Responsive To Non-electrical External Signal (e.g., Imager) Patents (Class 257/222)
  • Patent number: 8952427
    Abstract: A range image sensor capable of improving its aperture ratio and yielding a range image with a favorable S/N ratio is provided. A range image sensor RS has an imaging region constituted by a plurality of one-dimensionally arranged units on a semiconductor substrate 1 and yields a range image according to a charge amount issued from the units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K
    Inventors: Takashi Suzuki, Mitsuhito Mase
  • Patent number: 8946783
    Abstract: An image sensor including a semiconductor layer including a plurality of unit pixels each including a photoelectric conversion device and read devices; and an insulating layer including a light-shielding pattern defining a light-receiving region and a light-shielding region of the semiconductor layer, the insulating layer covering one surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer further includes a potential drain region formed adjacent to an interface between the semiconductor layer and an insulating layer in the light-shielding region, wherein electrons generated due to defects occurring at the interface are accumulated in the potential drain region. At least one of the unit pixels in the light-shielding region provides a drain path for draining the electrons accumulated in the potential drain region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Chak Ahn
  • Patent number: 8946845
    Abstract: The invention describes in detail a solid-state CMOS image sensor, specifically a CMOS image sensor pixel that has stacked photo-sites, high sensitivity, and low dark current. The pixels have incorporated therein special potential barriers under the standard pinned photodiode region that diverts the photo-generated electrons from a deep region within the silicon bulk to separate storage structures located at the surface of the silicon substrate next to the pinned photodiode. The storage structures are p channel BCMD transistors that are biased to a low dark current generation mode during a charge integration period. The signal readout from the BCMD is nondestructive, therefore, without kTC noise generation. Thus a single pixel is capable of detecting several color-coded signals while using fewer or without using any light absorbing color filters on top of the pixel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Jaroslav Hynecek, Hirofumi Komori, Xia Zhao
  • Publication number: 20150028392
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a solid-state imaging device including a pixel portion, a charge storage portion, a first transfer gate portion, a charge detecting portion, a second transfer gate portion, and an offset gate portion. The charge storage portion stores the electrical charges generated in the pixel portion. The first transfer gate portion transfers electrical charges from the pixel portion to the charge storage portion, and the second transfer gate portion transfers the electrical charges from the charge storage portion to the charge detecting portion. The offset gate portion is provided between the second transfer gate portion and the charge detecting portion and is applied with a predetermined constant voltage. This offset gate portion includes an offset gate layer that has a plurality of projections formed at positions adjacent to the second transfer gate portion and an offset gate electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Ken TOMITA
  • Publication number: 20150028394
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a solid-state imaging device including a pixel portion including a first light receiving layer, a charge accumulation portion including a first charge accumulation layer which accumulates a charge, a first transfer gate portion, a charge detection portion and a second transfer gate portion. The first transfer gate portion transfers the charge from the pixel portion to the charge accumulation portion, and the second transfer gate portion transfers the charge from the charge accumulation portion to the charge detection portion. The charge detection portion causes a voltage drop corresponding to an amount of the charge transferred to this region. An impurity layer of a ring shape which includes an opening portion is provided on a surface of at least one of the first light reception layer of the pixel portion and the first charge accumulation layer of the charge accumulation portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Ken TOMITA
  • Publication number: 20150028393
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a solid-state imaging device including a pixel portion, a charge storage portion, a first transfer gate portion transferring charge from the pixel portion to the charge storage portion, and a second transfer gate portion transferring the charge from the charge storage portion to the charge detection portion. The pixel portion includes a light sensing layer and a shield layer shielding the light sensing layer. The charge storage portion includes a charge storage layer shielding the charge storage layer. At least one of the shield layer for light sensing layer and the shield layer for charge storage layer includes a concave part to expose a part of the light sensing layer adjacent to the first transfer gate portion or a part of the charge storage layer adjacent to the second transfer gate portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 29, 2015
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Ken TOMITA
  • Publication number: 20150014749
    Abstract: Provided are a solid-state imaging element which can be simply manufactured and can control movement of electric charges in an accumulation region with a high degree of accuracy, and a method of manufacturing the same. A solid-state imaging element (1a) includes a substrate (11) having a first conductivity type; an accumulation region (12) having a second conductivity type and provided in the substrate (11); a read-out region (13) for receiving the transferred electric charges accumulated in the accumulation region (12); and a transfer section (14) for transferring the electric charges from the accumulation region (12) to the read-out region (13). An impurity concentration modulation region 121 having a locally high concentration of an impurity having the second conductivity type, or having a locally low concentration of an impurity having the first conductivity type is formed in a part of the accumulation region (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Takeo Ushinaga
  • Patent number: 8933527
    Abstract: A device includes a plurality of isolation spacers, and a plurality of bottom electrodes, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of bottom electrodes are insulated from each other by respective ones of the plurality of isolation spacers. A plurality of photoelectrical conversion regions overlaps the plurality of bottom electrodes, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of photoelectrical conversion regions are insulated from each other by respective ones of the plurality of isolation spacers. A top electrode overlies the plurality of photoelectrical conversion regions and the plurality of isolation spacers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yi-Shin Chu, Cheng-Tao Lin, Meng-Hsun Wan, Szu-Ying Chen, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Patent number: 8921855
    Abstract: It is disclosed that, as an embodiment, a test circuit includes a test signal supply unit configured to supply a test signal via a signal line to signal receiving units provided in a plurality of columns, wherein the test signal supply unit is a voltage buffer or a current buffer, and the test circuit has a plurality of test signal supply units and a plurality of signal lines, and wherein at least one test signal supply unit is electrically connected to one signal line different from a signal line to which another test signal supply unit is electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Okita, Masaaki Iwane, Yu Arishima, Masaaki Minowa
  • Patent number: 8916911
    Abstract: A semiconductor substrate includes a photodiode on a support substrate. An insulating layer is provided between the support substrate and the semiconductor substrate. A first conductive pattern is provided in the insulating layer. A first through electrode penetrates the support substrate to be in contact with the first conductive pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gil-Sang Yoo, Chang-Rok Moon, Byung-Jun Park, Sang-Hoon Kim, Seung-Hun Shin
  • Publication number: 20140367747
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment is a photoelectric conversion device having a photoelectric conversion portion, and a transfer portion. The transfer portion transfers charges of the photoelectric conversion portion. The photoelectric conversion portion includes first and second semiconductor regions of a first conductivity type. Charges generated by photoelectric conversion are accumulated in the first and second semiconductor regions. According to the structure of the first and second semiconductor regions of the exemplary embodiment or the method for manufacturing them, the transfer efficiency of charges can be improved while improving the sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Takanori Watanabe, Takafumi Miki, Satoko Iida, Masahiro Kobayashi, Junji Iwata
  • Patent number: 8912578
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup device. The device includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer gate electrode configured to transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion element, a second substrate having a peripheral circuit portion including a circuit configured to read a signal based charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element, the first and second substrates being laminated. The device further includes a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the first substrate, including an aluminum interconnect and a multilayer interconnect structure, disposed on the second substrate, including a copper interconnect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Endo, Tetsuya Itano, Kazuo Yamazaki, Kyouhei Watanabe, Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8907388
    Abstract: A optical-information acquisition element encompasses a semiconductor layer (31) of a p-type, a surface-buried region (33) of a n-type buried in the semiconductor layer (31) so as to implement a photodiode with the semiconductor layer (31), a charge-accumulation region (36) of the n-type buried in the surface-buried region (33), configured to accumulate charges generated by the photodiode, a barrier-creating region of the p-type buried in the surface-buried region (33) so as to sandwich the surface-buried region (33) with the semiconductor layer (31), configured to create a potential barrier, and a charge-exhaust region (34) of the n-type buried in the semiconductor layer (31), configured to store and to extract excess charges which surmount the potential barrier and flow out from the charge-accumulation region (36). The changes of potential level of the charge-accumulation region (36) are extracted as signals, after receiving optical-communication signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Shizuoka University
    Inventor: Shoji Kawahito
  • Patent number: 8883535
    Abstract: Methods for the fabrication of a Microelectromechanical Systems (“MEMS”) device are provided. In one embodiment, the MEMS device fabrication method includes forming a via opening extending through a sacrificial layer and into a substrate over which the sacrificial layer has been formed. A body of electrically-conductive material is deposited over the sacrificial layer and into the via opening to produce an unpatterned transducer layer and a filled via in ohmic contact with the unpatterned transducer layer. The unpatterned transducer layer is then patterned to define, at least in part, a primary transducer structure. At least a portion of the sacrificial layer is removed to release at least one movable component of the primary transducer structure. A backside conductor, such as a bond pad, is then produced over a bottom surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the filled via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor Inc.
    Inventor: Lianjun Liu
  • Patent number: 8860861
    Abstract: A pixel is provided with a photodiode region which includes a photoelectric conversion portion for receiving light and generating electrons, and a charge storage portion for storing electric charge. The pixel is configured in such a manner that an electron exclusion region is provided in the photodiode region with the diameter of a circle having the maximum diameter among circles that can exist in the surface of a region through which electrons can pass in the photodiode region as the width of an electron passage region in the photodiode region, and the width of the electron passage region is smaller than when the electron exclusion region is not provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chiaki Aoyama
  • Patent number: 8841707
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor region, a first diffusion layer, a second diffusion layer, a third diffusion layer, an insulating film, a potential layer, and a read electrode. The semiconductor region includes first and second surfaces. The first diffusion layer is formed in the first surface. The first diffusion layer's concentration is a maximum value in a position at a first depth. The charge accumulation layer has a second depth. The second diffusion layer contacts the first diffusion layer. The third diffusion layer is formed in a position which faces the second diffusion layer in respect to the first diffusion layer. The insulating film is formed on the first surface. The potential layer is formed on the insulating film and has a predetermined potential. The read electrode is formed on the insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hirofumi Yamashita
  • Publication number: 20140246706
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: pixels arranged in a matrix, a semiconductor substrate; a first electrode formed above the semiconductor substrate for each of the pixels; a photoelectric conversion film formed on the first electrode, for photoelectric conversion of light into signal charge; a charge accumulation region formed in the semiconductor substrate for accumulating the signal charge generated through the photoelectric conversion in the photoelectric conversion film; a contact plug for electrically connecting the first electrode and the charge accumulation region in a corresponding pixel; a high-concentration impurity region formed on a surface of the charge accumulation region, in a region in contact with the contact plug; a surface impurity region formed on the surface of the charge accumulation region, in a region not in contact with the contact plug; and a low-concentration impurity region formed between the high-concentration impurity region and the surface impurity region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi MORI, Yutaka HIROSE, Yoshihisa KATO, Yusuke SAKATA, Hiroshi MASUDA, Ryohei MIYAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8809913
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a gating device is connected to a pixel core. The gating device may include a control structure and one or more terminals, wherein the one or more terminals are commonly connected to each other and connected to the pixel core. Alternatively, the terminals may be connected to corresponding photodiodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Components Industries, LLC
    Inventor: Yannick De Wit
  • Patent number: 8803164
    Abstract: To provide a solid-state image sensing device or a semiconductor display device, which can easily obtain the positional data of an object without contact. Included are a plurality of first photosensors on which light with a first incident angle is incident from a first incident direction and a plurality of second photosensors on which light with a second incident angle is incident from a second incident direction. The first incident angle of light incident on one of the plurality of first photosensors is larger than that of light incident on one of the other first photosensors. The second incident angle of light incident on one of the plurality of second photosensors is larger than that of light incident on one of the other second photosensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kurokawa, Takayuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 8785986
    Abstract: The invention describes the solid-state image sensor array and in particular describes in detail the junction gate BCMD pixel sensor array that can be used in the back side illuminated mode as well as in the front side illuminated mode. The pixels generally do not need addressing transistors and the reset is accomplished in a vertical direction to the junction gate, so no additional reset transistor is needed for this purpose. As a result of this innovation the pixel maintains large charge storage capacity when its size is reduced, has low noise due to the nondestructive charge readout, and no RTS noise. The pixel interface generated dark current is also drained to the gate, so the image sensor array operates with very low dark current noise even at high temperatures. The junction gate also serves as a drain for the overflow charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Jaroslav Hynecek, Hirofumi Komori
  • Patent number: 8773563
    Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensor includes multiple vertical charge-coupled device (VCCD) shift registers and independently-controllable gate electrodes disposed over the VCCD shift registers and arranged into physically separate and distinct sections that are non-continuous across the plurality of VCCD shift registers. The CCD image sensor can be configured to operate in two or more operating modes, including a full resolution charge multiplication mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Truesense Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonio S. Ciccarelli, Eric J. Meisenzahl
  • Patent number: 8760549
    Abstract: A demodulation pixel architecture allows for demodulating an incoming modulated electromagnetic wave, normally visible or infrared light. It is based on a charge coupled device (CCD) line connected to a drift field structure. The drift field is exposed to the incoming light. It collects the generated charge and forces it to move to the pick-up point. At this pick-up point, the CCD element samples the charge for a given time and then shifts the charge packets further on in the daisy chain. After a certain amount of shifts, the multiple charge packets are stored in so-called integration gates, in a preferred embodiment. The number of integration gates gives the number of simultaneously available taps. When the cycle is repeated several times, the charge is accumulated in the integration gates and thus the signal-to-noise ratio increases. The architecture is flexible in the number of taps. A dump node can be attached to the CCD line for dumping charge with the same speed as the samples are taken.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: MESA Imaging AG
    Inventors: Michael Lehmann, Bernhard Buttgen
  • Patent number: 8748945
    Abstract: Image sensors are provided. The image sensors may include first and second stacked impurity regions having different conductivity types. The image sensors may also include a floating diffusion region in the first impurity region. The image sensors may further include a transfer gate electrode surrounding the floating diffusion region in the first impurity region. Also, the transfer gate electrode and the floating diffusion region may overlap the second impurity region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jong-Cheol Shin
  • Patent number: 8748210
    Abstract: A semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate, and a multilayer wiring structure arranged on the semiconductor substrate, the multilayer wiring structure including a plurality of first electrically conductive lines, an insulating film covering the plurality of first electrically conductive lines, and a second electrically conductive line arranged on the insulating film so as to intersect the plurality of first electrically conductive lines, wherein the insulating film has gaps in at least some of a plurality of regions where the plurality of first electrically conductive lines and the second electrically conductive line intersect each other, and a width of the gap in a direction along the second electrically conductive line is not larger than a width of the first electrically conductive line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takeshi Aoki
  • Publication number: 20140151753
    Abstract: The solid-state imaging apparatus 100a comprises: photoelectric conversion elements PD1 and PD2 formed within a semiconductor substrate 100; and transfer transistors Tt1 and Tt2 formed on a first main surface of the semiconductor substrate 100, for transferring the signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion elements PD1 and PD2. The gate electrode 107 of each of the transfer transistors is configured to be disposed over a surface of a first main surface side of an electric charge accumulating region 102, which configures each of the photoelectric conversion elements. The gate electrode 107 is configured with a polysilicon gate layer 107a and a reflection film consisting of a high melting point metal silicide layer 107b for covering the surface of the polysilicon gate layer 107a. As a result, the improvement of sensitivity is achieved for the solid-state imaging apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takefumi Konishi
  • Patent number: 8736007
    Abstract: A method and device is disclosed for reducing noise in CMOS image sensors. An improved CMOS image sensor includes a light sensing structure surrounded by a support feature section. An active section of the light sensing structure is covered by no more than optically transparent materials. A light blocking portion includes an opaque layer or a black light filter layer in conjunction with an opaque layer, covering the support feature section. The light blocking portion may also cover a peripheral portion of the light sensing structure. The method for forming the CMOS image sensors includes using film patterning and etching processes to selectively form the opaque layer and the black light filter layer where the light blocking portion is desired, but not over the active section. The method also provides for forming microlenses over the photosensors in the active section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tien-Chi Wu, Tsung-Yi Lin
  • Patent number: 8729551
    Abstract: A flat panel display includes; a first substrate, a white reflective layer disposed on the first substrate, a pixel electrode disposed on the white reflective, a second substrate disposed facing the first substrate, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, and an electrooptic layer disposed between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, wherein the white reflective layer includes at least one of TiO2 and BaSO4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nam-Seok Roh, Jung-Woo Park, Dae-Jin Park, Yu-Jin Kim, Joo-Han Bae, Tae-Hyung Hwang, Seok-Joon Hong
  • Publication number: 20140124839
    Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, a gating device is connected to a pixel core. The gating device may include a control structure and one or more terminals, wherein the one or more terminals are commonly connected to each other and connected to the pixel core. Alternatively, the terminals may be connected to corresponding photodiodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Inventor: Yannick De Wit
  • Patent number: 8716761
    Abstract: An image sensor for a semiconductor light-sensitive device including a semiconductor substrate and a light receiving device configured to receive light and generate a signal from the light. The image sensor may include an electron collecting device formed in the semiconductor substrate to receive at least a portion of the electrons generated by the light in the light receiving device. The image sensor may include a first type device isolation film configured to isolate the light receiving device from the electron collecting device. The image sensor may include a shielding film formed over the semiconductor substrate and configured to shield the first electron collecting device from the light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Dongbu HiTek Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hoon Jang
  • Patent number: 8704276
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate; a first conductive region of the semiconductor substrate; a first conductive region on an upper surface side of the first conductive region of the semiconductor substrate; a second conductive region below the first conductive region on the upper surface side of the first conductive region of the semiconductor substrate. The solid-state imaging device further includes a photoelectric conversion region including the first conductive region located on the upper surface side of the first conductive region of the semiconductor substrate and the second conductive region and a transfer transistor transferring charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion region to a readout region; and a pixel including the photoelectric conversion region and the transfer transistor. The first conductive region, which is included in the photoelectric conversion region, extends to the lower side of a sidewall of a gate electrode of the transfer transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Keiji Mabuchi
  • Publication number: 20140103400
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a first electrode formed above a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion film formed on the first electrode and for converting light into signal charges; a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion film; a charge accumulation region electrically connected to the first electrode and for accumulating the signal charges converted from the light by the photoelectric conversion film; a reset gate electrode for resetting the charge accumulation region; an amplification transistor for amplifying the signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulation region; and a contact plug in direct contact with the charge accumulation region, comprising a semiconductor material, and for electrically connecting to each other the first electrode and the charge accumulation region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke SAKATA, Mitsuyoshi MORI, Yutaka HIROSE, Hiroshi MASUDA, Hitoshi KURIYAMA, Ryohei MIYAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8698208
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a photoelectric conversion device comprises a first step of forming a gate electrode, a second step of forming a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a third step of forming an insulation film, and a fourth step of forming a protection region of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite conductivity type to the first conductivity type, by implanting ions in the semiconductor region using the gate electrode of the transfer transistor and a portion covering a side face of the gate electrode of the transfer transistor of the insulation film as a mask in a state in which the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode of the transfer transistor are covered by the insulation film, and causing a portion of the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type from which the protection region is removed to be the charge accumulation region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Ryuichi Mishima, Mineo Shimotsusa, Hiroaki Naruse
  • Publication number: 20140091368
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, having a fixed electric potential; a dark-current drain region of a second conductivity type, formed on a portion of the semiconductor substrate; a connection region of the first conductivity type, formed on another portion of the semiconductor substrate where the dark-current drain region is not formed; a well region of the first conductivity type, covering the dark-current drain region and the connection region; and a first region and a second region, formed within the well region and constituting a part of a read transistor that reads signal charge generated by photoelectric conversion. The well region is maintained at a fixed electric potential by being connected to the semiconductor substrate via the connection region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ryohei MIYAGAWA
  • Patent number: 8686479
    Abstract: Provided is a solid-state CMOS image sensor, specifically a CMOS image sensor pixel that has stacked photo-sites, high sensitivity, and low dark current. In an image sensor including an array of pixels, each pixel includes: a standard photo-sensing and charge storage region formed in a first region under a surface portion of a substrate and collecting photo-generated carriers; a second charge storage region formed adjacent to the surface portion of the substrate and separated from the standard photo-sensing and charge storage region; and a potential barrier formed between the first region and a second region underneath the first region and diverting the photo-generated carriers from the second region to the second charge storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
    Inventor: Jaroslav Hynecek
  • Publication number: 20140084348
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor region, a first diffusion layer, a second diffusion layer, a third diffusion layer, an insulating film, a potential layer, and a read electrode. The semiconductor region includes first and second surfaces. The first diffusion layer is formed in the first surface. The first diffusion layer's concentration is a maximum value in a position at a first depth. The charge accumulation layer has a second depth. The second diffusion layer contacts the first diffusion layer. The third diffusion layer is formed in a position which faces the second diffusion layer in respect to the first diffusion layer. The insulating film is formed on the first surface. The potential layer is formed on the insulating film and has a predetermined potential. The read electrode is formed on the insulating film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Kabusiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Hirofumi YAMASHITA
  • Patent number: 8669598
    Abstract: A unit pixel of an image sensor and a photo detector are disclosed. The photo detector of the present invention configured to absorb light can include: a light-absorbing part configured to absorb light by being formed in a floated structure; an oxide film being in contact with one surface of the light-absorbing part; a source being in contact with one side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; a drain facing the source so as to be in contact with the other side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; and a channel interposed between the source and the drain and configured to form flow of an electric current between the source and the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8669599
    Abstract: A unit pixel of an image sensor and a photo detector are disclosed. The photo detector of the present invention configured to absorb light can include: a light-absorbing part configured to absorb light by being formed in a floated structure; an oxide film being in contact with one surface of the light-absorbing part; a source being in contact with one side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; a drain facing the source so as to be in contact with the other side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; and a channel interposed between the source and the drain and configured to form flow of an electric current between the source and the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Inventor: Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8658956
    Abstract: An image sensor provides high scalability and reduced image lag. The sensor includes a first imaging pixel that has a first photodiode region formed in a substrate of the image sensor. The sensor also includes a first vertical transfer transistor coupled to the first photodiode region. The first vertical transfer transistor can be used to establish an active channel. The active channel typically extends along the length of the first vertical transfer transistor and couples the first photodiode region to a floating diffusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Venezia, Hsin-Chih Tai, Duli Mao, Howard E. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 8648947
    Abstract: An image-pickup apparatus including a detector comprising a detecting unit and a reading circuit, the detecting unit including pixels, each of which including a conversion element, the reading circuit which includes a connecting unit that is electrically connected to a signal wire transferring an electric signal and that electrically connects the signal wire to a node, and which performs a reading operation to output the electric signal from the pixel. A control unit controls an operation of the reading circuit, and a sensing unit senses the end of radiation irradiation based on an output of the reading circuit, which is acquired during the period of an accumulation operation of the detector. The control unit starts establishing the electrical connection between the signal wire and the node through the connecting unit based on the sensed irradiation end, and retains the electrical connection until the start of the reading operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Sho Sato, Tadao Endo, Toshio Kameshima, Tomoyuki Yagi, Katsuro Takenaka, Atsushi Iwashita
  • Patent number: 8629482
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes implanting impurity ions to a semiconductor layer in which an electrode is embedded; forming a light absorption film which absorbs laser light at a side of the electrode to which the laser light is irradiated; and activating the impurity ions by irradiating laser light to the semiconductor layer at which the light absorption film is formed in the forming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Kudo, Kenichi Yoshino, Masaki Kamimura
  • Publication number: 20140008703
    Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate; a first conductive region of the semiconductor substrate; a first conductive region on an upper surface side of the first conductive region of the semiconductor substrate; a second conductive region below the first conductive region on the upper surface side of the first conductive region of the semiconductor substrate. The solid-state imaging device further includes a photoelectric conversion region including the first conductive region located on the upper surface side of the first conductive region of the semiconductor substrate and the second conductive region and a transfer transistor transferring charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion region to a readout region; and a pixel including the photoelectric conversion region and the transfer transistor. The first conductive region, which is included in the photoelectric conversion region, extends to the lower side of a sidewall of a gate electrode of the transfer transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Keiji Mabuchi
  • Publication number: 20130334577
    Abstract: An image sensor including a semiconductor layer including a plurality of unit pixels each including a photoelectric conversion device and read devices; and an insulating layer including a light-shielding pattern defining a light-receiving region and a light-shielding region of the semiconductor layer, the insulating layer covering one surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer further includes a potential drain region formed adjacent to an interface between the semiconductor layer and an insulating layer in the light-shielding region, wherein electrons generated due to defects occurring at the interface are accumulated in the potential drain region. At least one of the unit pixels in the light-shielding region provides a drain path for draining the electrons accumulated in the potential drain region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Jung-Chak Ahn
  • Patent number: 8610179
    Abstract: An amorphous-silicon thin film transistor and a shift resister shift resister having the amorphous-silicon TFT include a first conductive region, a second conductive region and a third conductive region. The first conductive region is formed on a first plane spaced apart from a substrate by a first distance. The second conductive region is formed on a second plane spaced apart from the substrate by a second distance. The second conductive region includes a body conductive region and two hand conductive regions elongated from both ends of the body conductive region to form an U-shape. The third conductive region is formed on the second plane. The third conductive region includes an elongated portion. The elongated portion is disposed between the two hand conductive regions of the second conductive region. The amorphous-silicon TFT and the shift resister having the amorphous TFT reduce a parasitic capacitance between the gate electrode and drain electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seung-Hwan Moon, Back-Won Lee
  • Patent number: 8604478
    Abstract: In a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate, a gate insulating layer is disposed on a gate electrode electrically connected to a gate line. A semiconductor layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer. A source electrode is electrically connected to a data line that intersects the gate line. A drain electrode faces the source electrode and defines a channel area of a semiconductor layer. An organic layer is disposed on the data line and has a first opening exposing the channel area. An inorganic insulating layer is disposed on the organic layer. A pixel electrode is disposed on the inorganic insulating layer and electrically connected to the drain electrode. The inorganic insulating layer covers the first opening, and thickness of the inorganic insulating layer is substantially uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Display Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hye-Young Ryu, Jang-Soo Kim, Su-Hyoung Kang
  • Publication number: 20130313408
    Abstract: A spatially resolved spectral device comprising a dispersive array to receive an incident light comprising a principal ray. The dispersive array comprising a plurality of dichroic layers, each of the plurality of dichroic layers disposed in a path of a direction of the principal ray. Each of the plurality of dichroic layers configured to at least one of reflect or transmit a different wavelength range of the incident light. The device further comprising a detection array operatively coupled with the dispersive array. The detection array comprising a photosensitive component including a plurality of detection pixels, each of the plurality of detection pixels having a light-receiving surface disposed parallel to the direction of the principal ray to detect a respective one of the different wavelength ranges of incident light reflected from a corresponding one of the plurality of dichroic layers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Joshua Simon Bloom, John Anthony Tyson
  • Patent number: 8587040
    Abstract: A solid state imaging device including: a pixel region that is formed on a light incidence side of a substrate and to which a plurality of pixels that include photoelectric conversion units is arranged; a peripheral circuit unit that is formed in a lower portion in the substrate depth direction of the pixel region and that includes an active element; and a light shielding member that is formed between the pixel region and the peripheral circuit unit and that shields the incidence of light, emitted from an active element, to the photoelectric conversion unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shoji Kobayashi, Yoshiharu Kudoh, Takuya Sano
  • Patent number: 8581307
    Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photosensitive element having a first doping type disposed in semiconductor material. A deep extension having the first doping type is disposed beneath and overlapping the photosensitive element in the semiconductor material. A floating diffusion is disposed in the semiconductor material. A transfer gate is disposed over a gate oxide that is disposed over the semiconductor material. The transfer gate is disposed between the photosensitive element and the floating diffusion. The photosensitive element and the deep extension are stacked in the semiconductor material in a “U” shape extending from under the transfer gate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: OmniVision Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gang Chen, Duli Mao, Hsin-Chih Tai
  • Patent number: 8569804
    Abstract: A light receiving device comprises a photoelectric conversion element formed on a first-conductivity-type semiconductor substrate, and further comprises a plurality of photoelectron distributors formed on the first-conductivity-type semiconductor substrate. The photoelectron distributor has a first transfer unit for transferring photoelectrons generated in the photoelectric conversion element, a photoelectron hold unit for temporarily holding the photoelectrons generated in the photoelectric conversion element, a second transfer unit for transferring the photoelectrons held in the photoelectron hold unit, and a floating diffusion layer for storing the transferred photoelectrons and converting the photoelectrons to a voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 8569806
    Abstract: A unit pixel of an image sensor and a photo detector are disclosed. The photo detector of the present invention configured to absorb light can include: a light-absorbing part configured to absorb light by being formed in a floated structure; an oxide film being in contact with one surface of the light-absorbing part; a source being in contact with one side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; a drain facing the source so as to be in contact with the other side of the other surface of the oxide film and separated from the light-absorbing part with the oxide film therebetween; and a channel interposed between the source and the drain and configured to form flow of an electric current between the source and the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 8569758
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a touching-type electronic paper and method for manufacturing the same. The touching-type electronic paper includes a TFT substrate and a transparent electrode substrate which are disposed as a cell. The transparent electrode substrate includes a common electrode, microcapsule electronic ink and light guiding poles as light transmitting passages, all of which are formed on a first substrate. The TFT substrate comprises displaying electrodes, first TFTs for driving the displaying electrodes, second TFTs for detecting lights transmitting through the light guiding poles and for producing level signals, and third TFTs for reading the level signals and sending the level signals to a back-end processing system, all of which are formed on a second substrate. The light guiding poles are opposite to the second TFTs respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Boe Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zenghui Sun, Wenjie Hu, Zhuo Zhang, Gang Wang, Xibin Shao