公开(公告)号：US20070035653A1

公开(公告)日：2007-02-15

申请号：US11201332

申请日：2005-08-11

申请人： Chris Hong ,  Jeffrey McKee

发明人： Chris Hong ,  Jeffrey McKee

IPC分类号： H04N5/225

CPC分类号： G06T5/50 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/2355 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/35563

摘要： A method and apparatus for achieving high-dynamic range operation with a set of spatially distributed pixel cells is provided. A pixel array with a row of pixels having apertures of varying sizes in a metal mask formed thereon controls the sensitivity of each pixel cell to light. A neutral density filter having varying light transparency values is also provided over the set of pixel cells to control the sensitivity of each pixel cell to light. The pixel cells voltage outputted is combined to obtain high-dynamic range operation.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种利用一组空间分布的像素单元实现高动态范围操作的方法和装置。 在其上形成的金属掩模中具有不同尺寸孔径的像素行的像素阵列控制每个像素单元对光的灵敏度。 还在该组像素单元上提供具有变化的透光度值的中性浓度滤光片，以控制每个像素单元对光的灵敏度。 输出的像素单元电压被组合以获得高动态范围的操作。

公开(公告)号：US20070012964A1

公开(公告)日：2007-01-18

申请号：US11178803

申请日：2005-07-12

申请人： Jeffrey McKee

发明人： Jeffrey McKee

IPC分类号： H01L31/113 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14689 ,  H04N5/3559 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/37452

摘要： An imaging device having a pixel array in which one plate of a storage capacitor is coupled to a storage node while another plate is formed by an electrode of a photo-conversion region.

摘要翻译： 一种具有像素阵列的成像装置，其中存储电容器的一个板耦合到存储节点，而另一个板由光转换区域的电极形成。

公开(公告)号：US20050110885A1

公开(公告)日：2005-05-26

申请号：US10721191

申请日：2003-11-26

申请人： Peter Altice ,  Jeffrey McKee

发明人： Peter Altice ,  Jeffrey McKee

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N3/15 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H01L27/148 ,  H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： A CMOS imaging system with increased charge storage of pixels yet decreased physical size, kTC noise and active area. A storage node is connected to the transfer gate and provides a storage node for a pixel, allowing for kTC noise reduction prior to readout. The pixel may be operated with the shutter gate on during the integration period to increase the amount of time for charge storage by a pixel.

摘要翻译： 具有增加像素电荷存储的CMOS成像系统，同时减小了物理尺寸，kTC噪声和有效面积。 存储节点连接到传输门并提供用于像素的存储节点，从而允许在读出之前降低kTC噪声。 可以在积分周期期间使快门门导通来操作像素，以增加像素对电荷存储的时间量。

公开(公告)号：US20070164335A1

公开(公告)日：2007-07-19

申请号：US11713754

申请日：2007-03-05

申请人： Jeffrey McKee

发明人： Jeffrey McKee

IPC分类号： H01L31/062 ,  H01L21/00

CPC分类号： H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： The present invention, in the various exemplary embodiments, provides a RGB color filter array. The red, green and blue pixel cells are arranged in a honeycomb pattern. The honeycomb layout provides the space to vary the size of pixel cells of an individual color so that, for example, the photosensor of blue pixels can be made larger than that of the red or green pixels. In another aspect of the invention, depicted in the exemplary embodiments, the honeycomb structure can also be implemented with each pixel rowing having a same color of pixel cells which can simplify can conversion in the readout circuits. In another aspect of the invention, the RGB honeycomb pixel array may be implemented using a shared pixel cell architecture.

摘要翻译： 在各种示例性实施例中，本发明提供了RGB滤色器阵列。 红色，绿色和蓝色像素单元被布置成蜂窝图案。 蜂窝布局提供了改变单独颜色的像素单元的尺寸的空间，使得例如蓝色像素的光电传感器可以被制成大于红色或绿色像素的光电传感器。 在本发明的另一方面，在示例性实施例中描绘，蜂窝结构也可以用像素单元的相同颜色的每个像素行来实现，这可以简化读出电路中的转换。 在本发明的另一方面，RGB蜂窝像素阵列可以使用共享像素单元架构来实现。

公开(公告)号：US20070045679A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-01

申请号：US11211651

申请日：2005-08-26

申请人： Jeffrey McKee ,  Richard Mauritzson

发明人： Jeffrey McKee ,  Richard Mauritzson

IPC分类号： H01L31/113

CPC分类号： H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/1463 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14687 ,  H01L27/14689

摘要： A pixel cell array architecture having ion implant regions as isolation regions between adjacent active areas of pixels in the array. In one exemplary embodiment, the invention provides an ion-doped p-well region separating n-type photosensitive areas of neighboring pixel cells. The pixel cells have increased fill factor without encountering the disadvantages associated with conventional shallow trench isolation regions.

摘要翻译： 具有离子注入区域作为阵列中像素的相邻有效区域之间的隔离区域的像素单元阵列架构。 在一个示例性实施例中，本发明提供了分离相邻像素单元的n型感光区域的离子掺杂p阱区域。 像素单元具有增加的填充因子，而不会遇到与常规浅沟槽隔离区相关的缺点。

公开(公告)号：US20070040922A1

公开(公告)日：2007-02-22

申请号：US11207744

申请日：2005-08-22

申请人： Jeffrey McKee ,  Joey Shah

发明人： Jeffrey McKee ,  Joey Shah

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14654

摘要： The present invention, in the various exemplary embodiments, provides a pixel array architecture having multiple pixel cells with shared pixel cell components. The pixel architecture increases the potential fill factor, and in turn, the quantum efficiency of the pixel array. The common pixel components may be shared by a number of pixels in the array, and may include a shared gate for an providing anti-blooming characteristic of the pixels over conventional pixels. Embodiments include the multi-way sharing of a high dynamic range/anti-blooming gate and methods of operation.

摘要翻译： 本发明在各种示例性实施例中提供了具有具有共享像素单元组件的多个像素单元的像素阵列架构。 像素结构增加了潜在的填充因子，反过来又增加了像素阵列的量子效率。 公共像素分量可以由阵列中的多个像素共享，并且可以包括用于在常规像素上提供像素的防起花特征的共享门。 实施例包括高动态范围/防晕门的多路共享和操作方法。

公开(公告)号：US20070023798A1

公开(公告)日：2007-02-01

申请号：US11193322

申请日：2005-08-01

申请人： Jeffrey McKee

发明人： Jeffrey McKee

IPC分类号： H01L31/113

CPC分类号： H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14689 ,  H04N5/3559 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/37452 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： A pixel cell array architecture having a dual conversion gain. A dual conversion gain element is coupled between a floating diffusion region and a respective storage capacitor. The dual conversion gain element having a control gate switches in the capacitance of the capacitor to change the conversion gain of the floating diffusion region from a first conversion gain to a second conversion gain. In order to increase the efficient use of space, the dual conversion gain element gate also functions as the bottom plate of the capacitor. In one particular embodiment of the invention, a high dynamic range transistor is used in conjunction with a pixel cell having a capacitor-DCG gate combination; in another embodiment, adjacent pixels share pixel components, including the capacitor-DCG combination.

摘要翻译： 具有双转换增益的像素单元阵列结构。 双转换增益元件耦合在浮动扩散区域和相应的存储电容器之间。 具有控制栅极的双转换增益元件切换电容器的电容，以将浮动扩散区域的转换增益从第一转换增益改变为第二转换增益。 为了增加空间的有效利用，双转换增益元件栅极也用作电容器的底板。 在本发明的一个具体实施例中，高动态范围晶体管与具有电容器-DCG门组合的像素单元结合使用; 在另一个实施例中，相邻像素共享包括电容器-DCG组合的像素分量。

公开(公告)号：US20070012917A1

公开(公告)日：2007-01-18

申请号：US11178798

申请日：2005-07-12

申请人： Jeffrey McKee

发明人： Jeffrey McKee

IPC分类号： H01L23/58 ,  H01L29/10

CPC分类号： H01L27/14689 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643

摘要： A pixel and imager device, and method of forming the same, where the pixel has a transfer transistor gate associated with a photoconversion device and is isolated in a substrate by shallow trench isolation. The transfer transistor gate does not overlap the shallow trench isolation region.

摘要翻译： 像素和成像器件及其形成方法，其中像素具有与光转换器件相关联的传输晶体管栅极，并通过浅沟槽隔离在衬底中隔离。 传输晶体管栅极不与浅沟槽隔离区域重叠。

公开(公告)号：US20070052055A1

公开(公告)日：2007-03-08

申请号：US11209779

申请日：2005-08-24

申请人： Jeffrey McKee

发明人： Jeffrey McKee

IPC分类号： H01L31/06

CPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H01L27/14683

摘要： A red pixel having a capacitor formed over the photo-conversion region of the pixel. The capacitor can be used by other pixels as a common capacitor. The capacitor is coupled to floating diffusion region shared by a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels also share readout circuitry.

摘要翻译： 具有形成在像素的光转换区域上的电容器的红色像素。 电容器可以被其他像素用作公共电容器。 电容器耦合到由多个像素共享的浮动扩散区域。 多个像素还共享读出电路。

公开(公告)号：US20070035649A1

公开(公告)日：2007-02-15

申请号：US11200052

申请日：2005-08-10

申请人： Jeffrey McKee

发明人： Jeffrey McKee

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/3559 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14654 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/37452

摘要： An imager with pixels having dual conversion gain. Each pixel has a dual conversion gain element coupled between two floating diffusion regions. When activated, the dual conversion gain element switches in a storage element to increase the charge storage capacity of the pixel. Pixel reset circuitry is coupled to the second floating diffusion region. In order to reset the first floating diffusion region and the storage element, the dual conversion gain element is activated during the reset operation.

摘要翻译： 具有双重转换增益的像素的成像器。 每个像素具有耦合在两个浮动扩散区域之间的双转换增益元件。 当激活时，双转换增益元件在存储元件中切换以增加像素的电荷存储容量。 像素复位电路耦合到第二浮动扩散区域。 为了复位第一浮动扩散区域和存储元件，双重转换增益元件在复位操作期间被激活。