Plural Photosensitive Image Detecting Element Arrays Patents (Class 250/208.1)
  • Patent number: 11527568
    Abstract: Provided are a first photoelectric conversion unit, a second photoelectric conversion unit having a smaller electric charge amount to be converted per unit time than the first photoelectric conversion unit, a charge accumulation unit that accumulates an electric charge generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit, a charge voltage conversion unit, a first transfer gate unit that transfers an electric charge from the first photoelectric conversion unit to the charge voltage conversion unit, a second transfer gate unit that couples potentials of the charge voltage conversion unit and the charge accumulation unit, a third transfer gate unit that transfers an electric charge from the second photoelectric conversion unit to the charge accumulation unit, an overflow path formed under a gate electrode of the third transfer gate unit and transfers an electric charge overflowing from the second photoelectric conversion unit to the charge accumulation unit, and a light reducing unit that reduces light to enter
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Asatsuma, Minoru Ishida
  • Patent number: 11520050
    Abstract: A three-dimensional image element and an optical radar device that have low cost and are capable of detecting a distance to a measurement object at a close distance before a final result of counting the number of pulses is acquired are realized. A pixel storage element has a plurality of binary counters that integrate the number of electrical pulses at mutually different timings and the reading of data by a signal processing circuit and the integration are able to be performed in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsuji Iguchi, Koji Takahashi, Hidenori Kawanishi
  • Patent number: 11520021
    Abstract: A light receiving device includes a light receiver including pixels and a light receiving area. The pixels are arranged in an array in a first direction and in a second direction intersecting with the first direction and each of the pixels has one light receiving element or more. The light receiving area has continuous pixels out of the pixels, outputs signals based on intensities of light received in the continuous pixels, and is changed in position in the light receiver according to a signal indicating a position in the first direction and a position in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Nobu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11510550
    Abstract: An imaging module includes: an electrical cable; an imaging device; and a flexible wiring board with wirings electrically connecting the imaging device with the electrical cable. The flexible wiring board includes: a device mounting portion on which the imaging device is mounted, and one end of the device mounting portion in a longitudinal direction has a bent portion; and a rear portion that bends and extends from the bent portion to a side opposite the imaging device. The device mounting portion has a mounting surface intersecting an axial direction of a distal end of the electrical cable, and the imaging device is mounted on the mounting surface, and the wirings extend from the mounting surface, pass through the bent portion, and connect with the electrical cable at the rear portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Fujikura Ltd.
    Inventors: Takao Sato, Hideo Shiratani
  • Patent number: 11513221
    Abstract: A distance measurement processing device according to an embodiment includes an information acquisition circuit and a reliability-degree generation circuit. The information acquisition circuit acquires a two-dimensional distance image having a measured distance as a pixel value and signal information concerning a signal value corresponding to the measured distance image. The reliability-degree generation circuit sets, for each of the pixels of the two-dimensional distance image, each of the pixels as a center pixel and generates a reliability degree based on information concerning the pixels having distance values equal to or smaller than a predetermined value from a distance value of the center pixel among the pixels contiguous within a predetermined range from the center pixel and a signal value corresponding to the center pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA ELECTRONIC DEVICES & STORAGE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Nobu Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11513622
    Abstract: An electronic device including an electronic module, a sensing unit divided into a hole area overlapping the electronic module, an active area surrounding the hole area, and a peripheral area adjacent to the active area. A first sensing electrode and a second sensing electrode are disposed in the active area and insulated from each other. The first sensing electrode includes first main patterns, first neighboring patterns having a smaller area than the first main patterns, and a hole pattern connected to the adjacent first neighboring patterns. The second sensing electrode includes second main patterns, second neighboring patterns adjacent the hole area and having a smaller area than the second main patterns, second connection patterns connected to the second main patterns, and a routing pattern connected to the adjacent second neighboring patterns. The hole pattern is disposed in the hole area, and the routing pattern is disposed in the peripheral area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wonjun Choi, Il-Joo Kim, Deokjung Kim
  • Patent number: 11509841
    Abstract: An image sensor including a pixel that includes: a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit, each of which generates an electric charge through photoelectric conversion of light; an output unit that outputs a first signal generated based upon the electric charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal generated based upon an electric charge generated in the second photoelectric conversion unit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts a capacitance at the output unit upon outputting of the first signal and the second signal from the output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Atsushi Komai
  • Patent number: 11509322
    Abstract: A light sensor circuit, which comprising a photodiode and a voltage follower. By setting the voltage follower to reduce the influence from the junction capacitance of the photodiode, a required time of a repeat integration module will not be influenced by the photodiode to efficiently keep the performance and the accuracy of the analog to digital converting device when the light sensor circuit is used to the analog to digital converting device in repeat operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Sensortek Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Jer-Hau Hsu, Ming-Huang Liu, Kian-Fu Wong
  • Patent number: 11509869
    Abstract: A pixel array including; color filter array (CFA) cells, each respectively including CFA blocks, each CFA block including color pixels, and the color pixels include a sub-block. The sub-block includes at least one first color pixel sensing a first color, at least one second color pixel sensing a second color different from the first color, and at least one third color pixel sensing a third color different from the first color and the second color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soyoun Park, Changsoo Park
  • Patent number: 11508043
    Abstract: A method for reducing abasing artefacts in an output image may include obtaining a plurality of input images captured by a plurality of cameras, each camera having a different field of view of an environment surrounding a vehicle, wherein the plurality of input images are mapped to the output image to represent the environment, from a predefined virtual point of view. The method may further include for each pixel position in the output image, obtaining a first pixel density value corresponding to a first output pixel position in the output image; and upon determining that the first pixel density value is higher than a threshold, calculating a first output brightness value corresponding to the first output pixel position based at least on a plurality of brightness values corresponding to a plurality of neighboring pixels of a corresponding position in a first input image of the plurality of input images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Connaught Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: Mark Griffin
  • Patent number: 11509851
    Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes a photodiode; a floating diffusion node configured to integrate photocharges generated in the photodiode; a first sampling transistor electrically connected to a first node; a first capacitor electrically connected to a first node and configured to store a charge corresponding to a voltage of the floating diffusion node which is reset; a second sampling transistor electrically connected to a second node; a second capacitor electrically connected to the second node and configured to store a charge corresponding to a voltage of the floating diffusion node in which the photocharges are integrated; and at least one mode transistor configured to adjust an equivalent capacitance of each of the first node and the second node according to a mode control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Heesung Shim, Sangyoon Kim, Joosung Moon
  • Patent number: 11495646
    Abstract: A device substrate includes a carrier, a device array, first fan-out lines, and second fan-out lines. The carrier has a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side. The first side is opposite to the second side. The third side is opposite to the fourth side. The device array is disposed on a first surface of the carrier. The device array includes sub-pixels. Each of the sub-pixels includes a switching element and an optoelectronic element electrically connected with the switching element. The first fan-out lines are extending from the first side to the first surface and electrically connected with the device array. The second fan-out lines are extending from the second side to the first surface and electrically connected with the device array. The first fan-out lines and the second fan-out lines are asymmetrically disposed on the first side and the second side, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Au Optronics Corporation
    Inventors: Chan-Jui Liu, Chun-Cheng Cheng
  • Patent number: 11495656
    Abstract: A light emitting device comprising a plurality of pixels arranged on a substrate to form a plurality of columns parallel to a first direction and a plurality of rows parallel to a second direction orthogonal to the first direction is provided. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a light emitting element, and a driving circuit configured to drive the light emitting element, the substrate includes a transistor region in which a plurality of transistors that form the driving circuit are arranged, the plurality of pixels include a first pixel and a second pixel, which are adjacent to each other in the first direction, and a virtual line parallel to the second direction, which passes through the transistor region of the first pixel, passes through the transistor region of the second pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Akiyama, Hiromasa Tsuboi
  • Patent number: 11494940
    Abstract: A data acquisition system of a vehicle includes an image capture device, a communication interface, and a controller communicatively coupled to the image capture device and communicatively coupled to the communication interface. Processors of the controller are configured to calibrate an image-distance relationship value of an identified component of a first image captured by the image capture device corresponding to a known feature based on established metrics of the known feature. The processors are also configured to provide control of the vehicle or activation of an alert system of the vehicle via the communication interface based on the image-distance relationship value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Jess W. Gingrich
  • Patent number: 11495634
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a light source to emit light, a light sensor to detect reflection of the emitted light and distance determination circuitry responsive to reflected-light detection within the light sensor. The light sensor includes a photodetector having a photocharge storage capacity in excess of one electron and an output circuit that generates an output signal responsive to light detection within the photodetector with sub-hundred nanosecond latency. The distance determination circuitry measures an elapsed time based on transition of the output signal in response to photonic detection within the photodetector and determines, based on the elapsed time, a distance between the sensing device and a surface that yielded the reflection of the emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Gigajot Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Saleh Masoodian, Jiaju Ma
  • Patent number: 11489083
    Abstract: A solar cell panel can include a plurality of solar cells; and a diode member connected to the plurality of solar cells, the diode member being formed of a solar cell unit disposed within the solar cell panel under at least a portion of one of the plurality of solar cells at a non-light-incident region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Hyunho Lee, Donghae Oh, Jaewon Chang, Jinsung Kim
  • Patent number: 11483502
    Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel array including pixel circuits arranged into rows and columns. Each bitline of a plurality of bitlines is coupled to a respective column of pixel circuits of the pixel array. The plurality of bitlines is grouped into pairs of bitlines. A plurality of binning circuits is coupled to the plurality of bitlines. Each binning circuit is coupled to a respective pair of bitlines and is responsive to a multi-mode select signal. Each binning circuit is configured to output a binned signal responsive to the first and second bitlines of the respective bitline pair in a first mode. Each binning circuit is configured to output a first signal from a first bitline of the respective bitline pair in a second mode. Each binning circuit is configured to output a second signal from the second bitline of the respective bitline pair in a third mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Deng, Tomoyasu Tate, Rui Wang
  • Patent number: 11483489
    Abstract: A medical control device includes circuitry configured to: control an autofocus operation on a captured image from an observation target illuminated with excitation light of a first wavelength band and a pattern image of a second wavelength band, the observation target fluorescing in response to the excitation light to output light in a third wavelength band. The captured image includes light components in the first to third wavelengths bands, of which the second and third wavelength bands are different. The autofocus operation is controlled by calculating, based on the pattern image of the second wavelength band in the captured image, an evaluation value used in an autofocus process that controls a focus position of an imaging device configured to generate the captured image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: SONY OLYMPUS MEDICAL SOLUTIONS INC.
    Inventor: Taihei Michihata
  • Patent number: 11483451
    Abstract: A method is performed at a system that comprises one or more video cameras and a remote server system. The method includes obtaining, via a video camera of the one or more video cameras, a continuous stream of video data for a scene. The video data stream comprises color video data in accordance with a determination that the scene has illumination above an illumination threshold and comprises infrared (IR) video data in accordance with a determination that the scene does not have illumination above the illumination threshold. The method includes colorizing the IR video data based on a subset of the color video data. The method further includes presenting the colorized video data to a user in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Google LLC
    Inventors: George Alban Heitz, III, Rizwan Ahmed Chaudhry, Ankit Mohan, Joshua Fromm
  • Patent number: 11478634
    Abstract: An optical sensor, especially an artificial retina, that includes at least one photosensitive cell. Each cell includes a integration capacitor, a read circuit the operation of which depends on the charge of the integration capacitor, at least one MOS transistor operating subthreshold, and the drain-source current of which influences the charge on the integration capacitor, and at least one photodiode operating in photovoltaic mode and connected to the gate of this transistor, such that the drain-source current of the MOS transistor depends on the optical power received by the photodiode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: ÉCOLE CENTRALE DE LILLE, UNIVERSITÉ POLYTECHNIQUE HAUTS-DE-FRANCE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, YNCREA HAUTS DE FRANCE, UNIVERSITE DE LILLE
    Inventors: Alain Cappy, Francois Danneville, Virginie Hoel, Christophe Loyez, Ilias Sourikopoulos
  • Patent number: 11469767
    Abstract: Clock and other cyclical signals are driven onto respective capacitively-loaded segments of a distribution path via inverting buffer stages that self-correct for stage-to-stage duty cycle error, yielding a balanced signal duty cycle over the length of the distribution path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Gigajot Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Dexue Zhang
  • Patent number: 11468699
    Abstract: An electronic device has a photosensitive element, a charge storage element, and a node. The photosensitive element generates a current in response to illumination thereon. The charge storage element is coupled to the photosensitive element and is used to store charge in response to the current generated by the photosensitive element. The signal reading circuit is coupled to the photosensitive element, and the node is coupled between the photosensitive element and the charge storage element. The charge storage element and the photosensitive element are coupled in series, and the node is coupled to an end of the signal reading circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
    Inventors: Tao-Sheng Chang, Hui-Ching Yang, Te-Yu Lee
  • Patent number: 11463636
    Abstract: In one example, an apparatus comprises: a plurality of photodiodes, one or more charge sensing units, one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), and a controller. The controller is configured to: enable the each photodiode to generate charge in response to a different component of the incident light; transfer the charge from the plurality of photodiodes to the one or more charge sensing units to convert to voltages; receive a selection of one or more quantization processes of a plurality of quantization processes corresponding to a plurality of intensity ranges; based on the selection, control the one or more ADCs to perform the selected one or more quantization processes to quantize the voltages from the one or more charge sensing units to digital values representing components of a pixel of different wavelength ranges; and generate a pixel value based on the digital values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Facebook Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Samuel Berkovich, Xinqiao Liu, Song Chen, Nicholas Daniel Trail, Michael Patrick Schaub
  • Patent number: 11462581
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming a color image of a scene and a method for utilizing that apparatus are disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a first photodetector includes first main photodiode and a first floating diffusion node. The first main photodiode is characterized by a first light conversion efficiency as a function of wavelength of a light signal incident thereon. The first floating diffusion node includes a parasitic photodiode characterized by a second light conversion efficiency as a function of the wavelength. The second light conversion efficiency is different from the first light conversion efficiency as a function of wavelength. A controller generates an intensity of light in each of a plurality of wavelength bands for the pixel sensor utilizing a measurement of the light signal by each of the first main photodiode and the first parasitic photodiode in that photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: BAE Systems Imaging Solutions Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Ladd, James E. Crouch, Alberto M. Magnani
  • Patent number: 11460620
    Abstract: Metasurface polarization convertors permit conversion of an input linear polarization to right- or left-handed circular polarization based on the orientation of the input linear polarization, over a broad bandwidth and with high efficiency. The reflected circular polarizations can be used to evaluate samples for circular dichroism. A THz time-domain detection provides a time domain terahertz signal that is Fourier transformed to produce a THz circular dichroism spectrum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Triad National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Hou-Tong Chen
  • Patent number: 11462194
    Abstract: A system may include electronic devices that communicate wirelessly. When positioned so that a pair of devices overlap or are adjacent to one another, the devices may operate in a linked mode. During linked operations, devices may communicate wirelessly while input gathering and content displaying operations are shared among the devices. One or both of a pair of devices may have sensors. A capacitive sensor or other sensor may be used to measure the relative position between two devices when the two devices overlap each other. Content displaying operations and other linked mode operations may be performed based on the measured relative position between the two devices and other information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Paul X. Wang, Tianjia Sun, Chang Zhang, Dominic P. McCarthy, Eric Shyr, John B. Morrell, John P. Ternus
  • Patent number: 11463622
    Abstract: An image capturing method for an image capturing apparatus includes setting a shake correction mode that performs shake correction processing during shooting, and a superimposed display mode that performs superimposition and display of an optical viewfinder display and an electronic viewfinder display. When the shake correction mode and the superimposed display mode are set, a captured image for which the shake correction processing is not performed, or an image equivalent to the state without shake correction processing, is used as the electronic viewfinder display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: RICOH COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Koichi Sato
  • Patent number: 11460666
    Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging apparatus and method, and an image processing apparatus and method that make it possible to expand a range of a subject that can be imaged. A subject is imaged by an imaging element including a plurality of pixel output units that receives incident light from the subject entering without passing through either an imaging lens or a pinhole and entering through an optical system that is not an imaging lens and has a negative power, and each outputs one detection signal indicating an output pixel value modulated by an incident angle of the incident light. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, an imaging apparatus, an image processing apparatus, an information processing apparatus, an electronic device, a computer, a program, a storage medium, a system, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Noriaki Kozuka, Yoshitaka Miyatani
  • Patent number: 11457168
    Abstract: An image sensor, comprising a pixel region in which a plurality of pixel units are arranged, each pixel unit having first and second photoelectric conversion portions, a first output portion that outputs, outside of the image sensor, a first signal based on a signal from the first photoelectric conversion portion of the pixel units, and a second output portion that outputs a second signal based on a signal from the first photoelectric conversion portion and a signal from the second photoelectric conversion portion of the pixel units, wherein output of the first signal from the first output portion and output of the second signal from the second output portion are performed in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hideki Ikedo
  • Patent number: 11455052
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a mechanical interaction has a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of output lines. An intersection between each scan line and output line provides a connection to a plurality of sensing elements. Each of the sensing elements comprises a variable resistance element and a voltage amplifier. The apparatus includes an output processor which determines a voltage output in parallel at each output line from the plurality of sensing elements on activation of one of the scan lines from a driving processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: PERATECH HOLDCO LIMITED
    Inventor: Themistoklis Afentakis
  • Patent number: 11450696
    Abstract: A pixel circuit includes a photodiode and a floating diffusion disposed in a semiconductor substrate. A transfer gate is disposed between the photodiode and the floating diffusion to transfer photogenerated image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion. A dual floating diffusion (DFD) transistor is coupled between the floating diffusion and a DFD capacitor. The DFD transistor includes a DFD gate that includes a planar gate portion disposed over a surface of the semiconductor substrate and a vertical gate portion that extends vertically from the planar gate portion into the semiconductor substrate. The vertical gate portion of the DFD gate is configured to increase a gate to substrate coupling capacitance of the DFD transistor. The gate to substrate coupling capacitance and the DFD capacitor are coupled to increase an effective capacitance associated with the floating diffusion in response to the DFD transistor being turned on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Hui Zang, Gang Chen
  • Patent number: 11450148
    Abstract: A monitoring system or tracking system may include an input port and a controller in communication with the input port. The input port may receive video from one or more image capturing devices. The image capturing device is optionally part of the monitoring system and in some cases includes at least part of the controller. The controller may be configured to receive video via the input port and identify a subject within frames of the video relative to a background within the frames. Further, the controller may be configured to identify dimensions, posture, hand location, feet location, twisting position/angle, and/or other parameters of the identified subject in frames of the video and determine when the subject is performing a task. Based on the dimensions and/or other parameters identified or extracted from the video during the predetermined task, the controller may output via the output port assessment information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
    Inventors: Robert Radwin, Xuan Wang, Yu Hen Hu
  • Patent number: 11445129
    Abstract: A low leakage binned pixel is provided. The pixel comprises a photodiode, a bin transistor and an output amplifier circuit. The photodiode has an anode and a cathode, the anode to collect electrons generated by light or by other form of ionising radiation, e.g. electrons. The bin transistor has a first terminal coupled to the cathode of the photodiode; a second terminal, configured to be coupled to a first terminal of a voltage reset switch (VRST) transistor; and a gate, configured to be coupled to a controller to receive a bin signal. The output amplifier circuit has an input and an output, wherein the input is coupled to the cathode of the photodiode and to the second terminal of the bin transistor. A multi-pixel binned circuit, an image sensor and a camera are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: IMASENIC ADVANCED IMAGING, S.L.
    Inventors: Renato Andrea Danilo Turchetta, Michele Sannino, Adrià Bofill
  • Patent number: 11439483
    Abstract: A system comprises alight source to provide light, an optical system comprises focusing optics to focus the light onto a focal surface, a detector to measure returning light that is reflected off of a three dimensional object, a translation mechanism to displace the focal surface along an imaging axis defined by the optical path, and one or more processor. The one or more processor is to generate measurement data comprising coordinates of a plurality of surface points of the three dimensional object based on the measured returning light; adjust the coordinates of the subset of the plurality of surface points along up to three axes to correct the measurement data so as to remove inaccuracies caused by changes in magnification at the focal surface; and generate a three dimensional model of the three dimensional object using corrected measurement data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tal Verker, Adi Levin, Ofer Saphier, Maayan Moshe
  • Patent number: 11438490
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to devices, systems and methods for connecting one or more sensors to one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) in the distal end or tip of a scope. The disclosure also extends to a connector assembly for an image sensor for protecting the sensor and conveying information from the sensor to the PCB.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: DePuy Synthes Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremiah D. Henley, Laurent Blanquart, Brian Dean
  • Patent number: 11438540
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a solid-state imaging apparatus, a manufacturing method of the same and an electronic device which can make an apparatus size further smaller. A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a laminate of a first structure in which a pixel array unit in which pixels that perform photoelectric conversion are two-dimensionally arranged is formed and a second structure in which an output circuit unit configured to output pixel signals output from the pixels to an outside of an apparatus is formed. The output circuit unit, a first through hole via which penetrates through a semiconductor substrate constituting part of the second structure, and an external terminal for signal output connected to the outside of the apparatus are disposed below the pixel array unit of the first structure. The present disclosure can be applied, for example, to a solid-state imaging apparatus or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shinji Miyazawa
  • Patent number: 11438542
    Abstract: A computer implemented method for controlling read-out from a digital image sensor device, comprising a plurality of pixels, the method comprising the steps of setting a first read-out scheme, based on a first level of pixel binning and/or pixel skipping, reading, based on the first read-out scheme, from the digital image sensor device, a first image, determining an exposure value for the first image, based on the intensity value of each one of the first plurality of regions of the first image and comparing the exposure value with a predetermined maximum value. A second read-out scheme based on a second level of pixel binning and/or pixel skipping is set. The level of pixel binning and/or pixel skipping in the second read-out scheme is increased compared to the first read-out scheme, if the exposure value is higher than the predetermined maximum value. Based on the second read-out scheme, a subsequent second image is read. A system configured to perform the method is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Tobii AB
    Inventors: Niklas Ollesson, Magnus Ivarsson, Viktor â„«berg, Anna Redz
  • Patent number: 11437416
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor including a first photodetector and a second photodetector each disposed within a semiconductor substrate. An isolation structure extends from a front-side surface of the semiconductor substrate to a back-side surface of the semiconductor substrate. The front-side surface is opposite the back-side surface and the isolation structure is laterally between the first and second photodetectors. A readout transistor is disposed on the front-side surface of the semiconductor substrate. A first side of the readout transistor overlies the first photodetector and a second side of the readout transistor overlies the second photodetector. The first side is opposite the second side and the readout transistor continuously extends over the isolation structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11431931
    Abstract: An image sensor and pixel circuit therefor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in an array, a first pixel of the plurality of pixels including: a first photoelectric conversion device; a first amplifier including a first input terminal connected to the first photoelectric conversion device, and a first output terminal; a first capacitor disposed between the first input terminal and the first output terminal; and a first reset switch network disposed between the first input terminal and the first output terminal in parallel with the first capacitor, the first reset switch network including a first reset transistor with a first body terminal connected to a common reference voltage, a second reset transistor, and a third reset transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Bohannon
  • Patent number: 11431926
    Abstract: A high dynamic range imaging pixel may include a photodiode that generates charge in response to incident light. When the generated charge exceeds a first charge level, the charge may overflow through a first transistor to a first storage capacitor. When the generated charge exceeds a second charge level that is higher than the first charge level, the charge may overflow through a second transistor. The charge that overflows through the second transistor may alternately be coupled to a voltage supply and drained or transferred to a second storage capacitor for subsequent readout. Diverting more overflow charge to the voltage supply may increase the dynamic range of the pixel. The amount of charge diverted to the voltage supply may therefore be updated to control the dynamic range of the imaging pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventor: Richard Scott Johnson
  • Patent number: 11431933
    Abstract: A digital pixel includes a photo diode connected to a first node and configured to generate an optical signal from an incident light, a storage diode configured to store the optical signal in a second node, a floating diffusion node configured to output a detection signal based on the optical signal, a first transmission transistor connected between the first and second nodes, and configured to transmit the optical signal from the first node to the second node, a second transmission transistor connected between the second node and the floating diffusion node, and configured to transmit the optical signal from the second node to the floating diffusion node, and a discharge transistor connected to the first node and configured to be turned on in a section in which the second transmission transistor is turned on to discharge a parasitic charge generated in the first node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min Woong Seo, Myung Lae Chu
  • Patent number: 11428791
    Abstract: Provided is a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) device and a silicon photomultiplier based LiDAR. The SiPM device includes a first sub-region and a second sub-region. In the first sub-region, the photodiode is operated with a first internal gain. In the second sub-region, the photodiode is operated with a second internal gain and the second internal gain in smaller than the first internal gain. A first anode generates current from the first sub-region in response to a low flux event, and the second anode generates current from the second sub-region in response to a high flux event. A common cathode outputs current generated from the first sub-region or the second sub-region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Motional AD LLC
    Inventor: Geng Fu
  • Patent number: 11430629
    Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing a detector array are disclosed. According to certain embodiments, a substrate comprises a plurality of sensing elements including a first element and a second element. The detector comprises a switching element configured to connect the first element and the second element. The switching region may be controlled based on signals generated in response to the sensing elements receiving electrons with a predetermined amount of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Yongxin Wang, Zhonghua Dong, Rui-Ling Lai
  • Patent number: 11422354
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to the field of digital pathology imaging technologies, in particular, to a digital pathology scanner for large-area microscopic imaging. The digital pathology scanner for large-area microscopic imaging includes a plurality of microscopic objectives and a plurality of digital image sensors; the microscopic objectives and the digital image sensors are equal in quantity and are fixed relatively in a one-to-one correspondence manner. The digital image sensors are sequentially distributed so as to form a sensor array. The sensor array enables images formed by the digital image sensors to be sequentially distributed without intervals in a second direction when moving in a first direction, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Dakewe (Shenzhen) Medical Equipment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuhao Tang, Qiyue Yu, Junfeng He, Qingjun Wu, Jianfei Wei, Jian Deng, Yahong Liu, Xiongbing Zhou, Yang Wang
  • Patent number: 11417691
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a first transfer gate formed over a substrate, and including a first projection; a second transfer gate formed over the substrate, neighboring the first transfer gate, and including a second projection; and a floating diffusion formed in the substrate, and partially overlapping with the first transfer gate and the second transfer gate, wherein the first projection and the second projection face each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sung-Kun Park, Hye-Won Mun
  • Patent number: 11418731
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel, the pixel has: a first photoelectric conversion unit and a second photoelectric conversion unit that photoelectrically convert light to generate a charge; an accumulation unit that accumulates at least one of the charge generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the charge generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit; a first output unit and a second output unit that output a signal based on the charge accumulated in the accumulation unit; and an adjustment unit that adjusts a capacitance of the accumulation unit if a signal based on the charges generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the second photoelectric conversion unit is output from the first output unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 11415679
    Abstract: A sensing device includes a first array of sensing elements, which output a signal indicative of a time of incidence of a single photon on the sensing element. A second array of processing circuits are coupled respectively to the sensing elements and comprise a gating generator, which variably sets a start time of the gating interval for each sensing element within each acquisition period, and a memory, which records the time of incidence of the single photon on each sensing element in each acquisition period. A controller sets, in each of at least some of the acquisition periods, different, respective gating intervals for different ones of the sensing elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Anup K. Sharma, Arnaud Laflaquière, Gennadiy A. Agranov, Gershon Rosenblum, Shingo Mandai
  • Patent number: 11411027
    Abstract: Disclosed is a pixel element comprising a semiconductor substrate, a primary charge-collection node, a peripheral node, a modulating node, a circuitry and a backside conductive layer. The semiconductor substrate is configured to convert a flux of photons to first and second conductivity-type mobile charges. The peripheral node at least partially surrounds the primary charge-collection node, which at least partially surrounds the modulating node. The circuitry is used to connect and disconnect a reset voltage to/from the primary charge-collection node, provide a peripheral node voltage to the peripheral node, and measure an amount of the first conductivity-type mobile charges collected by the primary charge-collection node. The modulating node is electrically connected to a modulating voltage source, which is independent of the peripheral node voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Kovilta Oy
    Inventors: Jonne Poikonen, Ari Paasio, Mika Laiho
  • Patent number: 11409106
    Abstract: A display module and an HMD device including the same are discussed in which a black matrix is not recognized as a lattice type by a user without an increase in resolution of the display module. The display module according to an embodiment includes a first substrate on which a plurality of pixels are provided, a second substrate including one surface on which an engraved pattern is provided, and a lens layer filled into the engraved pattern of the second substrate. The lens layer comprises a plurality of lenses respectively corresponding to the plurality of pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: LG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: SungMin Jung, HanSeok Kim, Keongjin Lee
  • Patent number: 11412163
    Abstract: Provided is an imaging device including a plurality of pixels each including a first photoelectric conversion unit that one pupil-divided part of an incident light enters and a second photoelectric conversion unit that another pupil-divided part of the incident light enters, each of the plurality of pixels is configured to output a first signal based on charges generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal based on at least charges generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit in one frame period, the plurality of pixels includes a first pixel and a second pixel that are arranged on columns different from each other and arranged on a single row, and the first pixel and the second pixel are subjected to different control from each other in the one frame period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Masahiro Kobayashi