Patents by Inventor Loriston Ford

Loriston Ford has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Color filter array, imagers and systems having same, and methods of fabrication and use thereof
    Patent number: 11990491
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • COLOR FILTER ARRAY, IMAGERS AND SYSTEMS HAVING SAME, AND METHODS OF FABRICATION AND USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20220352229
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • Color filter array, imagers and systems having same, and methods of fabrication and use thereof
    Patent number: 11404463
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • COLOR FILTER ARRAY, IMAGERS AND SYSTEMS HAVING SAME, AND METHODS OF FABRICATION AND USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20200365638
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • Color filter array, imagers and systems having same, and methods of fabrication and use thereof
    Patent number: 10770497
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • COLOR FILTER ARRAY, IMAGERS AND SYSTEMS HAVING SAME, AND METHODS OF FABRICATION AND USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20190333952
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • Color filter array, imagers and systems having same, and methods of fabrication and use thereof
    Patent number: 10418401
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • Image sensors with optically black pixels
    Patent number: 10165211
    Abstract: An image sensor may include optically black pixels for obtaining dark current measurements. The image sensor may include dummy pixels between the active pixel array and the optically black pixels. Light incident upon the dummy pixels may be redirected to the optically black pixels, causing inaccurate dark current measurements. Light-blocking structures may be provided in the dummy pixels to prevent light from reaching the optically black pixels. A grid of openings may be formed in the active pixel array and the dummy pixel area. The grid may be filled with color filters in the active area and light-blocking elements in the dummy pixel area. The dummy pixel area may include a single opening in the grid in which a single light-blocking element that covers multiple dummy pixel photodiodes is formed. Light-blocking structures in the dummy pixel area may extend over the optically black pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Swarnal Borthakur, Loriston Ford, Bartosz Piotr Banachowicz
  • COLOR FILTER ARRAY, IMAGERS AND SYSTEMS HAVING SAME, AND METHODS OF FABRICATION AND USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20180301493
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • Color filter array, imagers and systems having same, and methods of fabrication and use thereof
    Patent number: 10090346
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • COLOR FILTER ARRAY, IMAGERS AND SYSTEMS HAVING SAME, AND METHODS OF FABRICATION AND USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20170338266
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • Color filter array, imagers and systems having same, and methods of fabrication and use thereof
    Patent number: 9761621
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • Dielectric barriers for pixel arrays
    Patent number: 9093579
    Abstract: Pixel arrays are provided for image sensors that have barriers between color filters in an array of color filters. Color filter barriers may be formed from a transparent or semi-transparent material. Color filter barriers may be formed from a low refractive index material. Color filters may be etched and color filter barrier material may be formed in the etched regions of the color filters. If desired, a layer of color filter barrier material may be etched to form open regions and color filter material may be formed in the open regions of the color filter barrier material. An image sensor may be a front-side illuminated image sensor or a back-side illuminated image sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Mackey, Ulrich Boettiger, Mattia Cichocki, Loriston Ford, Rick Holscher, Mitchell J. Mooney, Brian Vaartstra
  • COLOR FILTER ARRAY, IMAGERS AND SYSTEMS HAVING SAME, AND METHODS OF FABRICATION AND USE THEREOF
    Publication number: 20140061836
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • Color filter array, imagers and systems having same, and methods of fabrication and use thereof
    Patent number: 8610806
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger
  • DIELECTRIC BARRIERS FOR PIXEL ARRAYS
    Publication number: 20120273906
    Abstract: Pixel arrays are provided for image sensors that have barriers between color filters in an array of color filters. Color filter barriers may be formed from a transparent or semi-transparent material. Color filter barriers may be formed from a low refractive index material. Color filters may be etched and color filter barrier material may be formed in the etched regions of the color filters. If desired, a layer of color filter barrier material may be etched to form open regions and color filter material may be formed in the open regions of the color filter barrier material. An image sensor may be a front-side illuminated image sensor or a back-side illuminated image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey Mackey, Ulrich Boettiger, Mattia Cichocki, Loriston Ford, Rick Holscher, Mitchell J. Mooney, Brian Vaartstra
  • LAYERED LENS STRUCTURES AND METHODS OF PRODUCTION
    Publication number: 20110180695
    Abstract: A microlens structure includes lower lens layers on a substrate. A sputtered layer of glass, such as silicon oxide, is applied over the lower lens layers at an angle away from normal to form upper lens layers that increase the effective focal length of the microlens structure. The upper lens layers can be deposited in an aspherical shape with radii of curvature longer than the lower lens layers. As a result, small microlenses can be provided with longer focal length. The microlenses are arranged in arrays for use in imaging devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: ROUND ROCK RESEARCH, LLC
    Inventors: Jin Li, Jiutao Li, Ulrich Boettiger, Loriston Ford
  • Light block for pixel arrays
    Patent number: 7662656
    Abstract: Imager devices are formed with light block material between microlenses to enhance the characteristics of image acquisition. The light block material may be deposited over the lenses, and then partially removed to expose central portions of the lenses. The invention is applicable to, among other things, imager devices having pixel arrays formed with the light block material and integrated with one or more processing components in a semiconductor device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventor: Loriston Ford
  • Layered lens structures and methods of production in which radius of curvature of the upper lens can be varied
    Patent number: 7365305
    Abstract: A microlens structure includes lower lens layers on a substrate. A sputtered layer of glass, such as silicon oxide, is applied over the lower lens layers at an angle away from normal to form upper lens layers that increase the effective focal length of the microlens structure. The upper lens layers can be deposited in an aspherical shape with radii of curvature longer than the lower lens layers. As a result, small microlenses can be provided with longer focal lengths. The microlenses are arranged in arrays for use in imaging devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Li, Jiutao Li, Ulrich Boettiger, Loriston Ford
  • Color filter array and method of fabrication and use
    Publication number: 20080049126
    Abstract: A pixel cell with a photosensitive region formed in association with a substrate, a color filter formed over the photosensitive region, the color filter comprising a first material layer and a second material layer formed in association with the first shaping material layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: Loriston Ford, Ulrich C. Boettiger