An Area-Efficient up/down Double-Sampling Circuit for a LOFIC CMOS Image Sensor.

A lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor can realize high-dynamic-range (HDR) imaging with combination of a low-conversion-gain (LCG) signal for large maximum signal electrons and a high-conversion-gain (HCG) signal for electron-referred noise floor. However, LOFIC-CMOS image sensor requires a two-channel read-out chain for LCG and HCG signals whose polarities are inverted. In order to provide an area-efficient LOFIC-CMOS image sensor, a one-channel read-out chain that can process both HCG and LCG signals is presented in this paper. An up/down double-sampling circuit composed of an inverting amplifier for HCG signals and a non-inverting attenuator for LCG signals can reduce the area of the read-out chain by half compared to the conventional two-channel read-out chain. A test chip is fabricated in a 0.18 µm CMOS process with a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor, achieving a readout noise of 130 µVrms for the HCG signal and 1.19 V for the LCG input window. The performance is equivalent to 103 dB of the dynamic range with our previous LOFIC pixel in which HCG and LCG conversion gains are, respectively, 160 µV/e- and 10 µV/e-.

Area-Efficient Post-Processing Circuits for Physically Unclonable Function with 2-Mpixel CMOS Image Sensor.

In order to realize image information security starting from the data source, challenge-response (CR) device authentication, based on a Physically Unclonable Function (PUF) with a 2 Mpixel CMOS image sensor (CIS), is studied, in which variation of the transistor in the pixel array is utilized. As each CR pair can be used only once to make the CIS PUF resistant to the modeling attack, CR authentication with CIS can be carried out 4050 times, with basic post-processing to generate the PUF ID. If a larger number of authentications is required, advanced post-processing using Lehmer encoding can be utilized to carry out authentication 14,858 times. According to the PUF performance evaluation, the authentication error rate is less than 0.001 ppm. Furthermore, the area overhead of the CIS chip for the basic and advanced post-processing is only 1% and 2%, respectively, based on a Verilog HDL model circuit design.

A Stacked Back Side-Illuminated Voltage Domain Global Shutter CMOS Image Sensor with a 4.0 µm Multiple Gain Readout Pixel †.

A backside-illuminated complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor with 4.0 µm voltage domain global shutter (GS) pixels has been fabricated in a 45 nm/65 nm stacked CMOS process as a proof-of-concept vehicle. The pixel components for the photon-to-voltage conversion are formed on the top substrate (the first layer). Each voltage signal from the first layer pixel is stored in the sample-and-hold capacitors on the bottom substrate (the second layer) via micro-bump interconnection to achieve a voltage domain GS function. The two sets of voltage domain storage capacitor per pixel enable a multiple gain readout to realize single exposure high dynamic range (SEHDR) in the GS operation. As a result, an 80dB SEHDR GS operation without rolling shutter distortions and motion artifacts has been achieved. Additionally, less than -140dB parasitic light sensitivity, small noise floor, high sensitivity and good angular response have been achieved.

A 120-ke- Full-Well Capacity 160-µV/e- Conversion Gain 2.8-µm Backside-Illuminated Pixel with a Lateral Overflow Integration Capacitor.

In this paper, a prototype complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor with a 2.8-µm backside-illuminated (BSI) pixel with a lateral overflow integration capacitor (LOFIC) architecture is presented. The pixel was capable of a high conversion gain readout with 160 µV/e- for low light signals while a large full-well capacity of 120 ke- was obtained for high light signals. The combination of LOFIC and the BSI technology allowed for high optical performance without degradation caused by extra devices for the LOFIC structure. The sensor realized a 70% peak quantum efficiency with a normal (no anti-reflection coating) cover glass and a 91% angular response at ±20° incident light. This 2.8-µm pixel is potentially capable of higher than 100 dB dynamic range imaging in a pure single exposure operation.

An Autopsy Case of Preclinical/Early Clinical Pick Disease.

Here, we report a 74-year-old woman with a long history of schizophrenia but no clinical manifestation of dementia. Cause of death after autopsy was atherosclerotic heart disease. Although neuropathological investigation showed no significant brain atrophy, superficial microvacuolation with neuronal loss was restrictedly detected in the right anterior cingulate gyrus by microscopic examination. Pick bodies (PBs) positive for Bodian and Bielshowsky staining and 3-repeat-tau were detected in frontal and temporal lobes and limbic regions. Prevalence of PBs was most frequent in the right anterior cingulate gyrus and lateral base, followed by other neocortical regions of the frontal lobe, amygdala, and granular layer of the hippocampus. Although the number of glial inclusions was low, ramified astrocytes and various forms of astrocytes with AT8-positive inclusions were also found. Thus, the case may reflect preclinical or very early clinical Pick disease. Distribution of PBs does not necessarily have to be consistent with previously reported preclinical/early clinical Pick disease. These results show that tau pathology in the earlier stage of Pick disease may be heterogeneous, and the anterior cingulate gyrus may be initially affected in Pick disease. Neuropathological examination, including immunohistochemistry without case selection, is useful in identifying clinical and pathological manifestations of Pick disease.

An Over 90 dB Intra-Scene Single-Exposure Dynamic Range CMOS Image Sensor Using a 3.0 µm Triple-Gain Pixel Fabricated in a Standard BSI Process.

To respond to the high demand for high dynamic range imaging suitable for moving objects with few artifacts, we have developed a single-exposure dynamic range image sensor by introducing a triple-gain pixel and a low noise dual-gain readout circuit. The developed 3 µm pixel is capable of having three conversion gains. Introducing a new split-pinned photodiode structure, linear full well reaches 40 ke-. Readout noise under the highest pixel gain condition is 1 e- with a low noise readout circuit. Merging two signals, one with high pixel gain and high analog gain, and the other with low pixel gain and low analog gain, a single exposure dynamic rage (SEHDR) signal is obtained. Using this technology, a 1/2.7", 2M-pixel CMOS image sensor has been developed and characterized. The image sensor also employs an on-chip linearization function, yielding a 16-bit linear signal at 60 fps, and an intra-scene dynamic range of higher than 90 dB was successfully demonstrated. This SEHDR approach inherently mitigates the artifacts from moving objects or time-varying light sources that can appear in the multiple exposure high dynamic range (MEHDR) approach.

New legislation for offenders with mental disorders in Japan.

This article describes the recent law reform on forensic mental health and its background in Japan, focusing on the enactment of the Medical Treatment and Supervision Act in 2005. The new system-under which a person who commits a serious criminal offence in a state of insanity or diminished responsibility shall be referred by the public prosecutor to the District Court-aims to provide intensive psychiatric treatment to offenders with mental disorders, attaching great importance to their reintegration into society. The court panel, which consists of a judge and a specially qualified psychiatrist, plays a key role in the treatment procedure. Upon the agreement of the two panel members, the panel delivers a verdict that takes into account the outcome of psychiatric evaluation; possible verdicts are inpatient treatment order, outpatient treatment order (mental health supervision), and no treatment order. Designated facilities are currently being established for inpatient and outpatient treatment. Referring to the published data on outcomes of enforcement, this article discusses particularities, current problems, and future prospects of the system, drawing comparisons between the German and Japanese systems.