公开(公告)号：US11683608B2

公开(公告)日：2023-06-20

申请号：US17364903

申请日：2021-07-01

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim

IPC: H04N25/75 ,  H04N23/73 ,  H04N25/77

CPC classification number: H04N25/75 ,  H04N23/73 ,  H04N25/77

Abstract: An image sensor device includes a sensor array and a processing circuit. The sensor array includes a plurality of pixel units each including a photodiode unit and a storage capacitor. The sensor array generates an image of a specific frame, and the photodiode unit is illuminated by a light ray to generate a photodiode current which is stored in the storage capacitor when the image sensor device performs an exposure operation. The processing circuit generates a reference current according to photodiode current(s) of photodiode unit(s) of pixel unit(s) before the exposure operation arranged for the specific frame starts, and predicts a length of an exposure time interval of the exposure operation for the specific frame based on the generated reference current.

公开(公告)号：US11622176B1

公开(公告)日：2023-04-04

申请号：US17572585

申请日：2022-01-10

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N25/75 ,  H03K17/94 ,  H04N25/771

Abstract: An image sensor comprising a BJT pixel circuit, a biasing circuit and a comparator. The BJT pixel circuit comprises a BJT; a charging selection circuit, configured to control a first storage capacitor to be charged in a first reset time and to control a second storage capacitor to be charged to a second reset time; a discharging selection circuit, configured to control the first storage capacitor to be discharged by the BJT in a first exposure time to generate a first output voltage, and to control the second storage capacitor to be discharged by the BJT in a second exposure time to generate a second output voltage; a biasing circuit, configured to provide voltage decreasing and voltage increasing to the second output voltage to generated adjusted images; and a comparator, configured to compare the first output voltage and the adjusted voltages.

公开(公告)号：US11282888B1

公开(公告)日：2022-03-22

申请号：US17002800

申请日：2020-08-26

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) pixel circuit, including: a BJT transistor, having a base coupled to a photo detector, an emitter coupled to a shutter circuit, and a collector coupled to a reference ground level; the photo detector, having first end coupled to the base of BJT transistor and second end coupled to the reference ground level, for generating base current based on light intensity of light incident on the photo detector; the shutter circuit, coupled to the emitter of the BJT transistor, for controlling exposure time of the photo detector according to a shutter signal; and a storage capacitor, coupled between the shutter circuit and an adjustable ground level different from the reference ground level, for storing image data captured by the photo detector, wherein the adjustable ground level is boosted to be higher than the reference ground level for one or more times during the exposure time.

公开(公告)号：US10374589B2

公开(公告)日：2019-08-06

申请号：US16136136

申请日：2018-09-19

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim ,  Yong Yeap Tan

IPC: H03K5/22 ,  H03K5/24 ,  G01K7/34 ,  G01K15/00

Abstract: A temperature detecting circuit comprising: a comparator, comprising a first comparing terminal and a second comparing terminal; a time interval computing unit; a switch module, coupled to the first comparing terminal and the second comparing terminal, comprising a reference voltage terminal coupled to a reference voltage source, and comprising a first input terminal, a second input terminal and a third input terminal; a first current source, comprising a first charging terminal coupled to the first input terminal and the second input terminal; a first capacitor, coupled to the first current source at the first charging terminal; a capacitance adjusting unit, coupled to the first capacitor; a second current source, comprising a second charging terminal coupled to the third input terminal, wherein the second current source is a current source which provides a constant current; and a second capacitor, coupled to the second current source at the second charging terminal.

公开(公告)号：US11287901B2

公开(公告)日：2022-03-29

申请号：US16681836

申请日：2019-11-13

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Kwai Lee Pang ,  Wooi Kip Lim ,  Siew Chin Lee

IPC: G06F3/03

Abstract: An optical detecting device capable of detecting a lift height of an optical navigation apparatus is disclosed. The optical detecting device includes a sensor module and a processor. The sensor module includes a sensor array and at least one detector strip. The sensor array is adapted to acquire navigation information of the optical navigation apparatus moved relative to a working surface by sensing an illumination area, and the detector strip has a detection region across an edge of the illumination area. The processor is electrically connected to the sensor module, and adapted to compute the lift height of the optical navigation apparatus relative to the working surface according to a detection result of the detector strip.

公开(公告)号：US09197167B2

公开(公告)日：2015-11-24

申请号：US14164264

申请日：2014-01-27

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim

IPC: H03F1/26 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03F1/02 ,  H03F3/45

CPC classification number: H03F1/26 ,  G06F3/044 ,  H03F1/0272 ,  H03F3/45475 ,  H03F2200/372 ,  H03F2203/45512 ,  H03F2203/45528

Abstract: An amplifying circuit, which comprises: an amplifier, comprising a signal input terminal and a signal output terminal; a first current sinking module, for sinking a third current from the signal input terminal; and a noise sensing module, for sensing a output voltage level at the signal output terminal, for controlling the first current sinking module to sink the third current from the signal input terminal if the output voltage level is larger than a first high threshold value, and for controlling the first current sinking module not to sink the third current if the output voltage level is smaller than the first high threshold value.

Abstract translation: 一种放大电路，包括：放大器，包括信号输入端和信号输出端; 第一电流吸收模块，用于从所述信号输入端子吸收第三电流; 以及噪声感测模块，用于感测信号输出端子处的输出电压电平，用于如果输出电压电平大于第一高阈值，则控制第一电流吸收模块从信号输入端子吸收第三电流;以及 用于如果输出电压电平小于第一高阈值，则控制第一电流吸收模块不吸收第三电流。

公开(公告)号：US20230007201A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-05

申请号：US17364903

申请日：2021-07-01

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An image sensor device includes a sensor array and a processing circuit. The sensor array includes a plurality of pixel units each including a photodiode unit and a storage capacitor. The sensor array generates an image of a specific frame, and the photodiode unit is illuminated by a light ray to generate a photodiode current which is stored in the storage capacitor when the image sensor device performs an exposure operation. The processing circuit generates a reference current according to photodiode current(s) of photodiode unit(s) of pixel unit(s) before the exposure operation arranged for the specific frame starts, and predicts a length of an exposure time interval of the exposure operation for the specific frame based on the generated reference current.

公开(公告)号：US09385158B2

公开(公告)日：2016-07-05

申请号：US13961091

申请日：2013-08-07

Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim

IPC: H01J40/14 ,  H01L27/146 ,  G06F3/03 ,  G06F3/0354

CPC classification number: H01L27/14681 ,  G06F3/0304 ,  G06F3/0317 ,  G06F3/03543

Abstract: A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) pixel circuit, an image sensor and a driving method thereof are provided. The BJT pixel circuit includes a BJT, a photodetector, a feedback amplifier circuit, a shutter circuit, and a current generating unit. The photodetector generates a first base current to a base of the BJT responsive to a light incident on the photodetector. The feedback amplifier circuit is operative to increase an emitter voltage of the BJT according to the light intensity. The shutter circuit controls an exposure time of the photodetector according to a shutter signal. The current generating unit generates the second pulsed base current responsive to a trigger signal causing a base voltage of the BJT to drop while the feedback amplifier circuit operates to increase the emitter voltage of the BJT so as to build-up the base-emitter voltage to a predetermined voltage level when a light source turns on.

Abstract translation: 提供了双极结型晶体管（BJT）像素电路，图像传感器及其驱动方法。 BJT像素电路包括BJT，光电检测器，反馈放大器电路，快门电路和电流产生单元。 光电检测器响应于入射在光电检测器上的光而产生到BJT的基极的第一基极电流。 反馈放大器电路用于根据光强度增加BJT的发射极电压。 快门电路根据快门信号控制光电检测器的曝光时间。 电流产生单元响应于触发信号产生第二脉冲基极电流，导致BJT的基极电压下降，而反馈放大器电路操作以增加BJT的发射极电压，从而将基极 - 发射极电压积分到 当光源接通时的预定电压电平。

公开(公告)号：US12177579B2

公开(公告)日：2024-12-24

申请号：US18091399

申请日：2022-12-30

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim

IPC: H04N23/80 ,  H04N25/46 ,  H04N25/771 ,  H04N25/78

Abstract: A method of an image sensor device includes: providing a pixel array having a plurality of pixel units; using a pixel pre-processing circuit for receiving a plurality of analog pixel signals respectively from the plurality of pixel units to perform a low-pass filter operation upon the plurality of analog pixel signals in analog domain to generate a plurality of analog processed signals, a number of the plurality of analog processed signals being smaller than a number of the plurality of analog pixel signals; using an analog-to-digital converter for converting the plurality of analog processed signals in the analog domain into a plurality of digital processed signals in digital domain; and, transmitting the plurality of digital processed signals in digital domain into a digital processing circuit coupled to the analog-to-digital converter.

公开(公告)号：US10431623B2

公开(公告)日：2019-10-01

申请号：US15790041

申请日：2017-10-22

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： Wooi Kip Lim

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/369

Abstract: A method applied to a BJT pixel of an image sensor apparatus includes: obtaining at least one of a surface quality signal of a first image sensed by the BJT pixel and a shutter turn-on time corresponding to the first image; and adaptively adjusting a pre-flash time of the BJT pixel for sensing of a second image according to the at least one of the surface quality signal of the first image and the shutter turn-on time corresponding to the first image; wherein the second image follows the first image.