公开(公告)号：US10284769B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-07

申请号：US15688613

申请日：2017-08-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  G03B13/00 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N9/083 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N9/04

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.

公开(公告)号：US09686485B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-20

申请号：US14292599

申请日：2014-05-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

IPC: H04N5/345 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N9/04

CPC classification number: H04N9/04511 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/37457 ,  H04N9/045

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

公开(公告)号：US09451152B2

公开(公告)日：2016-09-20

申请号：US14198540

申请日：2014-03-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  G03B13/00 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N9/083 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N9/04

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：US20150035028A1

公开(公告)日：2015-02-05

申请号：US13959362

申请日：2013-08-05

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.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器中的像素可以包括设置在一个基板中的光电检测器和存储区域，或者设置在一个基板中的光电检测器和另一个基板中的存储区域。 掩埋的光屏蔽设置在光电检测器和存储区之间。 诸如浮动扩散的感测区域可以与存储区域相邻，其中掩埋的光屏蔽件设置在光电检测器和存储和感测区域之间。 当光电检测器和存储区域设置在分离的基板中时，可以通过掩埋的光屏蔽形成垂直栅极，并且用于开始从光电检测器和存储区域传输电荷。 形成在垂直栅极附近或周围的转移通道提供用于电荷从光电检测器转移到存储区域的通道。

公开(公告)号：US11563910B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-24

申请号：US17380852

申请日：2021-07-20

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/369 ,  H04N9/04 ,  G02B5/20 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  G02B3/00 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An image capture device is described. The image capture device includes an array of pixels. Each pixel includes a 2×2 array of photodetectors. The image capture device also includes an array of 1×2 on chip lenses (OCLs) disposed over the array of pixels. For each pixel in the array of pixels, a respective pair of adjacent 1×2 OCLs is disposed over a pixel, with each respective pair of adjacent 1×2 OCLs including a respective first 1×2 OCL disposed over a first photodetector and a respective second photodetector in the 2×2 array of photodetectors for the pixel, and a second 1×2 OCL disposed over a third photodetector and a fourth photodetector in the 2×2 array of photodetectors for the pixel.

公开(公告)号：US10943935B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-09

申请号：US15682255

申请日：2017-08-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Chung Chun Wan

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/369

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：US20200304743A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-24

申请号：US16607113

申请日：2018-04-02

Applicant: APPLE INC.

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

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/363

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (20) includes a photosensitive medium (22) and a bias electrode (32), which is at least partially transparent, overlying the photosensitive medium. An array of pixel circuits (26) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (30). Each pixel circuit includes a pixel electrode (24) coupled to collect the charge carriers from the photosensitive medium; a readout circuit (75) configured to output a signal indicative of a quantity of the charge carriers collected by the pixel electrode; a skimming gate (48) coupled between the pixel electrode and the readout circuit; and a shutter gate (46) coupled in parallel with the skimming gate between a node (74) 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：US20180109742A1

公开(公告)日：2018-04-19

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: H04N5/345 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N9/04

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：US09749521B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-29

申请号：US15266898

申请日：2016-09-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  G03B13/00 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N9/083 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N9/04

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.

公开(公告)号：US09584743B1

公开(公告)日：2017-02-28

申请号：US14481820

申请日：2014-09-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Sheng Lin ,  Suppawan Kleekajai ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/359 ,  H04N17/00 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/232

CPC classification number: H04N5/359 ,  G06T5/003 ,  H04N5/23212 ,  H04N5/3696 ,  H04N9/045 ,  H04N17/002

Abstract: A system and method for producing a digital image. The method may compensate for cross-talk between adjacent pixels and reduce the effect of auto-focus elements integrated into a pixel array of an image sensor. A set of coefficients is obtained, where the set of coefficients represent a relative measurement between two or more pixels in the pixel array and may be obtained from a calibration operation. A predictive function is constructed based on the set of coefficients. A compensated pixel value for at least one pixel of the image sensor is calculated using the predictive function. A digital image is created based in part on the compensated value.

Abstract translation: 一种用于产生数字图像的系统和方法。 该方法可以补偿相邻像素之间的串扰，并且减少集成到图像传感器的像素阵列中的自动聚焦元件的影响。 获得一组系数，其中系数集合表示像素阵列中的两个或更多像素之间的相对测量值，并且可以从校准操作获得。 基于一组系数构建预测函数。 使用预测函数计算图像传感器的至少一个像素的补偿像素值。 部分基于补偿值创建数字图像。