公开(公告)号：US20090289169A1

公开(公告)日：2009-11-26

申请号：US12125829

申请日：2008-05-22

申请人： Hongli Yang ,  Hongjun Li ,  Xinping He

发明人： Hongli Yang ,  Hongjun Li ,  Xinping He

IPC分类号： G02B27/64 ,  H01L31/062

CPC分类号： H04N5/23212 ,  G02B7/28 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H04N5/3742

摘要： Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a plurality of light sensor cells disposed in a substrate in a shared pixel arrangement. Common readout circuitry is used to simultaneously read out image information from a group of light sensor cells. The image information from the group of light sensor cells is added together simultaneously and coupled to auto-focus circuitry and/or preview circuitry to provide for better lens adjustments and preview display.

摘要翻译： 本发明的实施例涉及在共享像素布置中设置在基板中的多个光传感器单元。 公共读出电路用于同时从一组光传感器单元读出图像信息。 来自一组光传感器单元的图像信息被同时加在一起并耦合到自动对焦电路和/或预览电路以提供更好的镜头调整和预览显示。

公开(公告)号：US20060181635A1

公开(公告)日：2006-08-17

申请号：US11061404

申请日：2005-02-17

申请人： Xinping He ,  Hongli Yang

发明人： Xinping He ,  Hongli Yang

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/2254 ,  G03B9/22 ,  H04N5/2353

摘要： Mechanical shutter devices for image sensors and associated methods are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, an imaging system includes an image sensor having an array of pixels with photosensitive elements. The imaging system can further include a signal processing device coupled to the image sensor to receive signals from the image sensor. The system can still further include a shutter device having an open and a closed position. The shutter device can be located proximate to the photosensitive elements of the pixels so that when the shutter device is in the open position, light is allowed to reach the photosensitive elements of the pixels, and when the shutter device is in the closed position, all substantial amounts of light are prevented from reaching the photosensitive elements of the pixels. The image sensor can be configured to store the signals until the signal processing device can receive the signals.

摘要翻译： 公开了用于图像传感器和相关方法的机械快门装置。 在本发明的一个方面，成像系统包括具有带有感光元件的像素阵列的图像传感器。 成像系统还可以包括耦合到图像传感器以从图像传感器接收信号的信号处理装置。 该系统还可以进一步包括具有打开和关闭位置的快门装置。 快门装置可以位于像素的感光元件附近，使得当快门装置处于打开位置时，允许光到达像素的感光元件，并且当快门装置处于关闭位置时，全部 防止大量的光到达像素的感光元件。 图像传感器可以被配置为存储信号，直到信号处理装置能够接收信号。

公开(公告)号：US06982403B2

公开(公告)日：2006-01-03

申请号：US10109390

申请日：2002-03-27

申请人： Hongli Yang ,  Xinping He ,  Qingwei Shan

发明人： Hongli Yang ,  Xinping He ,  Qingwei Shan

IPC分类号： H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/361

摘要： A method of reading out a pixel signal from a pixel is disclosed. The method comprises first capturing a first black reference signal from the pixel prior to the pixel starting an integration period. Next, after completion of the integration period, a pixel signal is captured. Next, a second black reference signal is captured following completion of the integration period. Finally, the first black reference signal, second black reference signal, and pixel signal is output.

摘要翻译： 公开了从像素读出像素信号的方法。 该方法包括首先在像素开始积分周期之前从像素捕获第一黑色参考信号。 接下来，在积分周期完成之后，捕获像素信号。 接下来，在积分周期完成之后捕获第二黑色参考信号。 最后，输出第一黑色参考信号，第二黑色参考信号和像素信号。

公开(公告)号：US20050167574A1

公开(公告)日：2005-08-04

申请号：US10771839

申请日：2004-02-04

申请人： Xinping He ,  Hongli Yang

发明人： Xinping He ,  Hongli Yang

IPC分类号： H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H01J40/14

CPC分类号： H01L27/14609 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/3741 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： A CMOS image sensor that has reduced transistor count is disclosed. The individual pixels are formed by a pinned photodiode and a transfer transistor. An output node receives the signal from the photodiode via the transfer transistor. The output node is shared between multiple pixels. Further, a reset transistor is coupled between a selectable low voltage rail Vss or a high voltage reference Vref and the output node. The gate of an output transistor is then coupled to the output node. Both the reset transistor and output transistors are shared between multiple pixels.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种降低了晶体管数量的CMOS图像传感器。 各个像素由钉扎光电二极管和转移晶体管形成。 输出节点通过传输晶体管接收来自光电二极管的信号。 输出节点在多个像素之间共享。 此外，复位晶体管耦合在可选择的低电压轨V INIT或高电压参考V REF和输出节点之间。 然后，输出晶体管的栅极耦合到输出节点。 复位晶体管和输出晶体管都在多个像素之间共享。

公开(公告)号：US07105878B2

公开(公告)日：2006-09-12

申请号：US10945538

申请日：2004-09-20

申请人： Xinping He ,  Chih-Huei Wu ,  Hongli Yang

发明人： Xinping He ,  Chih-Huei Wu ,  Hongli Yang

IPC分类号： H01L31/062 ,  H01L31/113

CPC分类号： H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/1463

摘要： The active pixel includes a photodiode, a reset transistor, and a pixel output transistor. The photodiode is substantially covered with a protective structure, thus protecting the entire surface of the photodiode from damage. This substantially eliminates potential leakage current sources, which result in dark current. The protective structure has a photodiode contact formed therein to electrically connect the photodiode to the pixel output transistor.

摘要翻译： 有源像素包括光电二极管，复位晶体管和像素输出晶体管。 光电二极管基本上覆盖有保护结构，从而保护光电二极管的整个表面免受损坏。 这实质上消除了潜在的漏电流源，这导致暗电流。 保护结构具有形成在其中的光电二极管接头，以将光电二极管电连接到像素输出晶体管。

公开(公告)号：US06953923B2

公开(公告)日：2005-10-11

申请号：US10368949

申请日：2003-02-18

申请人： Hongli Yang ,  Xinping He

发明人： Hongli Yang ,  Xinping He

IPC分类号： H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/3742

摘要： The image sensor includes a first group and a second group of column readout circuits for reading out pixel signals from said pixels. The total number of column readout circuits in each group is substantially less than the number of columns in the image sensor pixel array. Further included is a multiplexer bus system having selection switches for selectively switching pixel signals from a block of pixels in a column as input into the first group of column readout circuits. The multiplexer bus system also selectively switches pixel signals from another block of pixels in a column as input into a second group of column readout circuits. However, when the first group of column readout circuits is reading and storing said pixel signals, the second group of column readout circuits is transferring out the processed signals. Thus, the first and second groups work alternately.

摘要翻译： 图像传感器包括用于从所述像素读出像素信号的第一组和第二组列读出电路。 每组中列读出电路的总数显着小于图像传感器像素阵列中的列数。 进一步包括的多路复用器总线系统具有选择开关，用于选择性地将来自列中的像素块的像素信号作为输入切换到第一组列读出电路。 多路复用器总线系统还选择性地将作为输入的列中的另一个像素块的像素信号切换成第二组列读出电路。 然而，当第一组列读出电路正在读取并存储所述像素信号时，第二组列读出电路正在转出处理的信号。 因此，第一组和第二组交替工作。

公开(公告)号：US20050062085A1

公开(公告)日：2005-03-24

申请号：US10945538

申请日：2004-09-20

申请人： Xinping He ,  Chih-Huei Wu ,  Hongli Yang

发明人： Xinping He ,  Chih-Huei Wu ,  Hongli Yang

IPC分类号： H01L27/146 ,  H01L31/062

CPC分类号： H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/1463

摘要： The active pixel includes a photodiode, a reset transistor, and a pixel output transistor. The photodiode is substantially covered with a protective structure, thus protecting the entire surface of the photodiode from damage. This substantially eliminates potential leakage current sources, which result in dark current. The protective structure has a photodiode contact formed therein to electrically connect the photodiode to the pixel output transistor.

摘要翻译： 有源像素包括光电二极管，复位晶体管和像素输出晶体管。 光电二极管基本上覆盖有保护结构，从而保护光电二极管的整个表面免受损坏。 这实质上消除了潜在的漏电流源，这导致暗电流。 保护结构具有形成在其中的光电二极管接头，以将光电二极管电连接到像素输出晶体管。

公开(公告)号：US06707496B1

公开(公告)日：2004-03-16

申请号：US09397634

申请日：1999-09-15

申请人： Hongli Yang ,  Xinping He ,  Datong Chen

发明人： Hongli Yang ,  Xinping He ,  Datong Chen

IPC分类号： H04N314

CPC分类号： H04N9/045 ,  G11C27/04 ,  H04N5/3743

摘要： The present invention is directed to an analog delay line for a color CMOS image sensor which is compatible with MOS fabrication technology. The invention allows for the simultaneous reading of pixel signals from two rows of pixels so that combinations of signals from pixels in different rows may be obtained. The delay line includes a set of storage capacitors on which the pixel signals are stored, and a means for writing the signals from the pixels onto the capacitors in sequence. The stored analog pixel signals may then be read out from the delay line at the appropriate time so that they may be combined with pixel signals from adjacent pixels in different rows. In one embodiment, two delay lines are used, so that pixel signals from a current row can be written into one delay line, while the pixel signals from a previous row are being read out from the other delay line. In another embodiment, a single delay line is used in combination with a single pixel delay circuit. When the single pixel delay circuit is used, the pixel signals from a previous row are read out from the delay line and temporarily stored in the single pixel delay circuit, one at a time, shortly after which the pixel signals from the next row are written into the delay line. The pixel signals from the single pixel delay circuit are then read out at the same time that the pixel signals from the next row are being read in, so that signals from adjacent pixels in adjacent rows are available to the processing circuitry at the same time.

摘要翻译： 本发明涉及一种与MOS制造技术兼容的彩色CMOS图像传感器的模拟延迟线。 本发明允许从两行像素同时读取像素信号，从而可以获得来自不同行中的像素的信号的组合。 延迟线包括存储像素信号的一组存储电容器，以及用于将来自像素的信号依次写入电容器的装置。 然后可以在适当的时间从延迟线读出存储的模拟像素信号，使得它们可以与来自不同行中的相邻像素的像素信号组合。 在一个实施例中，使用两个延迟线，使得来自当前行的像素信号可以写入一个延迟线，而来自前一行的像素信号正在从另一延迟线读出。 在另一个实施例中，单个延迟线与单个像素延迟电路组合使用。 当使用单像素延迟电路时，从延迟线读出来自前一行的像素信号，并在不久之前暂时存储在单个像素延迟电路中，之后不久将来自下一行的像素信号被写入 进入延迟线。 来自单个像素延迟电路的像素信号在与下一行的像素信号正被读入的同时被读出，从而来自相邻行中相邻像素的信号同时可用于处理电路。

公开(公告)号：US07667169B2

公开(公告)日：2010-02-23

申请号：US12125829

申请日：2008-05-22

申请人： Hongli Yang ,  Hongjun Li ,  Xinping He

发明人： Hongli Yang ,  Hongjun Li ,  Xinping He

IPC分类号： G02B7/04 ,  G02B27/40 ,  G02B27/64

CPC分类号： H04N5/23212 ,  G02B7/28 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H04N5/3742

摘要： Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a plurality of light sensor cells disposed in a substrate in a shared pixel arrangement. Common readout circuitry is used to simultaneously read out image information from a group of light sensor cells. The image information from the group of light sensor cells is added together simultaneously and coupled to auto-focus circuitry and/or preview circuitry to provide for better lens adjustments and preview display.

摘要翻译： 本发明的实施例涉及在共享像素布置中设置在基板中的多个光传感器单元。 公共读出电路用于同时从一组光传感器单元读出图像信息。 来自一组光传感器单元的图像信息被同时加在一起并耦合到自动对焦电路和/或预览电路以提供更好的镜头调整和预览显示。

公开(公告)号：US20060208163A1

公开(公告)日：2006-09-21

申请号：US11404590

申请日：2006-04-14

申请人： Sohei Manabe ,  Xinping He ,  Hongli Yang

发明人： Sohei Manabe ,  Xinping He ,  Hongli Yang

IPC分类号： H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H01L27/14609 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/3741 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： A CMOS image sensor that has reduced transistor count is disclosed. The individual pixels are formed by a photodiode and a transfer transistor. An output node receives the signal from the photodiode via the transfer transistor. The output node is shared between multiple pixels. Further, a reset transistor is coupled between a selectable low voltage rail Vss or a high voltage reference Vref and the output node. The gate of an output transistor is then coupled to the output node. Both the reset transistor and output transistors are shared between multiple pixels. Further, the pixels have a mirror symmetry about the output transistor or output node.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种降低了晶体管数量的CMOS图像传感器。 各个像素由光电二极管和转移晶体管形成。 输出节点通过传输晶体管接收来自光电二极管的信号。 输出节点在多个像素之间共享。 此外，复位晶体管耦合在可选择的低电压轨V INIT或高电压参考V REF和输出节点之间。 然后，输出晶体管的栅极耦合到输出节点。 复位晶体管和输出晶体管都在多个像素之间共享。 此外，像素对于输出晶体管或输出节点具有镜像对称性。