Patent US5210613A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5210613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Zigzag interline transfer type CCD image sensor
Assignee: Intellectual Ventures II LLC
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Filing: 1991-10-10
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Granted: 1993-05-11
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Expires: 2011-10-10
Abstract
Abstract A CCD image sensor includes a plurality of uniformly spaced photodiodes arranged in series in vertical and horizontal directions, a horizontal signal transferring region formed integrally in a zigzag from between adjacent sets of said plurality of horizontally arranged photodiodes, a signal flowing direction changing region formed under the last set of the plurality of horizontally arranged photodiodes and at output of the horizontal signal transferring region, a signal processing region for storing temporarily signal charges from the horizontal signal transferring region or the signal charges from the signal flowing direction changing region and then resetting the signal charges, and a sensing amplifier for sensing states of the signal charges being temporarily stored in the signal processing region and amplifying the sensed states of the signal charges by a predetermined amplification degree, whereby the CCD image sensor is capable of being driven by a small number of clock signals so that it can be applied to a system requiring a lower resolution.
Inventors
- 👤 Sung M. Lee
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 02:17
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F39/00; H10F39/10; H10F39/12; H10F39/15; H10F39/153; H10F39/1534; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/71; H04N25/75; H04N25/713; H04N25/73; H04N25/745
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
248 words
A charge coupled device image sensor comprising: a plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means arranged in series in the vertical and horizontal directions, for producing signal charges corresponding to incident light incoming along a predetermined path, horizontal signal transferring means formed integrally in a zigzag form between adjacent sets of said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means in series in the horizontal direction for transferring the signal charges being applied from said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means in a single direction in response to first and second external clock signals, signal flowing direction changing means formed under the last set of said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means in series in the horizontal direction and at output of said horizontal signal transferring means for selectively reversing a flow of the signal charges outputted from said horizontal signal transferring means in the opposite direction in response to a third external clock signal, signal processing means for storing temporarily the signal charges from said horizontal signal transferring means or the signal charges from said signal flowing direction changing means and then resetting the signal charges, and sense amplifying means for sensing states of the signal charges being temporarily stored in said signal processing means and amplifying the sensed states of the signal charges by a predetermined amplification degree; wherein said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means, said horizontal signal transferring means and said signal flowing direction changing means are of the same conductive type as that of a substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
248 words
A charge coupled device image sensor comprising: a plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means arranged in series in the vertical and horizontal directions, for producing signal charges corresponding to incident light incoming along a predetermined path, horizontal signal transferring means formed integrally in a zigzag form between adjacent sets of said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means in series in the horizontal direction for transferring the signal charges being applied from said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means in a single direction in response to first and second external clock signals, signal flowing direction changing means formed under the last set of said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means in series in the horizontal direction and at output of said horizontal signal transferring means for selectively reversing a flow of the signal charges outputted from said horizontal signal transferring means in the opposite direction in response to a third external clock signal, signal processing means for storing temporarily the signal charges from said horizontal signal transferring means or the signal charges from said signal flowing direction changing means and then resetting the signal charges, and sense amplifying means for sensing states of the signal charges being temporarily stored in said signal processing means and amplifying the sensed states of the signal charges by a predetermined amplification degree; wherein said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means, said horizontal signal transferring means and said signal flowing direction changing means are of the same conductive type as that of a substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
The image sensor as set forth in claim 1, wherein said horizontal signal transferring means including first and second gate electrodes formed in turn thereon, each being applied with said first and second clock signals, said second gate electrode transferring the signal charges from said plurality of photodetecting means to said horizontal signal transferring means in response to a driving signal of said second clock signal, said second gate electrode and said first gate electrode transferring the signal charges transferred by said second gate electrode to said output of said horizontal signal transferring means in response to said first clock signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 2, wherein materials of said first and second gate electrodes are polysilicons.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 1, wherein said horizontal signal transferring means includes uniformly spaced barrier layers formed thereon, said uniformly spaced barrier layers forming potential barriers for facilitating the transfer of the signal charges from said horizontal signal transferring means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
121 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 1, wherein said signal processing means includes: a floating diffusion region for strong temporarily the inputted signal charges, a first output gate being biased with a constant DC voltage for transferring the signal charges from said horizontal signal transferring means to said floating diffusion region, a second output gate being biased with a constant DC voltage for transferring the signal charges from said signal flowing direction changing means to said floating diffusion region, a reset drain for resetting the signal charges being temporarily stored in said floating diffusion region in response to a fourth external clock signal, and a reset gate electrode for applying said fourth external clock signal to said reset drain.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 5, wherein said reset drain and said floating diffusion region are of the same conductive type.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 5, wherein materials of said first and second output gates and said reset gate electrode are polysilicons.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
85 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 1, wherein said signal flowing direction changing means includes third and fourth gate electrodes formed in turn on its surface, each being applied with said third external clock signal, said third gate electrode transferring the signal charges from the horizontal signal transferring means to said signal flowing direction changing means in response to said third external clock signal, said fourth gate electrode transferring the signal charges transferred by said third gate electrode to said signal processing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 8, wherein materials of said third and fourth gate electrodes are polysilicons.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 1, wherein said signal flowing direction changing means includes uniformly spaced barrier layers formed thereon, corresponding to below the second electrode, said uniformly spaced barrier layers forming potential barriers for facilitating the transfer of the signal charges from said horizontal signal transferring means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
88 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 1, wherein said signal flowing direction changing means operates to reverse the signal charges from said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means arranged on odd horizontal lines in the flowing direction and then transferring the signal charges to said signal processing means and said horizontal signal transferring means operates to transfer the signal charges from said plurality of photodetecting means arranged on said odd horizontal lines opposite to said signal flowing direction changing means directly to said signal processing means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
The charge coupled device image sensor of claim 1, wherein said signal flowing direction changing means operates to reverse the signal charges from said plurality of uniformly spaced photodetecting means arranged on even horizontal lines in the flowing direction and then transferring the signal charges to said signal processing means and said horizontal signal transferring means operates to transfer the signal charges from said plurality of photodetecting means arranged on said even horizontal lines opposite to said signal flowing direction changing means directly to said signal processing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-10 | 1996-11-09 | 1997-05-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-10 | 2000-11-09 | 2001-05-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-10 | 2004-11-09 | 2005-05-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |