IP Library Granted Patent US 7,626,157
Granted Patent B2
US 7,626,157 · App. 11/319,600 · Granted Dec 1, 2009

Image sensor including microlens having sizes differing according to deposition of color filter array

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,626,157
App. No.
11/319,600
Granted
Dec 1, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A image sensor has a plurality of microlens disposed across an image area in which centrally disposed red pixels are provided with smaller microlenses and peripherally disposed red pixels are provided with larger microlenses. The size differential, which amounts to a small percentage to compensate for a refractivity differential per wavelength of incident light across the image area, prevents the generation of a reddish effect in an output image. The image sensor includes a color filter array having separate color filters including a long-wavelength filter, and a plurality of microlenses respectively formed on the separate color filters, wherein the microlenses corresponding to the long-wavelength filter have relative sizes differing according to disposition with respect to the color filter array.

Claims (12)

1. An image sensor, comprising:

a color filter array including separate color filters for respectively filtering light according to wavelength, wherein the separate color filters include a long-wavelength filter; and

a plurality of microlenses respectively formed on the separate color filters of said color filter array, the microlens corresponding to the long-wavelength filter having-relative size differing according to its location on said color filter array and the microlenses corresponding to the other color filters having the same size across the color filter array,

wherein said color filter array includes a central image region and a peripheral image region and wherein the microlens corresponding to the long-wavelength filter in the central image region is smaller in cross sectional area than the microlens corresponding to the long-wavelength filter in the peripheral image region.

2. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the microlens corresponding to the long-wavelength filter in the central image region is 5% smaller in cross sectional area than the microlens corresponding to the long-wavelength filter in the peripheral image region.

3. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the microlens corresponding to the long-wavelength filter in the central image region transmits less light energy than the microlens corresponding to the long-wavelength filter in the peripheral image region.

4. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein the separate color filters comprise a first color filter for filtering red light, a second color filter for filtering green light, and a third color filter for filtering blue light.

5. The image sensor of claim 1 , wherein said color filter array and said plurality of microlenses are formed using CMOS technology.

6. An image sensor, comprising:

a substrate having a central image region and a peripheral image region;

a color filter array disposed in the central image region and the peripheral image region, said color filter array including separate color filters for respectively filtering light according to wavelength, wherein the separate color filters include a long-wavelength filter; and

a plurality of microlenses respectively formed on the separate color filters of said color filter array, the microlens corresponding to the long-wavelength filter having size according to disposition across said substrate, wherein the respective size smaller in cross sectional area from the peripheral image region to the central image region, and the microlenses corresponding to the other color filters having the same size across said substrate.

Assignments (6)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 27, 2021
From: CAVIUM INTERNATIONAL
To: MARVELL ASIA PTE LTD.
Reel/Frame 057336/0873 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 25, 2021
From: MARVELL TECHNOLOGY CAYMAN I
To: CAVIUM INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 057279/0519 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2021
From: INPHI CORPORATION
To: MARVELL TECHNOLOGY CAYMAN I
Reel/Frame 056649/0823 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2017
From: DONGBU HITEK, CO., LTD.
To: INPHI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041377/0228 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT REMOVE PATENT NO. 878209 FROM EXHIBIT B PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 034009 FRAME: 0157. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Oct 24, 2014
From: DONGBU HITEK, CO., LTD.
To: INPHI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034087/0097 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 15, 2014
From: DONGBU HITEK, CO., LTD.
To: INPHI CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034009/0157 →