Dual pinned diode pixel with shutter
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A circuit for storing and transferring charge from a light sensitive element of a pixel to a floating diffusion node, said circuit comprising:
- a pinned diode charge storage element;
a shutter control element, said shutter control element having a shutter control input coupled to said light sensitive element and an output coupled to said pinned diode charge storage element; and
a transfer control element for transferring charge from said pinned diode charge storage element to said floating diffusion node.
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Abstract
A pixel having an electronic shutter suitable for use in a pixel array of an imaging device includes a pinned diode and a shutter transistor. The pinned diode is utilized as a storage device while the shutter transistor controls charge transfer from the electronic shutter. The use of a pinned diode as a charge storage device for the electronic shutter permits greater charge transfer efficiency, has lower leakage (or “dark” current), and permits the resulting pixel to have a greater fill factor than pixels utilizing conventional electronic shutter circuits.
24 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A circuit for storing and transferring charge from a light sensitive element of a pixel to a floating diffusion node, said circuit comprising:
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a pinned diode charge storage element; a shutter control element, said shutter control element having a shutter control input coupled to said light sensitive element and an output coupled to said pinned diode charge storage element; and a transfer control element for transferring charge from said pinned diode charge storage element to said floating diffusion node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A pixel comprising:
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a light sensitive element for generating photo generated charge; a shutter circuit for receiving charge from said light sensitive element, said shutter circuit comprising; a pinned diode charge storage element; and a shutter control element, said shutter control element having an input coupled to said light sensitive element and an output coupled to said pinned diode charge storage element; and a transfer control element for transferring charge from said pinned diode charge storage element to a floating diffusion node. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating an imager, the method comprising:
in each pixel of a plurality of pixels; generating charge in a light sensitive element based on a received incident light; selectively coupling said light sensitive element to a pinned diode charge storage element; storing generated charges from said light sensitive element at said pinned diode charge storage element; and selectively coupling said pinned diode charge storage element to a floating diffusion node. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
Specification