3D IMAGING USING PHASE DETECTION AUTOFOCUS (PDAF) IMAGE SENSOR
Granted: February 25, 2021
Application Number:
20210055502
A 3D imaging system comprises a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) image sensor, a lens for imaging a cross-section of a 3D object on the PDAF image sensor and an actuator for driving the lens for focusing each cross-section of the 3D object on the PDAF image sensor. The actuator drives the lens until the PDAF image sensor identifies an image of a first cross-section of the 3D object in-focus and records the image of the first cross-section. The PDAF image sensor records images of…
FULLY BURIED COLOR FILTER ARRAY OF IMAGE SENSOR
Granted: February 18, 2021
Application Number:
20210051250
An image sensor includes a substrate. An array of photodiodes is disposed in the substrate. A plurality of spacers is arranged in a spacer pattern. At least one spacer of the plurality of spacers has an aspect ratio of 18:1 or greater. A buffer layer is disposed between the substrate and the spacer pattern. An array of color filters is disposed in the spacer pattern.
Digital CDS Readout with 1.5 ADC Conversions Per Pixel
Granted: January 28, 2021
Application Number:
20210029320
A CMOS image sensor comprises an array of pixels. A column of the pixel array is coupled to a readout column. The readout column is couple to a readout circuitry (RC) that reads out image data from the pixel array. The RC comprises a sampling switch which is coupled to a 1-column successive approximation register (SAR) analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The 1-column SAR ADC comprises a differential comparator, a local SAR control, and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC). The sampling…
Enhanced Shutter Efficiency Time-of-Flight Pixel
Granted: January 28, 2021
Application Number:
20210029311
A time-of-flight pixel array comprises multiple pixel cells. The pixel cell comprises a light collection region, a light shielded region, and a deep trench isolation (DTI) structure that encircles the light collection region to prevent light from entering the light shielded region. Photogate in the light collection region is disposed above a photodiode to accumulate the photo-generated electrical charges. A doped region disposed near the photogate collects the attracted charges. The…
DIFFRACTIVE OPTICAL ELEMENTS MADE OF CONDUCTIVE MATERIALS
Granted: December 10, 2020
Application Number:
20200387002
A diffractive optical element (DOE) comprises a first part comprising a first transparent non-conductive base and a first transparent conductive layer disposed on the first transparent non-conductive base and a second part comprising a second transparent non-conductive base and a second transparent conductive layer disposed on the second transparent non-conductive base. The first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer have periodical patterns of…
IMAGE SENSOR MODULE HAVING PROTECTIVE STRUCTURE THAT BLOCKS INCIDENT LIGHT TO ARRIVE AT BONDING WIRES AND PADS
Granted: November 12, 2020
Application Number:
20200357842
An image sensor module comprises: a substrate having a first side and second side, the first side being an opposite of the second side, an image sensor attached to the first side of the substrate, bonding wires to bond the image sensor to pads on the first side of the substrate, a protective structure disposed on the first side of the substrate surrounding the image sensor, the bonding wires, and the pads, the protective structure having a dam and a lid, a cover glass disposed on the…
ANTI-REFLECTIVE COATING WITH HIGH REFRACTIVE INDEX MATERIAL AT AIR INTERFACE
Granted: October 22, 2020
Application Number:
20200335534
An optical element comprising a transparent substrate and an anti-reflective coating, wherein the anti-reflective coating further comprises at least a transparent, high refractive index layer and a transparent, low refractive index layer, wherein the high refractive index layer is in contact with the low refractive index layer; and wherein the high refractive index layer is situated at an interface between the anti-reflective coating and air. Further, the low refractive index layer may…
LCOS PIXEL FILM LAYER DESIGN FOR REFLECTION RATE IMPROVEMENT
Granted: August 6, 2020
Application Number:
20200249536
A novel liquid crystal on silicon (LCoS) device includes an array of pixel electrodes having a highly reflective material formed thereon. In a particular embodiment, the pixel electrodes are aluminum and have silver pixel mirrors electroplated thereon. In a more particular embodiment, the LCoS device includes auxiliary circuitry facilitating the electroplating of the pixel mirrors.
LASER MARKED CODE PATTERN FOR REPRESENTING TRACING NUMBER OF CHIP
Granted: July 30, 2020
Application Number:
20200243384
A chip comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, a plurality of conductive metal patterns formed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of solder balls formed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate, and at least one code pattern formed using laser marking on the first side of the semiconductor substrate in a space free from the plurality of conductive metal patterns and the plurality of solder…
CODE PATTERN FOR REPRESENTING TRACING NUMBER OF CHIP
Granted: July 30, 2020
Application Number:
20200243472
A chip comprises a semiconductor substrate having a first side and a second side opposite to the first side, a plurality of conductive metal patterns formed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of solder balls formed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate, and at least one code pattern of a first group and at least one code pattern of a second group formed on the first side of the semiconductor substrate in a space free from the plurality of conductive…
LED FLICKER REDUCTION FOR HIGH DYNAMIC RNAGE IMAGING
Granted: June 4, 2020
Application Number:
20200177788
A system for capturing a high dynamic range (HDR) image comprises an image sensor comprising a split pixel including a first pixel having higher effective gain and a second pixel having lower effective gain. The second pixels exposed with a capture window capture at least a pulse emitted by a light emitting diode (LED) controlled by a pulse width modulation. A first HDR image is produced by a combination including an image produced by the second pixels, and images produced by multiple…
LCOS DISPLAY WITH LIGHT ABSORBING LAYER
Granted: April 23, 2020
Application Number:
20200124902
An example liquid crystal display device includes a circuit substrate, an array of conductive mirrors formed on the substrate, a light absorbing material disposed between the conductive mirrors, a transparent plate disposed over the array of conductive mirrors, and liquid crystal material disposed between the conductive mirrors and the transparent plate. The light absorbing material can also be disposed around the peripheral region of the array of the conductive mirrors. In an example…
COMBINED VISIBLE AND INFRARED IMAGE SENSOR INCORPORATING SELECTIVE INFRARED OPTICAL FILTER
Granted: April 16, 2020
Application Number:
20200120315
A pixel array comprise a green pixel comprising a first green optical filter and a first clear filter, a red pixel comprising a red optical filter and a first special filter, a blue pixel comprising a blue optical filter and a second special filter, and an IR pixel comprising an IR optical filter and one of a second green optical filter and a second clear filter, where the first special filter suppresses a transmission of IR at a stopband centered at 850 nm at a first IR minimum…
CMOS IMAGE SENSOR WITH MULTIPLE STAGE TRANSFER GATE
Granted: March 26, 2020
Application Number:
20200099878
An image sensor pixel comprises a first charge storage node configured to have a first charge storage electric potential; a second charge storage node configured to have a second charge storage electric potential and receive charge from the first charge storage node, wherein the second charge storage electric potential is greater than the first charge storage electric potential; and a transfer circuit coupled between the first and the second charge storage nodes, wherein the transfer…
STRUCTURE LIGHT MODULE USING VERTICAL CAVITY SURFACE EMITTING LASER ARRAY AND FOLDING OPTICAL ELEMENT
Granted: March 5, 2020
Application Number:
20200073097
A structure light module comprises: a VCSEL substrate comprising a VCSEL array comprising a plurality of individual VCSELs; a first spacer disposed on the VCSEL substrate; a first wafer level lens comprising a glass substrate and at least a replicated lens on a first surface of the glass substrate disposed on the first spacer; a FOE disposed on the first wafer level lens; a second spacer disposes on the FOE; a second wafer level lens comprising a glass substrate and at least a replicated…
IMAGE SENSORS WITH PHASE DETECTION AUTO FOCUS PIXELS
Granted: February 20, 2020
Application Number:
20200059618
An image sensor pixel array comprises a center region and two parallel edge regions, wherein the center region is between the two parallel edge regions. The center region comprises a plurality of image pixels disposed along first sub-array of rows and columns, wherein each of the plurality of image pixels comprises a first micro-lens (ML) formed at an offset position above a first light receiving element as a countermeasure for shortening of exit pupil distance of the image pixel in the…
Liquid Crystal On Silicon Packaging
Granted: February 13, 2020
Application Number:
20200050044
A method of fanning an electrical connection in a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) device, comprising: providing a silicon substrate including a first surface and a second surface, wherein the silicon substrate includes an conductive pad at the first surface; providing a cover glass panel that includes a cover glass, a transparent electrode layer formed upon the cover glass, and a first sealing material layer formed upon the transparent electrode layer; forming a second sealing material…
Image Sensors with Phase Detection Auto-Focus Pixels
Granted: February 6, 2020
Application Number:
20200045223
An image sensor pixel array comprises a plurality of image pixel units to gather image information and a plurality of phase detection auto-focus (PDAF) pixel units to gather phase information. Each of the PDAF pixel units includes two of first image sensor pixels covered by two micro-lenses, respectively. Each of the image pixel units includes four of second image sensor pixels adjacent to each other, wherein each of the second image sensor pixels is covered by an individual micro-lens.…
SMALL PIXELS HAVING DUAL CONVERSION GAIN PROVIDING HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE
Granted: December 19, 2019
Application Number:
20190386057
A group of shared pixels comprises: a first shared pixel comprising a first photodiode and a first transfer gate; a second shared pixel comprising a second photodiode and a second transfer gate; a third shared pixel comprising a third photodiode and a third transfer gate; a fourth shared pixel comprising a fourth photodiode and a first transfer gate; a first floating diffusion shared by the first shared pixel and the second shared pixel; a second floating diffusion shared by the third…
HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE SENSORS
Granted: October 31, 2019
Application Number:
20190333953
An image sensor comprises a first photodiode and a second photodiode having a smaller full-well capacitance than the first photodiode, wherein the second photodiode is adjacent to the first photodiode; a first micro-lens is disposed above the first photodiode and on an illuminated side of the image sensor; a second micro-lens is disposed above the second photodiode and on the illuminated side of the image sensor; and a coating layer disposed on both the first and second micro-lens,…
