Scott D Willingham

Title: Scott D. Willingham: Innovator in CMOS Image Sensor Technology

Introduction

Scott D. Willingham is a prominent inventor based in San Diego, CA, known for his contributions to the field of CMOS image sensor technology. With a total of 6 patents to his name, he has made significant advancements that enhance the performance and efficiency of digital imaging systems.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is focused on digital serial read-out architecture. This innovation describes techniques for implementing read-out architectures that support high-speed serialized read-out of a large number of digital bit values, particularly for high-resolution pixel conversions in CMOS image sensor applications. The architecture allows outputs from numerous digital data sources, such as counters, to be coupled with transmission gates. These gates are sequentially enabled, shifting in bit data from the data sources one at a time. The design includes grouping transmission gates into gate groups, aiming to balance total path delay across these groups by controlling clock and data path delays to be inversely related. This ensures that total path delays for all gate groups remain within a single clock period. Additionally, some embodiments feature a partitioned bus for enhanced gate group-level control over path delay and data bus capacitance.

Another notable patent involves CMOS image sensing with a sampled bandgap reference. This patent outlines techniques for generating a sampled bandgap reference for CMOS image sensor applications. The design integrates a pixel array, one or more pixel analog to digital converters (ADCs), and a sampled bandgap reference generator on a single chip. The ADCs depend on stable reference levels from the bandgap reference generator to perform pixel conversions for the pixel array. The sampled bandgap reference generator operates according to reference generation cycles, which include a first portion where an active core stabilizes the bandgap reference level, followed by a second portion where the core is deactivated, outputting the bandgap reference level based on a sampled level from the previous cycle. The timing of these cycles is controlled to ensure dynamic stabilization of the reference levels while minimizing photon emissions from the core.

Career Highlights

Scott D. Willingham currently works at Shenzhen Goodix Technology Co., Ltd., where he continues to innovate in the field of image sensor technology. His work has significantly impacted the efficiency and effectiveness of digital imaging systems.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Scott has collaborated with notable professionals in the industry, including Matthew