Memory-enhanced image sensor
AssigneeSTMicroelectronics (Research & Development) Limited
InventorJustin RICHARDSON
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image sensor IC may have a non-volatile memory for several functions. The functions may include storing control parameters for a camera autofocus module, part tracking data, and data for defect correction or color science. The non-volatile memory can in particular be an antifuse non-volatile memory, which may not need special light shielding.
Claims46
1-39. (canceled)
An image sensor integrated circuit (IC) comprising:
- a substrate;
- an antifuse non-volatile memory on said substrate;
- and
- an image sensing pixel array on said substrate.
An electronic device comprising:
- an image sensor integrated circuit (IC) including
- a substrate,
- an antifuse non-volatile memory on said substrate, and
- an image sensing pixel array on said substrate;
- and
- a processor coupled to said image sensor IC.
An electronic device comprising:
- a processor;
- an image sensor integrated circuit (IC);
- and
- a motor for driving a lens carriage and coupled to at least one of said processor and said image sensor IC;
- said image sensing IC including an non-volatile memory encoded with operational parameters for driving said motor.
An image sensor integrated circuit (IC) comprising:
- a substrate;
- a non-volatile memory on said substrate, said non-volatile memory encoded with data for part-tracking;
- and
- an image sensing pixel array on said substrate.
An image sensor integrated circuit (IC) comprising:
- a substrate;
- a non-volatile memory on said substrate, said non-volatile memory encoded with data for defect correction;
- and
- an image sensing pixel array on said substrate.
An image sensor integrated circuit (IC) comprising:
- a substrate;
- a non-volatile memory on said substrate, said non-volatile memory encoded with data for color filter array reconstruction;
- and
- an image sensing pixel array on said substrate.
An image sensor integrated circuit (IC) comprising:
- a substrate;
- a non-volatile memory on said substrate, said non-volatile memory encoded with data defining embedded firmware for microprocessor or DSP control;
- and
- an image sensing pixel array on said substrate.
A method of operating an image sensor integrated circuit (IC) comprising a substrate, an antifuse non-volatile memory on the substrate, and an image sensing pixel array on the substrate, the method comprising:
- mapping the contents of the antifuse non-volatile memory to a volatile memory;
- and
- selectively powering the antifuse non-volatile memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.