Using Electrically Scanned Solid-state Devices (epo) Patents (Class 348/E5.091)
  • Patent number: 11962750
    Abstract: A display system suitable for use inside an MRI system bore to display images to a patient undergoing an MRI procedure. The display system includes a curved display structure fitted inside the MRI bore, and having a width and length sufficient to present images to the patient inside the tunnel. First and second EMI shielding layers sandwich the curved display structure. A display electronics module is electrically connected to the curved display structure to provide video drive signals to the curved display structure. A housing for the display electronics module is configured to provide shielding to prevent EM signals from within the housing to affect MRI image processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Resonance Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mokhtar Ziarati, Parisa Ziarati
  • Patent number: 11930160
    Abstract: A polarization imaging unit 20 acquires a polarized image including polarization pixels with a plurality of polarization directions. An information compression unit 40 sets reference image information based on polarized image information of reference polarization pixels with at least a plurality of polarization directions in the polarized image and generates difference information between the polarized image information of each of polarization pixels different from the reference polarization pixels in the polarized image and the reference image information. In addition, the information compression unit 40 reduces the amount of information of the difference information generated for each of the polarization pixels with the plurality of polarization directions to generate compressed image information including the reference image information and the difference information with the reduced amount of information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuhi Kondo, Yasutaka Hirasawa, Takefumi Nagumo, Toshinori Ihara, Teppei Kurita, Legong Sun
  • Patent number: 11927700
    Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for improving signal-to-noise ratio in single-photon data are provided. In some embodiments, a system comprises: a processor programmed to: generate, for each of a plurality of pixel locations, initial photon flux estimates based on a first set of photon transients including photon transients associated with the pixel location and neighboring pixel locations, each of the photon transients comprises a histogram of photon counts; identify, for a scene patch associated with each of the plurality of pixel locations, one or more similar scene patches using intensity information for each of the plurality of pixel locations; and generate, for each of the plurality of pixel locations, final photon flux estimates based on a second set of photon transients including photon transients associated with the scene patch and each of the one or more similar scene patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Jongho Lee, Mohit Gupta
  • Patent number: 11923389
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes photoelectric conversion elements structured to convert light into electrical signals, and a color filter layer structured to filter incident light towards the photoelectric conversion elements depending on a wavelength range of the incident light corresponding to colors of the incident light to allow the filtered light to be detected by the photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to the colors of the incident light. The color filter layer includes a plurality of first color filters as part of the different filters and structured to allow light at a wavelength range corresponding to a first color and arranged adjacent to each other. A distance between at least one of the first color filters and a corresponding photoelectric conversion element formed below the at least one of the first color filters is different from a distance between the remaining first color filters and corresponding photoelectric conversion elements, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Sung Wook Cho
  • Patent number: 11863885
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a time delay integration (TDI) sensor using a rolling shutter. The TDI sensor includes two pixel arrays each having multiple pixel columns. Each pixel column includes multiple pixels arranged in an along-track direction, wherein two adjacent pixels or two adjacent pixel groups in every pixel column have a separation space therebetween. The separation space is equal to a pixel height multiplied by a time ratio of a line time difference of the rolling shutter and a frame period, or equal to a summation of at least one pixel height and a multiplication of the pixel height by a time ratio of the line time difference and the frame period. The TDI sensor doubles a number of times of integrating pixel data corresponding to the same position of a scene by arranging two separately operated pixel arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Ren-Chieh Liu, Chao-Chi Lee
  • Patent number: 11817468
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a pixel array including a (2×2) array that includes two first pixels, a second pixel, and a third pixel, wherein the first to third pixels have a pixel area and include first to third optical filters that are configured to transmit light of different colors, respectively, and wherein the second pixel or the third pixel includes a grid structure located along a boundary of the second pixel or the third pixel, and wherein the first pixel includes a red optical filter and has a first light reception area that is greater than a second light reception area of the second pixel or a third light reception area of the third pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventors: Kyoung In Lee, Hoon Sang Oh, Sung Joo Hong
  • Patent number: 11792544
    Abstract: A pixel addition processing unit 35 adds pupil division pixel signals with a plurality of different addition patterns in pupil units to generate a pixel addition image for each addition pattern. Further, the pixel addition processing unit 35 may use a pupil division pixel signal in which a sensitivity difference between pupil division pixels has been corrected, and the addition pattern may be set on the basis of image characteristic information calculated by using the pupil division pixel signal. A super-resolution processing unit 36 performs super-resolution processing using a pixel addition image signal generated for each addition pattern by the pixel addition processing unit 35 to generate an image signal with a higher resolution than that of the pixel addition image signal. A high-resolution image can be generated using pupil division.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: SONY GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masatoshi Yokokawa, Hideyuki Ichihashi, Tomohiro Nishi, Yiwen Zhu
  • Patent number: 11785357
    Abstract: An image sensing device is provided to comprise: a pixel array of pixels that are operable to sense light to produce pixel signals and are operable to operate in one of a plurality of modes in sensing of light, wherein a first pixel of the pixel array is controlled to operate in a mode selected from the plurality of modes and configured to output a pixel signal in response to light incident onto the first pixel; and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the pixel array to receive the pixel signal from the first pixel and configured to set, based on the mode selected for the first pixel in generating the pixel signal, an input range indicating a voltage range of the pixel signal and perform an analog to digital conversion of the pixel signal generated by the first pixel to produce pixel data representing the pixel signal based on the input range of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: SK HYNIX INC.
    Inventor: Dong Ho Ha
  • Patent number: 11736827
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a first substrate structured to support a pixel array that includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction and configured to detect incident light to produce pixel signals carrying image information in the incident light; a second substrate structured to support one or more circuits for operation of the image sensing device including receiving a pixel signal from the plurality of unit pixels; and a shielding layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the shielding layer includes shielding driver circuitry and conductive lines coupled to the shielding driver circuitry to receive electrical currents which produce electromagnetic fields to offset electromagnetic fields induced by currents in the one or more circuits supported by the second substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Soon Yeol Park
  • Patent number: 11710756
    Abstract: A direct-bond hybridization (DBH) method is provided to assemble a sensor wafer device. The DBH method includes fabricating an optical element on a handle wafer and depositing first oxide with n-x thickness on the optical element where n is an expected final oxide thickness of the sensor wafer, depositing second oxide with x thickness onto a sensor wafer, executing layer transfer of the optical element by a DBH fusion bond technique to the sensor wafer whereby the first and second oxides form an oxide layer of n thickness between the optical element and the sensor wafer and removing the handle wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON COMPANY
    Inventors: Jamal I. Mustafa, Robert C. Anderson, John L. Vampola, Sean P. Kilcoyne, Eric R. Miller, George Grama
  • Patent number: 11711624
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel defining pattern in a mesh form. A first division pattern divides a pixel area into two halves. A second division pattern divides the pixel area into two halves. A first diagonal division pattern divides the pixel area into two halves. A second diagonal division pattern divides the pixel area into two halves. First through eighth photodiodes are arranged in the pixel area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyoung Hwan Moon, Ji Hoon Kim, Young Jun Lee
  • Patent number: 11595606
    Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel array having pixels arranged to form rows and columns and column signal lines configured to output noise signals and optical signals of the pixels, a driver configured to drive the pixels so that the optical signal is output following the noise signal from each pixel, A/D converters configured to perform A/D conversion to convert the noise signals output to the column signal lines into noise data and to subsequently perform A/D conversion to covert the optical signals output to the column signal lines into optical data, a data hold circuit, and a transmitter configured to transmit the noise data converted by the A/D converters to the data hold circuit and to subsequently transmit the optical data converted by the A/D converters to the data hold circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Noriyuki Shikina, Yoshiko Shigiya, Shintaro Takenaka
  • Patent number: 11581347
    Abstract: An image sensor and a method of manufacturing thereof are provided. The image sensor includes a substrate, a grid structure, and color filters. The substrate includes a pixel separation structure defining pixel regions, and a sub-pixel regions for each pixel region. The grid structure is disposed on the substrate and includes first fence segments provided between the sub-pixel regions, and second fence segments provided between neighboring pixel regions. The grid structure defines openings corresponding respectively to the sub-pixel regions. The color filters are disposed in the openings defined by the grid structure. Each of the color filters has a flat top surface and the flat top surface of each color filter is parallel to a bottom surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hongki Kim, Donghyun Kim, Minkwan Kim, Minkyung Kim, Minho Jang, In Sung Joe
  • Patent number: 11570382
    Abstract: An image sensor bridge interface is provided. The interface is situated between an image sensor and a processor. The interface comprises an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit comprises a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) decoupled from both image signals provided from the image sensor and a processor connected to the integrated circuit. The FPGA separates Ultraviolet (UV) and Infrared (IR) data values from image sensor-provided image data and embeds the UV and IR data values within the horizontal blanking, vertical blanking, and/or active video components of a video feed. The video feed provided from the integrated circuit to the processor using a standard video interface, and the processor providing the video feed or providing UV images, IR images, and Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) images separated from the video feed to a computing core of a host device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Jifei Yan
  • Patent number: 11563042
    Abstract: An image sensor for electronic cameras has a plurality of pixels for generating exposure-dependent signals, wherein a respective pixel at least comprises: a light-sensitive element to generate electrical charge from incident light; a readout node; a transfer gate to selectively couple the light-sensitive element to the readout node; a converter transistor to convert the charge present at the readout node into a voltage signal at a signal output; and a selection switch that is connected to the signal output of the converter transistor to selectively couple the signal output of the converter transistor to an associated readout line of the image sensor. The respective pixel has an electrically conductive shielding structure that at least partly surrounds the readout node and that is set or can be set to an electrical potential that depends on the voltage signal of the converter transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: ARNOLD & RICHTER CINE TECHNIK GMBH & CO. BETRIEBS KG
    Inventor: Michael Cieslinski
  • Patent number: 11557617
    Abstract: An image sensing device is disclosed. The image sensing device includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels, each of which is configured to generate a pixel signal in response to incident light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Min Su Cho
  • Patent number: 11532657
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels configured to receive an optical signal incident through a first lens portion; a planarization layer that has a same refractive index as a refractive index of the first lens portion; a second lens portion that is configured to classify the optical signal incident through the first lens portion according to an incidence angle, and is configured to deliver the optical signal to each of the plurality of pixels; and image processing circuitry configured to generate a subject image by combining one or more subimages obtained from the optical signal, wherein the planarization layer is arranged between the second lens portion and the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daekwan Kim, Yohwan Noh, Chaesung Kim, Keunyung Byun
  • Patent number: 11516418
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a photoelectric transducer, a transfer transistor, a floating diffusion, a reset transistor, an amplifier transistor, and a selection transistor. The reset transistor includes a gate insulating film formed thinner than the gate insulating film of the transfer transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Takeshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 11435227
    Abstract: A combination sensor may include a first infrared light sensor and a second infrared light sensor. The first infrared light sensor may be configured to sense light in a first wavelength within an infrared wavelength spectrum. The second infrared light sensor may be configured to sense light in a second wavelength that is different from the first wavelength within the infrared wavelength spectrum. The first infrared light sensor and the second infrared light sensor may be stacked in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Seok Leem, Gae Hwang Lee, Yong Wan Jin, Tae Yon Lee
  • Patent number: 11418207
    Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) device equipped with a conversion suspension function and an associated operation method thereof are provided. The ADC device includes: an interleaved clock controller, arranged to generate a first clock signal and a second clock signal according to a master clock signal; and a multi-ADC circuit, coupled to the interleaved clock controller, arranged to perform analog-to-digital conversion. The multi-ADC circuit includes a first ADC and a second ADC, wherein the first ADC performs sampling and conversion operations according to the first clock signal, and the second ADC performs sampling and conversion operations according to the second clock signal. Based on the timing control of the first clock signal and the second clock signal, when any ADC of the first ADC and the second ADC is performing a sampling operation, the other ADC of the first ADC and the second ADC suspends conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: Artery Technology Co., Ltd., FARADAY TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhengxiang Wang, Feng Xu, Wei-Tai Tsai, Chiao-Wen Lo
  • Patent number: 11343453
    Abstract: Disclosed is a time delayed integration (TDI) image sensor capable of exposure control, including a pixel area including a plurality of line sensors, a light mask configured to block the incidence of light on part of the line sensors, and a scan controller configured to generate a line control signal and an exposure control signal based on the line trigger signal and to control movement of charges in the plurality of line sensors based on the generated line control signal and exposure control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: VIEWORKS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Ho Kim, Young Young Sim
  • Patent number: 10205896
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein process light-field image data so as to mitigate lens flare effects. A light-field image may be captured with a light-field image capture device with a microlens array and received in a data store. A plurality of flare-affected pixels may be identified in the light-field image. The flare-affected pixels may have flare-affected pixel values. Flare-corrected pixel values may be generated for the flare-affected pixels. Relative to the flare-affected pixel values, the flare-corrected pixel values may at least partially remove the lens flare effects. The flare-corrected pixel values may be used to generate a corrected light-field image in which the lens flare effects are at least partially corrected. The corrected light-field image may be displayed on a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Jiangtao Kuang, Chia-Kai Liang
  • Patent number: 9979909
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein process light-field image data so as to mitigate lens flare effects. A light-field image may be captured with a light-field image capture device with a microlens array and received in a data store. A plurality of flare-affected pixels may be identified in the light-field image. The flare-affected pixels may have flare-affected pixel values. Flare-corrected pixel values may be generated for the flare-affected pixels. Relative to the flare-affected pixel values, the flare-corrected pixel values may at least partially remove the lens flare effects. The flare-corrected pixel values may be used to generate a corrected light-field image in which the lens flare effects are at least partially corrected. The corrected light-field image may be displayed on a display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Lytro, Inc.
    Inventors: Jiangtao Kuang, Chia-Kai Liang
  • Patent number: 9866775
    Abstract: A digital double sampling method, a related complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and a digital camera comprising the CMOS image sensor are disclosed. The method includes generating first digital data corresponding to an initial voltage level apparent in a pixel in response to a reset signal, inverting the first digital data, outputting a detection voltage corresponding to image data received from outside of the CMOS image sensor, and counting in synchronization with a clock signal, starting from an initial value equal to the inverted first digital data, and for an amount of time responsive to a voltage level of the detection voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Myung Lee, Gun-Hee Han, Seog-Heon Ham
  • Patent number: 9538105
    Abstract: A digital double sampling method, a related complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, and a digital camera comprising the CMOS image sensor are disclosed. The method includes generating first digital data corresponding to an initial voltage level apparent in a pixel in response to a reset signal, inverting the first digital data, outputting a detection voltage corresponding to image data received from outside of the CMOS image sensor, and counting in synchronization with a clock signal, starting from an initial value equal to the inverted first digital data, and for an amount of time responsive to a voltage level of the detection voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Myung Lee, Gun-Hee Han, Seog-Heon Ham
  • Patent number: 9288429
    Abstract: A imaging apparatus controls a lighting unit such that when the first recording medium is selected, the lighting unit is turned into a state different from a predetermined state in a state where recording into the first recording medium is stopped while recording into the second recording medium, and turned into the predetermined state in accordance with a recording start instruction of the first recording medium during recording into the second recording medium, and when the second recording medium is selected, the lighting unit is turned into the state different from the predetermined state in a state where recording into the second recording medium is stopped while recording into the first recording medium, and turned into the predetermined state in accordance with the recording start instruction of the second recording medium during recording into the first recording medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Noboru Omori
  • Patent number: 9036211
    Abstract: A light emitting apparatus including: a plurality of light emitting elements; a drive circuit including a transistor and a capacitor having one end connected to a gate of the transistor; and a signal supply circuit for receiving a digital gradation signal and outputting an analog voltage signal to the drive circuit, including a computation circuit configured to correct the input digital gradation signal to generate a corrected digital gradation signal, in which the drive circuit is configured to conduct an auto-zero operation which reduce the gate-source voltage of the transistor to a threshold voltage by flowing the drain current to the capacitor, and the computation circuit is configured to generate the corrected digital gradation signal by multiplying a correction coefficient to the input digital gradation signal subtracted by a particular signal common to the plurality of light emitting elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takanori Yamashita, Masami Iseki, Kouji Ikeda, Shuhei Takahashi
  • Patent number: 9019341
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for obtaining a composite image, which performs a mathematically correct image-processing on images obtained by wide-angle lenses which are rotationally symmetrical with regard to an optical axis, to achieve a desirable projection system. The present invention also provides a variety of imaging systems using the method. Further, the present invention provides a CMOS image sensor which has an accurate arrangement of pixels to perform image processing using hardware without the need for image processing by software.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Gyeongil Kweon
  • Patent number: 8872938
    Abstract: A sense amplifier having a negative capacitance circuit receives differential input signals via a pair of data lines, and senses and amplifies a voltage difference between differential output signals corresponding to the differential input signals as loaded by the negative capacitance circuit using a differential-to-single-ended amplifier to generate a corresponding data output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwi Sung Yoo, Min Ho Kwon, Wun-Ki Jung, Jin Ho Seo, Dong Hun Lee, Won Ho Choi, Jae Hong Kim
  • Patent number: 8803716
    Abstract: A chip with a built-in self-test (BIST) component capable of testing the linearity of an ADC is described herein. The BIST component uses hardware registers to facilitate a sliding histogram technique to save space on the chip. A subset of detected digital codes are analyzed, and DNL and INL calculations are performed by a controller to determine whether any of the digital codes in the subset exceed maximum or minimum DNL and INL thresholds. New digital codes being detected by the ADC are added to the subset as lower-value digital codes are pushed out of the subset, maintaining the same number of digital codes being analyzed as the subset moves from lower codes detected during lower voltages to higher codes detected at higher voltages. A synchronizer and pointer ensure that the subset moves through the digital codes at the same rate as the analog input ramp source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics International N.V.
    Inventors: Ravindranath Ramalingaiah Munnan, Raghu Ravindran, Ravi Shekhar
  • Patent number: 8796606
    Abstract: An image sensing device includes a first circuit unit configured to convert an image signal provided from a first pixel into a digital value and generate first image data, a second circuit unit configured to convert an image signal provided from a second pixel into a digital value and generate second image data, and a processing unit configured to receive the first image data and the second image data at a substantially same time and sequentially output the first image data and the second image data according to a predetermined speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Young Chul Sohn
  • Patent number: 8593327
    Abstract: In an A/D conversion circuit and an imaging device, an upper counter acquires a first upper count value by performing counting using one output signal, which constitutes a first lower phase signal output from a delay circuit, as a count clock. After values of bits constituting the first upper count value are inverted, the upper counter acquires a second upper count value by performing counting using one output signal, which constitutes a second lower phase signal output from the delay circuit, as a count clock, and further performing counting based on an upper count clock output from a lower counter. A modification unit modifies a logic state of a count clock to a predetermined state when the count clock of the upper counter is switched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Hagihara
  • Patent number: 8497921
    Abstract: When a conventional circuit is used in an image sensor which employs a pixel sharing technique, selection of pixels is not properly performed, that is, an invalid operation may be performed. To address this problem, a first storage unit which stores an address of a reading row, a second storage unit which stores an address of a shutter row, and a third storage unit for controlling an element shared by a plurality of pixels are provided in a row selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shintaro Takenaka, Kazuhiro Sonoda
  • Patent number: 8384814
    Abstract: A CMOS imager is integrated on a single substrate along with logic and support circuitry for decoding and processing optical information received by the CMOS imager. Integrating a CMOS imager and peripheral circuitry allows for a single chip image sensing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Christophe J. Chevallier
  • Patent number: 8222709
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array area in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form, a supply voltage control means for supplying plural first control voltages sequentially to a control electrode of the transfer gate, and a driving means for performing driving of reading out signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural first control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Oike, Atsushi Toda
  • Patent number: 8218043
    Abstract: The prevent invention is to provide a solid-state imaging device having a electrode configuration applicable to a progressive scan, and able to reduce a obstruction of incident light at the periphery of a light receiving portion, a method of producing the same, a camera including the same. A first transfer electrode, a second transfer electrode, and a third transfer electrode which have a single layer transfer electrode configuration are repeatedly arranged in a vertical direction. The first transfer electrodes are connected in a horizontal direction by an inter-pixel interconnection formed in the same layer. Shunt interconnections are formed in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction above the transfer layers. The shunt interconnection connected to the second transfer interconnection is formed on the inter-pixel interconnection. The shunt interconnection connected to the third transfer electrode is formed above the transfer electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Hideo Kanbe
  • Patent number: 8093093
    Abstract: A semiconductor imaging instrument is disclosed, including a prescribed substrate, an imaging device array provided on the substrate and having plural semiconductor imaging devices and electrodes for outputting a signal charge upon photoelectric conversion of received light, and a color filter layer provided on the imaging device array, with an infrared light absorbing dye being contained in the color filter layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshinori Uchida
  • Patent number: 7521692
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus comprises a TDI sensor 64 and a feed-through device 50. The feed-through device has a socket contact 54 for interconnecting a pin 52 attached to a flanged 51 for separating different environments and the other pin 53 making a pair with the pin 52, in which the pin 52, the other pin 53 and the socket contact 54 together construct a connecting block, and the socket contact 54 has an elastic member 61. Accordingly, even if a large number of connecting blocks are provided, the connecting force may be kept to such a low level as to prevent the breakage in the sensor. The pin 53 is connected with the TDI sensor 64, in which a pixel array has been adaptively configured based on the optical characteristic of an image projecting optical system. That sensor has a number of integration stages that can reduce the field of view of the image projecting optical system to as small as possible so that a maximal acceptable distortion within the field of view may be set larger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Ebara Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiro Hatakeyama, Tohru Satake, Takeshi Murakami, Kenji Watanabe, Nobuharu Noji