Abstract: A semiconductor component that receives incoming light includes an integrated circuit, a package and an optics unit. The optics unit may provide a pathway, either generally or selectively, for the incoming light to the photodetector circuitry of the integrated circuit and may modify the incoming light, as well. The optics unit may be either electrically active or passive. When active, the optics unit is coupled to the integrated circuit with a conductor. The optics unit may also include a liquid crystal device, a beamsplitter assembly, a lensing assembly or other filters, and/or apertures. The liquid crystal device can act as a shutter or a display and the optics unit may be a single module or a plurality of modules. The integrated circuit may also include shutter drive circuitry and image processing circuitry.

Abstract: The invention is an imaging device having a high fill factor. The high fill factor is achieved by constructing the light sensors in a vertical fashion in the imaging device. The control circuitry of the light sensor is then contained inside the integrated circuit chip, rather than taking up area that could otherwise be used for light collection. The majority of the area on the surface of the IC chip is made up of light sensing elements, since the control circuitry is embedded in the IC chip. The control circuitry is connected to the light sensing devices through vias in the IC chip. The control circuitry of the chip is mainly contained within the die, rather than on it.

Abstract: A camera system employs an electronic imager such as a Charged Couple Device (CCD) or a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) array that captures a first portion of light and reflects a second portion of light reflected from a target subject. The light reflected by the electronic imager may be reflected towards film media or a color filter, for example. The electronic imager may include an integrated circuit, or a dielectric reflecting coating that acts to partially reflect incoming light reflected from the target subject. A display, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), may be utilized to determine which images are desirable or to identify which films to develop. Film writing circuitry that allows various types of information to be written may be utilized. The camera system further features an electronic imager shutter, and a film shutter for shuttering purposes. The film shutter can provide exposure control.