公开(公告)号：US09083899B2

公开(公告)日：2015-07-14

申请号：US13773437

申请日：2013-02-21

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Duli Mao ,  Vincent Venezia ,  Gang Chen ,  Hsin-Chih Tai ,  Howard E. Rhodes

IPC: H01L27/00 ,  H01J40/14 ,  H03G3/20 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/52

CPC classification number: H04N5/3559 ,  H01L27/14601 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/52

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for a pixel array to provide a level of conversion gain. In an embodiment, the pixel array includes conversion gain control circuitry to be selectively configured at different times for different operational modes, each mode for implementing a respective conversion gain. The conversion gain control circuitry selectively provides switched coupling of the pixel cell to—and/or switched decoupling of the pixel cell from—a supply voltage. In another embodiment, the conversion gain control circuitry selectively provides switched coupling of the pixel cell to—and/or switched decoupling of the pixel cell from—sample and hold circuitry.

Abstract translation: 像素阵列的技术和机制提供一个转换增益水平。 在一个实施例中，像素阵列包括转换增益控制电路，以在不同的时间针对不同的操作模式进行选择性地配置，每个模式用于实现相应的转换增益。 转换增益控制电路选择性地提供像素单元与像素单元与电源电压的 - 和/或开关去耦合的切换耦合。 在另一个实施例中，转换增益控制电路选择性地提供像素单元与采样和保持电路的 - 和/或开关去耦合的切换耦合。

公开(公告)号：US20150091119A1

公开(公告)日：2015-04-02

申请号：US14565773

申请日：2014-12-10

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Gang Chen ,  Duli Mao ,  Hsin-Chih Tai ,  Howard E. Rhodes

IPC: G02B5/20 ,  H01L27/146 ,  G02B1/10

CPC classification number: G02B5/201 ,  G02B1/105 ,  G02B1/14 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14627 ,  H01L27/1464 ,  H01L27/14685

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus including a color filter arrangement formed on a substrate having a pixel array formed therein. The color filter arrangement includes a clear filter having a first clear hard mask layer and a second clear hard mask layer formed thereon, a first color filter having the first clear hard mask layer and the second hard mask layer formed thereon, a second color filter having the first clear hard mask layer formed thereon, and a third color filter having no clear hard mask layer formed thereon. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract translation: 包括形成在其上形成有像素阵列的基板上的滤色器装置的装置的实施例。 滤色器装置包括具有形成在其上的第一透明硬掩模层和第二透明硬掩模层的透明滤光器，具有形成在其上的第一透明硬掩模层和第二硬掩模层的第一滤色器，具有第二透明硬掩模层的第二滤色器， 形成在其上的第一透明硬掩模层和形成有透明硬掩模层的第三滤色器。 公开和要求保护其他实施例。

公开(公告)号：US08957359B2

公开(公告)日：2015-02-17

申请号：US13651092

申请日：2012-10-12

Applicant: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Gang Chen ,  Duli Mao ,  Hsin-Chih Tai ,  Howard E. Rhodes

IPC: H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H01L27/14612 ,  H04N5/3559

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention describe providing a compact solution to provide high dynamic range imaging (HDRI or simply HDR) for an imaging pixel by utilizing a control node for resetting a floating diffusion node to a reference voltage value and for selectively transferring an image charge from a photosensitive element to a readout node. Embodiments of the invention further describe control node to have to a plurality of different capacitance regions to selectively increase the overall capacitance of the floating diffusion node. This variable capacitance of the floating diffusion node increases the dynamic range of the imaging pixel, thereby providing HDR for the host imaging system, as well as increasing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the imaging system.

Abstract translation: 本发明的实施例描述了提供一种紧凑的解决方案，以通过利用用于将浮动扩散节点复位到参考电压值的控制节点和用于选择性地传输图像电荷的方法来为成像像素提供高动态范围成像（HDRI或简单的HDR） 感光元件到读出节点。 本发明的实施例进一步描述控制节点必须具有多个不同的电容区域以选择性地增加浮动扩散节点的整体电容。 浮动扩散节点的这种可变电容增加了成像像素的动态范围，从而为主机成像系统提供了HDR，并且提高了成像系统的信噪比（SNR）。

公开(公告)号：US20140239152A1

公开(公告)日：2014-08-28

申请号：US13775747

申请日：2013-02-25

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Gang Chen ,  Duli Mao ,  Hsin-Chih Tai

IPC: H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H01L27/14605 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14607 ,  H01L27/14612 ,  H01L27/14641

Abstract: An image sensor includes a first pixel unit horizontally adjacent to a second pixel unit. Each pixel unit includes plurality of photodiodes and a shared floating diffusion region. A first pixel transistor region of the first pixel unit has a plurality of pixel transistors. A second pixel transistor region of the second pixel unit is horizontally adjacent to the first pixel transistor region and also has a plurality of pixel transistors. A transistor layout of the second pixel transistor region is a minor image of a transistor layout of the first pixel transistor region.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器包括与第二像素单元水平相邻的第一像素单元。 每个像素单元包括多个光电二极管和共享的浮动扩散区域。 第一像素单元的第一像素晶体管区域具有多个像素晶体管。 第二像素单元的第二像素晶体管区域与第一像素晶体管区域水平相邻并且还具有多个像素晶体管。 第二像素晶体管区域的晶体管布局是第一像素晶体管区域的晶体管布局的次要图像。

公开(公告)号：US20140084135A1

公开(公告)日：2014-03-27

申请号：US13625458

申请日：2012-09-24

Applicant: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Inventor： Gang Chen ,  Duli Mao ,  Hsin-Chih Tai

IPC: H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H01L27/14645 ,  H01L27/1464 ,  H01L31/09 ,  H01L31/1013 ,  H04N5/222 ,  H04N5/2251 ,  H04N5/247 ,  H04N5/376

Abstract: A monolithic backside-sensor-illumination (BSI) image sensor has a sensor array is tiled with a multiple-pixel cells having a first pixel sensor primarily sensitive to red light, a second pixel sensor primarily sensitive to red and green light, and a third pixel sensor having panchromatic sensitivity, the pixel sensors laterally adjacent each other. The image sensor determines a red, a green, and a blue signal comprising by reading the red-sensitive pixel sensor of each multiple-pixel cell to determine the red signal, reading the sensor primarily sensitive to red and green light to determine a yellow signal and subtracting the red signal to determine a green signal. The image sensor reads the panchromatic-sensitive pixel sensor to determine a white signal and subtracts the yellow signal to provide the blue signal.

Abstract translation: 单片背面传感器照明（BSI）图像传感器具有传感器阵列，其具有具有主要对红光敏感的第一像素传感器的多像素单元，对红色和绿色光敏感的第二像素传感器，以及第三像素传感器 像素传感器具有全色灵敏度，像素传感器横向相邻。 图像传感器确定红色，绿色和蓝色信号，其包括通过读取每个多像素单元的红色敏感像素传感器来确定红色信号，读取对红色和绿色光敏感的传感器以确定黄色信号 并减去红色信号以确定绿色信号。 图像传感器读取全色敏感像素传感器以确定白色信号，并减去黄色信号以提供蓝色信号。

公开(公告)号：US08466010B2

公开(公告)日：2013-06-18

申请号：US13735787

申请日：2013-01-07

Applicant: Omnivision Technologies, Inc.

Inventor： Hsin-Chih Tai ,  Vincent Venezia ,  Yin Qian ,  Duli Mao ,  Keh-Chiang Ku

IPC: H01L23/04

CPC classification number: H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/14636 ,  H01L27/1464

Abstract: A backside illuminated imaging sensor with a seal ring support includes an epitaxial layer having an imaging array formed in a front side of the epitaxial layer. A metal stack is coupled to the front side of the epitaxial layer, wherein the metal stack includes a seal ring formed in an edge region of the imaging sensor. An opening is included that extends from the back side of the epitaxial layer to a metal pad of the seal ring to expose the metal pad. The seal ring support is disposed on the metal pad and within the opening to structurally support the seal ring.