Forza Silicon Corporation

Micron Technology Incorporated

Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd.

Gentex Corporation

Aptina Imaging Corporation

Other

Schick Technologies, Inc.

Sirona Dental, Inc.

Daniel A Van Blerkom

Steven Huang

Barmak Mansoorian

Sandor L Barna

Steve Huang

Meng-Chang Yang

Jon Harold Bechtel

Giuseppe Rossi

Jeremy C Andrus

Te-Sung Su

I-Shiou Chen

Eric R Fossum

Alexander I Krymski

Nikolai E Bock

David B Schick

Stan Mandelkern

Anders Andersson

Ramy Tantawy

Lin Ping Ang

Ali Mesgarani

Abraham Kotlyar

Rami Yassine

Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion using two side branches that may be operated with overlapped timing such that a sampling phase may be overlapped with a previous conversion phase. Some embodiments provide a method of successive approximation A/D converting, comprising sampling a first signal onto a first capacitor that is configured to selectively couple to an analog input of a comparator, sampling a second signal onto capacitors that are coupled to a second analog input of the comparator and configured for charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion; carrying out, based on the first signal and the second signal, a charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion using the capacitors; and while carrying out the charge redistribution successive approximation A/D conversion based on the first and second signals, sampling a third signal onto a third capacitor that is configured to selectively couple to the analog input of a comparator.

Dual reset branch analog to digital conversion comprising a first side branch and a plurality of second side branches

Dual reset branch analog-to-digital conversion

The invention provides the art with novel image sensor pixel designs comprising stacked, pinned photodiodes. The stacked pinned photodiodes provide pixels with greatly increased dynamic range. The stacked pinned photodiodes also allow improved color discrimination for low light imaging, for example utilizing pixels with no overlaying color filter array.

Stacked photodiodes for extended dynamic range and low light color discrimination

Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion applicable to an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor, in which an ADC comprises built-in redundancy such that the ADC can start its conversion cycle before the ADC input settles to a desired resolution and the ADC can yet accurately convert the ADC input to a digital value with the desired resolution. In a CMOS image sensor, such an ADC configuration enables the pixel readout time to overlap with the ADC conversion time, reducing the total time needed to convert the pixel signal value to a digital value with the desired resolution.

Analog-to-digital converter with redundancy for image sensor readout

An image sensor system that compensates the amplifier in a column of a pixel array. This uses a sampling capacitor, that receives a signal from a pixel of the pixel array. A first plate of the sampling capacitor receives a value from the amplifier representing an offset level of the amplifier. While receiving the offset level from the amplifier on the first plate, the capacitor receives information from the pixel on a second plate of the same capacitor that is receiving the offset, thereby canceling the offset. The value from said sampling capacitor indicative of said information from said pixel with said offset cancelled being coupled to said amplifier to amplify said value as a first pixel value. The amplifier is also connected to other selecting switches from other pixels of said column of the pixel array.

Input offset cancellation for charge mode readout image sensors

A successive approximation A/D converter which includes a sub ranging classifier that receives an input signal and classifies said input signal according to plural different highest resolution bits, to determine a range of the input signal, and creating a set of most significant bits based on said range, said subranging classifier also setting and determining an offset based on said range, and a successive approximation A/D converted that converting lowest resolution parts of the input signal as adjusted by the offset.

Segmented column-parallel analog-to-digital converter

A switched capacitor sample and hold buffer that can be used, for example, in a CMOS image sensor. The switched capacitor sample and hold circuit has large output swings, low noise and reduced capacitor area compared to the traditional switched capacitor approach.

Image readout circuit with capacitor that is shared between sample and hold and buffer

The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices.

Imaging device

Imaging sensors having dual-port for digital readout to pipeline readout processes of two different groups of pixels.

Semiconductor imaging sensor array devices with dual-port digital readout

CMOS image sensor with a rolling shutter that uses two separate clocks. One of the clocks is used during normal operation. When timing is changed, the other clock is started and used during an interim period to avoid distortion in the image. After that interim period, the new clock timing is coupled to the original clock circuit.

Variable pixel clock electronic shutter control

A circuit layout for a photosensitive chip includes a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of first circuit lines and a plurality of second circuit lines. The semiconductor substrate has a matrix of photosensitive units. Each photosensitive unit has a first blocking region, a second blocking region and a photosensitive region formed on the semiconductor substrate. The first blocking region is formed between neighboring photosensitive regions aligned in a vertical direction. The second blocking region is formed between neighboring photosensitive regions aligned in a horizontal direction. Free electrons produced by illuminating the photosensitive units are blocked by the first and the second blocking regions.

Semiconductor substrate for photosensitive chip

An electronic imaging sensor, which has an improved immunity to noise caused by unwanted x-rays, images an object by collecting charge carriers produced in the sensor when the object is exposed to x-rays. One or more shielding areas are formed proximate the sensor to capture or sweep away any undesirable charge carriers generated by the unwanted x-rays. The shielding areas extend deeper beneath the surface of the sensor than the depth at which the desired charge carriers corresponding to the object being imaged is collected. The shielding areas capture charge carriers formed by the unwanted x-rays, which penetrate into the sensor to a greater depth than the depth at which the. desired charge carriers are collected. In this way, the undesirable charge carriers are captured near the region where they are generated and before they migrate towards the surface where they can be collected and manifest as noise in the resulting image of the object.

Shielding an imaging array from X-ray noise

A dual slope A/D converter uses two opposite sense ramps added to its differential input. The value in a digital counter is latched at the time when the two ramps intersect. This enables a more consistent switching point, allowing the amplifier to the linear over a larger part of its range.

Growing community of inventors

Ahadena, CA, United States of America

Daniel A Van Blerkom