Two dimensional contact image sensor with frontlighting

• US 7,675,021 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2008
• Issued: 03/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps; Georgia Y
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ko; Tony
• Application Number:
  US12/178,636
• Publication Number:
  US 20090032687A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 250/208.1, 250/226, 250/330, 250/332, 250/334, 250/221, 235/462.42, 358/509, 358/510, 358/475, 358/480, 340/5.53, 340/5.83
• US Class Current: 250/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 40/1318 using electro-optical elements or layers, e.g. electroluminescent sensing
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14623 Optical shielding
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 27/14678 Contact-type imagers

Abstract

A two-dimensional image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes an array of photodetectors directed towards a first side. Emitters directed towards the first side are also provided, with the emitters emitting infrared light when illuminated by ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet light source is provided for illuminating the emitters, and a filter prevents ultraviolet light from illuminating the photodetectors.

Claims

1. An image sensor comprising:

a planar array of photodetectors directed towards a first side of said array of photodetectors;

one or more emitters directed towards said first side of said planar array of photodetectors, said one or more emitters emitting light of a first wavelength when illuminated by light of a second wavelength, said first and second wavelengths being different;

a light source for illuminating said one or more emitters, said light source emitting light of said second wavelength; and

a filter for preventing light of said second wavelength from illuminating said photodetectors.

2. The image sensor according to claim 1 wherein said one or more emitters are interleaved with said photodetectors.

3. The image sensor according to claim 1 wherein said filter is arranged in a layer between said array of photodetectors and said one or more emitters.

4. The image sensor according to claim 1 further comprising a second filter for preventing light of said second wavelength from illuminating a surface on said first side of said array of photodetectors,

wherein said array of photodetectors is arranged to detect reflections of light from said surface.

5. The image sensor according to claim 4 further comprising a transparent layer between said filters for directing light from said light source to said one or more emitters.

6. The image sensor according to claim 5 wherein said transparent layer acts as a spacer for spacing said array of photodetectors from said surface.

7. The image sensor according to claim 1 further comprising opaque covers for preventing light emitted from said one or more emitters from illuminating said array of photodetectors.

8. The image sensor according to claim 1 wherein said one or more emitters are printed on said filter and directed towards said first side of said array of photodetectors.

9. The image sensor according to claim 1 wherein light of said first wavelength is Infrared light, and light of said second wavelength is Ultraviolet light.