Plural Photosensitive Image Detecting Element Arrays Patents (Class 250/208.1)
  • Patent number: 11056530
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure is provided and includes: a substrate, containing first doping ions and including a photosensitive region and a floating diffusion region; a deeply doped region, in the photosensitive region of the substrate and containing second doping ions; a floating diffusion area, in the floating diffusion region of the substrate and containing third doping ions; a gate structure on the substrate at a junction of the photosensitive region and the floating diffusion region; a sidewall spacer on the photosensitive region of the substrate, and on sidewalls and top of the gate structure in the photosensitive region; a first doped region located in the floating diffusion area and having fourth doping ions; a metal connection layer on the first doped region; an interlayer dielectric layer on the substrate exposed by the gate structure; and a contact plug, in the interlayer dielectric layer and electrically connected to the metal connection layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignees: Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Shanghai) Corporation, Semiconductor Manufacturing International (Beijing) Corporation
    Inventor: De Kui Qi
  • Patent number: 11050921
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an image sensor and an electronic apparatus which enable higher-quality images to be obtained. Provided is an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including one on-chip lens, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion layers formed below the on-chip lens. Each of at least two of the plurality of photoelectric conversion layers is split, partially formed, or partially shielded from light with respect to a light-receiving surface. The pixels are phase difference detection pixels for performing AF by phase difference detection or imaging pixels for generating an image. The present technology can be applied to a CMOS image sensor, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masashi Nakata
  • Patent number: 11049424
    Abstract: The invention discloses a splicing frame device and a splicing method thereof, wherein the splicing frame device is used for installing a display screen body and comprises at least two layers of frames connected up and down, each layer of frame comprises at least two frame bodies, in two adjacent layers of frames, a splicing seam between the frame bodies in the upper layer and a splicing seam between the frame bodies in the lower layer are arranged in a misplaced way, and the frame bodies at two sides of the splicing seam are both connected to the frame body at an end of the splicing seam. The splicing frame device can also be an integral structure even without a transverse connecting structure, which greatly improves the structure stability of the splicing frame device and is conductive to reducing the manufacturing cost of the splicing frame device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ROE VISUAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Danhu Cai, Shunwen Tian, Chen Lu, Dries Vermeulen
  • Patent number: 11047808
    Abstract: A radiation imaging apparatus that obtains a radiation image by an energy subtraction method. Each pixel includes a conversion element that converts radiation into an electrical signal and a reset portion that resets the conversion element. Each pixel performs an operation of outputting a first signal corresponding to an electrical signal generated by the conversion element in a first period, and an operation of outputting a second signal corresponding to an electrical signal generated by the conversion element in the first period and a second period. Radiation having first energy is emitted in the first period, and radiation having second energy is emitted in the second period. In each pixel, the reset portion does not reset the conversion element during a period that includes the first period and the second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Atsushi Iwashita, Kosuke Terui, Katsuro Takenaka, Yoshiaki Ishii
  • Patent number: 11049892
    Abstract: A multispectral image sensor includes a semiconductor layer and a number of pixels formed inside and on top of the semiconductor layer. The pixels include a first pixel of a first type formed inside and on top of a first portion of the semiconductor layer and a second pixel of a second type formed inside and on top of a second portion of the semiconductor layer. The first pixel has a first thickness that defines a vertical cavity resonating at a first wavelength and the second pixel has a second thickness different from the first thickness. The second thickness defines a vertical cavity resonating at a second wavelength different than the first wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS
    Inventors: Axel Crocherie, Denis Rideau
  • Patent number: 11042770
    Abstract: An image data processing method includes receiving first frame image data at a first resolution, reducing a resolution of the first frame image data to a second resolution, performing image recognition on the first frame image data to determine one or more regions of interest (ROI) and a priority level of each of the ROIs; receiving second frame image data, and extracting portions of the second frame image data corresponding to the one or more ROIs. The method further includes modifying a resolution of the portions of the second frame image data corresponding to the ROIs based on the priority level of the ROIs, reducing a resolution of the received second frame image data to the second resolution, and combining the resolution-modified portions of the second frame image data corresponding to the ROIs with the second frame image data at the second resolution to generate output frame image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Eaglesens Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Guangbin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11043527
    Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first pixel and a second pixel that are arranged along a first direction and each include a photoelectric converter, a charge accumulator, a first transistor one of a source and a drain of which is connected to the charge accumulator, and a second transistor a gate of which is connected to the charge accumulator; a first line and a second line that each extend along the first direction; a first voltage supply circuit configured to generate a voltage between a first voltage turning on the first transistor of the first pixel and a second voltage turning off the first transistor of the first pixel; and a second voltage supply circuit configured to generate a voltage between a fourth voltage turning on the first transistor of the second pixel and a fifth voltage turning off the first transistor of the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidenari Kanehara, Yusuke Okada, Sanshiro Shishido, Kazuko Nishimura
  • Patent number: 11044433
    Abstract: An imaging device including an imaging cell including a photoelectric converter including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoelectric conversion layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a first transistor one of a source and a drain of which is coupled to the first electrode; and voltage supply circuitry coupled to the other of the source and the drain of the first transistor, the voltage supply circuitry being configured to supply a first voltage in a first period and a second voltage different from the first voltage in a second period different from the first period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sanshiro Shishido, Takeyoshi Tokuhara, Masaaki Yanagida
  • Patent number: 11044431
    Abstract: A radiation image capturing apparatus includes: scanning lines and signal lines; radiation detection elements; a scan driver switching a switching element of the radiation detection elements between on and off; and a readout IC incorporating readout circuits reading, as image data, electric charges from each radiation detection element, the readout circuit including: an integrating circuit outputting a voltage value corresponding to the electric charges; a reset switch resetting the integrating circuit; a first sample-and-hold circuit holding, as a reference value, the voltage value before the electric charges flow; a second sample-and-hold circuit holding, as a signal value, the voltage value after the electric charges flow; and a difference circuit outputting difference between the signal value and the reference value, the radiation image capturing apparatus further including a mechanism changing the voltage value from completion of the resetting and turning off of the reset switch until holding of the refe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventors: Ikuma Ota, Kazuhiro Sakino
  • Patent number: 11044400
    Abstract: The present invention is a method to stitch images of human teeth that are captured by an intraoral camera. Oral dental applications based on visual data pose various challenges such as low lighting conditions and saliva. Herein we describe a stitching algorithm of low-texture/low-resolution imaging. First, normals of tooth surface are extracted using shape from shading. An algorithm to rectify the imprecise values of the surface normal due to the oral environment is applied and normal maps generated. Second, the normal maps are used to detect, extract and match the corresponding features. Finally, to enhance the stitching process for these unidealized data, normal maps are used to estimate as-projective-as-possible warps. The proposed approach outperforms the state-of-the-art auto-stitching approach and shows a better performance in such cases of low-texture regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Kentucky Imaging Technologies
    Inventors: Aly Farag, Mohamad Ghanoum, Asem Ali, Salwa Elshazly
  • Patent number: 11042992
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a displacement of a peripheral device are provided. In one example, a peripheral device comprises: an image sensor, and a hardware processor configured to: control the image sensor to capture a first image of a surface when the peripheral device is at a first location on the surface, the first image comprising a feature of the first location of the surface; execute a trained machine learning model using data derived from the first image to estimate a displacement of the feature between the first image and a reference image captured at a second location of the surface; and determine a displacement of the peripheral device based on the estimated displacement of the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: Logitech Europe S.A.
    Inventors: Nicolas Chauvin, François Morier, Helmut Grabner
  • Patent number: 11036078
    Abstract: A display panel, a driving method thereof and a display device. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel units, the plurality of pixel units includes a first pixel unit, the first pixel unit includes a first sub-pixel, the first sub-pixel includes an infrared luminescent material on a display side, and the infrared luminescent material is capable of emitting infrared light under an irradiation of light emitted by the first sub-pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignees: HEFEI BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Li Jiang, Tongmin Liu, Heng Zhang, Jun Xu, Fei Chen, Aoxiang Li
  • Patent number: 11029200
    Abstract: The following steps are performed in connection with a photodiode circuit: a) resetting the photodiode circuit; b) determining when a photodiode voltage changes in response to illumination to reach a threshold; and c) updating a counter in response to the determination in step b). The steps a) to c) are repeated until an end of a measurement period is reached. The value of the counter at the end of the measurement period is then output to indicate an intensity of the illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventor: Pascal Mellot
  • Patent number: 11029392
    Abstract: A computational ghost imaging apparatus comprising a first electromagnetic radiation source (100) and a control system configured to cause electromagnetic radiation from said first source to be applied to a selected plurality of three-dimensional portions of an atmospheric volume between a second electromagnetic radiation source (110) and object or region of interest (106) so as to heat or ionise the air within said selected portions and create an atmospheric spatial radiation modulator (108) of a specified pattern for causing said object or region of interest to be irradiated with spatially modulated electromagnetic radiation in said specified pattern, the apparatus further comprising a detector for receiving electromagnetic radiation reflected from said object or region of interest (106), and a processing module for reconstructing an image of said object or region of interest using data output by said detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: BAE Systems plc
    Inventor: Nicholas Giacomo Robert Colosimo
  • Patent number: 11029575
    Abstract: An electro-optic cell for an electrochromic device includes an electrochromic medium including an electrochromic compound M having at least one reduced state and at least one oxidized state. The electrochromic compound M can act as both the anodic material and the cathodic material in the electro-optic cell. The electrochromic medium can be capable of reversibly attenuating transmittance of light having a wavelength within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventor: Punam Giri
  • Patent number: 11026565
    Abstract: An endoscopic device having embodiments of a hybrid imaging sensor that optimizes a pixel array area on a substrate using a stacking scheme for placement of related circuitry with minimal vertical interconnects between stacked substrates and associated features are disclosed. Embodiments of maximized pixel array size/die size (area optimization) are disclosed, and an optimized imaging sensor providing improved image quality, improved functionality, and improved form factors for specific applications common to the industry of digital imaging are also disclosed. Embodiments of the above may include systems, methods and processes for staggering ADC or column circuit bumps in a column or sub-column hybrid image sensor using vertical interconnects are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Laurent Blanquart, Joshua D. Talbert, Jeremiah D. Henley, Donald M. Wichern
  • Patent number: 11025851
    Abstract: An image sensor including (a) an array of pixels, each of which includes: (a1) a photodetector; and (a2) a read-out circuit coupled to the photodetector and including an active amplifying element; and (b) pixel binning means configured to form macropixels such that, in each macropixel, the inputs of the read-out circuits of at least two pixels are coupled to one another, and the outputs of the read-out circuits of said pixels are coupled to the input of a single memory element including a capacitor; wherein the output of each read-out circuit is coupled to an input of a memory element that is different from those of the other pixels; and wherein the binning means include connection switches for the read-out circuits inserted between the read-out circuits and the memory elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventor: Laurent Millet
  • Patent number: 11022982
    Abstract: A method includes obtaining one or more images of a segment of a route from a camera while a vehicle is moving along the route. The segment of the route includes one or more guide lanes. The method also includes comparing, with one or more computer processors, the one or more images of the segment of the route with a benchmark visual profile of the route based at least in part on an overlay of the one or more images onto the benchmark visual profile or an overlay of the benchmark visual profile onto the one or more images. The one or more processors identify a misaligned segment of the route based on one or more differences between the one or more images and the benchmark visual profile and respond to the identification of the misaligned segment of the route by modifying an operating parameter of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSFORATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Nidhi Naithani, Dattaraj Jagdish Rao, Anju Bind, Sreyashi Dey Chaki
  • Patent number: 11025796
    Abstract: A sensor array assembly including a first sensor array, a second sensor array and a mounting substrate. The first sensor array includes a first process direction width and a first photosite, while the second sensor array includes a second process direction width and a second photosite. The first and second sensor arrays are separately secured on the mounting substrate. The first photosite is in precision alignment with the second photosite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph F. Casey, Gary D. Redding, Robert P. Herloski
  • Patent number: 11025846
    Abstract: [Object] To make it possible to detect, in the case where abnormality has occurred in at least a part of the pixels, the abnormality for each of the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Kawazu, Atsushi Suzuki, Junichiro Azami, Motohashi Yuichi
  • Patent number: 11022704
    Abstract: A light detection device includes a first gate line, a second gate line adjacent to the first gate line, a first switching unit, a second switching unit, and a readout circuit. The first switching unit includes a first gate electrode connected to the first gate line, and a first drain electrode electrically connected to a light sensing unit. The second switching unit includes a second gate electrode connected to the second gate line, and a second drain electrode electrically connected to a light sensing unit. An operation method of the light detection device includes receiving a first readout signal and a second readout signal from the first switching unit and the second switching unit respectively by the readout circuit and calculating a difference between the first readout signal and the second readout signal for determining whether the light detection device is irradiated by detection light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Innolux Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Hao Wu
  • Patent number: 11017243
    Abstract: A car may be equipped with a camera for detecting the movement of objects in the vicinity of the car. The camera may be used to capture a series of images. A number of target sample points may be defined in each image. The position of the target sample points may corresponding to the driver's blind spot or other region(s) of interest. The camera may also include separate filters for generating a long term pixel intensity output and a short term pixel intensity output at each of the target sample points. These long and short term average outputs may be compared to determine if a large change in intensity has occurred over a short period of time. The order of target activation can then be used to determine the direction of vehicle motion while filtering out noise or other road markings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Adam Titley
  • Patent number: 11016298
    Abstract: A display subsystem for a virtual image generation system for use by an end user comprises a planar waveguide apparatus, an optical fiber, at least one light source configured for emitting light from a distal end of the optical fiber, and a collimation element mounted to a distal end of the optical fiber for collimating light from the optical fiber. The virtual image generation system further comprises a mechanical drive assembly to which the optical fiber is mounted to the drive assembly. The mechanical drive assembly is configured for displacing the distal end of the optical fiber, along with the collimation element, in accordance with a scan pattern. The virtual image generation system further comprises an optical waveguide input apparatus configured for directing the collimated light from the collimation element down the planar waveguide apparatus, such that the planar waveguide apparatus displays image frames to the end user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian T. Schowengerdt, Lionel Ernest Edwin, Ivan Yeoh, Aaron Mark Schuelke, William Hudson Welch, John Graham Macnamara
  • Patent number: 11015927
    Abstract: An optical sensor includes at least two optical sensing pixels and at least two different grating elements. These grating elements are disposed above these optical sensing pixels correspondingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: En-Feng Hsu, Chia-Yu Liu
  • Patent number: 11014510
    Abstract: A camera device includes a windshield information detection camera and a vehicle exterior information detection camera. The windshield information detection camera captures an image to obtain information about a surface of a windshield. The vehicle exterior information detection camera captures an image to obtain information about the vehicle exterior. The windshield information detection camera and the vehicle exterior information detection camera are fixed to a vehicle in a state in which they are also fixed to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shou Takano, Keigo Hikida
  • Patent number: 11018685
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter includes a comparator configured to compare an input signal with a reference signal and to output a comparison signal indicating a corresponding comparison result, a control logic configured to output a control signal for adjusting the reference signal based on the comparison signal, and a reference signal adjusting circuit configured to adjust the reference signal based on the control signal. The comparator includes a first pre-amplifier configured to amplify a difference between the input signal and the reference signal using a first transistor having a first size, a second pre-amplifier configured to amplify the difference between the input signal and the reference signal using a second transistor having a second size different from the first size, and a latch configured to generate the comparison signal using at least one of an output of the first and second pre-amplifiers. The first and second pre-amplifiers share the latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Woo Jin Jang, Yong Lim, Seung Hyun Oh, Jae Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 11016204
    Abstract: An imaging system is provided. A method for installing the imaging system is provided. The imaging system may include a first modality imaging apparatus. The first modality imaging apparatus may have a detector including a scintillator unit, a photodetector unit, a circuit unit, a supporting block, and a supporting board. The supporting block may be disposed on an end of the scintillator unit. The supporting board may be disposed between the photodetector unit and the circuit unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: SHANGHAI UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Weiping Liu, Guanghe Wu, Shitao Liu
  • Patent number: 11019296
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel region in which shared pixels which share pixel transistors in a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions are two-dimensionally arranged. The shared pixel transistors are divisionally arranged in a column direction of the shared pixels, the pixel transistors shared between neighboring shared pixels are arranged so as to be horizontally reversed or/and vertically crossed, and connection wirings connected to a floating diffusion portion, a source of a reset transistor and a gate of an amplification transistor in the shared pixels are arranged along the column direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hideo Kido, Atsuhiko Yamamoto, Akihiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 11016580
    Abstract: A mouse includes an optical module and a casing. The optical module includes an optical element and two rotation portions. The optical element locates between the rotation portions. The casing includes a body, two extension portions, a driving piece and a rod. The extension portions connect to the body and define a space therebetween. The optical module locates at the space. The rotation portions insert into the extension portions. The driving piece moves inside the body and the extension portions. The driving piece is connected with one of the rotation portions and configured to rotate the corresponding rotation portion such that the optical element faces to a first direction or a second direction different from the first direction. A first end of the rod connects with the driving piece to move the driving piece. A second end of the rod is exposable outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Chicony Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Chung Chen
  • Patent number: 11011557
    Abstract: A plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged on a semiconductor substrate. Each of the pixels includes: two photodiodes each generating charge by photoelectric conversion; first and second memories spaced apart from each other between the two photodiodes as viewed in cross section; a first readout gate reading charge from the two photodiodes to the first memory; and a second readout gate reading charge from the two photodiodes to the second memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Tower Partners Semiconductor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Oda, Hirohisa Otsuki
  • Patent number: 11012653
    Abstract: A method of image sensor apparatus includes: providing pixel array having pixel units arranged in M rows and N columns; providing N parallel column readout circuits each being arranged for reading out pixel data of one corresponding column; disposing a horizontal shift register in row direction coupled to the N parallel column readout circuits, to receive a pulse signal and a clock signal, sequentially shift a phase of the pulse signal according to the clock signal, and scan a corresponding column according to the shifted phase of the pulse signal; and using a column select circuit having N latches to receive a power down digital control signal transmitted from a microcontroller wherein the power down digital control signal is used to disable at least one column readout circuit to enable and select a portion of the set of N parallel column readout circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: PixArt Imaging Inc.
    Inventors: Chia-Chi Kuo, Jui-Te Chiu, Han-Chi Liu, Wei-Chia Huang, Yi-Cheng Chiu, Kuan Tang
  • Patent number: 11010619
    Abstract: A device for searching for a lane on which a vehicle can drive, wherein the device is configured to receive an image captured by a camera, the image showing an area in front of the vehicle, detect lane markings in the image, determine for each of the lane markings if the respective lane marking is of a first type indicating a road condition of a first type or a second type indicating a road condition of a second type, create lane candidates from the lane markings, divide the lane candidates into classes of lane candidates depending on the type of the lane markings of the lane candidates, and search the classes of lane candidates for a lane on which the vehicle can drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Aptiv Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Kun Zhao, Yu Su
  • Patent number: 11012649
    Abstract: A control pulse is generated a first control signal line coupled to a transfer gate of a pixel to enable photocharge accumulated within a photosensitive element of the pixel to be transferred to a floating diffusion node, the first control signal line having a capacitive coupling to the floating diffusion node. A feedthrough compensation pulse is generated on a second signal line of the pixel array that also has a capacitive coupling to the floating diffusion node. The feedthrough compensation pulse is generated with a pulse polarity opposite the pulse polarity of the control pulse and is timed to coincide with the control pulse such that capacitive feedthrough of the control pulse to the floating diffusion node is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Rambus Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Guidash, Jay Endsley, John Ladd, Thomas Vogelsang, Craig M. Smith
  • Patent number: 11011667
    Abstract: A display panel comprises a plurality of pixels into which pixel data of an input image is written; a plurality of data lines connected to the plurality of pixels; a plurality of photo sensors configured to sense light; a plurality of read-out lines connected to the plurality of photo sensors; and a plurality of gate lines connected to the pixels and the photo sensors, wherein the plurality of photo sensors comprises at least one first photo sensor to which a first bias voltage is supplied and at least one second photo sensor to which a second bias voltage different from the first bias voltage is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dongkyu Lee, Seungjin Yoo
  • Patent number: 11010579
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor module and a fingerprint recognition device having the fingerprint sensor module are disclosed. A fingerprint sensor module includes a base film, a thin-film transistor sensor array, and a plurality of first signal lines, an external component and a plurality of second signal lines. The base film includes a fingerprint sensing area, a wing area surrounding the fingerprint sensing area, a first signal connecting area adjacent to the fingerprint sensing area, a component mounting area adjacent to the first signal connecting area, and a second signal connecting area adjacent to the component mounting area. The TFT sensor array is formed in the fingerprint sensing area. The first signal lines are formed in the first signal connecting area. The second signal lines are formed in the second signal connecting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Sang-hyun Han
  • Patent number: 11011562
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate having a photoelectric conversion element therein, a first via extending into a first surface of the substrate such that a first upper surface of the first via is exposed adjacent the first surface of the substrate, a second upper surface of the first via extending away from the first surface of the substrate, first to third insulating films sequentially stacked on the first surface of the substrate, and a contact extending through the first to third insulating films and into the second upper surface of the first via. The contact includes a first portion within the first via, a second portion in the first insulating film, a third portion in the second insulating film, and a fourth portion in the third insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Changhwa Kim, Kwan Sik Kim, Sang Su Park, Beom Suk Lee, Man Geun Cho, Min Jun Choi
  • Patent number: 11012644
    Abstract: An image sensor includes: a first readout circuit that reads out a first signal, being generated by an electric charge resulting from a photoelectric conversion, to a first signal line; a first holding circuit that holds a voltage based on an electric current from a power supply circuit; and a first electric current source that supplies the first signal line with an electric current generated by the voltage held in the first holding circuit, wherein: the first holding circuit holds the voltage based on the electric current from the power supply circuit when the first signal is not read out to the first signal line by the first readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Wataru Funamizu, Masahiro Juen, Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11006062
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a pixel sensing circuit. The photoelectric conversion sub-circuit is configured to collect an incident light, and generate an electrical signal based on the incident light collected. The first resetting sub-circuit is configured to write a first power supply voltage to the signal collection point. The threshold compensation sub-circuit is configured to obtain a threshold voltage of the conversion transistor and a second controlling signal from the second controlling signal line, generate a compensation voltage according to the threshold voltage, and write the compensation voltage to the signal collection point. The conversion transistor is configured to output a current signal at the second electrode according to a voltage at the signal collection point. The selection sub-circuit is configured to output a current signal from the second electrode of the conversion transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignees: BEIJING BOE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD., BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Zhiliang Wang
  • Patent number: 11006063
    Abstract: A pixel readout circuit including a reset circuit configured to reset a first node to a first power supply voltage in response to a signal on a first scan line being active; a photodetector configured to generate, responsive to incident light, a charge signal and integrate the charge signal, the integrated charge signal causing a change in a voltage level at the first node; a photosensitive circuit configured to generate a pixel current in response to the change in the voltage level at the first node; and a switch circuit configured to transfer the pixel current to a signal readout line for readout in response to a signal on a second scan line being active.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xiaohui Liu, Zhanjie Ma
  • Patent number: 11004909
    Abstract: A photoelectric diode includes a first electrode and a second electrode facing each other; a photoelectric conversion layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and a compensation layer on the photoelectric conversion layer, the compensation layer being configured to compensate absorption and reflection of light. The photoelectric conversion layer is associated with a first optical spectrum having a light-absorption peak at a first wavelength and a reflection peak at a second wavelength, the first wavelength and the second wavelength both within a wavelength region of about 750 nm to about 1200 nm. The photoelectric diode is associated with a second optical spectrum having a light-absorption peak at a third wavelength, the third wavelength is within the wavelength region of about 750 nm to about 1200 nm, the third wavelength different from the first wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Hee Lee, Takkyun Ro, Dong-Seok Leem, Ohkyu Kwon, Bum Woo Park, Hyesung Choi
  • Patent number: 11004886
    Abstract: A back side illumination (BSI) image sensor with a dielectric grid opening having a planar lower surface is provided. A pixel sensor is arranged within a semiconductor substrate. A metallic grid is arranged over the pixel sensor and defines a sidewall of a metallic grid opening. A dielectric grid is arranged over the metallic grid and defines a sidewall of the dielectric grid opening. A capping layer is arranged over the metallic grid, and defines the planar lower surface of the dielectric grid opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Wei Cheng, Horng Huei Tseng, Chao-Hsiung Wang, Chun-Hao Chou, Tsung-Han Tsai, Kuo-Cheng Lee, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Yung-Lung Hsu
  • Patent number: 11004884
    Abstract: An imaging device includes one or more insulating layers on a substrate; an effective region including: a polarization layer in the one or more insulating layers and including one or more polarizers that polarize light; and at least one first photoelectric conversion region in the substrate and that converts incident light polarized by the one or more polarizers into electric charge; and a peripheral region outside the effective region and including: one or more wiring layers that include a pad portion in a same layer of the one or more insulating layers as the polarization layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Machida, Kentaro Akiyama, Tomohiro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 10999548
    Abstract: A pixel sensing circuit and driving method therefor, an image sensor, and an electronic device are provided. The pixel sensing circuit includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to generate electric charges in response to incident light, a transmission element configured to output the electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element, and a source follower circuit configured to compensate an output current of the transmission element. The source follower circuit includes a first source follower transistor, a second source follower transistor, and a first storage capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shengji Yang, Xue Dong, Jing Lv, Xiaochuan Chen, Dongni Liu, Lei Wang, Pengcheng Lu, Jie Fu, Han Yue, Li Xiao
  • Patent number: 10997411
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for acquiring IR light and visible light images. A lens may be configured to operate in at least a first configuration and a second configuration. The lens may have a first filter over a first portion of the lens and a second filter over a second portion of the lens. In the first configuration, a third filter may operate with the lens and the second filter to allow visible light from a first object located beyond a predetermined distance from the lens to pass and be focused on a sensor for image acquisition. In the second configuration, a fourth filter may operate with the lens and the first filter to allow IR light from a second object located within the predetermined distance to pass and be focused on the sensor for image acquisition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Eyelock LLC
    Inventor: Keith J. Hanna
  • Patent number: 10999551
    Abstract: A solid-state image capture device includes a first semiconductor substrate and a second semiconductor substrate. The first semiconductor substrate includes a first connection and a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix. The second semiconductor substrate includes a second connection and a pad area including a plurality of pad electrodes for electrical connection with external equipment. The second semiconductor substrate controls the pixel array. The first and second semiconductor substrates are stacked and joined together, with the first and second connections electrically connected to each other. The first and second semiconductor substrates are substantially equal in size, and the pad electrodes are included in only the second semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: PANASONIC SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuusuke Shimizu, Kazutoshi Onozawa
  • Patent number: 10996350
    Abstract: A method for photon counting for pixels in a pixelated detector is disclosed, wherein for each of the pixels, one or more neighbouring pixels are defined. The method comprises receiving a charge in one or more of the pixels and comparing for each of the pixels the charge with a trigger threshold. If the charge in a pixel is above the trigger threshold, the charge is registered in the pixel after a registration delay, wherein the registration delay is dependent on the level of the charge received in the pixel in such a way that a registration delay decreases with increasing charge. A counter for a pixel is incremented when the charge is registered and an increment of a counter of the neighbouring pixels is inhibited. Pixelated semiconductor detectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: INSTITUT DE FÍSICA D'ALTES ENERGIES
    Inventors: Mokhtar Chmeissani Raad, Machiel Kolstein, José Gabriel Macías Montero
  • Patent number: 10998455
    Abstract: A light sensor includes first and second neighboring photodiodes that are separated from each other by a space. A light-absorbing material is positioned at a location which is vertically above the space between the neighboring photodiodes. A first multilayer interference filter includes a central portion located vertically above the first photodiode and a peripheral portion that at least partly extends to rest on top of and in contact with the light-absorbing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Grenoble 2) SAS
    Inventors: Olivier Le-Briz, Laurent Mouche
  • Patent number: 10999521
    Abstract: An imaging device controls a light emission unit to perform pre-light emission and decides an amount of light emitted in imaging. In a plurality of pixel units included in an image sensor, a switch that connects or does not connect an additional capacitor to a floating diffusion (FD) unit is provided. An amplification unit for a pixel signal can set a plurality of gains. A CPU controls the switch such that the FD unit is connected to the additional capacitor or the FD unit is not connected to the additional capacitor in accordance with an imaging condition. When image data for light modulation is acquired or when image data used for live-view display or recording is acquired, the CPU performs control such that the switch and the amplification unit amplify the pixel signal in different gain settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shinichi Maeta
  • Patent number: 10999456
    Abstract: An image reading device includes light guides (5, 6) that emit light to an object to be read, a lens body (8) that condenses reflected light, a light receiver (13) that receives the reflected light, a sensor board (24) on which is mounted the light receiver (13), a lens holder (11), and a housing (9) that houses or holds these components. The lens holder (11) includes a holder bottom (11g), light guide positioners (11a, 11b) and lens body holders (11e, 11f). In the lens holder (11), the lens body (8) is attached between the lens body holders (11e, 11f), the sensor board (24) is attached to the holder bottom (11g) such that the light receiver (13) aligns with an optical axis of the lens body (8), and the light guides (5, 6) are attached to the light guide positioners (11a, 11b). A surface of each light guide positioner (11a, 11b) that faces the corresponding light guide (5, 6) to be attached has at least a portion having a same shape a s a shape of a surface of the light guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Ohama, Hideki Kunishio, Masaaki Okada, Yuki Okuhigashi, Masahiko Takashina, Masaki Wakisaka
  • Patent number: RE48604
    Abstract: A scanner module and an image scanning apparatus employing the same. The scanner module comprises an illuminator for illuminating light on an object to be scanned. The illuminator includes a light emitting diode, a light guide extending in a main scanning direction to change a direction of the light received from the light emitting diode, and at least one elastic member to elastically support at least one longitudinal end of the light guide. As the light guide is elastically supported by the elastic member, convex deformation or bowing of an emission face of the light guide due to thermal expansion can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: HEWLETT-PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY, L.P.
    Inventors: Jung Kwon Kim, Dong Hun Lee, Hyun Surk Kim, Kyung Rok Kim