公开(公告)号：US20240348938A1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-17

申请号：US18607172

申请日：2024-03-15

Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC

Inventor： Orit SKORKA ,  Barry VANHOFF ,  Radu ISPASOIU ,  Vladimir KOROBOV

IPC: H04N23/75 ,  H04N23/72 ,  H04N23/73 ,  H04N23/741 ,  H04N25/587

CPC classification number: H04N23/75 ,  H04N23/72 ,  H04N23/73 ,  H04N23/741 ,  H04N25/587

Abstract: Image sensors, imaging systems, and methods for high dynamic range imaging. The image sensor includes image sensor pixels, a light filter, and a controller. The light filter is configured to attenuate transmission of incident light to the image sensor pixels. The controller is configured to set the light filter to a high-transmission state and capture a first image generated by the image sensor pixels during a first exposure. The controller is also configured to set the light filter to a low-transmission state and capture a second image generated by the image sensor pixels during a second exposure. The controller is further configured to combine the first and second images to generate a high dynamic range image. The controller is also configured to adjust an attenuation of the light filter for a next iteration of the low-transmission state based on pixel signals generated during the second exposure.

公开(公告)号：US20210026164A1

公开(公告)日：2021-01-28

申请号：US16715090

申请日：2019-12-16

Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC

Inventor： Orit SKORKA ,  Brian Anthony VAARTSTRA ,  Radu ISPASOIU

IPC: G02F1/01 ,  G02F1/137 ,  G02F1/1343 ,  G02F1/1335 ,  G02F1/1339 ,  G02B3/00 ,  H04N5/225

Abstract: Imaging systems may include tunable polarization filters. A tunable polarization filter may be integrated directly into an image sensor package. For example, the tunable polarization filter may serve as cover glass for the image sensor package. Tunable polarization package glass may be incorporated into image sensor packages that have air gaps between the image sensor and the cover glass or that have transparent adhesive between the image sensor and the cover glass. The tunable polarization layer may be controlled at a global level, at a sub-array level, or at a pixel level. In some cases, the tunable polarization layer may be a tunable polarization filter. In this example, the direction of the polarization filter is tuned. In other cases, the tunable polarization layer may be a tunable polarization rotator. In this example, the tunable polarization layer selectively rotates the polarization of light that passes through the tunable polarization layer.

公开(公告)号：US20170003165A1

公开(公告)日：2017-01-05

申请号：US14755745

申请日：2015-06-30

Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC

Inventor： Orit SKORKA ,  Salman KABIR

IPC: G01J1/44 ,  G01J1/04 ,  H01L27/146 ,  G01J1/02

CPC classification number: G01J1/44 ,  G01J1/0209 ,  G01J1/0411 ,  G01J1/0488 ,  G01J2001/446 ,  G01J2001/448 ,  H01L27/1461 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14627 ,  H01L27/14636 ,  H01L27/1464 ,  H01L27/14685

Abstract: An image sensor with an array of pixels is provided. In order to achieve high image quality, it may be desirable to improve well capacity of individual pixels within the array by forming deep photodiodes in a thick substrate. When forming the array of pixels, conductive contacts may be formed in a back surface of the substrate opposing ground contacts located on a front side of the substrate. A conductive grid layer may be formed over the conductive contacts. A color filter layer may be formed over the conductive grid layer that may include a barrier grid in which color filter material is deposited. The conductive grid layer and conductive contacts may be biased to a voltage to improve the strength of electric fields in the substrate. Conductive contacts will thereby improve charge collection and electrical isolation and prevent electrical crosstalk and blooming.

Abstract translation: 提供具有像素阵列的图像传感器。 为了实现高图像质量，可能需要通过在厚衬底中形成深度光电二极管来提高阵列内的各个像素的良好容量。 当形成像素阵列时，可以在衬底的背面中形成导电触点，该衬底的相对于位于衬底前侧的接地触点。 可以在导电触点上形成导电栅格层。 可以在导电栅格层上形成滤色器层，其可以包括其中沉积滤色器材料的阻挡栅格。 导电栅格层和导电触点可以被偏压到电压以改善衬底中的电场强度。 因此，导电接触将改善电荷收集和电隔离，并防止电串扰和起霜。

公开(公告)号：US20250150728A1

公开(公告)日：2025-05-08

申请号：US18500361

申请日：2023-11-02

Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC

Inventor： Orit SKORKA ,  Barry VANHOFF ,  Radu ISPASOIU ,  Grady ANDERSON ,  Anthony Richard HUGGETT

IPC: H04N25/589 ,  H04N23/73 ,  H04N23/741 ,  H04N25/59 ,  H04N25/621 ,  H04N25/78

Abstract: Image sensors, imaging systems, and methods for eliminating blooming artifacts in high dynamic range imaging. The image sensor includes a pixel array and a controller. The controller is configured to detect that a first pixel signal is at or below a barrier value. The first pixel signal is generated during a first exposure. The controller is also configured to compare neighboring pixel signals to the barrier value. The controller is further configured to determine a first image value for the center pixel based on a second pixel signal when at least one of the neighboring pixel signals is above the barrier value. The second pixel signal is generated during a second exposure that is shorter than the first exposure. The controller is also configured to set the first image value to the first pixel signal when each of the neighboring pixel signals is at or below the barrier value.

公开(公告)号：US20170230593A1

公开(公告)日：2017-08-10

申请号：US15161519

申请日：2016-05-23

Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC

Inventor： Richard Scott JOHNSON ,  Orit SKORKA

IPC: H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/374

CPC classification number: H04N5/3559 ,  H04N5/243 ,  H04N5/374

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present technology may comprise methods and systems image sensors. The methods and systems may comprise selectively activating either high or low conversion gain mode for a predetermined number of rows by comparing pixel row data to predetermined threshold values prior to image signal processing.

公开(公告)号：US20220232156A1

公开(公告)日：2022-07-21

申请号：US17643714

申请日：2021-12-10

Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC

Inventor： Orit SKORKA ,  Radu ISPASOIU ,  Brian Anthony VAARTSTRA

IPC: H04N5/235 ,  G02F1/1335

Abstract: An imaging system may include an electronic shutter. The electronic shutter may be positioned between an image sensor and a lens module or may be integrated as a package cover for the image sensor. The electronic shutter may selectively attenuate incident light that passes to the image sensor. To increase the dynamic range of the imaging system, the electronic shutter may have a first transparency while a first image is captured by the image sensor and a second, different transparency while a second image is captured by the image sensor. The first and second images are subsequently combined to form a single high dynamic range image. The electronic shutter may be controlled at a global level, at a sub-array level, or at a pixel level.

公开(公告)号：US20220132089A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-28

申请号：US16949384

申请日：2020-10-28

Applicant: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC

Inventor： Orit SKORKA ,  Paul James KANE ,  David Wayne JASINSKI

IPC: H04N9/64 ,  H04N5/33 ,  H04N9/04 ,  H04N17/00

Abstract: An imaging device may have an array of image pixels that includes red, green, blue, and infrared pixels. The imaging device may include a dual-band filter that allows transmission of light in the visible band and in the near-infrared band and may include color processing circuitry that produces a color image with marked infrared regions. The color processing circuitry may include a standard color processing pipeline with a color correction matrix that produces a tone-mapped standard red, green, and blue image and may include infrared marking circuitry. The infrared marking circuitry may include hue angle determination circuitry, cell means determination circuitry, and near-infrared determination circuitry that determine portions of the image with high infrared reflectance to be marked. The infrared-marked tone-mapped standard red, green, and blue image may be output to a machine vision system to identify objects in the imaged scene with high infrared reflection.