公开(公告)号：US07342212B2

公开(公告)日：2008-03-11

申请号：US11395193

申请日：2006-03-31

Applicant: Ray Allen Mentzer ,  Frank J. DeMonte ,  Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg ,  Charles Grant Myers

Inventor： Ray Allen Mentzer ,  Frank J. DeMonte ,  Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg ,  Charles Grant Myers

IPC: H01L27/00 ,  G01J1/44 ,  H01J40/14 ,  H03F3/08

CPC classification number: H04N9/045 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An active pixel sensor (APS) image sensor comprises an array of pixel circuits corresponding to rows and columns of pixels, a plurality of amplifiers that buffer signals output by the array of pixel circuits, and a plurality of sample and hold circuits that read the buffered signals. A routing mechanism is positioned between the array of pixel circuits and the plurality of amplifiers. A controller selects a set of the pixel circuits for sampling and is configured to control the routing mechanism to couple each pixel circuit in the set to a different one of the amplifiers during a normal mode of operation and to couple each pixel circuit of a subset of pixel circuits in a first set of pixel circuits to a different amplifier of a first subset of the amplifiers, to couple each pixel circuit of a subset of pixel circuits in a second set of pixel circuits to a different amplifier of a second subset of the amplifiers, and to connect the amplifiers of the first and second subsets of amplifiers in pairs to a common one of the sample and hold circuits during a sub-sampling mode of operation.

Abstract translation: 有源像素传感器（APS）图像传感器包括对应于像素行和列的像素电路阵列，缓冲由像素电路阵列输出的信号的多个放大器以及读取缓冲的多个采样和保持电路 信号。 路由机制位于像素电路阵列和多个放大器之间。 控制器选择一组用于采样的像素电路，并且被配置为控制路由机制以在正常操作模式期间将集合中的每个像素电路耦合到不同的一个放大器，并且将 将第一组像素电路中的像素电路连接到放大器的第一子集的不同放大器，以将第二组像素电路中的像素电路的子集的每个像素电路耦合到放大器的第二子集的不同放大器 并且在子采样操作模式期间将放大器的第一和第二子集的放大器成对连接到采样和保持电路中的公共一个。

公开(公告)号：US07388608B2

公开(公告)日：2008-06-17

申请号：US10798979

申请日：2004-03-11

Applicant: Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

Inventor： Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

IPC: H04N9/64 ,  H04N3/14

CPC classification number: H04N5/3658 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An active pixel sensor array sampling system includes a plurality of video circuits and reset circuits. A video circuit generates a video voltage from each one of the pixels of a column of pixels. An associated reset circuit generates a reset voltage for each of the pixels of a column of pixels. The video circuits and the reset circuits are closed loop sample and hold circuits. The active pixel sensor array is integrated on an integrated circuit.

Abstract translation: 有源像素传感器阵列采样系统包括多个视频电路和复位电路。 视频电路从像素列的每个像素生成视频电压。 相关联的复位电路为像素列的每个像素生成复位电压。 视频电路和复位电路是闭环采样和保持电路。 有源像素传感器阵列集成在集成电路上。

公开(公告)号：US07973847B2

公开(公告)日：2011-07-05

申请号：US12061806

申请日：2008-04-03

Applicant: Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

Inventor： Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

IPC: H04N5/335 ,  H04N1/04 ,  H01L31/113 ,  H01L27/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/376

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a pixel-capture device having a pixel node and operable to convert light intensity into a pixel signal at the pixel node, the pixel signal representing a captured pixel. A row node carries a row signal that is operable to both (a) enable passage of the pixel signal from the pixel node to a column node during a readout phase of the captured pixel, and (b) set the pixel node to a predetermined signal level during a reset phase of the captured pixel. The reset phase and the readout phase are configured to occur during different time intervals. A reset node is included for carrying a reset signal that is operable together with the row signal to (a) enable passage from the pixel node to the column node during the readout phase, and (b) set the pixel node to predetermined signal level during the reset phase.

Abstract translation: 像素电路包括具有像素节点并且可操作以将光强转换为像素节点处的像素信号的像素捕获装置，该像素信号表示捕获的像素。 行节点携带行信号，其可操作以（a）在捕获的像素的读出阶段期间能够使像素信号从像素节点传递到列节点，并且（b）将像素节点设置为预定信号 在捕获的像素的复位阶段期间。 复位阶段和读出阶段被配置为在不同的时间间隔期间发生。 包括复位节点，用于携带与行信号一起可操作的复位信号，以（a）在读出阶段期间使能够从像素节点到列节点的通过，以及（b）将像素节点设置为预定的信号电平 复位阶段。

公开(公告)号：US20080198245A1

公开(公告)日：2008-08-21

申请号：US12108002

申请日：2008-04-23

Applicant: Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

Inventor： Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

IPC: H04N5/217

CPC classification number: H04N5/3658 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An active pixel sensor array sampling system includes a plurality of video circuits and reset circuits. A video circuit generates a video voltage from each one of the pixels of a column of pixels. An associated reset circuit generates a reset voltage for each of the pixels of a column of pixels. The video circuits and the reset circuits are closed loop sample and hold circuits. The active pixel sensor array is integrated on an integrated circuit.

Abstract translation: 有源像素传感器阵列采样系统包括多个视频电路和复位电路。 视频电路从像素列的每个像素生成视频电压。 相关联的复位电路为像素列的每个像素生成复位电压。 视频电路和复位电路是闭环采样和保持电路。 有源像素传感器阵列集成在集成电路上。

公开(公告)号：US20080192136A1

公开(公告)日：2008-08-14

申请号：US12061806

申请日：2008-04-03

Applicant: Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

Inventor： Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

IPC: H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/376

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a pixel-capture device having a pixel node and operable to convert light intensity into a pixel signal at the pixel node, the pixel signal representing a captured pixel. A row node carries a row signal that is operable to both (a) enable passage of the pixel signal from the pixel node to a column node during a readout phase of the captured pixel, and (b) set the pixel node to a predetermined signal level during a reset phase of the captured pixel. The reset phase and the readout phase are configured to occur during different time intervals. A reset node is included for carrying a reset signal that is operable together with the row signal to (a) enable passage from the pixel node to the column node during the readout phase, and (b) set the pixel node to the predetermined signal level during the reset phase.

Abstract translation: 像素电路包括具有像素节点并且可操作以将光强转换为像素节点处的像素信号的像素捕获装置，该像素信号表示捕获的像素。 行节点携带行信号，其可操作以（a）在捕获的像素的读出阶段期间能够使像素信号从像素节点传递到列节点，并且（b）将像素节点设置为预定信号 在捕获的像素的复位阶段期间。 复位阶段和读出阶段被配置为在不同的时间间隔期间发生。 包括复位节点，用于携带与行信号一起可操作的复位信号，以便（a）在读出阶段期间能够从像素节点通过列节点，以及（b）将像素节点设置为预定信号电平 在复位阶段。

公开(公告)号：US07369168B2

公开(公告)日：2008-05-06

申请号：US10630647

申请日：2003-07-29

Applicant: Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

Inventor： Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Matthew Michael Borg

IPC: H04N5/335 ,  H04N1/04 ,  H01L31/113 ,  H01L27/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/376

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a silicon substrate having a photodiode that converts light intensity into a voltage signal and two metal layers disposed on the substrate having a pixel control circuit. The first metal layer includes a row trace and a reset trace and the second metal layer includes a column trace and a voltage supply trace. The row trace carries a signal that activates a switch for coupling the photodiode to the column trace during a readout phase and clears the voltage at the photodiode during a reset phase. The column trace interfaces with a signal capture circuit in a CMOS array of pixels for capturing a digital image that corresponds to each voltage level at each photodiode.

Abstract translation: 像素电路包括具有将光强度转换为电压信号的光电二极管的硅衬底和设置在具有像素控制电路的衬底上的两个金属层。 第一金属层包括行迹线和复位迹线，第二金属层包括列迹线和电压迹线。 行迹线传输一个信号，激活一个开关，用于在读出阶段将光电二极管耦合到列轨迹，并在复位阶段清除光电二极管的电压。 列轨迹与CMOS阵列中的信号捕获电路接口，用于捕获与每个光电二极管处的每个电压电平相对应的数字图像。

公开(公告)号：US07688366B2

公开(公告)日：2010-03-30

申请号：US11470657

申请日：2006-09-07

Applicant: Jeffery Steven Beck

Inventor： Jeffery Steven Beck

IPC: H04N5/217

CPC classification number: H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An analog sampling circuit comprising a plurality of capacitors is used to sample the reset and video sampling levels at different instants in time to obtain a plurality of respective reset sampling values and a plurality of respective video sampling values. The reset sampling values are then averaged to obtain an average reset sampling value. Likewise, the video sampling values are averaged to obtain an average video sampling value. By averaging the reset sampling values and the video sampling values over time in this manner, random telegraph noise in the reset and video sampling values is eliminated or at least substantially reduced.

Abstract translation: 包括多个电容器的模拟采样电路用于在不同时刻对复位和视频采样电平进行采样，以获得多个相应的复位采样值和多个相应的视频采样值。 然后对复位采样值进行平均以获得平均复位采样值。 同样地，对视频采样值进行平均以获得平均视频采样值。 通过以这种方式对复位采样值和视频采样值进行平均化，复位中的随机电报噪声被消除或至少大大降低。

公开(公告)号：US07633538B2

公开(公告)日：2009-12-15

申请号：US11530574

申请日：2006-09-11

Applicant: Jeffery Steven Beck ,  William George Gazeley

Inventor： Jeffery Steven Beck ,  William George Gazeley

IPC: H04N3/14 ,  H04N9/083

CPC classification number: H04N9/045

Abstract: An image sensor device formed in an integrated circuit (IC) having a filter device in which filter elements are arranged to provide color symmetry with respect to an optical center of the imaging array of pixels. This color symmetry ensures that any color cross-talk that occurs will be symmetrical with respect to the optical center of the imaging array and will result in a color error that is radial and easily correctable using color interpolation.

Abstract translation: 一种形成在集成电路（IC）中的图像传感器装置，该集成电路具有滤波器装置，滤波器元件布置成提供相对于像素的成像阵列的光学中心的颜色对称性。 该颜色对称性确保发生的任何颜色串扰将相对于成像阵列的光学中心对称，并且将导致颜色误差，其使用颜色插值是径向的且容易校正的。

公开(公告)号：US07545418B2

公开(公告)日：2009-06-09

申请号：US11457956

申请日：2006-07-17

Applicant: Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Yan Ping Lim ,  Ray Alan Mentzer

Inventor： Jeffery Steven Beck ,  Yan Ping Lim ,  Ray Alan Mentzer

IPC: H04N5/217 ,  H04N9/64 ,  H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/3658

Abstract: An image sensor device is provided that has an uncovered imaging array of pixels and a covered global reference non-imaging array of pixels. The pixel samples of the global reference non-imaging array are used to remove noise from the pixel samples of the imaging array. The control signals and control lines that are used to sample the pixels of the imaging array are separate from and independent of the control signals and control lines that are used to sample the pixels of the global reference non-imaging array of pixels. For each row of pixels of the imaging array that is sampled, the same row of pixels of the global reference non-imaging array is sampled. The global reference row has no or very few offsets or variations to ensure that noise removal is performed effectively.

Abstract translation: 提供了具有未覆盖的像素成像阵列和被覆盖的全局参考非成像阵列像素的图像传感器装置。 全局参考非成像阵列的像素样本用于从成像阵列的像素样本中去除噪声。 用于对成像阵列的像素进行采样的控制信号和控制线与用于采样全局参考非成像阵列像素的像素的控制信号和控制线分开并且独立于该控制信号和控制线。 对于被采样的成像阵列的每行像素，对全局参考非成像阵列的相同行像素进行采样。 全局参考行没有或很少的偏移或变化，以确保有效地执行噪声去除。

公开(公告)号：US20080012971A1

公开(公告)日：2008-01-17

申请号：US11456784

申请日：2006-07-11

Applicant: Charles Grant Myers ,  Jeffery Steven Beck

Inventor： Charles Grant Myers ,  Jeffery Steven Beck

IPC: H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/3765

Abstract: A delay circuit is provided that delays the sampling signal by a selected amount in order to ensure that sampling does not occur concurrently with the occurrence of a noisy event. The noisy events on the IC tend to be periodic and occur at regular intervals. The invention allows the delay in the sampling signal to be adjusted such that sampling does not occur at the same time as the reoccurring noisy event. This ensures that the sample signals will not have noise in them resulting from the occurrence of the noisy event. In addition, the delay circuit is programmable to allow the amount of delay to be set on the fly.

Abstract translation: 提供延迟电路，其将采样信号延迟所选择的量，以确保采样不与发生噪声事件同时发生。 IC上的嘈杂事件往往是周期性的并且定期发生。 本发明允许调整采样信号的延迟，使得采样不会在重复出现的噪声事件的同时发生。 这确保了样品信号在噪声事件发生时不会产生噪声。 此外，延迟电路是可编程的，以允许在飞行中设置延迟量。