Pixel optimization for color

• US 20070052825A1
• Filed: 11/02/2006
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kwang-Bo Cho
• Original Assignee: Kwang-Bo Cho
• Inventors: Cho, Kwang-Bo
• Granted Patent: US 8,266,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/272
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2209/045 using mosaic colour filter
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/134 based on three different wavelength filter elements

Abstract

A macro pixel is provided. The macro pixel includes at least two color pixel elements. Each color pixel element includes a photoreceptor that in response to receiving light, generates an output signal that is indicative of the quantity of light photons of a color are received. Each of the color pixel elements are configured to receive a corresponding color. The photoreceptor of each color pixel element has a geometry and a responsivity to light that is a function of the geometry of the photoreceptor such that the responsivity of the output signal of the photoreceptor to the corresponding color is controllable by changing the geometry. The geometries of the photoreceptors are selected so that a predetermined relative sensitivity to each color is obtained

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A pixel sensor cell comprising:

a photodiode; and

one or more switches positioned relative to the photodiode for changing the light collecting geometry of the photodiode.

26. The pixel sensor cell of claim 25, wherein:

the switches are operable to change the geometry of a photon collector associated with the photodiode.

27. The pixel sensor cell of claim 26, wherein:

the geometry change comprises a change of the surface area of the photon collector.

28. The pixel sensor cell of claim 25, wherein:

the switches are operable to change a photon collection area of said photodiode by changing a distance between an applicable part of the photodiode and a boundary of the pixel sensor cell.

29. The pixel sensor cell of claim 25, wherein:

the switches comprise fusible links.

30. The pixel sensor cell of claim 25, wherein:

the switches are actively controllable during operation of the pixel cell.

31. The pixel sensor cell of claim 25, wherein:

the switches are operable to change the response of the pixel to receiving light of a certain color.

32. The pixel sensor cell of claim 32, wherein:

the switches are operable to cause the response of the pixel to receiving light of a first color to correspond with the response of a second pixel to receiving light of a second color.

33. An imager comprising:

an array of pixel cells, at least one of said pixel cells comprising a photodiode and one or more switches associated with the photodiode; and

circuitry for changing the geometry of the photodiode by activating the switches.

34. The imager of claim 33, wherein:

the geometry of the photodiode is changeable by a change in the geometry of a photon collector associated with the photodiode.

35. The imager of claim 34, wherein:

the geometry of the photon collector associated with the photodiode is changeable by a change in the surface area of the photon collector.

36. The imager of claim 33, wherein:

the circuitry is operable to activate the switches during operation of the array.

37. The imager of claim 33, wherein:

the switches comprise fusible links.

38. The imager of claim 33, wherein:

the circuitry is operable to change the response of the pixel to receiving light of a certain color.

39. The imager of claim 33, wherein:

the circuitry is operable to cause the response of the pixel to receiving light of a first color to correspond with the response of a second pixel to receiving light of a second color.

40. A method of controlling a pixel sensor cell comprising:

varying the geometry of a photodiode of the pixel sensor cell by controlling one or more switches associated with the photodiode that are capable of varying said geometry.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein:

the varying the geometry of the photodiode comprises changing the geometry of a photon collector associated with the photodiode.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein:

the changing the geometry of a photon collector associated with the photodiode comprises changing a surface area of the photon collector.

43. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

actively varying the geometry of the photodiode during operation of the pixel sensor cell.

44. The method of claim 40, wherein:

the varying the geometry of the photodiode comprises changing the response of the pixel sensor cell to receiving light of a certain color.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein:

the changing the response of the pixel sensor cell comprises causing the response of the pixel sensor cell to receiving light of a first color to correspond with the response of a second pixel sensor cell to receiving light of a second color.