公开(公告)号：US06396570B2

公开(公告)日：2002-05-28

申请号：US09803449

申请日：2001-03-09

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi ,  Taishin Yoshida

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi ,  Taishin Yoshida

IPC: G01C308

CPC classification number: G01S17/10 ,  G01C3/08 ,  G01S7/4863 ,  G01S7/4865

Abstract: A distance measurement apparatus irradiates an object with a light from a light source whose luminance can be modulated or from a pulse light source, and receives the reflected and returned light to obtain a distance to the object. A photoelectric converter receives the reflected light and photoelectrically converts the received light. A first charge accumulator accumulates an electric charge transferred via a first gate driven by a first transfer pulse synchronized with an emitting timing of the light from the light source among electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter. A second charge accumulator accumulates an electric charge transferred via a second gate driven by a second transfer pulse complementary to the first transfer pulse among the electric charges generated by the photoelectric converter. A normalization circuit reads a first signal based on the accumulated electric charge of the first charge accumulator, and a second signal based on the accumulated electric charge of the second charge accumulator, and normalizes the smaller signal of the first and second signals with an added signal of the first and second signals.

Abstract translation: 距离测量装置用来自可以调制亮度的光源的光或从脉冲光源照射物体，并且接收反射和返回的光以获得与物体的距离。 光电转换器接收反射光并对所接收的光进行光电转换。 第一充电累加器累积经由与由光电转换器产生的电荷之间的来自光源的光的发光定时同步的第一传输脉冲驱动的第一栅极传送的电荷。 第二电荷累加器累积由由光电转换器产生的电荷中的与第一传输脉冲互补的第二传输脉冲驱动的第二栅极传送的电荷。 归一化电路基于第一电荷累加器的累积电荷读取第一信号，并且基于第二电荷累加器的累积电荷读取第二信号，并且用附加信号对第一和第二信号的较小信号进行归一化 的第一和第二信号。

公开(公告)号：US08035718B2

公开(公告)日：2011-10-11

申请号：US12056185

申请日：2008-03-26

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi ,  Mikael Kerttu ,  Per Olaf Pahr

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi ,  Mikael Kerttu ,  Per Olaf Pahr

IPC: H04N5/217 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/00

CPC classification number: H04N5/3765 ,  H04N5/3577 ,  H04N5/376

Abstract: An imaging device driver for transmitting a signal onto a signal line for controlling transistors of a pixel row. The device includes a controller and associated circuitry for reducing shoot-through current within and between row driver circuits for driving the signal line. The controller reduces shoot-through current by preventing concurrent transmission of high and low signal outputs to the signal line by respective high and low voltage sources of the same or different row driver circuits.

Abstract translation: 用于将信号发送到用于控制像素行的晶体管的信号线上的成像装置驱动器。 该装置包括控制器和相关联的电路，用于减少用于驱动信号线的行驱动器电路内和之间的直通电流。 控制器通过防止相同或不同的行驱动器电路的相应高电压源和低电压源同时传输高信号和低信号输出到信号线来降低直通电流。

公开(公告)号：US07880791B2

公开(公告)日：2011-02-01

申请号：US12411122

申请日：2009-03-25

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

IPC: H04N5/225 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/14 ,  H01L29/04 ,  H01L29/15 ,  H01L31/036 ,  H01L31/107 ,  H01L27/00

CPC classification number: H04N5/35527 ,  H01L27/0251 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel having a protection circuit connected to a charge multiplying photoconversion layer. The protection circuit prevents the pixel circuit from breaking down when the voltage in the pixel circuit reaches the operating voltage applied to the charge multiplying photoconversion layer in response to the image sensor being exposed to a strong light. The protection circuit causes additional voltage entering the pixel circuit from the charge multiplying photoconversion layer over a predetermined threshold voltage level to be dissipated from the storage node and any downstream components.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器包括具有连接到电荷倍增光转换层的保护电路的像素。 当像素电路中的电压响应于图像传感器暴露于强光而达到施加到电荷倍增光转换层的工作电压时，保护电路防止像素电路分解。 保护电路使额外的电压进入来自电荷倍增光电转换层的预定阈值电压电平的像素电路从存储节点和任何下游部件消散。

公开(公告)号：US07829837B2

公开(公告)日：2010-11-09

申请号：US12000574

申请日：2007-12-13

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

IPC: H01L31/00 ,  H01L27/00 ,  H01L31/062 ,  G01J1/44 ,  H04N3/14

CPC classification number: H04N5/361 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/1463

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing thermally generated dark current in a CMOS imaging device is disclosed. A photodiode within the imaging device is kept zero-biased, so that the voltage is equal at both ends of the photodiode. This zero-biasing is accomplished using several different techniques, including, alternatively: a transistor operating at its sub-threshold level; a leaky diode; a short-channel MOSFET; or ramping charge injection.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于减少CMOS成像装置中的热产生暗电流的方法和装置。 成像装置内的光电二极管保持零偏置，使得光电二极管两端的电压相等。 这种零偏置是使用几种不同的技术实现的，包括可替换地：以其次阈值水平工作的晶体管; 漏二极管; 一个短沟道MOSFET; 或斜坡电荷注入。

公开(公告)号：US07825982B2

公开(公告)日：2010-11-02

申请号：US10868887

申请日：2004-06-17

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi

IPC: H04N5/217

CPC classification number: H04N5/3598

Abstract: A pixel bias current supply for supplying a stable source of bias current to pixels of an imager includes a current bypass feature for improving stability when one or more pixels of an imager saturates. The pixel bias current supply also features voltage limiters to restrict the output voltage of a pixel in order to prevent reverse video from being output when very strong light is incident upon one or more pixels.

Abstract translation: 用于将稳定的偏置电流源提供给成像器的像素的像素偏置电流源包括用于在成像器的一个或多个像素饱和时改善稳定性的电流旁路特征。 像素偏置电流源还具有限制像素的输出电压的电压限制器，以便在非常强的光入射到一个或多个像素上时防止反向视频被输出。

公开(公告)号：US20090244344A1

公开(公告)日：2009-10-01

申请号：US12056185

申请日：2008-03-26

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi ,  Mikael Kerttu ,  Per Olaf Pahr

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi ,  Mikael Kerttu ,  Per Olaf Pahr

IPC: H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/3765 ,  H04N5/3577 ,  H04N5/376

Abstract: An imaging device driver for transmitting a signal onto a signal line for controlling transistors of a pixel row. The device includes a controller and associated circuitry for reducing shoot-through current within and between row driver circuits for driving the signal line. The controller reduces shoot-through current by preventing concurrent transmission of high and low signal outputs to the signal line by respective high and low voltage sources of the same or different row driver circuits.

Abstract translation: 用于将信号发送到用于控制像素行的晶体管的信号线上的成像装置驱动器。 该装置包括控制器和相关联的电路，用于减少用于驱动信号线的行驱动器电路内和之间的直通电流。 控制器通过防止相同或不同的行驱动器电路的相应高电压源和低电压源同时传输高信号和低信号输出到信号线来降低直通电流。

公开(公告)号：US20090200455A1

公开(公告)日：2009-08-13

申请号：US12411122

申请日：2009-03-25

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

IPC: H01L31/00

CPC classification number: H04N5/35527 ,  H01L27/0251 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel having a protection circuit connected to a charge multiplying photoconversion layer. The protection circuit prevents the pixel circuit from breaking down when the voltage in the pixel circuit reaches the operating voltage applied to the charge multiplying photoconversion layer in response to the image sensor being exposed to a strong light. The protection circuit causes additional voltage entering the pixel circuit from the charge multiplying photoconversion layer over a predetermined threshold voltage level to be dissipated from the storage node and any downstream components.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器包括具有连接到电荷倍增光转换层的保护电路的像素。 当像素电路中的电压响应于图像传感器暴露于强光而达到施加到电荷倍增光转换层的工作电压时，保护电路防止像素电路分解。 保护电路使额外的电压进入来自电荷倍增光电转换层的预定阈值电压电平的像素电路从存储节点和任何下游部件消散。

公开(公告)号：US06781627B1

公开(公告)日：2004-08-24

申请号：US09598055

申请日：2000-06-21

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi

IPC: H04N5335

CPC classification number: H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/37452

Abstract: A solid state imaging element has a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels includes a photodiode, a field effect transistor (FET) having a gate electrode connected to an output of the photodiode, a first feedback circuit connecting the gate electrode and a drain electrode of the FET and having a first switch inserted in series in a middle thereof, a second feedback circuit connecting the gate electrode and a drain electrode of the FET and having a second switch and a first capacitor inserted in series in a middle thereof, and a second capacitor having one of ends connected to a middle of the first capacitor and the second switch and having an electric potential on the other end fixed. A charge detecting device includes a capacitor, an amplifier having a negative input terminal connected to an input terminal of the capacitor, a reset switch connected in a feedback circuit connecting an output terminal of the amplifier and the negative input terminal of the amplifier, and at least one circuit connected in parallel with the feedback circuit and having a reset switch other than the reset switch connecting an output terminal of the amplifier and the negative input terminal of the amplifier and a capacitor other than the capacitor connected in series.

Abstract translation: 固态成像元件具有多个像素。 每个像素包括光电二极管，具有连接到光电二极管的输出的栅电极的场效应晶体管（FET），连接FET的栅电极和漏电极的第一反馈电路，并具有串联插入的第一开关 在其中间，连接FET的栅电极和漏电极并具有第二开关和第一电容器在其中间串联插入的第二反馈电路，以及第二电容器，其中一端连接到 第一电容器和第二开关，并且另一端具有固定的电位。 电荷检测装置包括电容器，具有连接到电容器的输入端的负输入端的放大器，连接在放大器的输出端和放大器的负输入端的反馈电路中的复位开关， 至少一个电路与反馈电路并联连接，并且具有复位开关，而不是复位开关，该复位开关连接放大器的输出端子和放大器的负输入端子以及串联连接的电容器之外的电容器。

公开(公告)号：US07746398B2

公开(公告)日：2010-06-29

申请号：US11709702

申请日：2007-02-23

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi

IPC: H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/3559 ,  H04N5/35527

Abstract: A pixel circuit, and a method for operating a pixel circuit, to provide a multiple knee response characteristic. In one embodiment a pixel circuit comprises a photoconversion device for accumulating charge during a first integration period and second integration period, an integration node connected to the photoconversion device, a first transistor having one terminal connected to said integration node and another terminal connected to a reset signal line and a feed-through pulse capacitor. The feed-through pulse capacitor has one terminal coupled to a feed-through pulse signal line, and a second terminal coupled to the integration node, said feed-through pulse signal line providing an intermediate pulse between the first and second integration periods to generate an overflow current in said the transistor.

Abstract translation: 像素电路和用于操作像素电路的方法，以提供多膝盖响应特性。 在一个实施例中，像素电路包括用于在第一积分周期和第二积分周期期间累积电荷的光电转换装置，连接到光电转换装置的积分节点，具有连接到所述积分节点的一个终端的第一晶体管和连接到复位的另一个终端 信号线和馈通脉冲电容器。 馈通脉冲电容器具有耦合到馈通脉冲信号线的一个端子和耦合到积分节点的第二端子，所述馈通脉冲信号线在第一和第二积分周期之间提供中间脉冲，以产生 所述晶体管中的溢流电流。

公开(公告)号：US07733382B2

公开(公告)日：2010-06-08

申请号：US12232452

申请日：2008-09-17

Applicant: Isao Takayanagi

Inventor： Isao Takayanagi

IPC: H04N9/73 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L31/062 ,  H01L31/113

CPC classification number: H04N5/35518 ,  H04N5/3559

Abstract: A pixel circuit having an improved dynamic range is disclosed. When incoming light detected by the photodiode is strong, the accumulated (integrated) charge on a signal capacitor becomes large. To compensate, the excess signal component becomes compressed and the pixel circuit begins operating in logarithmic rather than linear mode. In this way, the circuit can achieve a higher dynamic range more closely resembling the image sensing properties of the human eye.

Abstract translation: 公开了具有改进的动态范围的像素电路。 当由光电二极管检测的入射光强时，信号电容器上的累积（积分）电荷变大。 为了补偿，过量的信号分量变得压缩，并且像素电路开始以对数而不是线性模式操作。 以这种方式，电路可以实现更加类似于人眼的图像感测特性的更高的动态范围。