{"schema_version":"1.0","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854184","patent":{"patent_number":"US-9854184","title":"Imaging pixels with a fully depleted charge transfer path","assignee":null,"inventors":[],"filing_date":"2016-06-08T00:00:00.000Z","publication_date":"2017-12-26T00:00:00.000Z","cpc_codes":["H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N","H04N"],"num_claims":20,"abstract":"An imaging pixel may have a fully depleted charge transfer path between a pinned photodiode and a floating diffusion region. A pinned transfer diode may be coupled between the pinned photodiode and the floating diffusion region. The imaging pixel may be formed in upper and lower substrates with an interconnect layer coupling the upper substrate to the lower substrate. The imaging pixel may include one or more storage diodes coupled between the transfer diode and the floating diffusion region. The imaging pixel may be used to capture high dynamic range images with flicker mitigation, images synchronized with light sources, or for high frame rate operation."},"analysis":{"summary":"Imaging Pixels with a Fully Depleted Charge Transfer Path introduces a novel pixel design that significantly enhances image capture capabilities. The core innovation lies in a fully depleted charge transfer path between a pinned photodiode and a floating diffusion region, optimizing charge transfer efficiency and minimizing signal loss. This system incorporates a pinned transfer diode and one or more storage diodes within a sophisticated pixel architecture, utilizing upper and lower substrates connected by an interconnect layer.\n\nThis patent addresses the limitations of traditional imaging pixels, which often struggle with dynamic range, flicker, and frame rate. By implementing a fully depleted charge transfer path, the invention achieves improved dynamic range, reduced flicker in HDR images, and high frame rate operation. This results in sharper, clearer images and smoother videos, even in challenging lighting conditions or when capturing fast-moving objects.\n\nThe business value of this technology is substantial. It enables higher-quality imaging across a wide range of applications, including consumer electronics, medical imaging, scientific research, and industrial automation. The improved image quality, reduced flicker, and high frame rate capabilities offer a competitive advantage for manufacturers and open up new possibilities for imaging-based products and services. The market opportunity is significant, driven by the increasing demand for advanced imaging solutions in various industries.\n\nThis innovation is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced image sensors. Its unique features and capabilities offer a compelling value proposition for manufacturers seeking to differentiate their products and capture market share. The potential ROI for companies adopting this technology is high, driven by increased sales, improved customer satisfaction, and the ability to enter new markets. The technology offers improvements to charge transfer efficiency, dynamic range, and frame rates.","layman_explanation":"Imaging Pixels with a Fully Depleted Charge Transfer Path addresses a critical challenge in the world of digital imaging: capturing high-quality images in a variety of lighting conditions and at high speeds. Traditional image sensors often struggle to handle scenes with both very bright and very dark areas, resulting in washed-out or overly dark images. Additionally, they can suffer from flicker artifacts, especially when capturing video or images under artificial lighting.\n\nThis patent provides a solution by improving the way light is converted into electrical signals within the image sensor. Instead of using a conventional design, it employs a \"fully depleted charge transfer path.\" Think of it like a super-efficient pipeline for moving the electrical signals from the light-sensitive area of the sensor to the storage area. This pipeline minimizes signal loss and ensures that the signals are transferred quickly and accurately.\n\nThis innovation matters because it enables cameras and imaging devices to capture more detailed and realistic images. It improves the dynamic range, which is the ability to capture both bright and dark areas of a scene without losing detail. It also reduces flicker, making videos smoother and more visually appealing. The impact is felt across many industries, from consumer electronics to medical imaging. Imagine clearer smartphone photos, more accurate medical scans, and smoother high-speed videos.\n\nLooking ahead, this technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we capture and process images. It could lead to smaller, more efficient cameras with even better performance. It could also enable new applications in areas such as augmented reality and autonomous vehicles, where high-quality imaging is essential. Market adoption is expected to increase as manufacturers seek to differentiate their products and offer superior image quality. This technology offers improvements to charge transfer efficiency, dynamic range, and frame rates.","technical_analysis":"Imaging Pixels with a Fully Depleted Charge Transfer Path presents a significant advancement in CMOS image sensor (CIS) technology, addressing limitations in dynamic range, noise performance, and frame rate. The technical architecture centers around a fully depleted charge transfer path between a pinned photodiode and a floating diffusion region. This is achieved through a pinned transfer diode and one or more storage diodes, integrated within a sophisticated pixel design.\n\nThe implementation involves a dual-substrate approach, utilizing upper and lower substrates connected by an interconnect layer. This allows for a compact and efficient pixel layout. The fully depleted region ensures efficient charge transfer, minimizing recombination and charge loss, leading to an improved signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and enhanced dynamic range.\n\nThe pinned transfer diode acts as a potential barrier, preventing charge from flowing back to the photodiode, further enhancing charge transfer efficiency. The storage diodes provide flexible charge storage and readout schemes, enabling high frame rate operation and HDR imaging. Algorithmically, the system can be optimized for various imaging modes, such as HDR capture, low-light imaging, and high-speed video recording. The design allows for integration with existing image processing pipelines.\n\nThe performance characteristics are significantly improved compared to traditional CIS architectures. The fully depleted charge transfer path results in lower noise levels, higher dynamic range, and faster frame rates. The system can be optimized for specific applications by adjusting the doping profiles and bias voltages. The code-level implications involve optimizing the readout circuitry and signal processing algorithms to take full advantage of the improved pixel performance. The technology offers improvements to charge transfer efficiency, dynamic range, and frame rates.","business_analysis":"Imaging Pixels with a Fully Depleted Charge Transfer Path holds substantial business potential, driven by its ability to enhance image capture capabilities across various industries. The market opportunity is significant, fueled by the increasing demand for high-quality imaging in consumer electronics, medical imaging, scientific research, and industrial automation.\n\nThe competitive advantages of this technology lie in its improved dynamic range, reduced flicker, and high frame rate capabilities. These features differentiate it from existing image sensor technologies and offer a compelling value proposition for manufacturers seeking to enhance their products. The revenue potential is substantial, driven by increased sales of imaging-based products and services.\n\nPotential business models include licensing the technology to image sensor manufacturers, integrating it into proprietary imaging systems, and offering it as a service to customers in various industries. Strategic positioning involves targeting high-growth markets such as medical imaging and automotive safety, where high-quality imaging is critical. ROI projections are favorable, driven by increased revenue, improved customer satisfaction, and the ability to enter new markets.\n\nThis innovation is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for advanced image sensors. Its unique features and capabilities offer a compelling value proposition for manufacturers seeking to differentiate their products and capture market share. The fully depleted charge transfer path technology offers improvements to charge transfer efficiency, dynamic range, and frame rates.","faqs":null,"topics":["imaging pixels","charge transfer","HDR imaging","high frame rate","CMOS image sensor","imaging","pixels","fully"],"tech_cluster":null},"seo":{"title":"Imaging Pixels with a Fully Depleted Charge Transfer Path - Patent US-9854184","description":"Explore Imaging Pixels with a Fully Depleted Charge Transfer Path: enhanced dynamic range, reduced flicker, & high frame rates. Full patent analysis & technical details.","keywords":["imaging pixels","charge transfer","HDR imaging","high frame rate","CMOS image sensor","pixel architecture","patent US-9854184"]},"attribution":{"source":"Patentable","source_url":"https://patentable.app","canonical_url":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854184","license":"CC-BY-4.0-like","license_terms":"AI-generated analysis on this page (summary, layman_explanation, technical_analysis, business_analysis, faqs) may be reused with attribution and a visible link back to the canonical URL above. Patent abstracts, claims, and bibliographic data are USPTO public domain.","required_link":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854184","citation_suggestion":"Patentable. \"Imaging pixels with a fully depleted charge transfer path\" (US-9854184). https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854184","copyright_holder":"Nomic Interactive Technology LLC"},"links":{"html":"https://patentable.app/patents/US-9854184","json":"https://patentable.app/api/llm-context/US-9854184","site":"https://patentable.app","llms_txt":"https://patentable.app/llms.txt"},"generated_at":"2026-05-30T01:54:55.134Z"}