Patents by Inventor François Roy

François Roy 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).

  • Publication number: 20200168646
    Abstract: An integrated imaging device includes a pixel having a trench that extends into the substrate. The trench is coated with an insulator and filled with a stack including a first polysilicon region and a second polysilicon region. The first and second polysilicon regions are separated from each other by a layer of insulating material. The first polysilicon region may form a gate electrode of a vertical transistor and the second polysilicon region may form an electrode of a capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Andrej SULER, Francois ROY
  • Patent number: 10641868
    Abstract: A sensor array includes pixel kernels, wherein each pixel kernel includes RGB pixels, the RGB pixels being configured to provide a plurality of color signals, and Z pixels each having a single memory element, the Z pixels being configured to provide a single TOF signal. Each pixel kernel includes two to four Z pixels. The RGB and Z pixels can be integrated together on a single sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 10613202
    Abstract: A pixel is formed on a semiconductor substrate that includes a photosensitive area having a first doped layer and a charge collection area of a first conductivity type extending through at least part of the first doped layer. At least two charge storage areas, each including a well of the first conductivity type, are separated from the charge collection area at least by a first portion of the first layer. The first portion is covered by a first gate. Each charge storage area is laterally delimited by two insulated conductive electrodes. A second doped layer of the second conductivity type covers the charge collection area and the charge storage areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Francois Roy, Boris Rodrigues Goncalves, Marie Guillon, Yvon Cazaux, Benoit Giffard
  • Publication number: 20200066780
    Abstract: A semiconductor image sensor includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel of the sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having opposite front and back sides and laterally delimited by a first insulating wall including a first conductive core insulated from the substrate, electron-hole pairs being capable of forming in the substrate due to a back-side illumination. A circuit is configured to maintain, during a first phase in a first operating mode, the first conductive core at a first potential and to maintain, during at least a portion of the first phase in a second operating mode, the first conductive core at a second potential different from the first potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Inventors: Francois Roy, Stephane Hulot, Andrej Suler, Nicolas Virollet
  • Patent number: 10566376
    Abstract: An image sensor device may include an array of image sensing pixels arranged in rows and columns. Each image sensing pixel may include an image sensing photodiode, a first source follower transistor coupled to the image sensing photodiode, and a switch coupled to the image sensing photodiode. Each image sensor device may include a second source follower transistor coupled to the switch, and a row selection transistor coupled to the first and second source follower transistors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (CROLLES 2) SAS
    Inventors: Francois Roy, Frédéric Lalanne, Pierre Emmanuel Marie Malinge
  • Patent number: 10559611
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a control circuit and pixels. Each pixel includes: a photosensitive area, a substantially rectangular storage area adjacent to the photosensitive area, and a read area. First and second insulated vertical electrodes electrically connected to each other are positioned opposite each other and delimit the storage area. The first electrode extends between the storage area and the photosensitive area. The second electrode includes a bent extension opposite a first end of the first electrode, with the storage area emerging onto the photosensitive area on the side of the first end. The control circuit operates to apply a first voltage to the first and second electrodes to perform a charge transfer, and a second voltage to block charge transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Francois Roy, Philippe Are
  • Patent number: 10535693
    Abstract: A semiconductor body of a first conductivity type and doped with a first doping level includes, at a front side surface thereof, a well of a second conductivity type and a region doped with the first conductivity type at a second doping level greater than the first doping level. An insulated vertical gate structure separates the region from the well. Buried iInsulated electrodes extend from the front side surface completely through the well and into a portion of the semiconductor body underneath the well. A conductive material portion of each buried insulated electrode is configured to receive a bias voltage and a conductive material portion of insulated vertical gate structure is configured to receive a gate voltage. The semiconductor body is delimited by a capacitive deep trench isolation that is biased at the same voltage as the buried insulated electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 10531022
    Abstract: Each pixel of a global shutter back-side illuminated image sensor includes a photosensitive area. On a front surface, a first transistor includes a vertical ring-shaped electrode penetrating into the photosensitive area and laterally delimiting a memory area. The memory area penetrates into the photosensitive area less deeply than the insulated vertical ring-shaped electrode. A read area is formed in an intermediate area which is formed in the memory area. The memory area, the intermediate area and read area define a second transistor having an insulated horizontal electrode forming a gate of the second transistor. The memory area may be formed by a first and second memory areas and an output signal is generated indicative of a difference between charge stored in the first memory area and charge stored in the second memory area after a charge transfer to the first memory area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 10488499
    Abstract: A time-of-flight detection pixel includes a photosensitive area including a first doped layer and a charge collection area extending in the first doped layer. At least two charge storage areas extend from the charge collection area, each including a first well more heavily doped than the charge collection area and separated from the charge collection area by a first portion of the first doped layer which is coated with a gate. Each charge storage area is laterally delimited by two insulated conductive electrodes, extending parallel to each other and facing each other. A second heavily doped layer of opposite conductivity coats the pixel except for at each portion of the first doped layer coated with the gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignees: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS, Commissariat A L'Energie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives
    Inventors: Francois Roy, Marie Guillon, Yvon Cazaux, Boris Rodrigues, Alexis Rochas
  • Patent number: 10475848
    Abstract: An imaging cell includes a skimming gate transistor coupled between a photosensitive charge node and an intermediate node and a transfer gate transistor coupled between the intermediate node and a sense node. The skimming gate transistor includes a vertical gate electrode structure formed by a first capacitive deep trench isolation extending into a substrate and a second capacitive deep trench isolation extending into the substrate. A channel of the skimming gate transistor is positioned between the first and second capacitive deep trench isolations. Each capacitive deep trench isolation is formed by a trench that is lined with an insulating liner and filled with a conductive or semiconductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 10475827
    Abstract: An electronic image capture device includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is formed by a substrate wafer provided on one side with electronic circuits and a dielectric layer with a network of electrical connections and external electrical contacts on an outer surface. The second portion includes a pixel wafer capable of generating electrical signals under the effect of light, a substrate wafer mounted to the pixel wafer and provided with electronic circuits and a dielectric layer with a network of electrical connections and external electrical contacts on an outer surface. The outer surfaces and external electrical contacts are bonded to each other so as to mount the first portion to the second portion. A connection pad extends through a hole in the pixel wafer to make electrical connection to the network of electrical connections of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Publication number: 20190308099
    Abstract: Some implementations of this application are directed to a server system including one or more CPUs, a plurality of GPUs, main dynamic memory storing programs and data for use by the CPUs and/or GPUs during program execution, a static memory pool stored in a non-volatile memory, and a memory controller configured to manage the static memory pool. Each of the GPUs includes a local cache and is configured to access the static memory pool via the memory controller. The server system executes a plurality of gaming sessions for a gaming title in parallel on the one or more CPUs. Each of the plurality of gaming sessions is associated with a static data item stored in the static memory pool, and requires a graphics operation executable by a respective GPU using the static data item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Lalonde, Paul Leventis, Jean-Francois Roy
  • Publication number: 20190312170
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate doped with a first doping type is positioned adjacent an insulated gate electrode that is biased by a gate voltage. A first region within the semiconductor substrate is doped with the first doping type and biased with a bias voltage. A second region within the semiconductor substrate is doped with a second doping type that is opposite the first doping type. Voltage application produces an electrostatic field within the semiconductor substrate causing the formation of a fully depleted region within the semiconductor substrate. The fully depleted region responds to absorption of a photon with an avalanche multiplication that produces charges that are collected at the first and second regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois ROY
  • Patent number: 10421315
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tensioning a canvas on a frame, which is for assembling two bars the ends of which comprise a groove. The device comprises: an optional sheath intended to be immobilized in a groove; a spacer comprising a central portion from which extend two lateral portions each having a bearing face coming to abut against the bottom of the sheath; a tensioner comprising a central portion from which extend securing means for securing the tensioner to the bars, via the sheath; a connecting member for connecting the spacer to the tensioner, and means for bringing the spacer closer to the tensioner, wherein the spacer being brought closer to the tensioner will cause each bar to translate along its longitudinal axis so as to space the bars apart from each other while keeping them perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Publication number: 20190280024
    Abstract: A semiconductor body of a first conductivity type and doped with a first doping level includes, at a front side surface thereof, a well of a second conductivity type and a region doped with the first conductivity type at a second doping level greater than the first doping level. An insulated vertical gate structure separates the region from the well. Buried iInsulated electrodes extend from the front side surface completely through the well and into a portion of the semiconductor body underneath the well. A conductive material portion of each buried insulated electrode is configured to receive a bias voltage and a conductive material portion of insulated vertical gate structure is configured to receive a gate voltage. The semiconductor body is delimited by a capacitive deep trench isolation that is biased at the same voltage as the buried insulated electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Publication number: 20190239806
    Abstract: It is described a system and a method for respiratory activity analysis comprising the use of Respiratory Inductance Plethysmography (RIP). In particular, a wearable system for extracting physiological parameters of a person by measuring at least one plethysmographic signal is disclosed. The system comprises: a wearable garment fitting a body part of the person; at least one wire supported by or embedded into the garment, each wire forming a loop around the body part when the person wears the garment for measuring a plethysmographic signal; and an electronic device supported by or fixed on the garment and including a Colpitts oscillator connected to each wire loop, wherein the Colpitts oscillator has an optimal frequency band from 1 MHz to 15 MHz for extracting the plethysmographic signal measured by each wire, the electronic device converting analog information measured by the Colpitts oscillator into digital analyzable information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Jean-Francois ROY, Pierre-Alexandre FOURNIER, Charles ROBILLARD, Robert CORRIVEAU, Simon DUBEAU, Antoine GAGNE-TURCOTTE, David KHOUYA
  • Publication number: 20190237499
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an image sensor includes a semiconductor region, a first doped region disposed over the semiconductor region, a ring shaped well disposed over the first doped region and surrounding parts of the first doped region, a second doped region formed within the ring shaped well and disposed over the first doped region, and a third doped region disposed over the second doped region. The ring shaped well is defined by a conductor surrounded by an insulator. The conductor is connected to a voltage terminal. The third doped region is more heavily doped than the second doped region, which is more heavily doped than the first region, and are all of the same doping type. The first doped region and the second doped region within the ring shaped well, form a potential barrier for controlling transfer of charge carriers from the first doped region to the third doped region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Publication date: August 1, 2019
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 10361238
    Abstract: A pixel includes a semiconductor layer with a charge accumulation layer extending in the semiconductor layer. A transistor has a read region penetrating into said semiconductor layer down to a first depth. An insulating wall penetrates into the semiconductor layer from an upper surface and containing an insulated conductor connected to a node of application of a potential. The insulating wall includes at least a portion provided with a deep insulating plug penetrating into the insulated conductor down to a second depth greater than the first depth. A continuous portion of the insulating wall laterally delimits, at least partially, a charge accumulation area and includes a wall portion with the deep insulating plug at least partially laterally delimiting the read region of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 10362250
    Abstract: A global shutter image sensor of a back-illuminated type includes a semiconductor substrate and pixels. Each pixel includes a photosensitive area, a storage area, a readout area and areas for transferring charges between these different areas. The image sensor includes, for each pixel, a protector extending at least partly into the substrate from the back of the substrate to ensure that the storage area is protected against back illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventors: Francois Guyader, Francois Roy
  • Patent number: 10355041
    Abstract: A pixel includes a semiconductor layer with a charge accumulation layer extending in the semiconductor layer. A transistor has a read region penetrating into said semiconductor layer down to a first depth. An insulating wall penetrates into the semiconductor layer from an upper surface and containing an insulated conductor connected to a node of application of a potential. The insulating wall includes at least a portion provided with a deep insulating plug penetrating into the insulated conductor down to a second depth greater than the first depth. A continuous portion of the insulating wall laterally delimits, at least partially, a charge accumulation area and includes a wall portion with the deep insulating plug at least partially laterally delimiting the read region of the transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics (Crolles 2) SAS
    Inventor: Francois Roy