公开(公告)号：US12132882B2

公开(公告)日：2024-10-29

申请号：US17826533

申请日：2022-05-27

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Tso-Sheng Tsai

IPC: H04N17/00 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G06T7/80 ,  H04N25/76

CPC classification number: H04N17/002 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G06T7/80 ,  H04N25/76 ,  G01J2001/444 ,  G01J2001/4466

Abstract: There is provided a detection device using a SPAD array including a sensor array, multiple counters, a processor and a frame buffer. The sensor array includes a plurality of SPADs respectively generates an avalanche current while receiving a photon. Each counter counts a number of triggering times of the avalanche current of a corresponding SPAD within an exposure interval. The frame buffer is pre-stored with a plurality of gain calibration values corresponding to every SPAD of the sensor array. The processor accesses the gain calibration values to accordingly calibrate a counting image frame outputted by the sensor array to output a calibrated image frame.

公开(公告)号：US11877082B2

公开(公告)日：2024-01-16

申请号：US17986947

申请日：2022-11-15

Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.

Inventor： Tso-Sheng Tsai

IPC: H04N25/75 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N25/76 ,  H01L31/107

CPC classification number: H04N25/75 ,  H01L27/14612 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N25/76 ,  H01L31/107

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and four P-type or N-type transistors. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits.

公开(公告)号：US20240426991A1

公开(公告)日：2024-12-26

申请号：US18823748

申请日：2024-09-04

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Tso-Sheng Tsai ,  Yueh-Lin Chung ,  Shin-Lin Wang

IPC: G01S7/497 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S17/10

Abstract: There is provided a time of flight sensor including a light source, a first pixel, a second pixel and a processor. The first pixel generates a first output signal without receiving reflected light from an external object illuminated by the light source. The second pixel generates a second output signal by receiving the reflected light from the external object illuminated by the light source. The processor calculates deviation compensation and deviation correction associated with temperature variation according to the first output signal to accordingly calibrate a distance calculated according to the second output signal.

公开(公告)号：US11693116B2

公开(公告)日：2023-07-04

申请号：US17007491

申请日：2020-08-31

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Yueh-Lin Chung ,  Tso-Sheng Tsai

IPC: G01C3/08 ,  G01S17/36 ,  G01S7/4915 ,  G01S7/4913 ,  G01S7/4911

CPC classification number: G01S17/36 ,  G01S7/4911 ,  G01S7/4913 ,  G01S7/4915

Abstract: There is provided a distance measurement device including a light source, a light detector, a time control circuit and a processor. In first measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a low modulation frequency, and the processor calculates a rough flying time according to a first detection signal of the light detector to determine an operating phase zone and a delay time. In second measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a high modulation frequency and causes a light driving signal of the light source and a detecting control signal of the light detector to have a difference of the delay time, and the processor calculates a fine flying time according to a second detection signal of the light detector.

公开(公告)号：US10715756B1

公开(公告)日：2020-07-14

申请号：US16258673

申请日：2019-01-28

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Tso-Sheng Tsai

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H01L31/107

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and four P-type or N-type transistors. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits.

公开(公告)号：US20240069173A1

公开(公告)日：2024-02-29

申请号：US17898432

申请日：2022-08-29

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Yueh-Lin Chung ,  Tso-Sheng Tsai

IPC: G01S7/4865 ,  G01B11/22 ,  H03M1/80 ,  H03M1/82

CPC classification number: G01S7/4865 ,  G01B11/22 ,  H03M1/802 ,  H03M1/82

Abstract: An output stage circuit, comprising: a current source circuit; an output switch circuit, comprising at least one output switch, coupled to the current source circuit, wherein an output current flows through a target circuit when the output switch circuit is conducted; at least one bias capacitor, coupled to the current source circuit; and a bias switch circuit, configured to receive a bias voltage, comprising at least one bias switch, coupled to the bias capacitor and the current source circuit, wherein the bias voltage charges the bias capacitor when the bias switch circuit is conducted. The present invention further discloses a DAC applying the output stage circuit and a TOF system applying the DAC. The conventional kick back issue can be improved by the mechanism provided by the present invention.

公开(公告)号：US11381806B2

公开(公告)日：2022-07-05

申请号：US16458605

申请日：2019-07-01

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Tso-Sheng Tsai

IPC: H04N17/00 ,  G01J1/44 ,  H04N5/374 ,  G06T7/80

Abstract: There is provided a detection device using a SPAD array including a sensor array, multiple counters, a processor and a frame buffer. The sensor array includes a plurality of SPADs respectively generates an avalanche current while receiving a photon. Each counter counts a number of triggering times of the avalanche current of a corresponding SPAD within an exposure interval. The frame buffer is pre-stored with a plurality of gain calibration values corresponding to every SPAD of the sensor array. The processor accesses the gain calibration values to accordingly calibrate a counting image frame outputted by the sensor array to output a calibrated image frame.

公开(公告)号：US11353563B2

公开(公告)日：2022-06-07

申请号：US16129804

申请日：2018-09-13

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Tso-Sheng Tsai

IPC: G01S7/487 ,  G01S7/4865 ,  G01S17/04

Abstract: There is provided an object detection device including a light source, an avalanche diode, a first counter, a second counter and a processor. The light source emits light within a first interval, and is turned off within a second interval, a third interval and a fourth interval. The avalanche diode detects photons corresponding to the first interval, second, third and fourth intervals to trigger avalanche events. The first counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the first interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the third interval to generate a first count value. The second counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the second interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the fourth interval to generate a second count value. The processor calculates a time-of-flight according to the first count value and the second count value.

公开(公告)号：US11102439B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-24

申请号：US16872626

申请日：2020-05-12

Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.

Inventor： Tso-Sheng Tsai

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H01L31/107

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and four P-type or N-type transistors. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits.

公开(公告)号：US12117339B1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-15

申请号：US18464304

申请日：2023-09-11

Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.

Inventor： Tso-Sheng Tsai ,  Kuei-Yang Tseng ,  Yueh-Lin Chung

IPC: G01J1/44

CPC classification number: G01J1/44 ,  G01J2001/4466

Abstract: There is provided an optical sensor including an SPAD pixel array, multiple counters and a processor. The multiple counters count photon events of the SPAD pixel array to output an event-based vision sensor (EVS) frame per EVS period. The processor determines an index state of each pixel of the SPAD pixel array by comparing a counting value of each pixel respectively at a predetermined number of checking points with two predetermined thresholds, and calculates an index change of the index state associated with each pixel between adjacent EVS frames. The processor further changes the EVS period and/or adds a count offset to the counting value of each pixel to improve sensitivity of the event-based vision sensor.