Patent ID: 8233066

Claim:
An imaging system, comprising: an imaging pixel array integrated on a pixel array die, the imaging pixel array including a plurality of active pixels each coupled to capture image data; at least one black reference pixel integrated on the pixel array die, the at least one black reference pixel coupled to generate a black reference signal for calibrating the image data; peripheral circuitry integrated on the pixel array die, the peripheral circuitry coupled to receive the image data and the black reference signal; light transmitting layers disposed on a first side of the pixel array die and covering at least the imaging pixel array and the at least one black reference pixel; a light shielding layer disposed on the first side of the pixel array die and covering a portion of the light transmitting layers and the at least one black reference pixel without covering the imaging pixel array; and a buffer layer disposed between the light shielding layer and the light transmitting layers, wherein the buffer layer comprises an insulating material that covers at least a portion of the peripheral circuitry but does not cover the at least one black reference pixel or the imaging pixel array.