IP Library Granted Patent US 7,342,213
Granted Patent B2
US 7,342,213 · App. 11/432,573 · Granted Mar 11, 2008

CMOS APS shared amplifier pixel with symmetrical field effect transistor placement

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,342,213
App. No.
11/432,573
Granted
Mar 11, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image sensor includes a plurality of photodetectors arranged in an array; and a plurality of transistors that are functionally shared by the photodetectors, wherein a distance of each photodetector to an adjacent transistor is substantially the same.

Claims (13)

1. An image sensor comprising:

(a) a plurality of photodetectors arranged in an array; and

(b) a plurality of transistors that are functionally shared by two or more photodetectors and which selectively act on the charge on the two or more photodetectors to produce a signal, wherein each photodetector includes a substantially uniform pitch therebetween, and the transistors are placed in a substantially uniform pitch in an area surrounding the photodetectors such that a distance between any point on a photodetector to any point on a transistor is substantially the same as any like point on another photodetector to any like point on a corresponding transistor.

2. The image sensor as in claim 1 , wherein the distance of each photodetector to a plurality of functionally shared transistors is substantially the same.

3. The image sensor as in claim 1 , wherein a potential applied to each transistor is substantially the same.

4. The image sensor as in claim 2 , wherein a potential applied to each transistor is substantially the same.

5. A digital camera comprising:

an image sensor comprising:

(a) a plurality of photodetectors arranged in an array; and

(b) a plurality of transistors that are functionally shared by two or more photodetectors and which selectively act on the charge on the two or more photodetectors to produce a signal, wherein each photodetector includes a substantially uniform pitch therebetween, and the transistors are placed in a substantially uniform pitch in an area surrounding the photodetectors such that a distance between any point on a photodetector to any point on a transistor is substantially the same as any like point on another photodetector to any like point on a corresponding transistor.

6. The digital camera as in claim 5 , wherein the distance of each photodetector to a plurality of functionally shared transistors is substantially the same.

7. The digital camera as in claim 5 , wherein a potential applied to each transistor is substantially the same.

8. The digital camera as in claim 6 , wherein a potential applied to each transistor is substantially the same.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2011
From: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
To: OMNIVISION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 026227/0213 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 11, 2006
From: GUIDASH, R. MICHAEL; KENNEY, TIMOTHY J.
To: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Reel/Frame 017891/0363 →