Pixel array with shared pixels in a single column and associated devices, systems, and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An imager, comprising:
- a pixel array, including—
a first diffusion region,a second floating diffusion regiona first source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the first floating diffusion region,a second source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the second floating diffusion region,a first plurality of pixels associated with a first plurality of colors and configured to transfer charge to the first floating diffusion region, the first plurality of pixels arranged in a first column, the first plurality of pixels including at least two pixels associated with a first one of the first plurality of colorsa second plurality of pixels associated with a second plurality of colors and configured to transfer charge to the second floating diffusion region, the second plurality of pixels arranged in a second column, the second plurality of pixels including a second color different than the first one of the first plurality of colors and at least two pixels associated with a second one of the second plurality of colors; and
control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array, wherein the control circuitry is configured to successively read out onto a column line image signals corresponding to the charge transferred to the first floating diffusion region via each of the first plurality of pixels.
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Abstract
Pixel array with shared pixels in a single column and associated devices, systems, and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a pixel array includes a floating diffusion region, a source a source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the floating diffusion region, a plurality of first pixels associated with a first color, and a plurality of second pixels associated with a second color different than the first color and arranged in a single column with the first pixels. The first and second pixels are configured to transfer charge to the floating diffusion region.
30 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An imager, comprising:
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a pixel array, including— a first diffusion region, a second floating diffusion region a first source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the first floating diffusion region, a second source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the second floating diffusion region, a first plurality of pixels associated with a first plurality of colors and configured to transfer charge to the first floating diffusion region, the first plurality of pixels arranged in a first column, the first plurality of pixels including at least two pixels associated with a first one of the first plurality of colors a second plurality of pixels associated with a second plurality of colors and configured to transfer charge to the second floating diffusion region, the second plurality of pixels arranged in a second column, the second plurality of pixels including a second color different than the first one of the first plurality of colors and at least two pixels associated with a second one of the second plurality of colors; and control circuitry operably coupled to the pixel array, wherein the control circuitry is configured to successively read out onto a column line image signals corresponding to the charge transferred to the first floating diffusion region via each of the first plurality of pixels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A pixel array comprising:
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a first floating diffusion region; a second floating diffusion region; a first source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the first floating diffusion region a second source follower transistor having a gate coupled to the second floating diffusion region; a first plurality of pixels associated with a first plurality of colors and configured to transfer charge to the first floating diffusion region, the first plurality of pixels arranged in a first column, the first plurality of pixels including at least two pixels associated with a first one of the first plurality of colors; and a second plurality of pixels associated with a second plurality of colors and configured to transfer charge to the second floating diffusion region, the second plurality of pixels arranged in a second column, the second plurality of pixels including a second color different than the first one of the first plurality of colors and at least two pixels associated with a second one of the second plurality of colors. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification