公开(公告)号：US07605355B2

公开(公告)日：2009-10-20

申请号：US11869818

申请日：2007-10-10

申请人： Sorin Davidovici

发明人： Sorin Davidovici

IPC分类号： H01L27/00 ,  H03M1/60

CPC分类号： H04N5/35527 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/243 ,  H04N5/37455

摘要： A high dynamic range sensitive sensor array is described which uses a combination of pixel structures, some of which incorporating phase domain integration techniques to accurately capture high and low intensity images. The sensor elements included as many of the pixel structures in the sensor array are not limited by dynamic range characteristics exhibited by prior art solid-state pixel structures and is thus capable of capturing a full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to provide a high quality output image.

摘要翻译： 描述了高动态范围敏感传感器阵列，其使用像素结构的组合，其中一些结合了相域积分技术来精确地捕获高和低强度图像。 包括传感器阵列中的许多像素结构的传感器元件不受现有技术固态像素结构表现的动态范围特性的限制，因此能够捕获全范围的电磁辐射以提供高质量的输出图像。

公开(公告)号：US20090251571A1

公开(公告)日：2009-10-08

申请号：US12304175

申请日：2007-06-05

申请人： Jun Takayama

发明人： Jun Takayama

IPC分类号： H04N5/217 ,  H04N7/01

CPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/35518 ,  H04N5/35527

摘要： An imaging device (1) including; a fluctuation correcting section (13) for correcting fluctuation of the input/output characteristics of the imaging element (4), and the linearizing section (14) for converting the signals outputted from the imaging element (4) into the state where the output signals are uniformly converted by one conversion characteristic. The fluctuation correcting section (13) is provided with a first correcting section (13a) for correcting fluctuation based on a computing equation obtained by modeling a plurality of kinds of conversion characteristic, and a second correcting section (13b) for correcting the output signals in a region close to a switch point of a plurality of kinds of conversion characteristics among the output signals whose fluctuations are corrected by the first correcting section (13a), by using model equations of two characteristics on the sides of the switch point, so that the output signal overlaps the characteristic of the imaging element (4).

摘要翻译： 一种成像装置（1），包括： 用于校正成像元件（4）的输入/输出特性的波动的波动校正部分（13）和用于将从成像元件（4）输出的信号转换成输出信号的状态的线性化部分（14） 均匀地转换一个转换特性。 波动校正部（13）具备：第一校正部（13a），用于根据通过对多种转换特性进行建模获得的计算式来校正波动;以及第二校正部（13b），用于校正输出信号 在通过第一校正部（13a）校正波动的输出信号中的多个转换特性的切换点附近的区域，通过使用切换点的两侧的两个特性的模型方程，使得 输出信号与成像元件（4）的特性重叠。

公开(公告)号：US07525588B2

公开(公告)日：2009-04-28

申请号：US12078643

申请日：2008-04-02

申请人： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

发明人： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

IPC分类号： H04N5/225 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/35527 ,  H01L27/0251 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518

摘要： An image sensor includes a pixel having a protection circuit connected to a charge multiplying photoconversion layer. The protection circuit prevents the pixel circuit from breaking down when the voltage in the pixel circuit reaches the operating voltage applied to the charge multiplying photoconversion layer in response to the image sensor being exposed to a strong light. The protection circuit causes additional voltage entering the pixel circuit from the charge multiplying photoconversion layer over a predetermined threshold voltage level to be dissipated from the storage node and any downstream components.

摘要翻译： 图像传感器包括具有连接到电荷倍增光转换层的保护电路的像素。 当像素电路中的电压响应于图像传感器暴露于强光而达到施加到电荷倍增光转换层的工作电压时，保护电路防止像素电路分解。 保护电路使额外的电压进入来自电荷倍增光电转换层的预定阈值电压电平的像素电路从存储节点和任何下游部件消散。

公开(公告)号：US20090101914A1

公开(公告)日：2009-04-23

申请号：US12227159

申请日：2007-05-08

申请人： Fusayoshi Hirotsu ,  Junichi Hirotsu

发明人： Fusayoshi Hirotsu ,  Junichi Hirotsu

IPC分类号： H01L31/112

CPC分类号： H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H04N5/35527 ,  H04N5/3559 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/37457

摘要： A signal charge corresponding to an incident light quantity is accumulated in a first node of each pixel circuit. An accumulated charge exhaust circuit includes each of first nodes of the plurality of pixel circuits belonging to the same pixel group, and a second node connected through discharge gates functioning as variable resistance elements. Second node functions as a floating drain during an ON period of a control switch, while accumulating the signal charge overflowing from each pixel circuit, in a capacitor during an OFF period of control switch provided at an intermediate timing in one frame period. When the incident light to the pixel group is intense, a resistance value of each discharge gate is lowered in response to an increase of the signal charge accumulated in capacitor, so that the signal charge accumulated in each pixel circuit can be exhausted once at the above intermediate timing.

摘要翻译： 对应于入射光量的信号电荷被累积在每个像素电路的第一节点中。 累积电荷排出电路包括属于相同像素组的多个像素电路的第一节点和通过用作可变电阻元件的放电门连接的第二节点。 第二节点在控制开关的导通期间作为浮动漏极，在从一个帧周期的中间定时提供的控制开关的OFF周期期间累积从每个像素电路溢出的信号电荷在电容器中。 当对像素组的入射光强烈时，响应于在电容器中累积的信号电荷的增加，每个放电门的电阻值降低，使得在每个像素电路中累积的信号电荷可以在上述一次被耗尽 中间时间

公开(公告)号：US20080225133A1

公开(公告)日：2008-09-18

申请号：US12078643

申请日：2008-04-02

申请人： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

发明人： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

IPC分类号： H04N5/228 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/35527 ,  H01L27/0251 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518

摘要： An image sensor includes a pixel having a protection circuit connected to a charge multiplying photoconversion layer. The protection circuit prevents the pixel circuit from breaking down when the voltage in the pixel circuit reaches the operating voltage applied to the charge multiplying photoconversion layer in response to the image sensor being exposed to a strong light. The protection circuit causes additional voltage entering the pixel circuit from the charge multiplying photoconversion layer over a predetermined threshold voltage level to be dissipated from the storage node and any downstream components.

公开(公告)号：US20080218619A1

公开(公告)日：2008-09-11

申请号：US11938462

申请日：2007-11-12

申请人： Yoshitaka EGAWA

发明人： Yoshitaka EGAWA

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/243 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35527 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： There is provided a solid-state image sensing device including a pixel section in which cells are arrayed, each cell including a photoelectric conversion unit, a reading circuit reading out, to a detection unit, signal charges obtained by the photoelectric conversion unit, an amplifying circuit amplifying and outputting a voltage corresponding to the signal charges, and a reset circuit resetting the signal charges, an exposure time control circuit controlling an exposure time and controlling the exposure time to be equal for all cells, an A/D conversion circuit A/D-converting a signal output from the pixel section by changing a resolution of a signal level, line memories storing an A/D-converted signal, and a signal processing circuit processing output signals from the line memories to have a linear gradient with respect to an optical input signal amount by controlling an amplification factor in accordance with a resolution of a pixel output signal after A/D-conversion.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种固态图像感测装置，其包括其中排列有单元的像素部分，每个单元包括光电转换单元，读取电路读出到检测单元，由光电转换单元获得的信号电荷，放大 电路放大并输出对应于信号电荷的电压，以及复位电路复位信号电荷，曝光时间控制电路控制曝光时间并且将所有单元的曝光时间控制为相等，A / D转换电路A / 通过改变信号电平的分辨率，存储A / D转换的信号的行存储器和处理来自行存储器的输出信号的信号处理电路对由像素部分输出的信号进行D转换，以相对于 通过根据A / D转换后的像素输出信号的分辨率来控制放大系数的光输入信号量。

公开(公告)号：US07417678B2

公开(公告)日：2008-08-26

申请号：US10751562

申请日：2004-01-05

申请人： Hae-Seung Lee ,  Keith Glen Fife ,  Lane G. Brooks

发明人： Hae-Seung Lee ,  Keith Glen Fife ,  Lane G. Brooks

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/35527

摘要： A sense node voltage relating to light intensity incident upon a light-detecting element is measured. To realize this measurement, a first integration reset pulse is generated to enable a resetting of the sense node voltage to a voltage value substantially equal to a reset voltage value associated with the first integration reset pulse, an edge of the first integration reset pulse triggering a beginning of a first integration period. Thereafter, a second integration reset pulse is generated to enable a resetting of the sense node voltage to a voltage value substantially equal to a reset voltage value associated with the second integration reset pulse, an edge of the second integration reset pulse triggering a beginning of a second integration period. Subsequent to the generation of the first integration reset pulse and prior to the generation of the second integration reset pulse, a plurality of intra-period reset pulses is generated to enable resetting of the sense node voltage to a plurality of voltage values, each voltage value being substantially equal to a reset voltage value associated with the generated intra-period reset pulse. The sense node voltage generated in response to incident light intensity is measured only once during an integration period, wherein this measurement takes place subsequent to the generation of the plurality of intra-period reset pulses and prior to the generation of the second integration reset pulse.

摘要翻译： 测量与入射到光检测元件上的光强有关的感测节点电压。 为了实现该测量，产生第一积分复位脉冲，以使感测节点电压复位为基本上等于与第一积分复位脉冲相关联的复位电压值的电压值，第一积分复位脉冲的边沿触发一个 第一个整合时期的开始。 此后，产生第二积分复位脉冲，以便将感测节点电压重置为基本上等于与第二积分复位脉冲相关联的复位电压值的电压值，第二积分复位脉冲的边沿触发一个 第二整合期。 在产生第一积分复位脉冲之后并且在产生第二积分复位脉冲之前，产生多个周期内复位脉冲，以使感测节点电压复位为多个电压值，每个电压值 基本上等于与产生的周期内复位脉冲相关联的复位电压值。 响应于入射光强度产生的感测节点电压在积分周期期间仅测量一次，其中该测量在多个周期内复位脉冲的产生之后并在第二积分复位脉冲的产生之前进行。

公开(公告)号：US07372495B2

公开(公告)日：2008-05-13

申请号：US10226190

申请日：2002-08-23

申请人： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

发明人： Isao Takayanagi ,  Junichi Nakamura

IPC分类号： H04N5/225 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H01L31/107 ,  H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/35527 ,  H01L27/0251 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518

摘要： An image sensor includes a pixel having a protection circuit connected to a charge multiplying photoconversion layer. The protection circuit prevents the pixel circuit from breaking down when the voltage in the pixel circuit reaches the operating voltage applied to the charge multiplying photoconversion layer in response to the image sensor being exposed to a strong light. The protection circuit causes additional voltage entering the pixel circuit from the charge multiplying photoconversion layer over a predetermined threshold voltage level to be dissipated from the storage node and any downstream components.

摘要翻译： 图像传感器包括具有连接到电荷倍增光转换层的保护电路的像素。 当像素电路中的电压响应于图像传感器暴露于强光而达到施加到电荷倍增光转换层的工作电压时，保护电路防止像素电路分解。 保护电路使额外的电压进入来自电荷倍增光电转换层的预定阈值电压电平的像素电路从存储节点和任何下游部件消散。

公开(公告)号：US20080023623A1

公开(公告)日：2008-01-31

申请号：US11869818

申请日：2007-10-10

申请人： Sorin Davidovici

发明人： Sorin Davidovici

IPC分类号： H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/35527 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/243 ,  H04N5/37455

摘要： A high dynamic range sensitive sensor array is described which uses a combination of pixel structures, some of which incorporating phase domain integration techniques to accurately capture high and low intensity images. The sensor elements included as many of the pixel structures in the sensor array are not limited by dynamic range characteristics exhibited by prior art solid-state pixel structures and is thus capable of capturing a full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation to provide a high quality output image.

摘要翻译： 描述了使用像素结构的组合的高动态范围敏感传感器阵列，其中一些结合了相域积分技术以精确地捕获高和低强度图像。 包括传感器阵列中的许多像素结构的传感器元件不受现有技术固态像素结构表现的动态范围特性的限制，因此能够捕获全范围的电磁辐射以提供高质量的输出图像。

公开(公告)号：US20070188640A1

公开(公告)日：2007-08-16

申请号：US11354444

申请日：2006-02-15

申请人： Weize Xu

发明人： Weize Xu

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/35527 ,  H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/3745

摘要： An image sensor includes a photosensitive region that accumulates charge corresponding to received incident light; a transfer gate for transferring charge from the photosensitive region; a voltage supply having an increasing voltage over time; a floating diffusion for receiving the charge from the photosensitive region and converting the charge to a voltage; an amplifier for receiving and amplifying a signal from the floating diffusion; a comparator for comparing a voltage from the amplifier to a reference voltage; and a counter for counting clock cycles between initiation of the increasing voltage until a signal is received from the comparator indicating charge transfer from the photosensitive region to the floating diffusion; wherein a digital signal is generated that represents an unfilled capacity of the photosensitive region.

摘要翻译： 图像传感器包括对与所接收的入射光相对应的电荷累积的感光区域; 用于从光敏区转移电荷的转移门; 电压随时间增加的电压; 用于从光敏区域接收电荷并将电荷转换成电压的浮动扩散; 用于接收和放大来自浮动扩散的信号的放大器; 比较器，用于将来自放大器的电压与参考电压进行比较; 以及计数器，用于计数在增加的电压的起始之间的时钟周期，直到从比较器接收到指示从感光区域到浮动扩散的电荷转移的信号; 其中产生表示感光区域的未填充容量的数字信号。