Patent ID: 8314869

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 gap disposed in the light shielding layer, wherein the gap separates a first portion of the light shielding layer disposed under the peripheral circuitry from a second portion of the light shielding layer under the at least one black reference pixel.