Patents by Inventor Nan Yi Lee

Nan Yi Lee 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: 8110426
    Abstract: A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Nan-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 8035171
    Abstract: A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Nan-Yi Lee
  • Publication number: 20100197067
    Abstract: A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Nan-Yi Lee
  • Publication number: 20100194955
    Abstract: A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Nan-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 7663194
    Abstract: A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Nan-Yi Lee
  • Publication number: 20070269944
    Abstract: A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Publication date: November 22, 2007
    Inventor: Nan-Yi Lee
  • Publication number: 20060255380
    Abstract: A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Publication date: November 16, 2006
    Inventor: Nan-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 6706550
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pinned photodiode for an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same; and, more particularly, to a pinned photodiode of an image sensor fabricated by CMOS processes and a manufacturing method thereof The pinned photodiode, according to an embodiment of the present invention, includes a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; and at least two first doping regions of a second conductivity type alternately formed in the semiconductor layer and connected to each other at edges thereof so that the first doping regions have the same potential, wherein a plurality of PN junctions is formed in the semiconductor layer and the PN junctions improves a capturing capacity of photoelectric charges generated in the photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju Il Lee, Myung Hwan Cha, Nan Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 6624404
    Abstract: There is provided a method for fabricating a CMOS image sensor having enhanced reliability and light sensitivity, which comprises the steps of providing a substrate including photosensitive elements and metal wire; forming a first protecting film for protecting the elements over the substrate, covering the metal wire; forming a flattened spin-on-glass film on the first protecting film; forming a second protecting film for protecting the elements on the spin-on-glass film; forming color filter patterns on the second protecting film; forming a photoresist film for flattening on the color filter patterns and the second protecting film; and forming microlenses on the photoresist film. By using the flattened SOG film and a photoresist for flattening and pad opening, the present invention can accomplish the thickness uniformity of the color filter corresponding to each unit pixel, the wire-bonding pad devoid of the residuals of the color filter materials and the figure uniformity of the microlenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Il Lee, Nan-Yi Lee
  • Publication number: 20030030083
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pinned photodiode of an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same; and, more particularly, to a pinned photodiode of an image sensor fabricated by CMOS processes and the manufacturing method thereof. The pinned photodiode in an image sensor according to the present invention comprising: a semiconductor layer of a first conductive type; and at least two first doping regions of a second conductive type alternatively formed in the semiconductor layer and connected to each other at edges thereof so that the first doping regions have the same potential, whereby a plurality of PN junctions are formed in the semiconductor layer and the PN junctions improves capturing capacity of photoelectric charges generated in the photodiode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju Il Lee, Myung Hwan Cha, Nan Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 6489643
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pinned photodiode for an image sensor and a method for manufacturing the same; and, more particularly, to a pinned photodiode of an image sensor fabricated by CMOS processes and a manufacturing method thereof. The pinned photodiode, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; and at least two first doping regions of a second conductivity type alternately formed in the semiconductor layer and connected to each other at edges thereof so that the first doping regions have the same potential, wherein a plurality of PN junctions is formed in the semiconductor layer and the PN junctions improve a capturing capacity of photoelectric charges generated in the photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventors: Ju Il Lee, Myung Hwan Cha, Nan Yi Lee
  • Publication number: 20020033492
    Abstract: There is provided a method for fabricating a CMOS image sensor having enhanced reliability and light sensitivity, which comprises the steps of providing a substrate including photosensitive elements and metal wire; forming a first protecting film for protecting the elements over the substrate, covering the metal wire; forming a flattened spin-on-glass film on the first protecting film; forming a second protecting film for protecting the elements on the spin-on-glass film; forming color filter patterns on the second protecting film; forming a photoresist film for flattening on the color filter patterns and the second protecting film; and forming microlenses on the photoresist film. By using the flattened SOG film and a photoresist for flattening and pad opening, the present invention can accomplish the thickness uniformity of the color filter corresponding to each unit pixel, the wire-bonding pad devoid of the residuals of the color filter materials and the figure uniformity of the microlenses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Publication date: March 21, 2002
    Inventors: Ju-Il Lee, Nan-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 6348361
    Abstract: There is provided a method for fabricating a CMOS image sensor having enhanced reliability and light sensitivity, which comprises the steps of providing a substrate including photosensitive elements and metal wire; forming a first protecting film for protecting the elements over the substrate, covering the metal wire; forming a flattened spin-on-glass film on the first protecting film; forming a second protecting film for protecting the elements on the spin-on-glass film; forming color filter patterns on the second protecting film; forming a photoresist film for flattening on the color filter patterns and the second protecting film; and forming microlenses on the photoresist film. By using the flattened SOG film and a photoresist for flattening and pad opening, the present invention can accomplish the thickness uniformity of the color filter corresponding to each unit pixel, the wire-bonding pad devoid of the residuals of the color filter materials and the figure uniformity of the microlenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju-Il Lee, Nan-Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 6184055
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor according to the present invention has a low-voltage photodiode which is fully depleted at a bias of 1.2-4.5V. The photodiode comprises: a P-epi layer; a field oxide layer dividing the P-epi layer into a field region and an active region; a N− region formed within the P-epi layer, wherein the first impurity region is apart from the isolation layer; and a P0 region of the conductive type formed beneath a surface of the P-epi layer and on the N− region, wherein a width of the P0 region is wider than that of the N− region so that a portion of the P0 region is formed on the P-epi layer, whereby the P0 region has the same potential as the P-epi layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woodward Yang, Ju Il Lee, Nan Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 6180969
    Abstract: A CMOS image sensor according to the present invention has a low-voltage photodiode which is fully depleted at a bias of 1.2-4.5V. The photodiode comprises: a P-epi layer; a field oxide layer dividing the P-epi layer into a field region and an active region; a N− region formed within the P-epi layer, wherein the first impurity region is apart from the isolation layer; and a P0 region of the conductive type formed beneath a surface of the P-epi layer and on the N− region, wherein a width of the P0 region is wider than that of the N− region so that a portion of the P0 region is formed on the P-epi layer, whereby the P0 region has the same potential as the P-epi layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Woodward Yang, Ju Il Lee, Nan Yi Lee
  • Patent number: 6088112
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an image sensor; and, more particularly, to an image sensor having test patterns for measuring characteristics of color filters. In accordance with the present invention, the separate quartz wafer or glass wafer is not required. Therefore, unnecessary cost can be saved and high price of light measuring instrument is not necessary any longer, because it is possible to measure the characteristic of exact color filter on substantial wafer. Moreover, since the measurement of color filter is available on the silicon wafer where substantial image sensor is manufactured, the results of measurement are much more exact and it is possible to promptly apply the results to successive wafer or lot. Thus, it contributes to the improvement of yield of the image sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2000
    Assignee: Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ju Il Lee, Nan Yi Lee