Patents by Inventor Tim Bales

Tim Bales 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).

  • Patent number: 9231011
    Abstract: Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels, analog control circuitry and storage and processing circuitry. The array of image pixels, the analog control circuitry, and the storage and processing circuitry may be formed on separate, stacked semiconductor substrates or may be formed in a vertical stack on a common semiconductor substrate. The image pixel array may be coupled to the control circuitry using vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may route pixel control signals and readout image data signals over the vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may provide digital image data to the storage and processing circuitry over additional vertical conductive interconnects coupled between the control circuitry and the storage and processing circuitry. The storage and processing circuitry may be configured to store and/or process the digital image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Solhusvik, Tim Bales
  • Patent number: 9190444
    Abstract: Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels, analog control circuitry and storage and processing circuitry. The array of image pixels, the analog control circuitry, and the storage and processing circuitry may be formed on separate, stacked semiconductor substrates or may be formed in a vertical stack on a common semiconductor substrate. The image pixel array may be coupled to the control circuitry using vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may route pixel control signals and readout image data signals over the vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may provide digital image data to the storage and processing circuitry over additional vertical conductive interconnects coupled between the control circuitry and the storage and processing circuitry. The storage and processing circuitry may be configured to store and/or process the digital image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Solhusvik, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20150115134
    Abstract: Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels, analog control circuitry and storage and processing circuitry. The array of image pixels, the analog control circuitry, and the storage and processing circuitry may be formed on separate, stacked semiconductor substrates or may be formed in a vertical stack on a common semiconductor substrate. The image pixel array may be coupled to the control circuitry using vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may route pixel control signals and readout image data signals over the vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may provide digital image data to the storage and processing circuitry over additional vertical conductive interconnects coupled between the control circuitry and the storage and processing circuitry. The storage and processing circuitry may be configured to store and/or process the digital image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Johannes Solhusvik, Tim Bales
  • Patent number: 8890047
    Abstract: Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels, analog control circuitry and storage and processing circuitry. The array of image pixels, the analog control circuitry, and the storage and processing circuitry may be formed on separate, stacked semiconductor substrates or may be formed in a vertical stack on a common semiconductor substrate. The image pixel array may be coupled to the control circuitry using vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may route pixel control signals and readout image data signals over the vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may provide digital image data to the storage and processing circuitry over additional vertical conductive interconnects coupled between the control circuitry and the storage and processing circuitry. The storage and processing circuitry may be configured to store and/or process the digital image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Johannes Solhusvik, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20130068929
    Abstract: Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels, analog control circuitry and storage and processing circuitry. The array of image pixels, the analog control circuitry, and the storage and processing circuitry may be formed on separate, stacked semiconductor substrates or may be formed in a vertical stack on a common semiconductor substrate. The image pixel array may be coupled to the control circuitry using vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may route pixel control signals and readout image data signals over the vertical metal interconnects. The control circuitry may provide digital image data to the storage and processing circuitry over additional vertical conductive interconnects coupled between the control circuitry and the storage and processing circuitry. The storage and processing circuitry may be configured to store and/or process the digital image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Inventors: Johannes Solhusvik, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20080106298
    Abstract: A system and method to correct or cancel MOS linear region impedance curvature employing an analog solution to trim out the MOS linear region impedance curvature while accommodating PVT spreads in values of internal or external precision resistors. The linear region curvature correction may be obtained by using two MOS transistors in the pad driver/buffer and operating the transistors so as to proportionately increase output impedance of one of them when the output impedance of the other decreases, and vice versa. A linear pad impedance may be maintained over a range of Vpad values, while also maintaining the Vgs supplied to pad driver transistors at its maximum possible value to obtain greater linearity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Inventor: Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20080061820
    Abstract: A system and method to correct or cancel MOS linear region impedance curvature employing an analog solution to trim out the MOS linear region impedance curvature while accommodating PVT spreads in values of internal or external precision resistors. The linear region curvature correction may be obtained by using two MOS transistors in the pad driver/buffer and operating the transistors so as to proportionately increase output impedance of one of them when the output impedance of the other decreases, and vice versa. A linear pad impedance may be maintained over a range of Vpad values, while also maintaining the Vgs supplied to pad driver transistors at its maximum possible value to obtain greater linearity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20050178001
    Abstract: A semiconductor package assembly and method for electrically isolating modules, having a capacitor within the semiconductor package assembly. The package assembly and method are suitable for electrically isolating modules according to IEEE 1394.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Publication date: August 18, 2005
    Inventors: Sion Quinlan, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20050145976
    Abstract: A semiconductor package assembly and method for electrically isolating modules, having a capacitor within the semiconductor package assembly. The package assembly and method are suitable for electrically isolating modules according to IEEE 1394.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Publication date: July 7, 2005
    Inventors: Sion Quinlan, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20050130346
    Abstract: A semiconductor package assembly and method for electrically isolating modules, having a capacitor within the semiconductor package assembly. The package assembly and method are suitable for electrically isolating modules according to IEEE 1394.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Sion Quinlan, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20050130347
    Abstract: A semiconductor package assembly and method for electrically isolating modules, having a capacitor within the semiconductor package assembly. The package assembly and method are suitable for electrically isolating modules according to IEEE 1394.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Sion Quinlan, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20050130348
    Abstract: A semiconductor package assembly and method for electrically isolating modules, having a capacitor within the semiconductor package assembly. The package assembly and method are suitable for electrically isolating modules according to IEEE 1394.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 16, 2005
    Inventors: Sion Quinlan, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20050121754
    Abstract: A semiconductor package assembly and method for electrically isolating modules, having a capacitor within the semiconductor package assembly. The package assembly and method are suitable for electrically isolating modules according to IEEE 1394.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Publication date: June 9, 2005
    Inventors: Sion Quinlan, Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20050088199
    Abstract: A system and method to correct or cancel MOS linear region impedance curvature employing an analog solution to trim out the MOS linear region impedance curvature while accommodating PVT spreads in values of internal or external precision resistors. The linear region curvature correction may be obtained by using two MOS transistors in the pad driver/buffer and operating the transistors so as to proportionately increase output impedance of one of them when the output impedance of the other decreases, and vice versa. A linear pad impedance may be maintained over a range of Vpad values, while also maintaining the Vgs supplied to pad driver transistors at its maximum possible value to obtain greater linearity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Inventor: Tim Bales
  • Patent number: 6639424
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for combining a dynamic logic gate and level shifting circuitry in an improved circuit. The combined dynamic logic gate and level shifting circuit of the invention includes a pair of logic gates each having an output and configured such that only one output of the pair is applied at a time to a respective one of a pair of output switching circuits coupled to receive the outputs of the logic gates, wherein a pair of inputs which transition in a first voltage range control the logic gates to produce an output which transitions in a second voltage range in response to the switching of the output switching circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Tim Bales
  • Publication number: 20030042932
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method are provided for combining a dynamic logic gate and level shifting circuitry in an improved circuit. The combined dynamic logic gate and level shifting circuit of the invention includes a pair of logic gates each having an output and configured such that only one output of the pair is applied at a time to a respective one of a pair of output switching circuits coupled to receive the outputs of the logic gates, wherein a pair of inputs which transition in a first voltage range control the logic gates to produce an output which transitions in a second voltage range in response to the switching of the output switching circuits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Tim Bales
  • Patent number: 6137273
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a circuit (30; 50) for supplying a first current (I3) to an external element (3), this current having to be supplied with high precision at a desired nominal value. The current supply circuit includes a first transistor (T3) through which the first current flows, an operational amplifier (A2) to a first input of which a reference voltage (Vref) is supplied, and to an output of which a control signal from the first transistor is supplied, and an external resistor (Re1; Re2). These the circuit is characterized in that it further includes a second transistor (T4) through which a second current (I4; I4/m) flows, said second current also flowing through the external resistor. Such an arrangement of the circuit according to the present invention allow the value of the first current to be trimmed with great precision to its nominal value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: EM Microelectronic-Marin SA
    Inventors: Tim Bales, Serge Bitz