公开(公告)号：US10284769B2

公开(公告)日：2019-05-07

申请号：US15688613

申请日：2017-08-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  G03B13/00 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N9/083 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N9/04

Abstract: An imaging area in an image sensor includes a plurality of photo detectors. A light shield is disposed over a portion of two photo detectors to partially block light incident on the two photo detectors. The two photo detectors and the light shield combine to form an asymmetrical pixel pair. The two photo detectors in the asymmetrical pixel pair can be two adjacent photo detectors. The light shield can be disposed over contiguous portions of the two adjacent photo detectors. A color filter array can be disposed over the plurality of photo detectors. The filter elements disposed over the two photo detectors can filter light representing the same color or different colors.

公开(公告)号：US09686485B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-20

申请号：US14292599

申请日：2014-05-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Gennadiy A. Agranov ,  Claus Molgaard ,  Ashirwad Bahukhandi ,  Chiajen Lee ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/345 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N9/04

CPC classification number: H04N9/04511 ,  H04N5/347 ,  H04N5/37457 ,  H04N9/045

Abstract: Pixel binning is performed by summing charge from some pixels positioned diagonally in a pixel array. Pixel signals output from pixels positioned diagonally in the pixel array may be combined on the output lines. A signal representing summed charge produces a binned 2×1 cluster. A signal representing combined voltage signals produces a binned 2×1 cluster. A signal representing summed charge and a signal representing combined pixel signals can be combined digitally to produce a binned 2×2 pixel. Orthogonal binning may be performed on other pixels in the pixel array by summing charge on respective common sense regions and then then combining the voltage signals that represent the summed charge on respective output lines.

公开(公告)号：US09451152B2

公开(公告)日：2016-09-20

申请号：US14198540

申请日：2014-03-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  G03B13/00 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N9/083 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N9/04

CPC classification number: H04N5/23212 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H04N5/3696 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An imaging area in an image sensor includes a plurality of photo detectors. A light shield is disposed over a portion of two photo detectors to partially block light incident on the two photo detectors. The two photo detectors and the light shield combine to form an asymmetrical pixel pair. The two photo detectors in the asymmetrical pixel pair can be two adjacent photo detectors. The light shield can be disposed over contiguous portions of the two adjacent photo detectors. A color filter array can be disposed over the plurality of photo detectors. The filter elements disposed over the two photo detectors can filter light representing the same color or different colors.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器中的成像区域包括多个光电检测器。 光屏蔽设置在两个光电检测器的一部分上，以部分地阻挡入射在两个光电检测器上的光。 两个光电检测器和光屏蔽结合形成不对称的像素对。 不对称像素对中的两个光电检测器可以是两个相邻的光电检测器。 遮光罩可以布置在两个相邻的光电检测器的连续部分上。 滤光器阵列可以设置在多个光电检测器上。 设置在两个光电检测器上的滤光器元件可以过滤表示相同颜色或不同颜色的光。

公开(公告)号：US20150035028A1

公开(公告)日：2015-02-05

申请号：US13959362

申请日：2013-08-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiaofeng Fan ,  Philip H. Li ,  Chung Chun Wan ,  Anup K. Sharma ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/1462 ,  H01L27/14625 ,  H01L27/14638 ,  H01L27/1464 ,  H01L27/14685

Abstract: A pixel in an image sensor can include a photodetector and a storage region disposed in one substrate, or a photodetector disposed in one substrate and a storage region in another substrate. A buried light shield is disposed between the photodetector and the storage region. A sense region, such as a floating diffusion, can be adjacent to the storage region, with the buried light shield disposed between the photodetector and the storage and sense regions. When the photodetector and the storage region are disposed in separate substrates, a vertical gate can be formed through the buried light shield and used to initiate the transfer of charge from the photodetector and the storage region. A transfer channel formed adjacent to, or around the vertical gate provides a channel for the charge to transfer from the photodetector to the storage region.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器中的像素可以包括设置在一个基板中的光电检测器和存储区域，或者设置在一个基板中的光电检测器和另一个基板中的存储区域。 掩埋的光屏蔽设置在光电检测器和存储区之间。 诸如浮动扩散的感测区域可以与存储区域相邻，其中掩埋的光屏蔽件设置在光电检测器和存储和感测区域之间。 当光电检测器和存储区域设置在分离的基板中时，可以通过掩埋的光屏蔽形成垂直栅极，并且用于开始从光电检测器和存储区域传输电荷。 形成在垂直栅极附近或周围的转移通道提供用于电荷从光电检测器转移到存储区域的通道。

公开(公告)号：US12219226B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-04

申请号：US17948054

申请日：2022-09-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Aditya Rayankula ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N23/45 ,  G02B5/20 ,  G02B27/14 ,  H04N23/50 ,  H04N23/56

Abstract: An electronic device includes a housing including a front cover opposite a back cover; a display viewable through the front cover; a light-bending mirror positioned between the front cover and the back cover and receiving light through one of the front cover or the back cover, the light-bending mirror redirecting received light along a light path parallel to the front cover and the back cover; a dichroic cube prism positioned in the light path, the dichroic cube prism receiving light through a first face of the dichroic cube prism, redirecting a visible light portion of the received light through a second face of the dichroic cube prism, and redirecting an infrared (IR) portion of the received light through a third face of the dichroic cube prism; a visible light image sensor positioned adjacent the second face; and an IR light image sensor positioned adjacent the third face.

公开(公告)号：US20230090827A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-23

申请号：US17945636

申请日：2022-09-15

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Gilad Michael ,  Lilong Shi

IPC: H04N9/04 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/369 ,  G06T3/40

Abstract: An image capture device is described. The image capture device includes an array of pixels, each pixel including a photodetector. A Bayer pattern color filter is disposed over a 4×4 subset of pixels in the array of pixels. The Bayer pattern color filter defines a first 2×2 subset of pixels sensitive to red light; a second 2×2 subset of pixels sensitive to green light; a third 2×2 subset of pixels sensitive to green light; and a fourth 2×2 subset of pixels sensitive to blue light. A set of 1×1 on-chip lenses (OCLs) includes a different 1×1 OCL disposed over each pixel in the second 2×2 subset of pixels and the third 2×2 subset of pixels. A set of 2×1 OCLs or 2×2 OCLs includes a 2×1 OCL or a 2×2 OCL disposed over each pixel in the first 2×2 subset of pixels and the fourth 2×2 subset of pixels.

公开(公告)号：US11239267B2

公开(公告)日：2022-02-01

申请号：US16607113

申请日：2018-04-02

Applicant: APPLE INC.

Inventor： Gennadiy A Agranov ,  Oray O. Cellek ,  QingFei Chen ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/363

Abstract: Imaging apparatus (20) includes a photosensitive medium (22) and a bias electrode (32), which is at least partially transparent, overlying the photosensitive medium. An array of pixel circuits (26) is formed on a semiconductor substrate (30). Each pixel circuit includes a pixel electrode (24) coupled to collect the charge carriers from the photosensitive medium; a readout circuit (75) configured to output a signal indicative of a quantity of the charge carriers collected by the pixel electrode; a skimming gate (48) coupled between the pixel electrode and the readout circuit; and a shutter gate (46) coupled in parallel with the skimming gate between a node (74) in the pixel circuit and a sink site. The shutter gate and the skimming gate are opened sequentially in each of a sequence of image frames so as to apply a global shutter to the array and then to read out the collected charge carriers via the skimming gate to the readout circuit.

公开(公告)号：US20180160027A1

公开(公告)日：2018-06-07

申请号：US15688613

申请日：2017-08-28

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/23212 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H04N5/3696 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An imaging area in an image sensor includes a plurality of photo detectors. A light shield is disposed over a portion of two photo detectors to partially block light incident on the two photo detectors. The two photo detectors and the light shield combine to form an asymmetrical pixel pair. The two photo detectors in the asymmetrical pixel pair can be two adjacent photo detectors. The light shield can be disposed over contiguous portions of the two adjacent photo detectors. A color filter array can be disposed over the plurality of photo detectors. The filter elements disposed over the two photo detectors can filter light representing the same color or different colors.

公开(公告)号：US09356061B2

公开(公告)日：2016-05-31

申请号：US13959362

申请日：2013-08-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiaofeng Fan ,  Philip H. Li ,  Chung Chun Wan ,  Anup K. Sharma ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/1462 ,  H01L27/14625 ,  H01L27/14638 ,  H01L27/1464 ,  H01L27/14685

Abstract: A pixel in an image sensor can include a photodetector and a storage region disposed in one substrate, or a photodetector disposed in one substrate and a storage region in another substrate. A buried light shield is disposed between the photodetector and the storage region. A sense region, such as a floating diffusion, can be adjacent to the storage region, with the buried light shield disposed between the photodetector and the storage and sense regions. When the photodetector and the storage region are disposed in separate substrates, a vertical gate can be formed through the buried light shield and used to initiate the transfer of charge from the photodetector and the storage region. A transfer channel formed adjacent to, or around the vertical gate provides a channel for the charge to transfer from the photodetector to the storage region.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器中的像素可以包括设置在一个基板中的光电检测器和存储区域，或者设置在一个基板中的光电检测器和另一个基板中的存储区域。 掩埋的光屏蔽设置在光电检测器和存储区之间。 诸如浮动扩散的感测区域可以与存储区域相邻，其中掩埋的光屏蔽件设置在光电检测器和存储和感测区域之间。 当光电检测器和存储区域设置在分离的基板中时，可以通过掩埋的光屏蔽形成垂直栅极，并且用于开始从光电检测器和存储区域传输电荷。 形成在垂直栅极附近或周围的转移通道提供用于电荷从光电检测器转移到存储区域的通道。

公开(公告)号：US20140267850A1

公开(公告)日：2014-09-18

申请号：US14198540

申请日：2014-03-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/23212 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H01L27/14645 ,  H04N5/3696 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An imaging area in an image sensor includes a plurality of photo detectors. A light shield is disposed over a portion of two photo detectors to partially block light incident on the two photo detectors. The two photo detectors and the light shield combine to form an asymmetrical pixel pair. The two photo detectors in the asymmetrical pixel pair can be two adjacent photo detectors. The light shield can be disposed over contiguous portions of the two adjacent photo detectors. A color filter array can be disposed over the plurality of photo detectors. The filter elements disposed over the two photo detectors can filter light representing the same color or different colors.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器中的成像区域包括多个光电检测器。 光屏蔽设置在两个光电检测器的一部分上，以部分地阻挡入射在两个光电检测器上的光。 两个光电检测器和光屏蔽结合形成不对称的像素对。 不对称像素对中的两个光电检测器可以是两个相邻的光电检测器。 遮光罩可以布置在两个相邻的光电检测器的连续部分上。 滤光器阵列可以设置在多个光电检测器上。 设置在两个光电检测器上的滤光器元件可以过滤表示相同颜色或不同颜色的光。