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:
Mar. 07, 2017
Filed:
Jul. 17, 2013
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., Hsin-Chu, TW;
Volume Chien, Sinying, TW;
Yun-Wei Cheng, Taipei, TW;
Che-Min Lin, Tainan, TW;
Shiu-Ko JangJian, Tainan, TW;
Chi-Cherng Jeng, Madou Township, TW;
Chih-Mu Huang, Tainan, TW;
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd., Hsin-Chu, TW;
Abstract
An embodiment image sensor includes a pixel region spaced apart from a black level control (BLC) region by a buffer region. In an embodiment, a light shield is disposed over the BLC region and extends into the buffer region. In an embodiment, the buffer region includes an array of dummy pixels. Such embodiments effectively reduce light cross talk at the edge of the BLC region, which permits more accurate black level calibration. Thus, the image sensor is capable of producing higher quality images.