公开(公告)号：US12274099B2

公开(公告)日：2025-04-08

申请号：US17707495

申请日：2022-03-29

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Dajiang Yang ,  Hong Wei Lee ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Oray O. Cellek ,  Xiangli Li ,  Kai Shen

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  G02B3/00 ,  H04N25/20 ,  H04N25/532 ,  H04N25/771 ,  H10F39/00 ,  H10F39/18

Abstract: Disclosed herein are global shutter image sensors and methods of operating such image sensors. An image sensor includes a semiconductor wafer having a light receiving surface opposite an electrical connection surface; an oxide extending from the light receiving surface toward the electrical connection surface and at least partially surrounding a pixel region; a photodiode disposed within the pixel region; and a set of storage nodes disposed under the photodiode, between the photodiode and the electrical connection surface. The set of storage nodes comprises a first storage node and a second storage node. The storage nodes may be disposed vertically beneath the photodiode, or side by side.

公开(公告)号：US11563910B2

公开(公告)日：2023-01-24

申请号：US17380852

申请日：2021-07-20

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/369 ,  H04N9/04 ,  G02B5/20 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  G02B3/00 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: An image capture device is described. The image capture device includes an array of pixels. Each pixel includes a 2×2 array of photodetectors. The image capture device also includes an array of 1×2 on chip lenses (OCLs) disposed over the array of pixels. For each pixel in the array of pixels, a respective pair of adjacent 1×2 OCLs is disposed over a pixel, with each respective pair of adjacent 1×2 OCLs including a respective first 1×2 OCL disposed over a first photodetector and a respective second photodetector in the 2×2 array of photodetectors for the pixel, and a second 1×2 OCL disposed over a third photodetector and a fourth photodetector in the 2×2 array of photodetectors for the pixel.

公开(公告)号：US10943935B2

公开(公告)日：2021-03-09

申请号：US15682255

申请日：2017-08-21

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Chung Chun Wan

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/369

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for charge transfer in image sensors are disclosed. One example of an image sensor pixel may include a first charge storage node and a second charge storage node. A transfer circuit may be coupled between the first and second charge storage nodes, and the transfer circuit may have a first region proximate the first charge storage node and configured to have a first potential. The transfer circuit may also have a second region proximate the second charge storage node configured to have a second, higher potential. An input node may be configured to control the first and second potentials based on a transfer signal provided to the input node.

公开(公告)号：US20200304743A1

公开(公告)日：2020-09-24

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: H04N5/378 ,  H01L27/146 ,  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：US20180109742A1

公开(公告)日：2018-04-19

申请号：US15627409

申请日：2017-06-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

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

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

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 combining the voltage signals that represent the summed charge on respective output lines.

公开(公告)号：US09749521B2

公开(公告)日：2017-08-29

申请号：US15266898

申请日：2016-09-15

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.

公开(公告)号：US09584743B1

公开(公告)日：2017-02-28

申请号：US14481820

申请日：2014-09-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Sheng Lin ,  Suppawan Kleekajai ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/359 ,  H04N17/00 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/232

CPC classification number: H04N5/359 ,  G06T5/003 ,  H04N5/23212 ,  H04N5/3696 ,  H04N9/045 ,  H04N17/002

Abstract: A system and method for producing a digital image. The method may compensate for cross-talk between adjacent pixels and reduce the effect of auto-focus elements integrated into a pixel array of an image sensor. A set of coefficients is obtained, where the set of coefficients represent a relative measurement between two or more pixels in the pixel array and may be obtained from a calibration operation. A predictive function is constructed based on the set of coefficients. A compensated pixel value for at least one pixel of the image sensor is calculated using the predictive function. A digital image is created based in part on the compensated value.

Abstract translation: 一种用于产生数字图像的系统和方法。 该方法可以补偿相邻像素之间的串扰，并且减少集成到图像传感器的像素阵列中的自动聚焦元件的影响。 获得一组系数，其中系数集合表示像素阵列中的两个或更多像素之间的相对测量值，并且可以从校准操作获得。 基于一组系数构建预测函数。 使用预测函数计算图像传感器的至少一个像素的补偿像素值。 部分基于补偿值创建数字图像。

公开(公告)号：US09497397B1

公开(公告)日：2016-11-15

申请号：US14481806

申请日：2014-09-09

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Suppawan Kleekajai ,  Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/365

CPC classification number: H04N5/3696 ,  H01L27/14623 ,  H04N5/23212 ,  H04N5/3572 ,  H04N5/3651 ,  H04N9/045 ,  H04N9/07

Abstract: An electronic device includes an image sensor, a memory, and a processor operably connected to the image sensor and the memory. A pixel array in the image sensor includes at least one pixel that is configured as an auto-focus pixel that is at least partially shielded from light by a shielding element. The memory stores computer-readable instructions, and the processor is adapted to produce a digital image by executing the computer-readable instructions for obtaining a plurality of coefficients representing a relationship between a ratio of two affected pixels and a ratio of two non-affected pixels in the pixel array, constructing a predictive function based on the plurality of coefficients, and computing a compensated pixel value for at least one pixel of the image sensor using the predictive function. A digital image can be created based in part on the compensated pixel value.

Abstract translation: 电子设备包括图像传感器，存储器和可操作地连接到图像传感器和存储器的处理器。 图像传感器中的像素阵列包括被配置为通过屏蔽元件至少部分地被光屏蔽的自动聚焦像素的至少一个像素。 存储器存储计算机可读指令，并且处理器适于通过执行计算机可读指令来产生数字图像，所述计算机可读指令用于获得表示两个受影响像素的比率和两个不受影响像素的比率之间的关系的多个系数 在所述像素阵列中，基于所述多个系数构建预测函数，以及使用所述预测函数来计算所述图像传感器的至少一个像素的补偿像素值。 可以部分地基于经补偿的像素值来创建数字图像。

公开(公告)号：US09293500B2

公开(公告)日：2016-03-22

申请号：US13782532

申请日：2013-03-01

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Anup K. Sharma ,  Xiaofeng Fan ,  Xiangli Li ,  Chung Chun Wan ,  Chiajen Lee ,  Terry L. Gilton

IPC: H04N5/235 ,  G03B7/00 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/3745

CPC classification number: H01L27/14641 ,  H04N5/35536 ,  H04N5/3591 ,  H04N5/37452

Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor. Charge accumulated in a photodiode during a first sub-exposure may be selectively stored in a storage node responsive to a first control signal. Charge accumulated in the photodiode during a first reset period may be selectively discarded responsive to a second control signal. Charge accumulated in the photodiode during a second sub-exposure may be selectively stored responsive to the first control signal. Charge stored in the storage node from the first and second sub-exposures may be transferred to a floating diffusion node responsive to a third control signal.

Abstract translation: 一种操作图像传感器的方法。 在第一次曝光期间累积在光电二极管中的电荷可以响应于第一控制信号被选择性地存储在存储节点中。 响应于第二控制信号，可以选择性地丢弃在第一复位周期期间在光电二极管中累积的电荷。 可以响应于第一控制信号选择性地存储在第二副曝光期间在光电二极管中累积的电荷。 响应于第三控制信号，可以将存储在第一和第二子曝光中的存储节点中的电荷传送到浮动扩散节点。

公开(公告)号：US09041837B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-26

申请号：US13785070

申请日：2013-03-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Xiangli Li

IPC: H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/3592 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14672 ,  H04N5/335

Abstract: An image sensor for an electronic device. The image sensor includes a first light sensitive element for collecting charge and having a first saturation value and a well surrounding at least a portion of the first light sensitive element and having a first doping concentration. The image sensor further includes a bridge region defined in the well and in communication with the first light sensitive element and having a second doping concentration and a blooming node in communication with the bridge region and a voltage source. The second doping concentration is less than the first doping concentration and when light sensitive element collects sufficient charge to reach the first saturation value, additional charge received by the light sensitive element travels to the blooming node via the bridge region.

Abstract translation: 一种用于电子设备的图像传感器。 图像传感器包括用于收集电荷并具有第一饱和值的第一光敏元件和围绕第一光敏元件的至少一部分并且具有第一掺杂浓度的阱。 图像传感器还包括限定在阱中并与第一光敏元件连通并具有第二掺杂浓度的桥接区域和与桥接区域和电压源连通的起霜节点。 第二掺杂浓度小于第一掺杂浓度，并且当光敏元件收集足够的电荷以达到第一饱和值时，由光敏元件接收的附加电荷经由桥接区域传播到起霜节点。