Patents by Inventor Eric R. Fossum

Eric R. Fossum 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).

  • Light sensor
    Patent number: 6737629
    Abstract: Light sensors having a wide dynamic range are used in a variety of applications. A wide dynamic range light sensor includes an exposed photodiode light transducer accumulating charge in proportion to light incident over an integration period. Sensor logic determines a light integration period prior to the beginning of integration and the charge is reset. Charge accumulated by the exposed light transducer over the light integration period is measured and a pulse having a width based on the accumulated charge is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Gentex Corporation
    Inventors: Robert H. Nixon, Eric R. Fossum, Jon H. Bechtel
  • Dynamic range extension for CMOS image sensors
    Patent number: 6734905
    Abstract: An image sensor for capturing and producing an image includes a photoreceptor array that receives light and produces a signal for each pixel of the image. The image sensor further includes amplification circuitry that amplifies the signals. The amplification circuitry provides two distinct gains for each of the signals to produce two output signal levels. The image sensor also includes a fusion module, which combines the two output signal levels into one signal level. Accordingly, overall dynamic range of the image sensor is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Yibing Wang, Barna L. Sandor
  • HIGH SPEED DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER USING MULTIPLE STAGGERED SUCCESSIVE APPROXIMATION CELLS
    Publication number: 20040085237
    Abstract: An image sensor system using offset analog to digital converters. The analog to digital converters require a plurality of clock cycles to carry out the actual conversion. These conversions are offset in time from one another, so that at each clock cycle, new data is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Sandor L. Barna
  • Multi junction APS with dual simultaneous integration
    Patent number: 6724426
    Abstract: A new kind of pixel is formed of two floating diffusions of different sizes and different conductivity type. The two floating diffusions have different image characteristics, and hence form a knee-shaped slope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vladimir Berezin, Eric R. Fossum
  • Two-transistor pixel with buried reset channel and method of formation
    Publication number: 20040051164
    Abstract: A two-transistor pixel of an imager has a reset region formed adjacent a charge collection region of a photodiode and in electrical communication with a gate of a source follower transistor. The reset region is connected to one terminal of a capacitor which integrates collected charge of the photodiode. The charge collection region is reset by pulsing the other terminal of the capacitor from a higher to a lower voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventor: Eric R. Fossum
  • Interpolator for a CMOS image sensor using a digital register
    Patent number: 6704049
    Abstract: An imager has first and second photosensitive sites and an interpolator located in a semiconductor substrate. The first photosensitive site is configured to receive light having a spectral component, and the second photosensitive site is configured to measure the level of the spectral component in light received by the second photosensitive site. The interpolator is configured to estimate the level of the spectral component in the light received by the first photosensitive site based on the measurement by the second photosensitive site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. Fossum
  • Two-transistor pixel with buried reset channel and method of formation
    Publication number: 20040043529
    Abstract: A two-transistor pixel of an imager has a reset region formed adjacent a charge collection region of a photodiode and in electrical communication with a gate of a source follower transistor. The reset region is connected to one terminal of a capacitor which integrates collected charge of the photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Eric R. Fossum
  • High dynamic range cascaded integration pixel cell and method of operation
    Publication number: 20040041077
    Abstract: A cascaded imaging storage system for a pixel is disclosed for improving intrascene dynamic range. Charges accumulated in a first capacitor spill over into a second capacitor when a charge storage capacity of the first capacitor is exceeded. A third capacitor may also be provided such that charges accumulated by said second capacitor spill over into the third capacitor when the charge storage capacity of the second capacitor is exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Eric R. Fossum
  • Stitched circuits larger than the maximum reticle size in sub-micron process
    Patent number: 6690076
    Abstract: A circuit having a plurality of circuit blocks formed on a semiconductor substrate is disclosed. The circuit blocks are stitched together by appropriately connecting input and output lines of the plurality of circuit blocks. The circuit also includes connecting circuits coupled to the plurality of circuit blocks. The connecting circuits provide low voltage drop across boundaries where the plurality of circuit blocks are stitched together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Anders Andersson, David Schick
  • Shared photodetector pixel image sensor
    Publication number: 20040016869
    Abstract: A shared photodetector active pixel sensor uses a single photodetector between two different active pixels. The photodetector has a number of connection portions, which allow connecting to the different photodetector portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Scott Patrick Campbell, Eric R. Fossum
  • Differential non-linearity correction scheme
    Patent number: 6677872
    Abstract: Differential non-linearity errors in an A/D converter are corrected by an analog system. The system produces different analog voltages which are used to correct the input voltage to the capacitor. The input voltage is changed by an amount which is effective to correct the C&Dgr;V to be the same as it would have been if the DNL error had not occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. Fossum
  • Photodiode-type pixel for global electronic shutter and reduced lag
    Patent number: 6667768
    Abstract: Operation for global electronic shutter photodiode-type pixels. In a first mode of operation, lag is reduced through global reset of the photodiode array and fixed pattern noise is eliminated through comparison of the photosignal level and the reset level of the floating drain. In a second mode of operation, simultaneous integration and readout processes are achieved through cessation of spill charges over the transfer gate. In a third mode of operation, regulation of the reset photodiode and transfer gate enables voltage gain between the photodiode and the sense node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric R. Fossum
  • Active pixel sensor having intra-pixel charge transfer with analog-to-digital converter
    Patent number: 6665013
    Abstract: An imaging device formed as a monolithic complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit in an industry standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor process, the integrated circuit including a focal plane array of pixel cells, each one of the cells including a photogate overlying the substrate for accumulating photo-generated charge in an underlying portion of the substrate, a readout circuit including at least an output field effect transistor formed in the substrate, and a charge coupled device section formed on the substrate adjacent the photogate having a sensing node connected to the output transistor and at least one charge coupled device stage for transferring charge from the underlying portion of the substrate to the sensing node and an analog-to-digital converter formed in the substrate connected to the output of the readout circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Sunetra K. Mendis, Bedabrata Pain, Robert H. Nixon, Zhimin Zhou
  • Lock in pinned photodiode photodetector
    Publication number: 20030213984
    Abstract: A lock in pinned photodiode photodetector includes a plurality of output ports which are sequentially enabled. Each time when the output port is enabled is considered to be a different bin of time. A specified pattern is sent, and the output bins are investigated to look for that pattern. The time when the pattern is received indicates the time of flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Vladimir Berezin, Alexander Krymski, Eric R. Fossum
  • High speed digital to analog converter using multiple staggered successive approximation cells
    Patent number: 6646583
    Abstract: An image sensor system using offset analog to digital converters. The analog to digital converters require a plurality of clock cycles to carry out the actual conversion. These conversions are offset in time from one another, so that at each clock cycle, new data is available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Sandor L. Barna
  • Single substrate camera device with CMOS image sensor
    Publication number: 20030193597
    Abstract: Single substrate device is formed to have an image acquisition device and a controller. The controller on the substrate controls the system operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 16, 2003
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Robert Nixon
  • Increasing pixel conversion gain in CMOS image sensors
    Patent number: 6627474
    Abstract: A pixel sensor system includes a photo-sensor, an output amplifier, and a feedback capacitor. The photo-sensor is configured to receive photons and to convert the photons into charge. The output amplifier has at least two transistors in a cascoded configuration. The amplifier converts the charge into electronic signal. The feedback capacitor is disposed between the photo-sensor and an input of the output amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Sandor L. Barna, Eric R. Fossum
  • Frame shutter pixel with an isolated storage node
    Patent number: 6624456
    Abstract: A frame shutter type device provides a separated well in which the storage node is located. The storage node is also shielded by a light shield to prevent photoelectric conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Sandor L. Barna
  • Active pixel sensor with intra-pixel charge transfer
    Publication number: 20030160238
    Abstract: An imaging device formed as a monolithic complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit in an industry standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor process, the integrated circuit including a focal plane array of pixel cells, each one of the cells including a photogate overlying the substrate for accumulating photo-generated charge in an underlying portion of the substrate, a readout circuit including at least an output field effect transistor formed in the substrate, and a charge coupled device section formed on the substrate adjacent the photogate having a sensing node connected to the output transistor and at least one charge coupled device stage for transferring charge from the underlying portion of the substrate to the sensing node.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology, a California corporation
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Sunetra Mendis, Sabrina E. Kemeny
  • Dead pixel correction by row/column substitution
    Patent number: 6611288
    Abstract: Bad pixels areas in an optical device are investigated and corrected. An upper limit on the number of bad areas is defined. Each bad area can be one, or more than one pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric R. Fossum, Nick Doudoumopoulos, Roger Panicacci