公开(公告)号：US20050030402A1

公开(公告)日：2005-02-10

申请号：US10636534

申请日：2003-08-08

Applicant: Gennadiy Agranov ,  Dmitri Jerdev

Inventor： Gennadiy Agranov ,  Dmitri Jerdev

IPC: H04N3/15 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335

CPC classification number: H04N5/3597 ,  H04N5/374

Abstract: A pixel cell with improved lag characteristics without increased noise. The pixel cell according to embodiments of the invention includes a photo-conversion device and a floating diffusion region switchably coupled to the photo-conversion device. The pixel cell includes a reset transistor, which has a first terminal electrically connected to the floating diffusion region and a second terminal switchably coupled to first and second voltage sources. The first voltage source is higher than the second voltage source. The pixel cell operates by returning a potential on the photo-conversion device to a value approximately equal to a value of a potential barrier between the photo-conversion device and the floating diffusion region prior to generating charge in the photo-conversion device.

Abstract translation: 具有改进的滞后特性而不增加噪声的像素单元。 根据本发明的实施例的像素单元包括光转换装置和可转换地耦合到光转换装置的浮动扩散区域。 像素单元包括复位晶体管，其具有电连接到浮动扩散区域的第一端子和可切换地耦合到第一和第二电压源的第二端子。 第一电压源高于第二电压源。 像素单元通过在光转换装置中产生电荷之前将光转换装置上的电位返回到大致等于光转换装置和浮动扩散区域之间的势垒的值的值来操作。

公开(公告)号：US20050237404A1

公开(公告)日：2005-10-27

申请号：US10832373

申请日：2004-04-27

Applicant: Dmitri Jerdev ,  Gennadiy Agranov

Inventor： Dmitri Jerdev ,  Gennadiy Agranov

IPC: H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/3745

CPC classification number: H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/374

Abstract: A pixel cell that utilizes a JFET transistor, instead of a CMOS transistor, linked to each pixel's photosensor as an anti-blooming and/or transfer transistor to provide an overflow path for electrons during charge integration. Using a JFET transistor reduces charge uncertainty and fixed pattern noise in the imaging system.

Abstract translation: 使用JFET晶体管而不是CMOS晶体管的像素单元，其连接到每个像素的光电传感器作为抗起霜和/或传输晶体管，以在电荷积分期间为电子提供溢出路径。 使用JFET晶体管可以降低成像系统中的电荷不确定度和固定模式噪声。

公开(公告)号：US20120193515A1

公开(公告)日：2012-08-02

申请号：US13188389

申请日：2011-07-21

Applicant: Gennadiy Agranov ,  Dongqing Cao ,  Junichi Nakamura ,  Richard Scott Johnson

Inventor： Gennadiy Agranov ,  Dongqing Cao ,  Junichi Nakamura ,  Richard Scott Johnson

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  G01J1/44

CPC classification number: H01L27/14623 ,  G01C3/32 ,  G01S3/782 ,  H01L27/14605 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H04N13/204

Abstract: An imager may include depth sensing pixels that provide an asymmetrical angular response to incident light. The depth sensing pixels may each include a substrate region formed from a photosensitive portion and a non-photosensitive portion. The depth sensing pixels may include mechanisms that prevent regions of the substrate from receiving incident light. Depth sensing pixel pairs may be formed from depth sensing pixels that have different asymmetrical angular responses. Each of the depth sensing pixel pairs may effectively divide the corresponding imaging lens into separate portions. Depth information for each depth sensing pixel pair may be determined based on the difference between output signals of the depth sensing pixels of that depth sensing pixel pair. The imager may be formed from various combinations of depth sensing pixel pairs and color sensing pixel pairs arranged in a Bayer pattern or other desired patterns.

Abstract translation: 成像器可以包括提供对入射光的不对称角度响应的深度感测像素。 深度感测像素可以各自包括由感光部分和非感光部分形成的衬底区域。 深度感测像素可以包括防止衬底的区域接收入射光的机构。 深度感测像素对可以由具有不同不对称角响应的深度感测像素形成。 每个深度感测像素对可以有效地将相应的成像透镜分成分离的部分。 可以基于深度感测像素对的深度感测像素的输出信号之间的差来确定每个深度感测像素对的深度信息。 成像器可以由深度感测像素对和以拜耳图案或其他期望图案布置的颜色感测像素对的各种组合形成。

公开(公告)号：US08097908B2

公开(公告)日：2012-01-17

申请号：US12719597

申请日：2010-03-08

Applicant: Chen Xu ,  Gennadiy Agranov ,  Igor Karasev

Inventor： Chen Xu ,  Gennadiy Agranov ,  Igor Karasev

IPC: H01L31/062

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3594 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. In various embodiments, a potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.

Abstract translation: 描述了装置，系统和方法以帮助减少有源像素传感器中的暗电流。 在各种实施例中，势垒布置被配置为阻挡在感光区域外部产生的电荷载流子的流动。 在各种实施例中，形成势阱势垒布置，以在积分时间期间使电荷载流子远离光敏区域。

公开(公告)号：US07675093B2

公开(公告)日：2010-03-09

申请号：US11605103

申请日：2006-11-28

Applicant: Chen Xu ,  Gennadiy Agranov ,  Igor Karasev

Inventor： Chen Xu ,  Gennadiy Agranov ,  Igor Karasev

IPC: H01L27/148

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3594 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are described to assist in reducing dark current in an active pixel sensor. A potential barrier arrangement is configured to block the flow of charge carriers generated outside a photosensitive region. In various embodiments, a potential well-potential barrier arrangement is formed to direct charge carriers away from the photosensitive region during an integration time.

Abstract translation: 描述了装置，系统和方法以帮助减少有源像素传感器中的暗电流。 势垒布置被配置为阻挡在感光区域外产生的电荷载流子的流动。 在各种实施例中，形成势阱势垒布置，以在积分时间期间使电荷载流子远离光敏区域。

公开(公告)号：US20130038691A1

公开(公告)日：2013-02-14

申请号：US13404319

申请日：2012-02-24

Applicant: Gennadiy Agranov ,  Dongqing Cao ,  Avi Yaron

Inventor： Gennadiy Agranov ,  Dongqing Cao ,  Avi Yaron

IPC: H04N13/02

CPC classification number: H04N13/229 ,  H04N5/3696

Abstract: Depth sensing imaging pixels include pairs of left and right pixels forming an asymmetrical angular response to incident light. A single microlens is positioned above each pair of left and right pixels. Each microlens spans across each of the pairs of pixels in a horizontal direction. Each microlens has a length that is substantially twice the length of either the left or right pixel in the horizontal direction; and each microlens has a width that is substantially the same as a width of either the left or right pixel in a vertical direction. The horizontal and vertical directions are horizontal and vertical directions of a planar image array. A light pipe in each pixel is used to improve light concentration and reduce cross talk.

Abstract translation: 深度感测成像像素包括形成对入射光的不对称角度响应的左和右像素对。 单个微透镜位于每对左和右像素上方。 每个微透镜在水平方向跨越像素对中的每一对。 每个微透镜具有基本上在水平方向上的左或右像素长度的两倍的长度; 并且每个微透镜具有与垂直方向上的左或右像素的宽度基本相同的宽度。 水平和垂直方向是平面图像阵列的水平和垂直方向。 每个像素中的光管用于提高光的集中度并减少串扰。

公开(公告)号：US20080258187A1

公开(公告)日：2008-10-23

申请号：US11736660

申请日：2007-04-18

Applicant: John W. Ladd ,  Gennadiy Agranov

Inventor： John W. Ladd ,  Gennadiy Agranov

IPC: H01L31/113

CPC classification number: H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14627 ,  H01L27/1463 ,  H01L27/14641

Abstract: An imager sensor cell design having readout circuitry contained within the photodiode region.

Abstract translation: 具有包含在光电二极管区域内的读出电路的成像器传感器单元设计。

公开(公告)号：US20060006915A1

公开(公告)日：2006-01-12

申请号：US10887891

申请日：2004-07-12

Applicant: Hai Yan ,  Chiajen Lee ,  Geetanjali Asuri ,  Tien-Min Miao ,  Siri Eikedal ,  Christopher Zeleznik ,  Kwang-Bo Cho ,  Gennadiy Agranov

Inventor： Hai Yan ,  Chiajen Lee ,  Geetanjali Asuri ,  Tien-Min Miao ,  Siri Eikedal ,  Christopher Zeleznik ,  Kwang-Bo Cho ,  Gennadiy Agranov

IPC: H03K3/017

CPC classification number: H04N5/3597 ,  H03K17/164 ,  H04N5/3765

Abstract: An imager with a slew rate control circuit that uses multiple digital control signals to control the rising and falling slew rates of boosted signals, such as transistor gate signals, and/or supply voltages used by an imager or other device. By using digital signals, the invention provides slew rate control that is less affected by power supply, temperature and process variations.

Abstract translation: 具有压摆率控制电路的成像器使用多个数字控制信号来控制诸如晶体管栅极信号的升压和降压转换速率和/或由成像器或其它器件使用的电源电压。 通过使用数字信号，本发明提供了受电源，温度和工艺变化影响较小的压摆率控制。

公开(公告)号：US09066072B2

公开(公告)日：2015-06-23

申请号：US12839741

申请日：2010-07-20

Applicant: Yingjun Bai ,  Brian Keelan ,  Gennadiy Agranov

Inventor： Yingjun Bai ,  Brian Keelan ,  Gennadiy Agranov

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N1/62 ,  H04N9/04 ,  H04N17/00

CPC classification number: H04N17/002 ,  H01L27/14632 ,  H04N1/628 ,  H04N9/045

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for calibrating image sensors. In some embodiments, a processing module of an image system can automatically perform a self-calibration process after a production unit of an image sensor has been integrated into an end product system. For example, the processing module can calibrate a production unit based on one or more reference pixels of the production unit, where the one or more reference pixels have minimal color filtration. In some embodiments, the processing module may perform local calibrations by correcting specifically for spatial variations in a color filter array (“CFA”). In some embodiments, the processing module can perform global calibrations by correcting for optical density variations in the CFA. In some embodiments, a processing module can determine whether the cause of production variations is related to production variations of a CFA or production variations of an infrared (“IR”) cutoff filter.

Abstract translation: 提供了校准图像传感器的系统和方法。 在一些实施例中，图像系统的处理模块可以在将图像传感器的生产单元集成到最终产品系统中之后自动执行自校准过程。 例如，处理模块可以基于生产单元的一个或多个参考像素校准生产单元，其中一个或多个参考像素具有最少的颜色过滤。 在一些实施例中，处理模块可以通过特别地校正滤色器阵列（“CFA”）中的空间变化来执行本地校准。 在一些实施例中，处理模块可以通过校正CFA中的光密度变化来执行全局校准。 在一些实施例中，处理模块可以确定生产变化的原因是否与CFA的生产变化或红外线（“IR”）截止滤波器的生产变化有关。

公开(公告)号：US08742309B2

公开(公告)日：2014-06-03

申请号：US13188389

申请日：2011-07-21

Applicant: Gennadiy Agranov ,  Dongqing Cao ,  Junichi Nakamura ,  Richard Scott Johnson

Inventor： Gennadiy Agranov ,  Dongqing Cao ,  Junichi Nakamura ,  Richard Scott Johnson

IPC: H01L27/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14623 ,  G01C3/32 ,  G01S3/782 ,  H01L27/14605 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H04N13/204

Abstract: An imager may include depth sensing pixels that provide an asymmetrical angular response to incident light. The depth sensing pixels may each include a substrate region formed from a photosensitive portion and a non-photosensitive portion. The depth sensing pixels may include mechanisms that prevent regions of the substrate from receiving incident light. Depth sensing pixel pairs may be formed from depth sensing pixels that have different asymmetrical angular responses. Each of the depth sensing pixel pairs may effectively divide the corresponding imaging lens into separate portions. Depth information for each depth sensing pixel pair may be determined based on the difference between output signals of the depth sensing pixels of that depth sensing pixel pair. The imager may be formed from various combinations of depth sensing pixel pairs and color sensing pixel pairs arranged in a Bayer pattern or other desired patterns.

Abstract translation: 成像器可以包括提供对入射光的不对称角度响应的深度感测像素。 深度感测像素可以各自包括由感光部分和非感光部分形成的衬底区域。 深度感测像素可以包括防止衬底的区域接收入射光的机构。 深度感测像素对可以由具有不同不对称角响应的深度感测像素形成。 每个深度感测像素对可以有效地将相应的成像透镜分成分离的部分。 可以基于深度感测像素对的深度感测像素的输出信号之间的差来确定每个深度感测像素对的深度信息。 成像器可以由深度感测像素对和以拜耳图案或其他期望图案布置的颜色感测像素对的各种组合形成。