IMAGE SENSOR WITH REDUCED BLOOMING
First Claim
11. A camera for an electronic device, comprising:
- a processor;
a display in communication with the processor;
a lens; and
an image sensor in communication with the processor and in optical communication with the lens, comprising;
a first pixel including a first photodiode;
a second pixel including a second photodiode;
a blooming junction in communication with the first pixel and the second pixel; and
a blooming voltage source in communication with the blooming junction, wherein the blooming voltage source determines a potential of the blooming junction;
whereinthe lens transmits light to the image sensor, creating charge within the first photodiode and the second photodiode; and
the blooming junction selectively receives charge from the first photodiode and the second photodiode to substantially prevent the first photodiode and the second photodiode from exceeding a saturation value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An image sensor for an electronic device. The image sensor includes a first light sensitive element for collecting charge and having a first saturation value and a well surrounding at least a portion of the first light sensitive element and having a first doping concentration. The image sensor further includes a bridge region defined in the well and in communication with the first light sensitive element and having a second doping concentration and a blooming node in communication with the bridge region and a voltage source. The second doping concentration is less than the first doping concentration and when light sensitive element collects sufficient charge to reach the first saturation value, additional charge received by the light sensitive element travels to the blooming node via the bridge region.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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11. A camera for an electronic device, comprising:
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a processor; a display in communication with the processor; a lens; and an image sensor in communication with the processor and in optical communication with the lens, comprising; a first pixel including a first photodiode; a second pixel including a second photodiode; a blooming junction in communication with the first pixel and the second pixel; and a blooming voltage source in communication with the blooming junction, wherein the blooming voltage source determines a potential of the blooming junction;
whereinthe lens transmits light to the image sensor, creating charge within the first photodiode and the second photodiode; and the blooming junction selectively receives charge from the first photodiode and the second photodiode to substantially prevent the first photodiode and the second photodiode from exceeding a saturation value. - View Dependent Claims (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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15-1. The camera of claim 11, wherein the first photodiode and the second photodiode are substantially surrounded by a well, wherein the well and the blooming junction are doped with different types of dopants.
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18. A computing device comprising:
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a processor; and an image sensor in communication with the processor, the image sensor comprising; a photodiode having a full well value; a blooming node in communication with the photodiode; a voltage source in communication with the blooming junction, wherein the voltage source determines a potential of the blooming node;
whereinwhen the photodiode collects charge exceeding the full well value, excess charge is transmitted to the blooming node. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification