公开(公告)号：US20220375986A1

公开(公告)日：2022-11-24

申请号：US17738364

申请日：2022-05-06

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Gershon Rosenblum ,  Erin F. Hanelt ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H01L27/146

Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photodiode, a lens positioned in a light-receiving path of the photodiode, and an anti-reflective coating disposed between the photodiode and the lens and including four layers. The four layers include alternating layers of a higher refractive index material and a lower refractive index material. The higher refractive index material has a refractive index that is higher than the lower refractive index material.

公开(公告)号：US20220320174A1

公开(公告)日：2022-10-06

申请号：US17707495

申请日：2022-03-29

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Dajiang Yang ,  Hong Wei Lee ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Oray O. Cellek ,  Xiangli Li ,  Kai Shen

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  G02B3/00 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/353 ,  H04N5/33

Abstract: Disclosed herein are global shutter image sensors and methods of operating such image sensors. An image sensor includes a semiconductor wafer having a light receiving surface opposite an electrical connection surface; an oxide extending from the light receiving surface toward the electrical connection surface and at least partially surrounding a pixel region; a photodiode disposed within the pixel region; and a set of storage nodes disposed under the photodiode, between the photodiode and the electrical connection surface. The set of storage nodes comprises a first storage node and a second storage node. The storage nodes may be disposed vertically beneath the photodiode, or side by side.

公开(公告)号：US10609348B2

公开(公告)日：2020-03-31

申请号：US15627409

申请日：2017-06-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

IPC: H04N9/04 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/3745

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 combining the voltage signals that represent the summed charge on respective output lines.

公开(公告)号：US10440301B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-08

申请号：US15699806

申请日：2017-09-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Manoj C. Patel

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  G03B13/00 ,  H04N5/369 ,  G02B7/09 ,  G02B7/36 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N9/04 ,  H04N9/07 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An image capture device, pixel, and method of determining a focus setting for an image capture device are described. The image capture device includes an imaging area and a pixel readout circuit. The imaging area includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels includes multiple pixels in which each pixel of the multiple pixels includes a two-dimensional array of photodetectors and a microlens. Each photodetector in the array of photodetectors for a pixel is electrically isolated from each other photodetector in the array of photodetectors. A microlens is disposed over the array of photodetectors for the pixel. The pixel readout circuit includes, per pixel, a shared readout circuit associated with the array of photodetectors for the pixel and a set of charge transfer transistors. Each charge transfer transistor is operable to connect a photodetector in the array of photodetectors to the shared readout circuit.

公开(公告)号：US10192911B2

公开(公告)日：2019-01-29

申请号：US15939347

申请日：2018-03-29

Applicant: APPLE INC.

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

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H01L27/146

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a photosensitive medium and a bias electrode, which is at least partially transparent, overlying the photosensitive medium. An array of pixel circuits is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Each pixel circuit includes a pixel electrode coupled to collect the charge carriers from the photosensitive medium; a readout circuit configured to output a signal indicative of a quantity of the charge carriers collected by the pixel electrode; a skimming gate coupled between the pixel electrode and the readout circuit; and a shutter gate coupled in parallel with the skimming gate between a node 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：US20180331138A1

公开(公告)日：2018-11-15

申请号：US15939347

申请日：2018-03-29

Applicant: APPLE INC.

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

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14636 ,  H04N5/3597 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes a photosensitive medium and a bias electrode, which is at least partially transparent, overlying the photosensitive medium. An array of pixel circuits is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Each pixel circuit includes a pixel electrode coupled to collect the charge carriers from the photosensitive medium; a readout circuit configured to output a signal indicative of a quantity of the charge carriers collected by the pixel electrode; a skimming gate coupled between the pixel electrode and the readout circuit; and a shutter gate coupled in parallel with the skimming gate between a node 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：US20170373106A1

公开(公告)日：2017-12-28

申请号：US15682255

申请日：2017-08-21

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 ,  H04N5/379

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：US20170006213A1

公开(公告)日：2017-01-05

申请号：US15266898

申请日：2016-09-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

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

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。

公开(公告)号：US20140253768A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-11

申请号：US13785070

申请日：2013-03-05

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Xiangli Li

IPC: 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。