The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 10, 2010
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2007
Assaf Lahav, Migdal Haemek, IL;
David Cohen, Migdal Haemek, IL;
Assaf Lahav, Migdal Haemek, IL;
David Cohen, Migdal Haemek, IL;
Tower Semiconductor Ltd., Migdal Haemek, IL;
Abstract
A color image sensor includes an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of pixel groups, each pixel group including a floating diffusion that is shared by four pixels disposed in a 2×2 arrangement. Each of said four pixels includes a photodetector and a color filter superposed over the photodetector, wherein a first pair of said four pixels include green color, and a second pair of said four pixels includes either red or blue color filters. A control circuit controls the pixel groups such that discrete image information is generated from each pixel in normal light situations, and such that summed image information is generated from each pixel group in low light situations by simultaneously connecting the green pixels to the floating diffusion during a first time period, and simultaneously connecting the red/blue pixels to said floating diffusion during a second time period.