Multi-resolution pixel architecture with shared floating diffusion nodes
US9686486B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 27, 2015 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 25, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/778
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An image sensor may include an array of image photodiodes formed in rows and columns. The array of image photodiodes may include a region of photodiodes arranged in three adjacent rows and three adjacent columns of the array. The region of photodiodes may include four non-adjacent photodiodes, each of which generates charge in response to the same color of light. The four non-adjacent photodiodes may be coupled to a shared floating diffusion node. Each of the four non-adjacent photodiodes may transfer generated charge to the shared floating diffusion node. The charges from each of the four non-adjacent photodiodes may be summed at the shared floating diffusion node and read out as a summed signal or may be individually transferred to the shared floating diffusion node and read out individually.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.