Will Semiconductor has been granted a patent for a pixel array design featuring multiple pixel circuits. The design includes photodiodes, transfer transistors, and shared gate structures, enabling efficient charge generation and management through dual floating diffusion transistors, enhancing performance in imaging applications. GlobalData’s report on Will Semiconductor gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.

According to GlobalData’s company profile on Will Semiconductor, Under-screen biometric identification was a key innovation area identified from patents. Will Semiconductor's grant share as of June 2024 was 73%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.

Pixel array with shared gate structures and dual floating diffusion

Source: United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Credit: Will Semiconductor Co Ltd

The patent US12047694B2 describes a pixel array designed for imaging systems, comprising multiple pixel circuits organized in rows and columns. Each pixel circuit includes a set of photodiodes, transfer transistors, and split floating diffusions that work together to photogenerate and manage charge in response to light. Specifically, the first pixel circuit features four photodiodes and corresponding transfer transistors, with shared gate structures that facilitate the transfer of charge between adjacent pixel circuits. A dual floating diffusion transistor is also included, which is responsible for binning charges across the floating diffusions. The architecture allows for efficient charge management and readout, enhancing the performance of the imaging system.

Additionally, the pixel array incorporates various isolation structures and source follower transistors to further optimize charge handling and signal processing. The design includes multiple layers of conductors and reset transistors that connect the pixel circuits to power lines and bitlines, ensuring effective data readout. The system is configured to read out photodiodes sequentially, with control signals managing the timing of these operations. The inclusion of color filters over the pixel array allows for the capture of color images, making this technology suitable for advanced imaging applications. Overall, the patent outlines a sophisticated approach to pixel array design that aims to improve image quality and processing efficiency in imaging systems.

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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.