Patents by Inventor Keith Fife

Keith Fife 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).

  • Patent number: 8415177
    Abstract: A two-transistor (2T) pixel comprises a chemically-sensitive transistor (ChemFET) and a selection device which is a non-chemically sensitive transistor. A plurality of the 2T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns. The ChemFET can be configured in a source follower or common source readout mode. Both the ChemFET and the non-chemically sensitive transistor can be NMOS or PMOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Fife, Kim Johnson, Mark Milgrew
  • Patent number: 8415176
    Abstract: To reduce the pixel size to the smallest dimensions and simplest form of operation, a pixel may be formed by using only one ion sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). This one-transistor, or 1T, pixel can provide gain by converting the drain current to voltage in the column. Configurable pixels can be created to allow both common source read out as well as source follower read out. A plurality of the 1T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns and a column readout circuit in each column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Keith Fife
  • Patent number: 8247849
    Abstract: A two-transistor (2T) pixel comprises a chemically-sensitive transistor (ChemFET) and a selection device which is a non-chemically sensitive transistor. A plurality of the 2T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns. The ChemFET can be configured in a source follower or common source readout mode. Both the ChemFET and the non-chemically sensitive transistor can be NMOS or PMOS device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Keith Fife, Kim Johnson, Mark Milgrew
  • Patent number: 8217433
    Abstract: To reduce the pixel size to the smallest dimensions and simplest form of operation, a pixel may be formed by using only one ion sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). This one-transistor, or 1T, pixel can provide gain by converting the drain current to voltage in the column. Configurable pixels can be created to allow both common source read out as well as source follower read out. A plurality of the 1T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns and a column readout circuit in each column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Life Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Keith Fife
  • Publication number: 20120168784
    Abstract: A two-transistor (2T) pixel comprises a chemically-sensitive transistor (ChemFET) and a selection device which is a non-chemically sensitive transistor. A plurality of the 2T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns. The ChemFET can be configured in a source follower or common source readout mode. Both the ChemFET and the non-chemically sensitive transistor can be NMOS or PMOS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Fife, Kim Johnson, Mark Milgrew
  • Publication number: 20120168826
    Abstract: To reduce the pixel size to the smallest dimensions and simplest form of operation, a pixel may be formed by using only one ion sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). This one-transistor, or 1T, pixel can provide gain by converting the drain current to voltage in the column. Configurable pixels can be created to allow both common source read out as well as source follower read out. A plurality of the 1T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns and a column readout circuit in each column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keith Fife
  • Publication number: 20120168307
    Abstract: To reduce the pixel size to the smallest dimensions and simplest form of operation, a pixel may be formed by using only one ion sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). This one-transistor, or 1T, pixel can provide gain by converting the drain current to voltage in the column. Configurable pixels can be created to allow both common source read out as well as source follower read out. A plurality of the 1T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns and a column readout circuit in each column. A cascoded device enabled during readout may be used to provide increased programmable gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keith Fife
  • Publication number: 20120074956
    Abstract: An array of sensors arranged in matched pairs of transistors with an output formed on a first transistor and a sensor formed on the second transistor of the matched pair. The matched pairs are arranged such that the second transistor in the matched pair is read through the output of the first transistor in the matched pair. The first transistor in the matched pair is forced into the saturation (active) region to prevent interference from the second transistor on the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken of the output. The first transistor is then placed into the linear region allowing the sensor formed on the second transistor to be read through the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken from the output of the sensor reading of the second transistor. A difference is formed of the two samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith FIFE, Jungwook YANG
  • Publication number: 20120077256
    Abstract: An array of sensors arranged in matched pairs of transistors with an output formed on a first transistor and a sensor formed on the second transistor of the matched pair. The matched pairs are arranged such that the second transistor in the matched pair is read through the output of the first transistor in the matched pair. The first transistor in the matched pair is forced into the saturation (active) region to prevent interference from the second transistor on the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken of the output. The first transistor is then placed into the linear region allowing the sensor formed on the second transistor to be read through the output of the first transistor. A sample is taken from the output of the sensor reading of the second transistor. A difference is formed of the two samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keith Fife
  • Publication number: 20120056248
    Abstract: To reduce the pixel size to the smallest dimensions and simplest form of operation, a pixel may be formed by using only one ion sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). This one-transistor, or 1T, pixel can provide gain by converting the drain current to voltage in the column. Configurable pixels can be created to allow both common source read out as well as source follower read out. A plurality of the 1T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns and a column readout circuit in each column.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keith FIFE
  • Publication number: 20120000274
    Abstract: An ion-sensitive circuit can include a charge accumulation device, to accumulate a plurality of charge packets as a function of an ion concentration of a fluid, and at least one control and readout transistor, to generate an output signal as a function of the accumulated plurality of charge packets, the output signal representing the ion concentration of the solution. The charge accumulation device can include a first charge control electrode above a first electrode semiconductor region, an electrically floating gate structure above a gate semiconductor region and below an ion-sensitive passivation surface, a second charge control electrode above a second electrode semiconductor region, and a drain diffusion region. The first control electrode can control entry of charge into a gate semiconductor region in response to a first control signal. The ion-sensitive passivation surface can be configured to receive the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keith FIFE
  • Publication number: 20120001779
    Abstract: The described embodiments may provide a chemical detection circuit. The chemical detection circuit may comprise a pixel array, a pair of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit blocks, a pair of input/output (I/O) circuit blocks coupled to the pair of ADC circuit blocks respectively, and a plurality of serial link terminals coupled to the pair of IO circuit blocks. The pixel array may comprise a plurality of chemically-sensitive pixels formed in columns and rows. Each chemically-sensitive pixel may comprise: a chemically-sensitive transistor, and a row selection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith FIFE, Jungwook YANG
  • Publication number: 20120001235
    Abstract: A chemically sensitive sensor with a lightly doped region that affects an overlap capacitance between a gate and an electrode of the chemical sensitive sensor. The lightly doped region extends beneath and adjacent to a gate region of the chemical sensitive sensor. Modifying the gain of the chemically sensitive sensor is achieved by manipulating the lightly doped region under the electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keith FIFE
  • Publication number: 20120001646
    Abstract: The invention provides testing of a chemically-sensitive transistor device, such as an ISFET device, without exposing the device to liquids. In one embodiment, the invention performs a first test to calculate a resistance of the transistor. Based on the resistance, the invention performs a second test to transition the testing transistor among a plurality of modes. Based on corresponding measurements, a floating gate voltage is then calculated with little or no circuitry overhead. In another embodiment, the parasitic capacitance of at least either the source or drain is used to bias the floating gate of an ISFET. A driving voltage and biasing current are applied to exploit the parasitic capacitance to test the functionality of the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jarie BOLANDER, Keith FIFE, Mark MILGREW
  • Publication number: 20120001237
    Abstract: A two-transistor (2T) pixel comprises a chemically-sensitive transistor (ChemFET) and a selection device which is a non-chemically sensitive transistor. A plurality of the 2T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns. The ChemFET can be configured in a source follower or common source readout mode. Both the ChemFET and the non-chemically sensitive transistor can be NMOS or PMOS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith Fife, Kim Johnson, Mark Milgrew
  • Publication number: 20120001056
    Abstract: A floating electrode is used to detect ions in close proximity to the electrode. The electrode is charge coupled to other electrodes and to other transistors to form a pixel that can be placed into an array for addressable readout. It is possible to obtain gain by accumulating charge into another electrode or onto a floating diffusion (FD) node or directly onto the column line. It is desirable to achieve both a reduction in pixel size as well as increase in signal level. To reduce pixel size, ancillary transistors may be eliminated and a charge storage node with certain activation and deactivation sequences may be used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keith FIFE, Mark MILGREW
  • Publication number: 20120001616
    Abstract: The described embodiments may provide a chemical detection circuit. The chemical detection circuit may comprise a column of chemically-sensitive pixels. Each chemically-sensitive pixel may comprise a chemically-sensitive transistor, and a row selection device. The chemical detection circuit may further comprise a column interface circuit coupled to the column of chemically-sensitive pixels and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the column interface circuit. Each column interface circuit and column-level ADC may be arrayed with other identical circuits and share critical resources such as biasing and voltage references, thereby saving area and power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keith FIFE
  • Publication number: 20120001236
    Abstract: To reduce the pixel size to the smallest dimensions and simplest form of operation, a pixel may be formed by using only one ion sensitive field-effect transistor (ISFET). This one-transistor, or 1T, pixel can provide gain by converting the drain current to voltage in the column. Configurable pixels can be created to allow both common source read out as well as source follower read out. A plurality of the 1T pixels may form an array, having a number of rows and a number of columns and a column readout circuit in each column. A cascoded device enabled during readout may be used to provide increased programmable gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: LIFE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keith Fife
  • Publication number: 20060077273
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to perform low noise reset of a pixel circuit within an active pixel image sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 13, 2006
    Inventors: Hae-Seung Lee, Keith Fife
  • Publication number: 20050083422
    Abstract: A circuit for a pixel site in an imaging array includes a light-detecting element to convert incident light to a photocurrent and a reset transistor, operatively connected to the light-detecting element, to reset a voltage associated with the light-detecting element. The reset transistor hard resets the voltage associated with the light-detecting element and soft resets the voltage associated with the light-detecting element after the generation of the hard reset of the voltage associated with the light-detecting element. A pixel voltage of a column or row line is also measured by hard resetting the column or row line voltage to a first predetermined voltage; soft resetting the column or row line voltage to a first pixel voltage; hard resetting the column or row line voltage to a second predetermined voltage; soft resetting the column or row line voltage to a second pixel voltage; and determining a difference between the first and second pixel voltages, the difference being the measured pixel voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: Hae-Seung Lee, Keith Fife, Lane Brooks, Jungwook Yang