Electronic Image Sensor Serialization via Non-Active Pixel Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current image sensor manufacturing processes face inefficiencies due to the labor-intensive and error-prone manual tagging of sensor locations on wafers, which affects calibration and future manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
An image sensor with a substrate containing both active and non-active areas, where the non-active area has embedded digital signals to identify manufacturer, lot, and position, using a metal plate with apertures to create unique patterns that do not interfere with image capture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual tagging is used to identify sensor location on wafer, then sensor identification can be achieved, but labor intensity increases and error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor substrate itself stores the identification information through embedded data in non-active pixel regions, eliminating the need for external manual tagging. The substrate serves its own identification function, reducing labor intensity and improving reliability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical tagging operations are replaced by automated electronic data embedding during the manufacturing process. The identification system transitions from physical tags to digital signals embedded in the sensor's non-active regions.
2Loss of information
If manual tagging is used to identify sensor location, then identification can be performed, but error due to misplaced and lost tags increases
Solution Approach 1:
The identification information is merged directly into the sensor substrate structure during manufacturing. The tag information becomes an integral part of the sensor itself rather than a separate external element, eliminating loss from misplacement or detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
Identification data is embedded in the substrate during the manufacturing process before the sensor is completed or shipped. This preliminary embedding ensures information is permanently attached and cannot be lost during subsequent handling or use.
3Loss of information
If additional photosensitive sites are used for embedding signal, then identification capability is improved, but image capture area may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the substrate are assigned different functions: active pixel regions for image capture and non-active regions for data embedding. This spatial differentiation allows both functions to coexist without compromising the primary image capture area.
Solution Approach 2:
The identification information is encoded as digital signals that replicate manufacturer, lot, and position data in a compact format within non-active regions, maximizing information storage while minimizing space requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The embedded signal enables precise identification of sensor location, manufacturer, and lot, enhancing calibration and manufacturing efficiency while maintaining image capture integrity.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of additional photosensitive sites; and a digital signal embedded in one or more of the additional photosensitive sites
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a substrate having a plurality of photosensitive sites for capturing an image and a plurality of additional photosensitive sites adjacent the image capturing photosensitive sites in which there is no image capture; and a digital signal embedded in one or more of the additional photosensitive sites for the purpose of identification.