise using the set of pixel values.

公开(公告)号：US09842875B2

公开(公告)日：2017-12-12

申请号：US15161179

申请日：2016-05-20

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.

公开(公告)号：US09741754B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-22

申请号：US13787094

申请日：2013-03-06

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Chung Chun Wan

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  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.

公开(公告)号：US20160343756A1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-24

申请号：US15161179

申请日：2016-05-20

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.

公开(公告)号：US20150350575A1

公开(公告)日：2015-12-03

申请号：US14292599

申请日：2014-05-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Gennadiy A. Agranov ,  Claus Molgaard ,  Ashirwad Bahukhandi ,  Chiajen Lee ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/345

CPC classification number: H04N9/04511 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/37457 ,  H04N9/045

Abstract: Pixel binning is performed by summing charge from some pixels positioned diagonally in a pixel array. Pixel signals output from pixels positioned diagonally in the pixel array may be combined on the output lines. A signal representing summed charge produces a binned 2×1 cluster. A signal representing combined voltage signals produces a binned 2×1 cluster. A signal representing summed charge and a signal representing combined pixel signals can be combined digitally to produce a binned 2×2 pixel. Orthogonal binning may be performed on other pixels in the pixel array by summing charge on respective common sense regions and then then combining the voltage signals that represent the summed charge on respective output lines.

Abstract translation: 通过对来自像素阵列中的对角定位的一些像素的电荷求和来执行像素合并。 从位于像素阵列中对角线的像素输出的像素信号可以组合在输出线上。 表示相加电荷的信号产生一个二进制的2×1簇。 表示组合电压信号的信号产生一个二进制的2×1簇。 表示合并的电荷的信号和表示组合的像素信号的信号可以数字地组合以产生二进制的2×2像素。 可以通过对相应的公共感测区域上的电荷进行相加，然后将表示相加的输出线上的相加电荷的电压信号合并，来对像素阵列中的其他像素执行正交分样。

公开(公告)号：US20140247378A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-04

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: H04N5/372

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：US12185018B2

公开(公告)日：2024-12-31

申请号：US16912497

申请日：2020-06-25

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Gennadiy A. Agranov ,  Zachary M. Beiley ,  Andras G. Pattantyus-Abraham ,  Oray O. Cellek ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Gershon Rosenblum ,  Xiangli Li ,  Emanuele Mandelli ,  Bernhard Buettgen ,  Yuchuan Shao

IPC: H04N5/33 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N23/30 ,  H04N25/131

Abstract: A sensor stack is described. The sensor stack includes first and second electromagnetic radiation sensors. The first electromagnetic radiation sensor has a high quantum efficiency for converting a first range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths into a first set of electrical signals. The second electromagnetic radiation sensor is positioned in a field of view of the first electromagnetic radiation sensor and has a high quantum efficiency for converting a second range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths into a second set of electrical signals and a low quantum efficiency for converting the first range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths into the second set of electrical signals. The first range of wavelengths does not overlap the second range of wavelengths, and the second electromagnetic radiation sensor is at least partially transmissive to the first range of electromagnetic radiation wavelengths.

公开(公告)号：US12069384B2

公开(公告)日：2024-08-20

申请号：US17945636

申请日：2022-09-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Gilad Michael ,  Lilong Shi

IPC: H04N25/13 ,  G06T3/4015 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N25/704

CPC classification number: H04N25/135 ,  G06T3/4015 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H04N25/704

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：US20240107136A1

公开(公告)日：2024-03-28

申请号：US17948054

申请日：2022-09-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aditya Rayankula ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/225 ,  G02B27/14

CPC classification number: H04N5/2258 ,  G02B27/149 ,  H04N5/2251 ,  H04N5/2256 ,  G02B5/208

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.