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：US09319611B2

公开(公告)日：2016-04-19

申请号：US13830748

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiaofeng Fan

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/355

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/355

Abstract: An image sensor can include pixels that are grouped into subsets of pixels, with each subset including three or more pixels. A method for asymmetrical high dynamic range imaging can include capturing an image of a subject scene using a single integration time for all of the pixels. In a subset of pixels, charge in N pixels is read out and summed together. N represents a number that is between two and one less than a total number of pixels in the subset. Un-summed charge is read out from one pixel in the subset. The un-summed charge and the summed charge are combined when producing a high dynamic range image.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器可以包括被分组为像素子集的像素，每个子集包括三个或更多像素。 用于非对称高动态范围成像的方法可以包括使用针对所有像素的单个积分时间捕获对象场景的图像。 在像素的子集中，读出N个像素中的电荷并将其相加。 N表示小于子集中的像素总数的两个和一个之间的数字。 从子集中的一个像素读取非总和电荷。 当产生高动态范围图像时，将不相加电荷和总和电荷组合。

公开(公告)号：US20160056147A1

公开(公告)日：2016-02-25

申请号：US14684841

申请日：2015-04-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Junjun Li ,  Xin Yi Zhang ,  Xiaofeng Fan

IPC: H01L27/02 ,  H01L29/78

CPC classification number: H01L27/0262 ,  H01L27/0255 ,  H01L29/785

Abstract: In an embodiment, an ESD protection circuit may include a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) and a diode sharing a PN junction and forming a bi-directional ESD circuit. The single PN junction may reduce the capacitive load on the pin, which may allow the high speed circuit to meet its performance goals. In an embodiment, a floating P-well contact may be placed between two neighboring SCRs, to control triggering of the SCRs.

Abstract translation: 在一个实施例中，ESD保护电路可以包括可控硅整流器（SCR）和共享PN结的二极管并形成双向ESD电路。 单个PN结可能会降低引脚上的容性负载，这可能使高速电路达到其性能目标。 在一个实施例中，可以在两个相邻SCR之间放置浮动P阱接触，以控制SCR的触发。

公开(公告)号：US20150380397A1

公开(公告)日：2015-12-31

申请号：US14501773

申请日：2014-09-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Sanjay Dabral ,  Xiaofeng Fan

IPC: H01L27/02

CPC classification number: H01L27/0266 ,  H01L27/0255

Abstract: Various embodiments of ESD protection circuits and methods for operating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, one or more driver circuits are protected by a first ESD protection circuit configured to activate and discharge current responsive to an ESD event. The driver circuit may include a pull-up transistor and a pull-down transistor each coupled to drive an output node. A second ESD protection circuit may be associated with and dedicated to the pull-up transistor in the driver circuit.

Abstract translation: 公开了ESD保护电路的各种实施例及其操作方法。 在一个实施例中，一个或多个驱动器电路由被配置为响应于ESD事件激活和放电电流的第一ESD保护电路来保护。 驱动器电路可以包括每个耦合以驱动输出节点的上拉晶体管和下拉晶体管。 第二ESD保护电路可以与驱动器电路中的上拉晶体管相关联并且专用于上拉晶体管。

公开(公告)号：US20140263951A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US13830748

申请日：2013-03-14

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Xiaofeng Fan

IPC: H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/355

Abstract: An image sensor can include pixels that are grouped into subsets of pixels, with each subset including three or more pixels. A method for asymmetrical high dynamic range imaging can include capturing an image of a subject scene using a single integration time for all of the pixels. In a subset of pixels, charge in N pixels is read out and summed together. N represents a number that is between two and one less than a total number of pixels in the subset. Un-summed charge is read out from one pixel in the subset. The un-summed charge and the summed charge are combined when producing a high dynamic range image.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器可以包括被分组为像素子集的像素，每个子集包括三个或更多像素。 用于非对称高动态范围成像的方法可以包括使用针对所有像素的单个积分时间捕获对象场景的图像。 在像素的子集中，读出N个像素中的电荷并将其相加。 N表示小于子集中的像素总数的两个和一个之间的数字。 从子集中的一个像素读取非总和电荷。 当产生高动态范围图像时，将不相加电荷和总和电荷组合。

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。