IP Library Granted Patent US 7,608,516
Granted Patent B2
US 7,608,516 · App. 12/164,936 · Granted Oct 27, 2009

Semiconductor pixel arrays with reduced sensitivity to defects

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,608,516
App. No.
12/164,936
Granted
Oct 27, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pixel structure is described, comprising at least two selection switches coupled in series to improve the yield of the pixel. Also an array comprising such pixel structures logically organized in rows and columns is described, as well as a method for selecting a row or column of pixel structures in such an array.

Claims (8)

1. A method for selecting a row of pixel structures or column of pixel structures, in an array of pixel structures logically organized in rows and columns, the method comprising:

selecting said row of pixel structures or said column of pixel structures, respectively, by applying a first signal to a first row select line associated with said row of pixel structures or by applying a first signal to a first column select line associated with said column of pixel structures; and

selecting said row of pixel structures or said column of pixel structures, respectively, by applying a second signal to a second row select line associated with said row of pixel structures or by applying a second signal to a second column select line associated with said column of pixel structures, wherein each of said row of pixel structures or said column of pixel structures has at least two row select lines or two column select lines, respectively, wherein each of said row select lines or said column select lines are connected to an ON/OFF switch, wherein each said ON/OFF switch is coupled in series between a photosensitive element and a pixel output line, wherein said second row select line or second column select line has a different timing than the first row select line or first column select line, respectively.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said pixel structures are active pixel structures.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said pixel structures are passive pixel structures.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said selection ON/OFF switches are MOSFETs.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein one row or column of pixel structures shares a plurality of select lines, wherein each nth selection ON/OFF switch of pixel structures on one row or column being connected to an nth select line.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein said plurality of select lines extends in parallel.

Assignments (5)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS RECORDED AT REEL 038620, FRAME 0087 Recorded Jun 22, 2023
From: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC; FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 064070/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE INCORRECT PATENT NUMBER 5859768 AND TO RECITE COLLATERAL AGENT ROLE OF RECEIVING PARTY IN THE SECURITY INTEREST PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 038620 FRAME 0087. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Aug 25, 2016
From: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 039853/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2016
From: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH
Reel/Frame 038620/0087 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 20, 2012
From: ON SEMICONDUCTOR IMAGE SENSOR BVBA
To: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 028598/0477 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Oct 25, 2011
From: CYPRESS SEMICONDUCTOR CORPORATION (BELGIUM) BVBA
To: ON SEMICONDUCTOR IMAGE SENSOR
Reel/Frame 027118/0321 →