# US 12,181,617 B2 · Converter array, detector, and photodiode array

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- Number: US 12,181,617 B2
- Document ID: US12181617B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 18/298,143
- Filed: 2023-04-10
- Published: 2023-08-10
- Granted: 2024-12-31
- Earliest claimed: 2019-07-11
- Assignees: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
- Applicants: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
- Inventors: Akira Nishijima
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12181617B2

## CPC

- G01T 1/20184: {Detector read-out circuitry, e.g. for clearing of traps, compensating for traps or compensating for direct hits}
- G01T 1/2985: {In depth localisation, e.g. using positron emitters; Tomographic imaging (longitudinal and transverse section imaging; apparatus for radiation diagnosis sequentially in different planes, steroscopic radiation diagnosis); (using external radiation sources A61B6/02)}
- H03M 1/12: Analogue/digital converters ({H03M1/001 – } H03M1/10 take precedence)
- G01N 23/046: using tomography, e.g. computed tomography [CT]
- H03M 1/123: {Simultaneous, i.e. using one converter per channel but with common control or reference circuits for multiple converters}
- G01T: MEASUREMENT OF NUCLEAR OR X-RADIATION (radiation analysis of materials, mass spectrometry G01N23/00; tubes for determining the presence, intensity, density or energy of radiation or particles H01J47/00)
- H03M: CODING; DECODING; CODE CONVERSION IN GENERAL (using fluidic means F15C4/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00; coding, decoding or code conversion, specially adapted for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. G01D, G01R, G06F, G06T, G09G, G10L, G11B, G11C, H04B, H04L, H04M, H04N; ciphering or deciphering for cryptography or other purposes involving the need for secrecy G09C)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

According to one embodiment, a converter array includes a first substrate, multiple sets of a plurality of analog-digital converters and a switch. The multiple sets are arranged on the first substrate in array. The switch is configured to switch a connection relationship between the plurality of analog-digital converters to process signals from photodiodes smaller in number than the analog-digital converters.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A detector comprising:
a first substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface;
a photodiode arranged inside the first substrate and in proximity to the first surface and configured to convert detected light into electrical signals;
an interconnect layer arranged inside the first substrate and in proximity to the second surface and configured to bundle the electrical signals;
a second substrate stacked outside the first substrate and on the second surface;
a plurality of connection electrodes constituting the second substrate and configured to transmit the bundled electrical signals from the interconnect layer;
a plurality of integration circuits constituting the second substrate and configured to integrate the bundled electrical signals from the connection electrodes over a predetermined period and generate a plurality of integral signals; and
an analog-digital converter constituting the second substrate and configured to sequentially convert the plurality of integral signals into digital signals.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The detector according to claim 1, wherein
the photodiode is for processing of a pixel size of a first resolution, and
the analog-digital converter is for processing of a pixel size of a second resolution, the pixel size of the second resolution being smaller than the pixel size of the first resolution.