Patent ID: 7573013
Filing Date: 2009-08-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A pixel circuit of an image sensor, the pixel circuit comprising: a reset transistor having a reset drain/source contact that is shared with a first neighboring pixel circuit; wherein the reset drain/source contact is formed onto one first shared drain/source junction formed in a substrate for both of said pixel circuit and said first neighboring pixel circuit, and wherein the reset drain/source contact has a first ohmic contact area making contact with the first shared drain/source junction; and wherein said pixel circuit and said first neighboring pixel circuit have two respective reset transistors; a source follower transistor having a source follower drain/source contact that is shared with a second neighboring pixel circuit; wherein the source follower drain/source contact is formed onto one second shared drain/source junction formed in the substrate for both of said pixel circuit and said second neighboring pixel circuit, and wherein the source follower drain/source contact has a second ohmic contact area making contact with the second shared drain/source junction, and wherein the first ohmic contact area is separate from the second ohmic contact area; and wherein the first shared drain/source junction of the reset transistor is separated by a portion of the substrate from the second shared drain/source junction of the source follower transistor for said pixel circuit; and an interconnect line coupled to the reset drain/source contact and the source follower drain/source contact, and adapted to provide a common toggled control signal there-on.