Including Switching Transistor And Photocell At Each Pixel Site (e.g., "mos-type" Image Sensor) Patents (Class 348/308)
  • Patent number: 11765487
    Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided in which signals from a plurality of pixels are output to signal output lines during a predetermined reading period, a first reading mode and a second reading mode where analog-to-digital (AD) conversion circuits perform AD conversion on the signals are included, and the reading period includes a first period from when the signals from the pixels are output to the signal output lines to when the AD conversion circuits start AD conversion on the signals a predetermined time later, and a second period where the AD conversion circuits perform the AD conversion on the signals from the pixels, the reading period is equal between the first and second reading modes, and lengths of the first and second periods are different from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomonaga Iwahara, Mie Ishii
  • Patent number: 11756976
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus that includes a pixel region having photoelectric conversion elements includes a semiconductor layer having first and second surfaces, and the photoelectric conversion elements are disposed between the first and second surfaces. With a virtual plane extending along the second surface between the first and second surfaces being a third plane, the pixel region includes an element isolating portion constituted by an insulator disposed closer to the first surface than the third plane, and first and second isolating portions constituted by grooves provided in the semiconductor layer to pass through the third plane. The first isolating portion overlaps the element isolating portion in a normal direction to the third plane. An end of the second isolating portion on a side on the first surface is closer to the second surface than an end of the first isolating portion on a side on the first surface is.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Nobutaka Ukigaya, Hideshi Kuwabara
  • Patent number: 11754720
    Abstract: A depth camera assembly is used to obtain depth information describing a local area. The depth camera assembly includes a sensor having a plurality of pixels. Some or all of the pixels are divided into groups that are coupled to respective multi-purpose time-to-digital converters. Each multi-purpose time-to-digital converter comprises an oscillator and a counter. Each pixel in a group is associated with a multiplexer that is configured to select between inputs coupled to the pixel, the oscillator, or a counter associated with a different pixel. The multiplexer outputs the signal to the counter for the time-to-digital converter associated with the pixel. A time-of-flight measurement is taken during a first portion of an image frame. During a second portion of the image frame, the sensor may be used as an intensity counter. During a third portion of the image frame, the depth sensor may be calibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Augusto Ronchini Ximenes, Michael Hall
  • Patent number: 11743595
    Abstract: A pixel array uses two sets of pixels to provide accurate exposure control. One set of pixels provide continuous output signals for automatic light control (ALC) as the other set integrates and captures an image. ALC pixels allow monitoring of multiple pixels of an array to obtain sample data indicating the amount of light reaching the array, while allowing the other pixels to provide proper image data. A small percentage of the pixels in an array is replaced with ALC pixels and the array has two reset lines for each row; one line controls the reset for the image capture pixels while the other line controls the reset for the ALC pixels. In the columns, at least one extra control signal is used for the sampling of the reset level for the ALC pixels, which happens later than the sampling of the reset level for the image capture pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Jorgen Moholt
  • Patent number: 11735614
    Abstract: Advanced processing is performed in a chip. A stacked light-receiving sensor according to an embodiment includes a first substrate (100, 200, 300) and a second substrate (120, 320) bonded to the first substrate. The first substrate includes a pixel array (101) in which a plurality of unit pixels are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix. The second substrate includes a converter (17) configured to convert an analog pixel signal output from the pixel array to digital image data and a processing unit (15) configured to perform a process based on a neural network calculation model for data based on the image data. At least a part of the converter is arranged on a first side in the second substrate. The processing unit is arranged on a second side opposite to the first side in the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Ryoji Eki
  • Patent number: 11736810
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a charge transfer unit configured to transfer a charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit, a first charge modulation unit to which the charge is transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit by the charge transfer unit, a second charge modulation unit, a charge accumulation unit configured to accumulate a charge overflowing from the photoelectric conversion unit during an accumulation period, a modulation switching unit configured to couple or divide the first charge modulation unit and the second charge modulation unit, and a capacitance connection unit configured to couple or divide the second charge modulation unit and the charge accumulation unit, in which, in a state of the first charge modulation unit alone and a state where the first charge modulation unit and the second charge modulation unit are coupled by the modulation switching unit, the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conve
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yorito Sakano
  • Patent number: 11729532
    Abstract: An image sensing system includes a camera module and an application processor. The camera module includes: an image sensor including a pixel array, the pixel array including color filters having a first pattern, the image sensor being configured to sense light incident on the pixel array to generate a first pattern image signal having the first pattern; a first converter configured to convert the first pattern image signal into a second pattern image signal having a second pattern different from the first pattern; and a second converter configured to convert the second pattern image signal into a third pattern image signal having a third pattern different from the first pattern and the second pattern. The application processor is configured to perform image processing on the third pattern image signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jang Ho Moon, Deok Ha Shin, Je Suk Lee, Hee Geun Park, So Young Jeong
  • Patent number: 11728354
    Abstract: An object is to provide a pixel structure of a display device including a photosensor which prevents changes in an output of the photosensor and a decrease in imaging quality. The display device has a pixel layout structure in which a shielding wire is disposed between an FD and an imaging signal line (a PR line, a TX line, or an SE line) or between the FD and an image-display signal line in order to reduce or eliminate parasitic capacitance between the FD and a signal line for the purpose of suppressing changes in the potential of the FD. An imaging power supply line, image-display power supply line, a GND line, a common line, or the like whose potential is fixed, such as a common potential line, is used as a shielding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Aoki, Yoshiyuki Kurokawa, Takayuki Ikeda, Hikaru Tamura
  • Patent number: 11721054
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods and media for high dynamic range quanta burst imaging are provided. In some embodiments, the system comprises: an image sensor comprising single photon detectors in an array; a processor programmed to: generate a sequence of binary images representing a scene; divide the sequence of binary images into blocks; generate block-sum images from the blocks; determine alignments between the block-sum images and a reference block-sum image; warp the sequence of binary images based on the alignments; generate warped block-sum images using warped binary images; merge the warped block-sum images; display a final image of the scene based on the merged warped block-sum images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Mohit Gupta, Sizhuo Ma
  • Patent number: 11714440
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes first to N-th voltage output circuits each outputting an output voltage and outputs a feedback voltage having a voltage value corresponding to the output voltage, and a differential circuit including first to N-th primary side transistors to which N feedback voltages are input and that individually flow first to N-th currents through a first node, a secondary side transistor that flows a reference current corresponding to a reference voltage through the first node, and a current mirror circuit as an active load. The current mirror circuit includes first to N-th primary side load transistors individually coupled in cascade to the first to N-th primary side transistors, a secondary side load transistor coupled in cascade to the secondary side transistor and generates a voltage at a connection point between the secondary side transistor and the secondary side load transistor as a control voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: LAPIS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Oomori
  • Patent number: 11709231
    Abstract: A Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) system integrated in a vehicle includes a LIDAR transmitter configured to transmit laser beams into a field of view, the field of view having a center of projection, and the LIDAR transmitter including a laser to generate the laser beams transmitted into the field of view. The LIDAR system further includes a LIDAR receiver including at least one photodetector configured to receive a reflected light beam and generate electrical signals based on the reflected light beam. The LIDAR system further includes a controller configured to receive feedback information and modify a center of projection of the field of view in a vertical direction based on the feedback information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Han Wong Yoo, Marcus Edward Hennecke, Georg Schitter, Thomas Thurner
  • Patent number: 11711637
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixel cells arranged in a matrix. In the solid-state imaging device, each of the plurality of pixel cells includes: a photoelectric converter that generates charge by photoelectric conversion, and holds a potential according to an amount of the charge generated; an initializer that initializes the potential of the photoelectric converter; a comparison section that compares the potential of the photoelectric converter and a predetermined reference signal, and causes the initializer to perform initialization when the potential of the photoelectric converter and the predetermined reference signal match; and a counter that counts a total number of times of initialization performed by the initializer, and outputs a signal corresponding to the total number of times as a first signal indicating an intensity of incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: NUVOTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION JAPAN
    Inventors: Yutaka Abe, Hiroshi Fujinaka
  • Patent number: 11706537
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels that is arranged in a matrix and each of which outputs a signal in response to incident light, wherein readout of data can be performed with respect to the plurality of pixels, and simultaneous readout of data of a plurality of columns of pixels can be performed, and at least one pixel of the plurality of columns of pixels to be read simultaneously can be read for phase detection with respect to each of divided sub-pixels. The image sensor is configured to, with n rows as a readout unit where n is an integer of 2 or more, perform readout for at least one sub-pixel of at least one pixel in one readout cycle within the readout unit, perform readout for each pixel including phase detection readout for the other sub-pixel of the at least one pixel in which the at least one sub-pixel has been read in the one readout cycle, in another readout cycle within the readout unit, and end the readout for the readout unit with the n+1 readout cycles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroki Ui, Eiichi Funatsu
  • Patent number: 11706541
    Abstract: A first circuit constituting a plurality of first circuit in a first direction, which stores a signal output from a pixel having a photoelectric conversion unit; a first control unit to which the plurality of first circuits are connected and outputs a first signal for outputting signals stored in the plurality of first circuits; a readout unit that reads out the signal output from the first circuit; a plurality of second circuits that are connected to the first control unit, a plurality of sets of the plurality of second circuits in the first direction; and a second control unit that controls a readout of the signal by the readout unit. The first control unit outputs a second signal to the plurality of second circuits together with the first signal; and the second control unit controls the readout of the signal by the readout unit, based on the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11700463
    Abstract: An image sensor having a shield including, for example, a metal, is above an electrical charge storage element in a pixel region to block light incident toward the electrical charge storage element, thereby making it possible to reduce or prevent reading a charge value including leakage charge introduced to the electrical charge storage element, and thus adversely affecting an image result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: DB HiTek, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Sung Choi, Man-Lyun Ha, Ju-Il Lee
  • Patent number: 11698447
    Abstract: A scanning system includes a scanning structure configured to rotate about at least one first scanning axis; a driver configured to drive the scanning structure about the at least one first scanning axis and detect a position of the scanning structure with respect to the at least one first scanning axis during movement of the scanning structure; a segmented pixel sensor including a plurality of sub-pixel elements arranged in a pixel area; and a controller configured to selectively activate and deactivate the plurality of sub-pixel elements into at least one active cluster and at least one deactivated cluster to form at least one active pixel from the at least one active cluster, receive first position information from the driver indicating the detected position of the scanning structure, and dynamically change a clustering of activated sub-pixel elements and a clustering of deactivated sub-pixel elements based on the first position information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Norbert Druml, Philipp Greiner
  • Patent number: 11698468
    Abstract: A radiation detector having a plurality of pixels is provided. A respective one of the plurality of pixels includes a base substrate; a thin film transistor on the base substrate; an insulating layer on a side of the thin film transistor away from the base substrate; a photosensor on a side of the insulating layer away from the base substrate; a passivation layer on a side of the photosensor away from the base substrate; a scintillation layer on a side of the passivation layer away from the base substrate; and a reflective layer on a side of the scintillation layer away from the base substrate. The photosensor includes a first polarity layer in direct contact with the passivation layer. All sides of the first polarity layer other than a side internal to the photosensor are entirely in direct contact with the passivation layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignees: Beijing BOE Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd., BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jingjie Su, Zhi Ding, Dexi Kong, Xuecheng Hou, Xiangmi Zhan, Guan Zhang, Kunjing Chung, Huinan Xia
  • Patent number: 11695026
    Abstract: A detection device includes a sensor area in which a plurality of detection elements each comprising a photoelectric conversion element are arranged in a detection region, a drive circuit configured to supply a plurality of drive signals to the detection elements, and a detection circuit configured to process a detection signal output from each of the detection elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Japan Display Inc.
    Inventor: Tadayoshi Katsuta
  • Patent number: 11682682
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurent Blanquart
  • Patent number: 11682687
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels consecutively arranged and structured to generate an electrical signal in response to incident light by performing photoelectric conversion of the incident light. The unit pixels are isolated from each other by first device isolation structures. Each of the unit pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element structured to generate photocharges by performing photoelectric conversion of the incident light, a floating diffusion region structured to receive the photocharges, a transfer transistor structured to transfer the photocharges generated by the photoelectric conversion element to the floating diffusion region, and a well tap region structured to apply a bias voltage to a well region. The well tap region is disposed at a center portion of a corresponding unit pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Sun Ho Oh, Sung Kun Park, Kyoung In Lee
  • Patent number: 11678076
    Abstract: An example method includes using a plurality of switches corresponding to a plurality of capacitors to select a first set of capacitors for charging at a first time. Charging the first set of capacitors corresponds to sampling from a first set of adjacent light detectors. The method includes using the plurality of switches to select a second set of capacitors from the plurality of capacitors for discharging at a second time. The method includes using a sampling switch to sample an output of the second set of capacitors as they discharge. The output of the second set of capacitors corresponds to the first set of adjacent light detectors. The method includes determining, based on sampling the output of the second set of capacitors, a collective intensity of light received by the first set of adjacent light detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Waymo LLC
    Inventors: Nirav Dharia, Vlad Cardei
  • Patent number: 11657643
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensing device including a plurality of pixel blocks is provided. The pixel blocks are arranged in an array. Each of the pixel blocks includes a conversion gain. At least two of the conversion gains are different, and the pixel block located in a central location of the array has a minimum conversion gain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Novatek Microelectronics Corp.
    Inventors: Shu-Fang Wang, Dong-Hai Huang
  • Patent number: 11659300
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a pixel array section including a plurality of unit pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit, the plurality of unit pixels being arranged in a matrix, a constant current source circuit unit having a constant current source connected to each of vertical signal lines provided in association with column arrangement of the pixel array section; and a control unit configured to control the constant current source circuit unit. The constant current source includes a plurality of transistors. The control unit switches, in a case where the plurality of transistors constituting the constant current source is regarded as one transistor having a gate width and a gate length being equivalent to each other, a ratio between the gate width and the gate length of the plurality of transistors on the basis of illumination in image-capturing environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hung Luong
  • Patent number: 11653121
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a light receiving circuit configured to convert light into an electrical signal, a readout circuit configured to read out an analog signal corresponding to the electrical signal, a ?? A/D converter configured to convert the analog signal into a digital signal, and a control circuit configured to change a gain of the photoelectric conversion apparatus in accordance with a change of a driving mode of the photoelectric conversion apparatus. The analog signal read out by the readout circuit is an analog current signal. The readout circuit includes a variable resistor on a signal path for supplying the analog current signal to the ?? A/D converter. The control circuit changes the gain of the photoelectric conversion apparatus by changing a resistance value of the variable resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Itano, Kohichi Nakamura, Daisuke Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11653113
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel including a reset circuit and a floating diffusion node, and outputting a pixel signal that is generated based on a voltage at the floating diffusion node, the pixel signal including a reset output that is generated based on the voltage at the floating diffusion node being reset by the reset circuit. The image sensor further includes a sampler sampling the output pixel signal to generate a sampling signal having a time interval corresponding to a magnitude of the output pixel signal, and a counter counting the generated sampling signal, based on a counter clock, to generate a counting value corresponding to the time interval of the sampling signal. The sampler samples the reset output of the output pixel signal n times to generate first to n-th reset sampling signals, where n is an integer of 2 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Moo Young Kim, Hyeok Jong Lee
  • Patent number: 11653122
    Abstract: A solid-state image capturing element includes a pair of first floating diffusion layers arranged in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction and a pair of second floating diffusion layers arranged in the perpendicular direction and adjacent to the pair of first floating diffusion layers in the predetermined direction. The element includes a first connection circuit configured to select at least one of the pair of first floating diffusion layers and to connect the selected first floating diffusion layer to a predetermined first wire; a second connection circuit configured to select at least one of the pair of second floating diffusion layers and to connect the selected second floating diffusion layer to the first wire; and an output circuit configured to output a signal according to an amount of charge of at least one of the pair of first floating diffusion layers or the pair of second floating diffusion layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Hanzawa, Yoshikazu Nitta, Hirotaka Murakami, Kazumasa Nishimura, Pude Mark, Christopher Moule Eric
  • Patent number: 11653083
    Abstract: Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to a sensor module. In some aspects, an image sensor module may include an array of photon sensors configured to output a first set of signals corresponding to a set of photon sensors of the array of photon sensors. The set of photon sensors may include a row of photon sensors, or a column of photon sensors, of the array of photon sensors. The image sensor module may include a plurality of data selector components configured to receive the first set of signals and output a second set of signals corresponding to a subset of the set of photon sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Edwin Chongwoo Park, Ravishankar Sivalingam
  • Patent number: 11647305
    Abstract: Disclosed are a solid-state imaging apparatus, a signal processing method of a solid-state imaging apparatus, and an electronic device, which are capable of correcting uneven sensitivities generated by multiple factors in a broad area and realizing the higher-precision image quality. A correction circuit 710 weight a sensitivity Pi corresponding to a pixel signal of each pixel related to correction in a pixel unit PU that is the correction target and a sensitivity Pi corresponding to a pixel signal of each pixel related to correction in at least one same color pixel unit PU and adjacent to the pixel unit PU that is the correction target by a weighting coefficient Wi. Consequently, the correction coefficient ? is calculated by dividing a sum of the weighted sensitivities by a total number n of pixels related to correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SUPERBVUE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Shunsuke Tanaka, Yuki Nobusa, Noboru Yamamoto, Masaaki Tsuruta
  • Patent number: 11647304
    Abstract: Some image sensors include pixels with capacitors. The capacitor may be used to store charge in the imaging pixel before readout. The capacitor may be a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor that is susceptible to dielectric relaxation. Dielectric relaxation may cause lag in the signal on the capacitor that impacts the signal on the capacitor during sampling. The image sensor may include dielectric relaxation correction circuitry that leverages the linear relationship between voltage stress and lag signal to correct for dielectric relaxation. The image sensor may include shielded pixels that operate with a similar timing scheme as the imaging pixels in the active array. Measured lag signals from the shielded pixels may be used to correct imaging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Denver Lloyd, Manuel H. Innocent
  • Patent number: 11641519
    Abstract: A focus detection device includes: an imaging unit having a first and second pixel each of which receives light transmitted through an optical system and outputs signal used for focus detection, and a third pixel which receives light transmitted through the optical system and outputs signal used for image generation; an input unit to which information regarding the optical system is input; a selection unit that selects one of the first and second pixel based on the information to the input unit; a readout unit that reads out the signal from one of the first and second pixel based on a selection result at a timing different from reading out the signal from the third pixel to be read out; and a focus detection unit that performs the focus detection based on at least one of the signals of the first and second pixel read out by the readout unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sinsuke Sambongi, Akira Kinoshita, Yuki Kita
  • Patent number: 11641530
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising: a plurality of effective pixels and a plurality of light shielded pixels which are arranged respectively in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; and a signal processing circuit, wherein in a period during which pixel signals are output from first light shielded pixels which are first-row light shielded pixels to a first vertical output line, pixel signals are output from second light shielded pixels which are second-row light shielded pixels to a second vertical output line, and the signal processing circuit corrects effective pixel signals output from the effective pixels by using a correction signal obtained by performing filtering processing on pixel signals from the first light shielded pixels and on the pixel signals from the second light shielded pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hotaka Kusano, Kazuo Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 11641529
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging element that can reduce noise. The imaging element includes: a photoelectric conversion element; a first amplification element that amplifies a signal from the photoelectric conversion element; a second amplification element that amplifies an output from the first amplification element; an offset element provided between the first amplification element and the second amplification element; a first reset element that resets the first amplification element; and a second reset element that resets the second amplification element. The offset element is a capacitor. A charge is accumulated in the offset element via a feedback loop of an output from the second amplification element, and an offset bias is generated. The present technology can be applied to an imaging element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nishihara, Tomohiro Takahashi, Masao Matsumura, Tsutomu Imoto
  • Patent number: 11641527
    Abstract: An image sensor having a shield including, for example, a metal, is above an electrical charge storage element in a pixel region to block light incident toward the electrical charge storage element, thereby making it possible to reduce or prevent reading a charge value including leakage charge introduced to the electrical charge storage element, and thus adversely affecting an image result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: DB HiTek, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woo-Sung Choi, Man-Lyun Ha, Ju-Il Lee
  • Patent number: 11638517
    Abstract: A method of imaging tissue of a subject using an electronic rolling shutter imager includes sequentially resetting rows of pixels of the rolling shutter imager from a first row to a last row, sequentially reading charge accumulated at the rows of pixels from the first row to the last row, wherein the first row is read after resetting the last row, illuminating the tissue of the subject with illumination light for an illumination period that lasts longer than a vertical blanking period, wherein the vertical blanking period is the period from the resetting of the last row to the reading of the first row, and generating an image frame from the readings of charge accumulated at the rows of pixels, wherein at least one reading of charge accumulated at a row of pixels is removed or replaced to generate the image frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: William Huei Liang Chang, Bryan Larson, John Shen, Benjamin Feingold, Ajay Ramesh
  • Patent number: 11635531
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring photon information and a photon measurement device are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: ZHONGPAI S&T (SHENZHEN) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Zhixiang Zhao, Siwei Xie, Jingwu Yang, Rendong Zhang, Zheng Gong, Qiyu Peng
  • Patent number: 11637976
    Abstract: An imaging device including: a first photoelectric converter that generates a first signal by photoelectric conversion; a first transistor having a gate configured to be electrically coupled to the first photoelectric converter; a second photoelectric converter that generates a second signal by photoelectric conversion; a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being configured to be electrically coupled to second photoelectric converter, a first potential being applied to the second terminal; and a switch element provided between the gate of the first transistor and the first terminal of the capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuko Nishimura, Tokuhiko Tamaki, Masashi Murakami
  • Patent number: 11632513
    Abstract: It makes it easier to reduce the line capacitance of vertical signal lines in a solid-state image sensor in which signals are output via the vertical signal lines. The solid-state image sensor is provided with a logic circuit, a pixel circuit, and a negative capacitance circuit. In the solid-state image sensor, the logic circuit processes an analog signal. Also, in the solid-state image sensor, the pixel circuit generates an analog signal by photoelectric conversion, and outputs the analog signal to the logic circuit via a predetermined signal line. In the solid-state image sensor, the negative capacitance circuit is connected to the predetermined signal line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Yosuke Ueno, Golan Zeituni, Noam Eshel, Yusuke Ikeda, Kiyoshi Makigawa
  • Patent number: 11627265
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array, a row driver, a detector, an analog-to-digital converter and a controller. The pixel array includes a pixel area including a pixel and a dummy area including a monitoring circuit. The dummy area is disposed on a same substrate as the pixel area. The dummy area is disposed adjacent to the pixel area. The row driver is configured to output a driving signal to the pixel and the monitoring circuit. The detector is configured to receive a monitoring signal from the monitoring circuit. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to receive an analog signal corresponding to an incident light from the pixel and to convert the analog signal to a digital signal. The controller is configured to control the row driver and the analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hoyong Na, Shinyeol Choi, Kyuik Cho
  • Patent number: 11627268
    Abstract: To further capture an image in a solid-state image sensor that detects an address event. The solid-state image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion element, a charge accumulation unit, a transfer transistor, a detection unit, and a connection transistor. The photoelectric conversion element generates a charge by photoelectric conversion. The charge accumulation unit accumulates the charge and generates a voltage according to an amount of the charge. The transfer transistor transfers the charge from the photoelectric conversion element to the charge accumulation unit. The detection unit detects whether or not a change amount of a photocurrent according to the amount of the charge exceeds a predetermined threshold. The connection transistor connects the charge accumulation unit and the detection unit to cause the photocurrent to flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hongbo Zhu
  • Patent number: 11627260
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an anti-flashlight circuit assembly and an image sensor. The anti-flashlight circuit assembly includes a plurality of flashlight detection units. Each flashlight detection unit includes: a first photoelectric detection module configured to monitor an optical signal in real time and output a corresponding electric signal; a first triggering generation module configured to generate a first triggering generation signal when the electric signal exceeds a predetermined threshold, and output the first triggering generation signal to a first interface logic module; and the first interface logic module configured to output a triggering state signal upon the receipt of the first triggering generation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: OMNIVISION SENSOR SOLUTION (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shoushun Chen, Menghan Guo
  • Patent number: 11626431
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprises a first semiconductor region of a first conductivity type arranged between a first surface and a second surface, a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type arranged between the first surface and the second surface and configured to accumulate a signal charge generated by incident light, a third semiconductor region of the first conductivity type arranged between the first surface and the second surface, a fourth semiconductor region of the first conductivity type arranged between the first surface and the second surface and in contact with the third semiconductor region, a first transfer electrode arranged on the first surface, a semiconductor region of the second conductivity type arranged between the third semiconductor region and the second surface, and a semiconductor region of the second conductivity type arranged between the fourth semiconductor region and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mahito Shinohara, Hiroshi Sekine
  • Patent number: 11616934
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array with pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction, intersecting the first direction. Each of the pixels includes a photodiode, a pixel circuit below the photodiode, and a color filter on or above the photodiode. A logic circuit acquires a pixel signal from the pixels through a plurality of column lines extending in the second direction. The pixels include color pixels and white pixels, the number of white pixels being greater than the number of color pixels. The pixel circuit includes a floating diffusion in which charges of the photodiode are accumulated and transistors outputting a voltage corresponding to amounts of charges in the floating diffusion. Each of the color pixels shares the floating diffusion with at least one neighboring white pixel, adjacent thereto in the second direction, among the white pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junghyung Pyo, Kyungho Lee
  • Patent number: 11611813
    Abstract: A method of removing fixed pattern noise, comprising: S01: performing a single-frame segmented exposure on a pixel array; S02: reading a of the pixel array, comprising: S021: performing a soft reset, so as to set the reset signal of the pixel unit to an intermediate voltage, and reading a differential reset signal; S022: performing a hard reset so as to set the reset signal of the pixel unit to a high voltage; S023: turning on a transmission MOS transistor to enable an exposure signal of to photodiode to transmitted to the floating diffusion area, and reading a differential pixel transmission signal; S03: subtracting the differential reset signal from the differential pixel transmission signal to obtain an exposure signal with fixed pattern noise removed. Another method is removing fixed pattern noise and an image sensor are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: SHANGHAI IC R&D CENTER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Xi Zeng, Pu Zhou, Huijie Yan, Ying Luo, Xuehong He, Yuan Zhang, Hailing Yang, Xiameng Lian
  • Patent number: 11610931
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit having a plurality of pixels, the pixels each having: a conversion element converting incident light into photoelectrons; a floating diffusion layer electrically connected to the conversion element and converting the photoelectrons into a voltage signal; a differential amplifier circuit electrically connected to the floating diffusion layer, including an amplifier transistor to which a potential of the floating diffusion layer is input, and amplifying the potential of the floating diffusion layer; a feedback transistor electrically connected to the amplifier transistor and initializing the differential amplifier circuit; a clamp capacitance connected in series between the floating diffusion layer and the amplifier transistor; and a reset transistor connected in parallel between the floating diffusion layer and the clamp capacitance and initializing the potential of the floating diffusion layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 11606071
    Abstract: To provide a semiconductor device that makes it possible to reduce a cell circuit area and an increase in resolution. There is provided a semiconductor device including: a first region in which readout cells are arranged in an array form, the readout cells having one of input transistors included in a differential amplifier: and a second region in which reference cells are arranged in an array form, the reference cells having another input transistor included in the differential amplifier, the first region and the second region being separated from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Yuri Kato
  • Patent number: 11595597
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixel blocks each including a plurality of unit image sensing pixels arranged in the pixel array and structured to convert light into photocharges. Each of the unit pixel blocks includes a first sub-pixel block including a first floating diffusion region structured to hold the photocharges and a plurality of unit image sensing pixels sharing the first floating diffusion region, and a conversion gain capacitor arranged adjacent to one side of the first sub-pixel block. The conversion gain capacitor includes an impurity region coupled to an input node that receives a conversion gain signal, and a gate structured to surround the impurity region and coupled to the first floating diffusion region to change a gain of the first floating diffusion region in response to a change in the conversion gain signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Bo Kwang Hwang
  • Patent number: 11588970
    Abstract: An optical camera system includes a first lens driving mechanism, a second lens driving mechanism, and a casing. The first lens driving mechanism includes a first outer frame and a first driving assembly. The first driving assembly is configured to drive a first optical component to move relative to the first outer frame. The second lens driving mechanism includes a second outer frame and a second driving assembly. The second driving assembly is configured to drive a second optical component to move relative to the second outer frame. The casing has at least three side walls perpendicular to each other, at least two side walls of the first outer frame face two side walls of the casing, and at least two side walls of the second outer frame face two side walls of the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TDK TAIWAN CORP.
    Inventor: Sin-Jhong Song
  • Patent number: 11588988
    Abstract: The binning method of an image sensor includes reading out a plurality of pixel signals from at least two rows of each of a plurality of areas of a pixel array at a time, each of the plurality of areas including a plurality of pixels arranged in a 2n×2n matrix, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2; generating first image data by performing analog-to-digital conversion on the plurality of pixel signals; generating, based on the first image data, a first summation value of each of a plurality of binning areas based on two pixel values corresponding to a same color in each of the plurality of binning areas, the plurality of binning areas corresponding to the plurality of areas of the pixel array; and generating a second summation value of each of two binning areas based on two first summation values corresponding to a same color in the two binning areas, the two binning areas being adjacent to each other in a column direction among the plurality of binning areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Chanyoung Jang, Hee Kang, Wooseok Choi
  • Patent number: 11587485
    Abstract: A display panel and a display device are provided. The display panel has a display area and a non-display area. The display panel includes pixels arranged in H columns and H*x data lines arranged in the display area and DEMUX circuits arranged in the non-display area. Each pixel includes x sub-pixels, and the data line is electrically connected to the sub-pixel. Each DEMUX circuit includes signal output terminals electrically connected to the data lines. The DEMUX circuits include M first DEMUX circuits and N second DEMUX circuits. Each first DEMUX circuit includes a first signal input terminal and al first signal output terminals. Each second DEMUX circuit includes a second signal input terminal and b1 second signal output terminals. H*x=M*a1+N*b1, where H, x, M, N, a1, and b1 are positive integers, M>N, a1>2, b1?2, a1>b1, and (M+N) is an even number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignees: WUHAN TIANMA MICRO-ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., WUHAN TIANMA MICROELECTRONICS CO., LTD. SHANGHAI BRANCH
    Inventors: Yana Gao, Xingyao Zhou, Yue Li, Xinzhao Liu
  • Patent number: 11582417
    Abstract: A distributed, parallel, image capture and processing architecture provides significant advantages over prior art systems. A very large array of computational circuits—in some embodiments, matching the size of the pixel array—is distributed around, within, or beneath the pixel array of an image sensor. Each computational circuit is dedicated to, and in some embodiments is physically proximal to, one, two, or more associated pixels. Each computational circuit is operative to perform computations on one, two, or more pixel values generated by its associated pixels. The computational circuits all perform the same operation(s), in parallel. In this manner, a very large number of pixel-level operations are performed in parallel, physically and electrically near the pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries Lighting LLC
    Inventors: John Roberts, Robert Bowser