公开(公告)号：US07977716B2

公开(公告)日：2011-07-12

申请号：US12049901

申请日：2008-03-17

申请人： XinQiao Liu

发明人： XinQiao Liu

IPC分类号： H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/1463 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14643

摘要： A photosensor and an imaging array utilizing the same are disclosed. The photosensor includes a light conversion region that has separate charge storage regions. The light conversion region includes a plurality of separate charge storage regions within a doped region, each charge collection region being doped such that the mobile charges generated by light striking that charge storage region are prevented from moving to an adjacent charge storage region. The photosensor also includes a plurality of transfer gates, having a gate region adjacent to a corresponding one of the charge storage regions and disposed between that charge storage region and a drain region. The charge collection regions and the drain regions are doped such that the mobile charges collected in the charge storage region will flow to the drain region when a first electric field is applied to the gate region.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种光电传感器和使用其的成像阵列。 光传感器包括具有单独的电荷存储区域的光转换区域。 光转换区域包括在掺杂区域内的多个单独的电荷存储区域，每个电荷收集区域被掺杂，使得通过光照射该电荷存储区域产生的移动电荷被阻止移动到相邻的电荷存储区域。 光传感器还包括多个传输门，其具有与相应的一个电荷存储区相邻的栅极区，并设置在该电荷存储区和漏极区之间。 电荷收集区域和漏极区域被掺杂，使得当向栅极区域施加第一电场时，收集在电荷存储区域中的移动电荷将流到漏极区域。

公开(公告)号：US07592577B1

公开(公告)日：2009-09-22

申请号：US12111016

申请日：2008-04-28

申请人： XinQiao Liu

发明人： XinQiao Liu

IPC分类号： H01L27/00 ,  H01L31/00

CPC分类号： H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/1463

摘要： A camera having an exposure detector is disclosed. The camera includes an array of pixel sensors, CMOS circuitry that is separate from the array of pixel sensors, a guard region, and a current detector. The guard region separates the CMOS circuitry from the array of pixel sensors. The guard region is positioned such that the guard region is exposed to light when the array of pixel sensors is exposed to light. The current detector measures the current flowing from the guard region to a power rail when the guard region is biased to a predetermined potential and generates a start trigger signal when the current exceeds a threshold value. A controller resets the pixel sensors in response to the start trigger signal.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种具有曝光检测器的相机。 相机包括像素传感器阵列，与像素传感器阵列分离的CMOS电路，保护区域和电流检测器。 保护区域将CMOS电路与像素传感器阵列分开。 保护区域被定位成使得当像素传感器阵列暴露于光时防护区域暴露于光。 当保护区被偏置到预定电位时，电流检测器测量从保护区流向电源轨的电流，并且当电流超过阈值时产生起始触发信号。 控制器响应于起始触发信号来复位像素传感器。

公开(公告)号：US06933975B2

公开(公告)日：2005-08-23

申请号：US10133228

申请日：2002-04-26

申请人： David Wen

发明人： David Wen

IPC分类号： G03B15/00 ,  H01L27/148 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/335

摘要： An apparatus and a method for synchronizing the velocity of an image of a moving object and the clocking of image sensor elements used to track the moving target. The imaging apparatus includes a two-dimensional array of image sensor elements being configured to sense a first set of image elements in a first direction according to a clock rate. A plurality of rows of image sensor elements are spaced from each other. The rows of image sensor elements are configured to sense a second set of image elements of the target moving in the first direction according to the clock rate. Each row has image sensor elements that are different in length from the image sensor elements of the other rows. A measurement module is coupled with the plurality of rows of image sensor elements to measure the sharpness of detected image elements and to identify the row of image sensor elements having the sharpest detected image elements.

摘要翻译： 用于使移动物体的图像的速度与用于跟踪移动目标的图像传感器元件的计时同步的装置和方法。 成像装置包括图像传感器元件的二维阵列，其被配置为根据时钟速率在第一方向上感测第一组图像元素。 多行图像传感器元件彼此间隔开。 图像传感器元件的行被配置为根据时钟速率感测在第一方向上移动的目标的第二组图像元素。 每行具有与其他行的图像传感器元件的长度不同的图像传感器元件。 测量模块与多行图像传感器元件耦合以测量检测到的图像元素的清晰度，并且识别具有最清晰检测到的图像元素的图像传感器元件行。

公开(公告)号：US07615754B2

公开(公告)日：2009-11-10

申请号：US11683535

申请日：2007-03-08

申请人： XinQiao Liu ,  Boyd Fowler

发明人： XinQiao Liu ,  Boyd Fowler

IPC分类号： G01T1/20

CPC分类号： G01T1/2018 ,  H04N5/32 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/3745

摘要： An image sensor having a two-dimensional array of pixel sensors, a layer of scintillation material, and a controller is disclosed. The layer of scintillation material is adjacent to the two-dimensional array, the scintillation material emits light in response to x-rays impinging thereon. The pixel sensors detect this light. The controller reads out data stored in the two-dimensional array of pixel sensors and forms an image therefrom. The controller corrects the data for errors resulting from x-rays that generate electrons that are stored in the pixel sensors in the process of forming the image. In one aspect of the invention, the controller forms the image by causing the two-dimensional array to form a plurality of frames, each frame includes a measurement of a charge stored on each photodiode during a preceding time period. The controller selectively combines data from the frames to form the image.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种具有像素传感器二维阵列，闪烁材料层和控制器的图像传感器。 闪烁材料层与二维阵列相邻，闪烁材料响应于照射在其上的x射线而发光。 像素传感器检测这个光。 控制器读出存储在像素传感器的二维阵列中的数据，并从中形成图像。 在形成图像的过程中，控制器校正由生成在像素传感器中产生电子的x射线产生的误差的数据。 在本发明的一个方面，控制器通过使二维阵列形成多个帧来形成图像，每个帧包括在前一时间段期间存储在每个光电二极管上的电荷的测量。 控制器选择性地组合来自帧的数据以形成图像。

公开(公告)号：US20040033656A1

公开(公告)日：2004-02-19

申请号：US10641640

申请日：2003-08-14

申请人： Fairchild Imaging

发明人： David Wen ,  Steve Onishi

IPC分类号： H01L021/8238

CPC分类号： H01L21/823406 ,  H01L27/14687 ,  H01L27/14843

摘要： Large area, fast frame rate, charge coupled devices (CCDs) are provided. Interline transfer CCDs can have interleaved pinned photodiodes and vertical shift registers. The interline transfer CCDs are ideal for producing high frame rate video images from a continuous light source. The photodiodes transfer charge indicative of the previous video frame to an adjacent vertical shift register with little or no lag, while light from the current video frame is integrating in the photodiodes. The charge signals only have to travel a short distance from a photodiode to an adjacent vertical shift register. The charge signals indicative of each video frame are then shifted out of the vertical shift registers. Each vertical shift register has a doping gradient that increases the charge transfer rate. All of these factors provide a fast and efficient video frame rate, even in a large area CCD.

公开(公告)号：US07825975B2

公开(公告)日：2010-11-02

申请号：US12036998

申请日：2008-02-25

申请人： Boyd Fowler

发明人： Boyd Fowler

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： An image sensor and a method for using the same are disclosed. The image sensor includes an array of pixel sensors, a signal digitizing circuit, and a digitizing controller. The array of pixel sensors includes a plurality of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a photodetector, a charge conversion circuit, and a gate transistor. The charge conversion circuit generates a voltage signal that is related to a charge on the photodiode, and the gate transistor couples the voltage signal to a bit line in response to a first signal. The signal digitizing circuit converts the voltage signal to a plurality of output digital values. Each output digital value has a different level of digitization noise. One of the output digital values is selected for output in response to an output selection signal that is generated by the digitizing controller.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种图像传感器及其使用方法。 图像传感器包括像素传感器阵列，信号数字化电路和数字化控制器。 像素传感器阵列包括多个像素传感器。 每个像素传感器包括光电检测器，电荷转换电路和栅极晶体管。 电荷转换电路产生与光电二极管上的电荷相关的电压信号，并且栅极晶体管响应于第一信号将电压信号耦合到位线。 信号数字化电路将电压信号转换成多个输出数字值。 每个输出数字值具有不同的数字化噪声水平。 响应于由数字化控制器产生的输出选择信号，选择输出数字值之一用于输出。

公开(公告)号：US07764316B2

公开(公告)日：2010-07-27

申请号：US11686668

申请日：2007-03-15

申请人： Boyd Fowler

发明人： Boyd Fowler

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L23/62

CPC分类号： H01L27/14806 ,  H01L29/66954 ,  H01L29/768

摘要： A CCD containing circuit and method for making the same. The circuit includes a CCD array and a protection circuit. The CCD array is constructed on an integrated circuit substrate and includes a plurality of gate electrodes that are insulated from the substrate by an insulating layer. The gate electrodes are connected to a conductor bonded to the substrate. The protection circuit is also constructed on the substrate. The protection circuit is connected to the conductor and to the substrate and protects the CCD array from both negative and positive voltage swings generated by electrostatic discharge events and the like. The protection circuit and the CCD can be constructed in the same integrated circuit fabrication process.

摘要翻译： 含CCD的电路及其制作方法。 该电路包括一个CCD阵列和一个保护电路。 CCD阵列构造在集成电路基板上，并且包括通过绝缘层与基板绝缘的多个栅电极。 栅电极连接到与衬底结合的导体。 保护电路也构成在基板上。 保护电路连接到导体和基板，并且保护CCD阵列不受静电放电事件等产生的负和正电压摆动。 保护电路和CCD可以在相同的集成电路制造过程中构建。

公开(公告)号：US07655918B2

公开(公告)日：2010-02-02

申请号：US11494058

申请日：2006-07-26

申请人： Xinqiao Liu ,  Boyd Fowler

发明人： Xinqiao Liu ,  Boyd Fowler

IPC分类号： G01T1/20

CPC分类号： H04N5/32 ,  A61B6/145 ,  G01T1/2018 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/374

摘要： An image sensor having a two-dimensional array of CMOS pixel sensors, a row decoder and a column decoder is disclosed. The two-dimensional array of CMOS pixel sensors is organized as a plurality of rows and columns that are addressed with the aid of row and column decoders. At least one of the column decoder or the row decoder is located between two of the rows or two of the columns, respectively. X-rays are converted to light that is detected by the image sensor by a layer of scintillation material that overlies the two-dimensional array. The internally located decoder or decoders facilitate sensors in which the two-dimensional array includes a rectangular array having a chamfered corner such that rows or columns that extend into the chamfered corner have lengths that are less than rows or columns, respectively, that do not extend into the corners.

摘要翻译： 公开了具有CMOS像素传感器的二维阵列，行解码器和列解码器的图像传感器。 CMOS像素传感器的二维阵列被组织为借助于行和列解码器寻址的多个行和列。 列解码器或行解码器中的至少一个分别位于两列或两列之间。 X射线被转换为由图像传感器通过覆盖二维阵列的闪烁材料层检测到的光。 内部定位的解码器或解码器便于传感器，其中二维阵列包括具有倒角的矩形阵列，使得延伸到倒角的行或列分别具有小于不延伸的行或列的长度 进入角落

公开(公告)号：US07655493B2

公开(公告)日：2010-02-02

申请号：US11182310

申请日：2005-07-14

申请人： David D. Wen ,  Xinqiao Liu ,  Ahn N. Vu ,  Steven Kiyoshi Onishi

发明人： David D. Wen ,  Xinqiao Liu ,  Ahn N. Vu ,  Steven Kiyoshi Onishi

IPC分类号： H01L21/00 ,  H01L27/148 ,  H01L29/768

CPC分类号： H01L27/14812 ,  H01L27/14837 ,  H01L31/03529

摘要： A light sensor having a light conversion element between first and second electrodes is disclosed. The light conversion element includes a body of semiconductor material having first and second surfaces. The body of semiconductor material is of a first conductivity type and has doping elements in a concentration gradient that creates a first electrostatic field having a magnitude that varies monotonically from the first surface to the second surface. A bias circuit applies a variable potential between the first and second electrodes to create a second electrostatic field having a direction opposite to that of the first electrostatic field and a magnitude determined by the potential. One of the electrodes is transparent to light in a predetermined band of wavelengths. The body of semiconductor material can include an epitaxial body having a monotonically increasing concentration of a doping element as a function of the distance from one the surfaces.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种在第一和第二电极之间具有光转换元件的光传感器。 光转换元件包括具有第一和第二表面的半导体材料体。 半导体材料的主体是第一导电类型，并且具有浓度梯度的掺杂元素，其产生具有从第一表面到第二表面单调变化的幅度的第一静电场。 偏置电路在第一和第二电极之间施加可变电位以产生具有与第一静电场的方向相反的方向的第二静电场和由电位确定的幅度。 其中一个电极对于预定波段的光是透明的。 半导体材料的主体可以包括外延体，其具有作为距离一个表面的距离的函数的单调递增的掺杂元素的浓度。

公开(公告)号：US07638749B2

公开(公告)日：2009-12-29

申请号：US11447541

申请日：2006-06-05

申请人： Boyd Fowler

发明人： Boyd Fowler

IPC分类号： H03F3/08 ,  H03K17/78 ,  H04N3/14

CPC分类号： H04N5/378

摘要： An image sensor having a first substrate on which a CCD array is fabricated in a first fabrication system is disclosed. The CCD array includes a node through which charge from the pixels passes during a readout operation. The first substrate also includes a first FET fabricated on the first substrate in the first fabrication system, the first FET having a gate connected to the node and a source or drain connected to a first conducting pad on the first substrate. A capacitor connects the node to a second conducting pad on the first substrate. A switch is connected across the first capacitor such that the first capacitor is shorted when the first switch is closed. The first switch is controlled by a reset signal on a third conducting pad on the first substrate. The first substrate can be connected to a second substrate having amplification and control circuitry.

摘要翻译： 公开了一种具有在第一制造系统中制造CCD阵列的第一基板的图像传感器。 CCD阵列包括在读出操作期间来自像素的电荷通过的节点。 第一衬底还包括在第一制造系统中在第一衬底上制造的第一FET，第一FET具有连接到节点的栅极和连接到第一衬底上的第一导电焊盘的源极或漏极。 电容器将节点连接到第一基板上的第二导电焊盘。 开关连接在第一电容器两端，使得当第一开关闭合时第一电容器短路。 第一开关由第一基板上的第三导电焊盘上的复位信号控制。 第一衬底可以连接到具有放大和控制电路的第二衬底。