STACKED CHIP SPAD IMAGE SENSOR
Granted: April 30, 2015
Application Number:
20150115131
An example imaging sensor system includes a Single-Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) imaging array formed in a first semiconductor layer of a first wafer. The SPAD imaging array includes an N number of pixels, each including a SPAD region formed in a front side of the first semiconductor layer. The first wafer is bonded to a second wafer at a bonding interface between a first interconnect layer of the first wafer and the second interconnect layer of the second wafer. An N number of digital…
IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING SPREAD SPECTRUM CHARGE PUMP
Granted: April 23, 2015
Application Number:
20150109500
A method of reducing harmonic tones of noise in an image sensor includes generating a system clock and generating a random clock in response to the system clock. A charge pump is clocked with the random clock to generate a boosted voltage. The boosted voltage is provided to a pixel array of the image sensor. Image charge is readout from pixel cells of the pixel array using the boosted voltage from the charge pump.
IMAGE SENSOR WITH DOPED SEMICONDUCTOR REGION FOR REDUCING IMAGE NOISE
Granted: April 23, 2015
Application Number:
20150108507
A backside illuminated image sensor includes a semiconductor layer having a back-side surface and a front-side surface. The semiconductor layer includes a pixel array region including a plurality of photodiodes configured to receive image light through the back-side surface of the semiconductor layer. The semiconductor layer also includes a peripheral circuit region including peripheral circuit elements for operating the plurality of photodiodes that borders the pixel array region. The…
PROJECTOR-CAMERA SYSTEM WITH AN INTERACTIVE SCREEN
Granted: April 16, 2015
Application Number:
20150102993
A projector-camera system includes a projector coupled to back project a first image on a translucent diffusing screen. A camera is coupled to capture a second image from a back side of the translucent diffusing screen. The second image includes the first image back projected on the translucent diffusing screen and a shadow of a pointing device cast on a front side of the translucent diffusing screen. The pointing device is on the front side of the translucent diffusing screen and is in…
IMAGE SENSOR AND PIXELS INCLUDING VERTICAL OVERFLOW DRAIN
Granted: April 9, 2015
Application Number:
20150097213
Embodiments of an apparatus comprising a pixel array including a plurality of pixels formed in a substrate having a front surface and a back surface, each pixel including a photosensitive region formed at or near the front surface and extending into the substrate a selected depth from the front surface. A filter array is coupled to the pixel array, the filter array including a plurality of individual filters each optically coupled to a corresponding photosensitive region, and a vertical…
X-RAY AND OPTICAL IMAGE SENSOR
Granted: March 26, 2015
Application Number:
20150085978
An image sensor for capturing X-ray image data and optical image data includes an X-ray absorption layer and a plurality of photodiodes disposed in a semiconductor layer. The X-ray absorption layer is configured to emit photons in response to receiving X-ray radiation. The plurality of photodiodes disposed in the semiconductor layer is optically coupled to receive image light to generate the optical image data, and is optically coupled to receive photons from the X-ray absorption layer…
Sensor And Method For Color Photosensor Array With Shielded, Deep-Penetration, Photodiodes For Color Detection
Granted: March 19, 2015
Application Number:
20150076322
A photosensor has a masking layer having an opening over a central photodiode and a first adjacent photodiode, the first adjacent photodiode covered by the masking layer and located sufficiently near the central photodiode that at least some light admitted through the opening over the central photodiode reaches the first adjacent photodiode through the central photodiode. The photosensor also has a second adjacent photodiode; the second adjacent photodiode covered by the masking layer…
Apparatus And Method For Molding Optical Lense During A Puddle Dispensing Process
Granted: March 19, 2015
Application Number:
20150077856
An optical mold including a spacer cavity portion, a lens cavity portion and a flow stop control portion for allowing optical lens material to flow between the spacer cavity portion and the lens cavity portion and an optical lens array formed therefrom. The optical mold may further include a pedestal located within the spacer cavity portion for supporting the mold during a puddle dispensing process. A method for using the optical mold including the spacer cavity portion, the lens cavity…
OPTICAL SHIELD IN A PIXEL CELL PLANARIZATION LAYER FOR BLACK LEVEL CORRECTION
Granted: March 19, 2015
Application Number:
20150076639
A pixel array includes a plurality of photodiodes disposed in a semiconductor layer and arranged in the pixel array. A color filter layer is disposed proximate to the semiconductor layer. Light is to be directed to at least a first one of the plurality of photodiodes through the color filter layer. An optical shield layer is disposed proximate to the color filter layer. The color filter layer is disposed between the optical shield layer and the semiconductor layer. The optical shield…
Dual VPIN HDR Image Sensor Pexel
Granted: March 19, 2015
Application Number:
20150076330
A CMOS photodiode device for use in a dual-sensitivity imaging pixel contains at least two areas of differential doping. Transistors are provided in electrical contact with these areas to govern operation of signals emanating from the photodiode on two channels, each associated with a different sensitivity to light. A plurality of such photodiodes may be incorporate into a shared arrangement forming a single pixel, in order to enhance the signals.
EYEWEAR DISPLAY SYSTEM PROVIDING VISION ENHANCEMENT
Granted: March 12, 2015
Application Number:
20150070596
An eyewear display system includes a camera coupled to capture an image of an object in a surrounding environment. A projector is coupled to receive the captured image to output a projected image. A polarizing beam splitter optically coupled to receive the projected image and an actual view of the surrounding environment. The polarizing beam splitter is optically coupled to output a combined view of the projected image combined with the actual view of the surrounding environment. The…
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING IMAGE DATA FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR
Granted: March 12, 2015
Application Number:
20150070547
A method of reading image data from an image sensor includes accumulating image charges in photosensitive elements of an array of pixel cells. The accumulated image charges are transferred to corresponding transistors in multi-phase transfer channels that are coupled to corresponding columns of the pixel array. Multi-phase transfer signals are generated. Each set of the multi-phase transfer signals includes a plurality of control signals that are out-of-phase with one another and are…
Camera Devices And Systems Based On A Single Image Sensor And Methods For Manufacturing The Same
Granted: March 12, 2015
Application Number:
20150070466
A camera device includes a single imaging sensor, a plurality of imaging objectives associated with the single imaging sensor, and a plurality of dedicated image areas within the single imaging sensor, each of the plurality of dedicated image areas corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of imaging objectives, such that images formed by each of the plurality of imaging objectives may be recorded by the single imaging sensor.
Systems And Methods For Generating High Dynamic Range Images
Granted: February 19, 2015
Application Number:
20150049215
A method determines a pixel value in a high dynamic range image from two images of different brightness by obtaining corresponding input pixel intensities from the two images, determining combination weights, and calculating the pixel value in the high dynamic range image as a weighted average of the input pixel intensities. Another method determines a pixel value in a high dynamic range image from more than two images by forming pairs of corresponding input pixel intensities,…
Keyboard Camera Device
Granted: February 19, 2015
Application Number:
20150049023
A keyboard camera device has a key array forming a keyboard and at least one camera configured with the keyboard and positioned with a field of view to view a user of the keyboard. An interface unit includes a keyboard controller for interfacing with an array of keys of the keyboard to detect key operations, a camera controller for controlling the at least one camera to capture images, and a host interface for receiving indication of the key operations and the images and for…
IMAGE SENSOR PIXEL CELL WITH SWITCHED DEEP TRENCH ISOLATION STRUCTURE
Granted: February 19, 2015
Application Number:
20150048427
A pixel cell includes a photodiode disposed in an epitaxial layer in a first region of semiconductor material. A floating diffusion is disposed in a well region disposed in the epitaxial layer in the first region. A transfer transistor is disposed in the first region and coupled between the photodiode and the floating diffusion to selectively transfer image charge from the photodiode to the floating diffusion. A deep trench isolation (DTI) structure lined with a dielectric layer inside…
PARTITIONED SILICON PHOTOMULTIPLIER WITH DELAY EQUALIZATION
Granted: February 12, 2015
Application Number:
20150041627
A photon detection device includes a first wafer having an array of photon detection cells partitioned into a plurality of photon detection blocks arranged in the first wafer. A second wafer having a plurality of block readout circuits arranged thereon is also included. An interconnect wafer is disposed between the first wafer and the second wafer. The interconnect wafer includes a plurality of conductors having substantially equal lengths. Each one of the plurality of conductors is…
APPLICATION SPECIFIC, DUAL MODE PROJECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD
Granted: February 5, 2015
Application Number:
20150036058
A projector panel includes pixel display, a display controller, and a pattern generator. The pattern generator is operative to output pixel data indicative of at least one application specific predetermined pattern. In a particular embodiment, the projector panel is a liquid-crystal-on-silicon panel. In another particular embodiment, the projector panel is adapted for selective use in either structured light projection systems or conventional video projection systems.
COLOR AND INFRARED FILTER ARRAY PATTERNS TO REDUCE COLOR ALIASING
Granted: January 1, 2015
Application Number:
20150002707
Embodiments of a color filter array include a plurality of tiled minimal repeating units, each minimal repeating unit comprising an M×N set of individual filters, and each individual filter in the set having a photoresponse selected from among four different photoresponses. Each minimal repeating unit includes a checkerboard pattern of filters of the first photoresponse, and filters of the second, third, and fourth photoresponses distributed among the checkerboard pattern such that the…
CORRECTION OF IMAGE SENSOR FIXED-PATTERN NOISE (FPN) DUE TO COLOR FILTER PATTERN
Granted: December 4, 2014
Application Number:
20140354861
Embodiments of an apparatus including a pixel array and a color filter array optically coupled to the pixel array, the color filter array including a plurality of tiled minimal repeating units. Processing circuitry is coupled to the pixel array to correct fixed pattern noise (FPN) in an image captured by the pixel array. The processing circuitry corrects the values of pixels that are part of a correction group, and wherein the corrections comprise a combination of a color ratio…
