Scanning imager employing multiple chips with staggered pixels
    1.
    发明授权
    Scanning imager employing multiple chips with staggered pixels 有权
    扫描成像仪采用具有交错像素的多个芯片

    公开(公告)号:US07554067B2

    公开(公告)日:2009-06-30

    申请号:US11589357

    申请日:2006-10-30

    IPC分类号: H01L27/00 H04N3/14

    摘要: A solid state imaging system has at least one CMOS imager with first and second series of pixels in which the pixels of one series are offset, i.e., staggered, in respect to the pixels of the other series. Multiple imagers can be arrayed end to end, with jumper wires connecting the pixel output conductors or each so that the pixels feed into a common output amplifier for each series, to minimize chip to chip offset voltages. The pixels may be diagonally offset from one another, and a color imager can be constructed in which color ribbon filters are arranged diagonally across the imaging area. This arrangement minimizes color cross talk. An array of microlenses is situated with each microlens covering a plurality of the pixels. The different pixels under each microlens can be aligned along a diagonal. The different pixels under the same microlens can have different integration times, to increase the dynamic range of the imager(s).

    摘要翻译: 固态成像系统具有至少一个具有第一和第二系列像素的CMOS成像器,其中一系列的像素相对于另一系列的像素偏移,即交错。 多个成像器可以端对端排列,跨接线连接像素输出导体或每个像素,以便像素馈送到每个系列的公共输出放大器,以最小化芯片到芯片的偏移电压。 像素可以彼此对角地偏移,并且可以构造彩色成像器,其中色带滤光器对角地布置在成像区域上。 这种布置使颜色串扰最小化。 位于微透镜阵列中,每个微透镜覆盖多个像素。 每个微透镜下的不同像素可以沿对角线对齐。 相同微透镜下的不同像素可以具有不同的积分时间,以增加成像器的动态范围。

    Image sensor ADC and CDS per column with oversampling
    2.
    发明授权
    Image sensor ADC and CDS per column with oversampling 有权
    图像传感器ADC和CDS每列具有过采样

    公开(公告)号:US08169517B2

    公开(公告)日:2012-05-01

    申请号:US11974813

    申请日:2007-10-16

    IPC分类号: H04N5/335 H04N3/14

    摘要: A solid state imager converts analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. An N-bit counter supplies an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp output with a level that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. A latch/counter or equivalent is associated with each respective column. A clock supplies clock signal(s) to the counter elements. When the analog ramp equals the pixel value for that column, the latch/counter latches the value. The black level can be pre-set in the latch/counter or can be subtracted separately to reduce fixed pattern noise. The pixels can be oversampled for some number of times, e.g., n=16, to reduce the thermal noise of the sensors. Also, two or more pixels sharing a common sense node may be binned together, and two (or more) pixels having different integration times may be combined to obtain an output signal with enhanced dynamic range.

    摘要翻译: 固态成像器将阵列每列的模拟像素值转换为数字形式。 N位计数器提供N位DAC以产生具有与计数器内容相对应的电平的模拟斜坡输出。 锁存/计数器或等效物与每个相应的列相关联。 时钟向计数器元件提供时钟信号。 当模拟斜坡等于该列的像素值时,锁存器/计数器锁存该值。 黑色电平可以在锁存/计数器中预先设置,也可以单独减去,以减少固定模式噪声。 像素可以被过采样若干次,例如n = 16,以减少传感器的热噪声。 此外,共享共同感测节点的两个或更多个像素可以被合并在一起,并且可以组合具有不同积分时间的两个(或更多个)像素以获得具有增强的动态范围的输出信号。

    Scanning imager employing multiple chips with staggered pixels
    3.
    发明授权
    Scanning imager employing multiple chips with staggered pixels 有权
    扫描成像仪采用具有交错像素的多个芯片

    公开(公告)号:US07122778B2

    公开(公告)日:2006-10-17

    申请号:US11356199

    申请日:2006-02-17

    IPC分类号: H01L27/00 H04N3/14

    摘要: A solid state imaging system has at least one CMOS imager with first and second series of pixels in which the pixels of one series are offset, i.e., staggered, in respect to the pixels of the other series. Multiple imagers can be arrayed end to end, with jumper wires connecting the pixel output conductors or each so that the pixels feed into a common output amplifier for each series, to minimize chip to chip offset voltages. The pixels may be diagonally offset from one another, and a color imager can be constructed in which color ribbon filters are arranged diagonally across the imaging area. This arrangment minimizes color cross talk.

    摘要翻译: 固态成像系统具有至少一个具有第一和第二系列像素的CMOS成像器,其中一系列的像素相对于另一系列的像素偏移,即交错。 多个成像器可以端对端排列,跨接线连接像素输出导体或每个像素,以便像素馈送到每个系列的公共输出放大器,以最小化芯片到芯片的偏移电压。 像素可以彼此对角地偏移,并且可以构造彩色成像器,其中色带滤光器对角地布置在成像区域上。 这种布置使颜色串扰最小化。

    Scanning imager employing multiple chips with staggered pixels
    4.
    发明授权
    Scanning imager employing multiple chips with staggered pixels 有权
    扫描成像仪采用具有交错像素的多个芯片

    公开(公告)号:US07129461B2

    公开(公告)日:2006-10-31

    申请号:US11434666

    申请日:2006-05-16

    IPC分类号: H01L27/00 H04N3/14

    摘要: A solid state imaging system has at least one CMOS imager with first and second series of pixels in which the pixels of one series are offset, i.e., staggered, in respect to the pixels of the other series. Multiple imagers can be arrayed end to end, with jumper wires connecting the pixel output conductors or each so that the pixels feed into a common output amplifier for each series, to minimize chip to chip offset voltages. The pixels may be diagonally offset from one another, and a color imager can be constructed in which color ribbon filters are arranged diagonally across the imaging area. This arrangement minimizes color cross talk.

    摘要翻译: 固态成像系统具有至少一个具有第一和第二系列像素的CMOS成像器,其中一系列的像素相对于另一系列的像素偏移,即交错。 多个成像器可以端对端排列,跨接线连接像素输出导体或每个像素,以便像素馈送到每个系列的公共输出放大器,以最小化芯片到芯片的偏移电压。 像素可以彼此对角地偏移,并且可以构造彩色成像器,其中色带滤光器对角地布置在成像区域上。 这种布置使颜色串扰最小化。

    Scanning image employing multiple chips with staggered pixels
    5.
    发明授权
    Scanning image employing multiple chips with staggered pixels 有权
    使用具有交错像素的多个芯片的扫描图像

    公开(公告)号:US07045758B2

    公开(公告)日:2006-05-16

    申请号:US11111334

    申请日:2005-04-21

    IPC分类号: H01L27/00 H04N3/14

    摘要: A solid state imaging system has at least one CMOS imager with first and second series of pixels in which the pixels of one series are offset, i.e., staggered, in respect to the pixels of the other series. Multiple imagers can be arrayed end to end, with jumper wires connecting the pixel output conductors or each so that the pixels feed into a common output amplifier for each series, to minimize chip to chip offset voltages. The pixels may be diagonally offset from one another, and a color imager can be constructed in which color ribbon filters are arranged diagonally across the imaging area. This arrangment minimizes color cross talk.

    摘要翻译: 固态成像系统具有至少一个具有第一和第二系列像素的CMOS成像器,其中一系列的像素相对于另一系列的像素偏移,即交错。 多个成像器可以端对端排列,跨接线连接像素输出导体或每个像素,以便像素馈送到每个系列的公共输出放大器,以最小化芯片到芯片的偏移电压。 像素可以彼此对角地偏移,并且可以构造彩色成像器,其中色带滤光器对角地布置在成像区域上。 这种布置使颜色串扰最小化。

    Image Sensor ADC and CDS per Column
    6.
    发明申请
    Image Sensor ADC and CDS per Column 有权
    图像传感器ADC和CDS每列

    公开(公告)号:US20090231479A1

    公开(公告)日:2009-09-17

    申请号:US12421948

    申请日:2009-04-10

    IPC分类号: H04N5/335

    摘要: A solid state imager converts analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. A counter is coupled to an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. A ripple counter is associated with each respective column. A clock or a source of counts at a predetermined sequence supplies clock signals or counts to the counter elements. Column comparators gate the counter elements when the analog ramp equals the pixel value. The counter contents feed a video output bus to produce the digital video signal. Additional black-level readout counters elements can create and store a black level digital value that is subtracted from the pixel value to reduce fixed pattern noise. The counters may employ two's complement arithmetic. An additional array of buffer counter/latches can be employed. Ripple counters can be configured as counters to capture the digital video level, and then as shift registers to clock out the video levels to an output bus. The clock pulses or counts for the DAC counter and for the ripple counters can be at the same or different rates.

    摘要翻译: 固态成像器将阵列每列的模拟像素值转换为数字形式。 计数器耦合到N位DAC以产生对应于计数器的内容而变化的模拟斜坡。 纹波计数器与每个相应的列相关联。 在预定序列上的时钟或计数源向计数器元件提供时钟信号或计数。 当模拟斜坡等于像素值时,列比较器将计数器元件选通。 计数器内容供给视频输出总线以产生数字视频信号。 附加的黑电平读出计数器元件可以创建并存储从像素值中减去的黑电平数字值以减少固定模式噪声。 计数器可以使用二进制补码算术。 可以采用附加的缓冲计数器/锁存器阵列。 纹波计数器可以配置为计数器来捕获数字视频电平,然后作为移位寄存器将视频电平时钟输出到输出总线。 DAC计数器和纹波计数器的时钟脉冲或计数可以是相同或不同的速率。

    Image sensor ADC and CDS per column
    7.
    发明授权
    Image sensor ADC and CDS per column 有权
    图像传感器ADC和CDS每列

    公开(公告)号:US07903159B2

    公开(公告)日:2011-03-08

    申请号:US12421948

    申请日:2009-04-10

    IPC分类号: H04N3/14 H04N5/335

    摘要: A solid state imager converts analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. A counter is coupled to an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. A ripple counter is associated with each respective column. A clock or a source of counts at a predetermined sequence supplies clock signals or counts to the counter elements. Column comparators gate the counter elements when the analog ramp equals the pixel value. The counter contents feed a video output bus to produce the digital video signal. Additional black-level readout counters elements can create and store a black level digital value that is subtracted from the pixel value to reduce fixed pattern noise. The counters may employ two's complement arithmetic. An additional array of buffer counter/latches can be employed. Ripple counters can be configured as counters to capture the digital video level, and then as shift registers to clock out the video levels to an output bus. The clock pulses or counts for the DAC counter and for the ripple counters can be at the same or different rates.

    摘要翻译: 固态成像器将阵列每列的模拟像素值转换为数字形式。 计数器耦合到N位DAC以产生对应于计数器的内容而变化的模拟斜坡。 纹波计数器与每个相应的列相关联。 在预定序列上的时钟或计数源向计数器元件提供时钟信号或计数。 当模拟斜坡等于像素值时,列比较器将计数器元件选通。 计数器内容供给视频输出总线以产生数字视频信号。 附加的黑电平读出计数器元件可以创建并存储从像素值中减去的黑电平数字值以减少固定模式噪声。 计数器可以使用二进制补码算术。 可以采用附加的缓冲计数器/锁存器阵列。 纹波计数器可以配置为计数器来捕获数字视频电平,然后作为移位寄存器将视频电平时钟输出到输出总线。 DAC计数器和纹波计数器的时钟脉冲或计数可以是相同或不同的速率。

    Image sensor ADC and CDS per column
    8.
    发明授权
    Image sensor ADC and CDS per column 有权
    图像传感器ADC和CDS每列

    公开(公告)号:US07518646B2

    公开(公告)日:2009-04-14

    申请号:US11230385

    申请日:2005-09-20

    IPC分类号: H04N3/14 H04N5/335

    摘要: A solid state imager converts analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. An N-bit counter supplies an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp output with a level that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. A ripple counter or equivalent is associated with each respective column. A clock supplies clock signals to the counter elements. A comparator in each column gates the counter element when the analog ramp equals the pixel value for that column. The contents of the counters are transferred sequentially to a video output bus to produce the digital video signal. Additional black-level readout counter elements can create and store a digital value that corresponds to a dark or black video level. A subtraction element subtracts the black level value from the pixel value to reduce fixed pattern noise. An additional array of buffer counter/latches can be employed. The ripple counters can be configured as counters to capture the digital video level, and then as shift registers to clock out the video levels to an output bus. The clock pulses for the DAC counter and for the ripple counters can be at the same or different rates.

    摘要翻译: 固态成像器将阵列每列的模拟像素值转换为数字形式。 N位计数器提供N位DAC以产生具有与计数器内容相对应的电平的模拟斜坡输出。 纹波计数器或等效物与每个相应的列相关联。 时钟向计数器元件提供时钟信号。 当模拟斜坡等于该列的像素值时,每列中的比较器对计数器元件进行门控。 计数器的内容被顺序地传送到视频输出总线以产生数字视频信号。 附加的黑电平读出计数器元件可创建并存储对应于暗或黑色视频电平的数字值。 减法元素从像素值中减去黑电平值以减少固定图案噪声。 可以采用附加的缓冲计数器/锁存器阵列。 纹波计数器可以配置为计数器来捕获数字视频电平,然后作为移位寄存器将视频电平计时到输出总线。 DAC计数器和纹波计数器的时钟脉冲可以具有相同或不同的速率。

    Solid state imager with reduced number of transistors per pixel
    9.
    发明授权
    Solid state imager with reduced number of transistors per pixel 失效
    固态成像仪每像素数量减少

    公开(公告)号:US07057150B2

    公开(公告)日:2006-06-06

    申请号:US10673591

    申请日:2003-09-29

    IPC分类号: H01J40/14

    摘要: A solid state imager with pixels arranged in columns and rows has the pixels are configured into groups of at least a first pixel and a second pixel, each said group sharing a pixel output transistor having a sense electrode and an output electrode and a reset transistor having a gate coupled to receive a reset signal and an output coupled to the sense electrode of the associated shared pixel output transistor. Each of the pixels has a photosensitive element whose output electrode is coupled to the sense electrode of the shared pixel output transistor and a gate electrode coupled to receive respective first and second pixel gating signals. This configuration reduces the number of FETs to two transistors for each pair of pixels, and also can achieve true correlated double sampling correction of FPN.

    摘要翻译: 具有排列成列和行的像素的固态成像器将像素配置成至少第一像素和第二像素的组,每个所述组共享具有感测电极和输出电极的像素输出晶体管,以及复位晶体管,其具有 耦合以接收复位信号的栅极和耦合到相关联的共享像素输出晶体管的感测电极的输出。 每个像素具有感光元件,其输出电极耦合到共享像素输出晶体管的感测电极,并且栅电极被耦合以接收相应的第一和第二像素门控信号。 该配置将每对像素的FET数量减少到两个晶体管,并且还可以实现FPN的真实相关双采样校正。

    Photo receptor with reduced noise
    10.
    发明授权
    Photo receptor with reduced noise 失效
    照片受体减少噪音

    公开(公告)号:US06194770B1

    公开(公告)日:2001-02-27

    申请号:US09039833

    申请日:1998-03-16

    IPC分类号: H01L310232

    CPC分类号: H01L27/14609 H01L27/14603

    摘要: An improved low voltage, small surface area, high signal-to-noise ratio photo gate includes a layer of photoreceptive semiconductor material having an impurity concentration selected to enhance the formation of hole electron pairs in response to photons impinging on a surface of the substrate, an electrode extending from the surface of the substrate into the substrate a substantial distance; an insulating layer disposed between the electrode and the substrate for electrically insulating the electrode from the substrate; so that upon the application of an electrical potential to the electrode, a potential well is formed in the substrate surrounding the electrode for accumulating charge generated when photons impinge on the surface of the substrate surrounding the electrode.

    摘要翻译: 改进的低电压,小表面积,高信噪比光栅包括具有选择的杂质浓度的光感受半导体材料层,以响应于撞击在衬底的表面上的光子而增强空穴电子对的形成, 从衬底的表面延伸到衬底相当长的电极; 绝缘层,设置在所述电极和所述基板之间,用于将所述电极与所述基板电绝缘; 使得当对电极施加电位时,在围绕电极的基板中形成电位阱,用于当光子照射在围绕电极的基板的表面上时产生的电荷。