Patents by Inventor Christopher Silsby
Christopher Silsby has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10014333Abstract: An imaging pixel may be provided with an upper substrate layer, a lower substrate layer, a floating diffusion region in the upper substrate layer, and a photodiode in the upper substrate layer that is coupled to the floating diffusion region. The imaging pixel may also include a source follower transistor in the lower substrate layer and an interconnect layer in between the upper substrate layer and the lower substrate layer. The interconnect layer may couple the floating diffusion region directly to the source follower transistor. The imaging pixel may include a reset transistor in the upper substrate layer. The imaging pixel may include a metal layer in the lower substrate layer, a transfer transistor in the upper substrate layer, and an interconnect layer that couples the transfer transistor to the metal layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2015Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Sergey Velichko, Christopher Silsby
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Patent number: 9711551Abstract: An imaging pixel may include an upper substrate layer with a photosensitive layer and a lower substrate with a photosensitive layer. A color filter layer may be formed over the upper substrate layer. The color filter layer may include a color filter window that allows light to pass through the upper substrate layer to the photosensitive layer in the lower substrate. The color filter window may be formed from a dielectric material or from a color filter element with a different color than the surrounding color filter element. A metal interconnect layer may couple the lower substrate layer to the upper substrate layer. The color filter window may be formed in the central portion of a pixel, or between multiple pixels in an image sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2016Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Christopher Silsby
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Publication number: 20170133420Abstract: An imaging pixel may include an upper substrate layer with a photosensitive layer and a lower substrate with a photosensitive layer. A color filter layer may be formed over the upper substrate layer. The color filter layer may include a color filter window that allows light to pass through the upper substrate layer to the photosensitive layer in the lower substrate. The color filter window may be formed from a dielectric material or from a color filter element with a different color than the surrounding color filter element. A metal interconnect layer may couple the lower substrate layer to the upper substrate layer. The color filter window may be formed in the central portion of a pixel, or between multiple pixels in an image sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2016Publication date: May 11, 2017Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventor: Christopher SILSBY
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Publication number: 20170062501Abstract: An imaging pixel may be provided with an upper substrate layer, a lower substrate layer, a floating diffusion region in the upper substrate layer, and a photodiode in the upper substrate layer that is coupled to the floating diffusion region. The imaging pixel may also include a source follower transistor in the lower substrate layer and an interconnect layer in between the upper substrate layer and the lower substrate layer. The interconnect layer may couple the floating diffusion region directly to the source follower transistor. The imaging pixel may include a reset transistor in the upper substrate layer. The imaging pixel may include a metal layer in the lower substrate layer, a transfer transistor in the upper substrate layer, and an interconnect layer that couples the transfer transistor to the metal layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Sergey VELICHKO, Christopher SILSBY
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Patent number: 9584800Abstract: An imaging system may include an array of image pixels and verification circuitry. The verification circuitry may inject test voltages into the image pixel array during the photodiode reset operation. The test signals may then be read out using a correlated double sampling operation. Verification circuitry may compare the test signals to reference data to determine whether the imaging system is functioning properly (e.g., to determine whether the array of image pixels satisfies performance criteria). If the amount of mismatch between the test signals and the reference data exceed a predetermined threshold, the imaging system may be disabled and/or a warning signal may be presented to a user of the system.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2014Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLCInventors: Jeffery Beck, Charles McCord, Christopher Silsby
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Publication number: 20150281684Abstract: An imaging system may include an array of image pixels and verification circuitry. The verification circuitry may inject test voltages into the image pixel array during the photodiode reset operation. The test signals may then be read out using a correlated double sampling operation. Verification circuitry may compare the test signals to reference data to determine whether the imaging system is functioning properly (e.g., to determine whether the array of image pixels satisfies performance criteria). If the amount of mismatch between the test signals and the reference data exceed a predetermined threshold, the imaging system may be disabled and/or a warning signal may be presented to a user of the system.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Jeffery Beck, Charles McCord, Christopher Silsby
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Patent number: 8774543Abstract: Apparatus and a method for processing image data where row data is received corresponding to a target row of pixels and to one or more reference rows of pixels. A target row average is generated based on the target row data and a reference row average is generated for each of the one or more reference rows based on each reference row's respective row data. A row correction value is generated based on the target row average of the target row and the reference row average of the one or more reference rows. Corrected target row data is generated by applying the row correction value to the target row data.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2011Date of Patent: July 8, 2014Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Charles Myers, Jeffery Beck, Christopher Silsby
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Patent number: 8253810Abstract: An imaging pixel array and associated method and system are disclosed in which the array contains first pixels each having a first photo-conversion device, and second pixels each having a first photo-conversion device and a second photo-conversion device. The first photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire an image during a first integration period. The second photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire a plurality of images during the first integration period. A circuit uses the plurality of image signals and determines from them relative motion between the array and an image during a portion of the first integration period and provides a signal representing the motion which is used for image stabilization.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Charles Myers, Michael J. Brosnan, Charles Moore, Richard A. Baumgartner, Christopher Silsby, Brian J. Misek
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Publication number: 20120195521Abstract: Apparatus and a method for processing image data where row data is received corresponding to a target row of pixels and to one or more reference rows of pixels. A target row average is generated based on the target row data and a reference row average is generated for each of the one or more reference rows based on each reference row's respective row data. A row correction value is generated based on the target row average of the target row and the reference row average of the one or more reference rows. Corrected target row data is generated by applying the row correction value to the target row data.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Charles Myers, Jeffery Beck, Christopher Silsby
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Publication number: 20090147091Abstract: An imaging pixel array and associated method and system are disclosed in which the array contains first pixels each having a first photo-conversion device, and second pixels each having a first photo-conversion device and a second photo-conversion device. The first photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire an image during a first integration period. The second photo-conversion devices are configured to acquire a plurality of images during the first integration period. A circuit uses the plurality of image signals and determines from them relative motion between the array and an image during a portion of the first integration period and provides a signal representing the motion which is used for image stabilization.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventors: Charles Myers, Michael J. Brosnan, Charles Moore, Richard A. Baumgartner, Christopher Silsby, Brian J. Misek
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Publication number: 20090108385Abstract: A pixel sensor cell includes a substrate of a first conductivity type, and a photoconversion region. The photoconversion region includes a pinning layer of the first conductivity type for receiving incident light of multiple colors, and a diode implant layer of a second conductivity type, disposed below the pinning layer, for accumulating photo-generated charge. Also included is a deep well of the first conductivity type, disposed below the diode implant layer, for rejecting at least one color of the incident light. The deep well includes a doped region, vertically disposed at a predetermined depth below the diode implant layer. The diode implant layer is effective in accumulating photo-generated charge of a blue color, and the deep well is effective in rejecting photo-generated charges of green and red colors from the diode implant layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Thomas Edward Dungan, Christopher Silsby, Chintamani Prabhakar Palsule
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Apparatus and method for detecting and compensating for illuminant intensity changes within an image
Patent number: 7471315Abstract: An apparatus such as a digital camera includes an image sensor array adapted to capture a scene into electrical values and a reference detector proximal to the sensor array for detecting illuminant intensities. The reference detector at least partially surrounds the image sensor array. The reference detector is read multiple times during the frame period in which the image sensor array captures a scene to detect illuminant intensities during the same frame period. Using the illuminant intensities, the phase and the amplitude of the flicker of the illuminant are extracted. Using the phase and the amplitude parameters, a flicker correction signal is synthesized. The flicker correction signal is used to correct the captured image data to reduce or eliminate adverse effects of flicker on the captured image.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Assignee: Aptina Imaging CorporationInventors: Christopher Silsby, Dwight Poplin, Richard L. Baer -
Publication number: 20070085920Abstract: The present invention provides providing a substrate, forming a sensor array on the substrate, forming a structured array of uncommitted logic surrounding the sensor array on the substrate, and providing electrical interconnects to the structured array of uncommitted logic, wherein the structured array of uncommitted logic forms functions that support the operation of the sensor array.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2005Publication date: April 19, 2007Inventors: Bond Ying, Christopher Silsby
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Publication number: 20060249654Abstract: An image sensor including a substrate, at least one metal layer, and a plurality of pixels arranged in array. Each pixel includes a sense element disposed in the substrate and at least one metal interconnect segment disposed in the at least one metal layer. The array includes a pair of perpendicular axes extending from an optical center, wherein for a line of pixels extending perpendicularly from one of the axes to a peripheral edge of the array a spacing between the sense elements of consecutive pairs of pixels of the line is at least equal to a spacing between the associated at least one metal interconnect segments, and wherein for at least one consecutive pair of pixels of the line the spacing between the sense elements is greater by an incremental amount than the spacing between the corresponding at least one metal interconnect segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2005Publication date: November 9, 2006Inventors: Christopher Silsby, William Gazeley, Matthew Borg
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Publication number: 20060203101Abstract: A motion detecting camera system includes a portable motion detection device having an image sensor for detecting motion within a field of view of the motion detection device and automatically generating a digital image of a scene within the field of view upon detection of motion. The motion detection device includes a cellular telephone transmitter for transmitting cellular telephone communications. The camera system includes a base unit having a display screen. The motion detection device is configured to automatically transmit the digital image via the transmitter to the base unit for display on the display screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2005Publication date: September 14, 2006Inventor: Christopher Silsby
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Publication number: 20060169870Abstract: A pixel includes a surface configured to receive incident light and a floor formed by a semiconductor substrate. A photodetector is disposed in the floor. A dielectric structure is disposed between the surface and the floor. A volume of the dielectric structure between the surface and the photodetector provides an optical path configured to transmit a portion of the incident light upon the surface to the photodetector. An embedded optical element is disposed at least partially within the optical path and is configured to partially define the optical path.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2005Publication date: August 3, 2006Inventors: Christopher Silsby, Homayoon Haddad, Jianhong Wang, William Gazeley
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Apparatus and method for detecting and compensating for illuminant intensity changes within an image
Publication number: 20040179114Abstract: An apparatus such as a digital camera includes an image sensor array adapted to capture a scene into electrical values and a reference detector proximal to the sensor array for detecting illuminant intensities. The reference detector at least partially surrounds the image sensor array. The reference detector is read multiple times during the frame period in which the image sensor array captures a scene to detect illuminant intensities during the same frame period. Using the illuminant intensities, the phase and the amplitude of the flicker of the illuminant are extracted. Using the phase and the amplitude parameters, a flicker correction signal is synthesized. The flicker correction signal is used to correct the captured image data to reduce or eliminate adverse effects of flicker on the captured image.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Christopher Silsby, Dwight Poplin, Richard L. Baer