公开(公告)号：US08120682B2

公开(公告)日：2012-02-21

申请号：US12539782

申请日：2009-08-12

申请人： Toru Koizumi ,  Shigetoshi Sugawa ,  Tetsunobu Kochi

发明人： Toru Koizumi ,  Shigetoshi Sugawa ,  Tetsunobu Kochi

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/3597 ,  H04N5/238 ,  H04N5/353

摘要： A solid-state image pickup device comprises for each pixel a photoelectric converter PD, an input terminal FD of a signal amplifier and a transfer switch TX for transferring an optical signal from the photoelectric converter to the input terminal. The device additionally comprises means for resetting the photoelectric converter by opening the transfer switch TX under a condition of holding the voltage of the input terminal FD to a fixed high level before storing the optical signal in the photoelectric converter PD. With this arrangement, any residual electric charge in the photoelectric converter can be eliminated without paying the cost of reducing the manufacturing yield and degrading the chip performance.

摘要翻译： 固态图像拾取装置包括每个像素光电转换器PD，信号放大器的输入端子FD和用于将光信号从光电转换器传送到输入端子的转移开关TX。 该装置还包括用于在将光信号存储在光电转换器PD中之前将输入端子FD的电压保持在固定高电平的状态下打开转换开关TX来复位光电转换器的装置。 通过这种布置，可以消除光电转换器中的任何剩余电荷，而不需要降低制造成品率和降低芯片性能的成本。

公开(公告)号：US07816755B2

公开(公告)日：2010-10-19

申请号：US12185267

申请日：2008-08-04

申请人： Kazuo Yamazaki ,  Tetsunobu Kochi

发明人： Kazuo Yamazaki ,  Tetsunobu Kochi

IPC分类号： H01L31/06 ,  H01L31/00 ,  H01L31/062 ,  H01L31/113

CPC分类号： H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/14687 ,  H01L31/0352

摘要： A pixel space is narrowed without increasing PN junction capacitance. A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of pixels arranged therein, each including a first impurity region of a first conductivity type forming a photoelectric conversion region, a second impurity region of a second conductivity type forming a signal acquisition region arranged in the first impurity region, a third impurity region of the first conductivity type and a fourth impurity region of the first conductivity type are arranged in a periphery of each pixel for isolating the each pixel, the fourth impurity region is disposed between adjacent pixels, and an impurity concentration of the fourth impurity region is smaller than an impurity concentration of the third impurity region.

摘要翻译： 像素空间变窄而不增加PN结电容。 一种光电转换装置，包括配置在其中的多个像素，每个像素包括形成光电转换区域的第一导电类型的第一杂质区域，形成布置在第一杂质区域中的信号获取区域的第二导电类型的第二杂质区域， 第一导电类型的第三杂质区域和第一导电类型的第四杂质区域布置在用于隔离每个像素的每个像素的周围，第四杂质区域设置在相邻像素之间，第四杂质区域的杂质浓度 杂质区域小于第三杂质区域的杂质浓度。

公开(公告)号：US20100079648A1

公开(公告)日：2010-04-01

申请号：US12556939

申请日：2009-09-10

申请人： Hirofumi Totsuka ,  Tomohisa Kinugasa ,  Tetsunobu Kochi

发明人： Hirofumi Totsuka ,  Tomohisa Kinugasa ,  Tetsunobu Kochi

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/3742 ,  H04N5/3655 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： A driving method of a solid-state imaging apparatus including multiple reference level supplying units each arranged correspondingly to a predetermined number of signal holding units, to supply a reference level to an output node of the signal holding unit through the selecting unit, wherein the method includes steps of: performing a clamping operation for sampling and holding the signal in the signal holding unit, by terminating turn ON pulses to be supplied to the selecting units successively in separate timings, one for each one of the selecting units, or one for each group of the selecting units while the reference level is supplied from the reference level supplying unit to the output node; and performing an operation of selecting the signal holding units through the selecting units, by supplying the turn ON pulses successively to the selecting units, to read out the signals successively from the signal holding units selected.

摘要翻译： 一种固态成像装置的驱动方法，包括：多个基准电平供给单元，每个基准电平供应单元各自对应于预定数量的信号保持单元布置，以通过所述选择单元向所述信号保持单元的输出节点提供参考电平，其中所述方法 包括以下步骤：通过在分开的定时中连续地接收到提供给选择单元的接通脉冲，执行用于对信号保持单元中的信号进行采样和保持的钳位操作，每个选择单元一个，或每个选择单元一个 一组选择单元，同时将参考电平从参考电平提供单元提供给输出节点; 以及通过选择单元执行选择信号保持单元的操作，通过向选择单元连续地提供转动ON脉冲，从所选择的信号保持单元连续地读出信号。

公开(公告)号：US20100006744A1

公开(公告)日：2010-01-14

申请号：US12548778

申请日：2009-08-27

申请人： Tetsunobu Kochi

发明人： Tetsunobu Kochi

IPC分类号： H01L27/142 ,  H01L27/146

CPC分类号： H01L27/14601 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H04N5/3591 ,  H04N5/3741 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： The invention provides a photoelectric conversion device, in which a decrease in sensitivity and a crosstalk between wirings are suppressed. Plural pixel columns are arranged in one direction, plural pixels are arranged in a different direction to the one direction in a column manner in the pixel column, and the pixel includes a photodiode PD, a reset transistor M4 for resetting the photodiode PD, and a source follower input transistor M3 for receiving a signal from the photodiode PD. An independent readout wiring 16 is individually provided for each pixel. The reset transistor M4 and the source follower input transistor M3 included in one pixel column or another pixel column are arranged between the photodiode column in one pixel column and the photodiode column in another pixel column arranged adjacent to the one pixel column.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供一种抑制了布线灵敏度降低和串扰的光电转换装置。 多个像素列沿一个方向布置，像素列中以列方式将多个像素沿着一个方向排列成不同的方向，并且像素包括光电二极管PD，用于复位光电二极管PD的复位晶体管M4和 源极跟随器输入晶体管M3，用于从光电二极管PD接收信号。 为每个像素单独提供独立的读出布线16。 包括在一个像素列或另一像素列中的复位晶体管M4和源极跟随器输入晶体管M3被布置在一个像素列中的光电二极管列和与一个像素列相邻布置的另一个像素列中的光电二极管列之间。

公开(公告)号：US20090128659A1

公开(公告)日：2009-05-21

申请号：US12348996

申请日：2009-01-06

申请人： Toru Koizumi ,  Tetsunobu Kochi ,  Hiroki Hiyama

发明人： Toru Koizumi ,  Tetsunobu Kochi ,  Hiroki Hiyama

IPC分类号： H04N5/228 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/361 ,  H04N1/40 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： This invention provides an image pickup device comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, a semiconductor area to which a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, a transfer switch for transferring the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit to the semiconductor area, and a read unit for reading out the signal from the semiconductor area, and a drive circuit for outputting a first level at which the transfer switch is set in an OFF state, a second level at which the transfer switch is set in an ON state, and a third level between the first level and the second level, wherein the drive circuit controls to hold the third level for a predetermined time while the transfer switch is changing from the ON state to the OFF state.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种图像拾取装置，包括多个像素，每个像素包括光电转换单元，来自光电转换单元的信号被传送到的半导体区域，用于将信号从光电转换单元传送到半导体区域的转移开关 以及用于读出来自半导体区域的信号的读取单元和用于输出转换开关设置在OFF状态的第一电平的驱动电路，将转换开关设置在ON状态的第二电平 以及第一电平和第二电平之间的第三电平，其中当转换开关从接通状态改变到断开状态时，驱动电路控制将第三电平保持预定时间。

公开(公告)号：US07473882B2

公开(公告)日：2009-01-06

申请号：US11968790

申请日：2008-01-03

申请人： Tetsunobu Kochi

发明人： Tetsunobu Kochi

IPC分类号： H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N1/486 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H04N1/193 ,  H04N9/045

摘要： The invention is to suppress a loss in image quality resulting from a sensitivity difference among different colors and to suppress an increase in a chip area. The invention provides for example an image sensor including three light detecting element rows respectively having R, G and B color filters on light detecting apertures, in which the light detecting element in the G light detecting element row has a light detecting area larger than that of the light detecting element in other B and R light detecting element rows and centers of gravity of light detecting parts of the light detecting elements in the respective light detecting element rows are arranged with a constant pitch (pitch Q) among the light detecting element rows and in which the G light detecting element row with a larger light detecting area in the light detecting element is not positioned as an end row among the R, G and B light detecting element rows but as a central light detecting element row.

摘要翻译： 本发明是为了抑制由不同颜色之间的灵敏度差导致的图像质量的损失，并抑制芯片面积的增加。 本发明提供了例如包括在光检测孔上分别具有R，G和B滤色器的三个光检测元件行的图像传感器，其中G光检测元件列中的光检测元件具有大于 其他B和R光检测元件行中的光检测元件以及各个光检测元件列中的光检测元件的光检测部分的重心在光检测元件列之间以恒定的间距（间距Q）排列， 其中在光检测元件中具有较大光检测区域的G光检测元件行不被定位为R，G和B光检测元件列中的端行，而是作为中央光检测元件行。

公开(公告)号：US07423790B2

公开(公告)日：2008-09-09

申请号：US11076961

申请日：2005-03-11

申请人： Tetsunobu Kochi ,  Kazuo Yamazaki ,  Hiraku Kozuka

发明人： Tetsunobu Kochi ,  Kazuo Yamazaki ,  Hiraku Kozuka

IPC分类号： H04N1/46

CPC分类号： H04N5/3765 ,  H04N5/3692 ,  H04N5/37452

摘要： To prevent such a situation that a signal from a pixel in a dark state is output at a level shifted from an originally set level to deteriorate an image quality, and to improve the image quality. A photoelectric conversion apparatus according to the present invention includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a plurality of amplifying units for amplifying a signal in accordance with a photo-carrier generated in the photoelectric conversion elements; a plurality of signal holding units for holding output signals from the amplifying units through a plurality of switch units; and a control signal supplying unit for supplying a control signal to the switch units through a control line, in which the control line is sequentially connected to the plurality of switch units and has both ends connected to the control signal supplying units, or a change rate with time of an amplitude of a signal held by the signal holding units is set lower than a change rate with time of am amplitude of the control signal at the time of turning off the switch units.

摘要翻译： 为了防止来自暗态的像素的信号以从初始设定的电平移位的电平输出，使图像质量劣化，并且提高图像质量。 根据本发明的光电转换装置包括：多个光电转换元件; 多个放大单元，用于根据在光电转换元件中产生的光载流子放大信号; 多个信号保持单元，用于通过多个开关单元保持来自放大单元的输出信号; 以及控制信号提供单元，用于通过控制线将控制信号提供给开关单元，其中控制线顺序地连接到多个开关单元并且两端连接到控制信号提供单元，或者变化率 将由信号保持单元保持的信号的幅度的时间设定为低于关闭开关单元时的控制信号的幅度随时间的变化率。

公开(公告)号：US20080121785A1

公开(公告)日：2008-05-29

申请号：US11968790

申请日：2008-01-03

申请人： Tetsunobu Kochi

发明人： Tetsunobu Kochi

IPC分类号： H01L27/14

CPC分类号： H04N1/486 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H04N1/193 ,  H04N9/045

摘要： The invention is to suppress a loss in image quality resulting from a sensitivity difference among different colors and to suppress an increase in a chip area. The invention provides for example an image sensor including three light detecting element rows respectively having R, G and B color filters on light detecting apertures, in which the light detecting element in the G light detecting element row has a light detecting area larger than that of the light detecting element in other B and R light detecting element rows and centers of gravity of light detecting parts of the light detecting elements in the respective light detecting element rows are arranged with a constant pitch (pitch Q) among the light detecting element rows and in which the G light detecting element row with a larger light detecting area in the light detecting element is not positioned as an end row among the R, G and B light detecting element rows but as a central light detecting element row.

摘要翻译： 本发明是为了抑制由不同颜色之间的灵敏度差导致的图像质量的损失，并抑制芯片面积的增加。 本发明提供了例如包括在光检测孔上分别具有R，G和B滤色器的三个光检测元件行的图像传感器，其中G光检测元件列中的光检测元件具有大于 其他B和R光检测元件行中的光检测元件以及各个光检测元件列中的光检测元件的光检测部分的重心在光检测元件列之间以恒定的间距（间距Q）排列， 其中在光检测元件中具有较大光检测区域的G光检测元件行不被定位为R，G和B光检测元件列中的端行，而是作为中央光检测元件行。

公开(公告)号：US07280146B2

公开(公告)日：2007-10-09

申请号：US11180533

申请日：2005-07-14

申请人： Hidekazu Takahashi ,  Tetsunobu Kochi

发明人： Hidekazu Takahashi ,  Tetsunobu Kochi

IPC分类号： H04N5/225 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N9/04

CPC分类号： H04N5/2254 ,  H01L27/14627

摘要： In order to prevent an image quality from being lowered by shading and or the like, an image pickup apparatus is provided which includes an image pickup area including a plurality of photoelectric conversion areas, a plurality of converging lenses for converging light on a plurality of photoelectric conversion areas, and a light shielding area having a plurality of opening areas through which light is incident upon the plurality of photoelectric conversion areas, wherein positions of the converging lens and opening area are shifted inward than a corresponding photoelectric conversion area.

摘要翻译： 为了防止通过阴影等降低图像质量，提供了一种图像拾取装置，其包括包括多个光电转换区域的图像拾取区域，用于将光会聚在多个光电转换区域上的多个会聚透镜 转换区域和具有多个入射到多个光电转换区域的多个开口区域的遮光区域，其中会聚透镜和开口区域的位置比对应的光电转换区域向内移动。

公开(公告)号：US20070165125A1

公开(公告)日：2007-07-19

申请号：US11689195

申请日：2007-03-21

申请人： Tetsunobu Kochi

发明人： Tetsunobu Kochi

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/3658 ,  H04N5/3572 ,  H04N5/3745

摘要： In order to solve the problem in which voltages Vsig1 read in units of rows have differences to cause vertical shading, thereby degrading image quality, and the problem in which the dynamic ranges of source follower circuits are different in units of rows because finite resistances are distributed in the power supply lines, a photoelectric conversion apparatus includes photoelectric conversion portions placed in a plurality of rows, an amplification section including a load section arranged in units of vertical output lines to amplify signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion portions placed in a plurality of rows, a vertical scanning section for sequentially scanning signals amplified by the amplification section to read the signals onto the vertical output lines, and a horizontal scanning section for sequentially scanning the signals amplified by the amplification section to read the signals onto horizontal output lines, wherein the load sections are located on a side vertically opposite to the direction of signal output from the amplification section.

摘要翻译： 为了解决以行为单位读取的电压Vsig 1具有差异而引起垂直阴影，从而降低图像质量的问题，以及源极跟随器电路的动态范围由于有限电阻为单位而以行为单位的问题 分布在电源线中的光电转换装置包括放置在多行中的光电转换部分，放大部分包括以垂直输出线为单位布置的负载部分，以放大多个光电转换部分中累积的信号电荷 行垂直扫描部分，用于顺序地扫描由放大部分放大的信号以将信号读取到垂直输出线;以及水平扫描部分，用于顺序扫描由放大部分放大的信号，以将信号读取到水平输出线上， 其中所述负载部分位于si上 与放大部分输出的信号的方向垂直相反。