CMOS photogate 3D camera system having improved charge sensing cell and pixel geometry

US8264581B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• MICROSOFT INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS B.V. · NL

Inventors

• David Cohen · Nesher, IL
• Amit Shacham · Haifa, IL

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 17, 2009
• Grant date: Sep 11, 2012
• Expiry date: Jun 2, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H10F39/802

Abstract

A photosurface for receiving and registering light from a scene, the photosurface comprising: a first semiconductor region in which electron-hole pairs are generated responsive to light incident on the photosurface; a single, first conductive region substantially overlaying all of the first semiconductor region; at least one second semiconductor region surrounded by the first semiconductor region; a different second conductive region for each second semiconductor region that surrounds the second semiconductor region and is electrically isolated from the first conductive region; wherein when the second conductive region is electrified positive with respect to the first conductive region, electrons generated by light incident on the first semiconductor region are collected in the second semiconductor region.