Integrated circuit color chip with cells with integral color filters including triplets of photodiodes with each having integrated therewith transistors for reading from and writing to the photodiode and methods of manufacture and operation thereof
US6133954A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 14, 1996 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 14, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F39/8053
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A single integrated-circuit color camera chip is color sensitive by grouping closely-adjoining light-detecting cells in a photodiode array into triplets. Each pixel of the sensor includes both a read transistor and a write transistor. Each cells in the triplet is similar, but each cell is associated with a color filter of a different color, with red, green or blue cells in an R-G-B system. The proximity and small size of the cells in a triplet allows accurate color differentiation each pixel. Color information is adjusted on-chip for color, brightness and contrast before being sent to an external read device or display device. The color filter is a series of passive layers formed on the integrated circuit surface permitting the selective transmission of light or electromagnetic radiation of certain frequency ranges. The filter may be coated onto a semiconductor wafer after the latter has undergone conventional MOS process steps.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.