公开(公告)号：US10931905B2

公开(公告)日：2021-02-23

申请号：US16172004

申请日：2018-10-26

Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor： Young-Gu Jin ,  Min-Sun Keel ,  Young-Chan Kim

IPC: H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/351 ,  G01S17/89 ,  G06T7/521

Abstract: A pixel array in a three-dimensional image sensor includes depth pixels and an ambient light cancellation (ALC) circuit. The depth pixels operate in response to photo control signals having different phases, and generate distance information of an object based on light reflected by the object. The ALC circuit removes an ambient light component from the reflected light, and is shared by the depth pixels. Each depth pixel includes a photoelectric conversion region, a floating diffusion region, a photo gate, and a drain gate. The photoelectric conversion region collects photo charges based on the reflected light. The floating diffusion region accumulates the photo charges. The photo gate is activated in response to one of the photo control signals. The photoelectric conversion region accumulates the photo charges when the photo gate is activated, and the photo charges in the photoelectric conversion region are released when the drain gate is activated.

公开(公告)号：US10484630B2

公开(公告)日：2019-11-19

申请号：US15631278

申请日：2017-06-23

Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor： Min-Sun Keel ,  Kyoungmin Koh ,  Sanghoon Ha

IPC: H04N5/363 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/345 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/357 ,  H04N9/04 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: An image sensor includes a photoelectric device generating an electric charge from light; a feedback device generating a reset voltage using a predetermined reference voltage; and a pixel circuit generating a pixel voltage using the reset voltage and the electric charge, setting the reset voltage to the reference voltage using the feedback device a first period, and outputting the pixel voltage and the reset voltage during a second period.

公开(公告)号：US12238442B2

公开(公告)日：2025-02-25

申请号：US18335488

申请日：2023-06-15

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Chanho Chun ,  Kyung-Min Kim ,  Min-Sun Keel ,  Donghyun Kim ,  Mira Lee

IPC: H04N25/772 ,  H04N25/59 ,  H04N25/616 ,  H04N25/65 ,  H04N25/76 ,  H04N25/771

Abstract: Disclosed is an image sensor including a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including a first photodiode and a second photodiode, each of which outputs a first pixel signal based on a first conversion gain using the second photodiode in a first period, outputs a second pixel signal based on a second conversion gain using the second photodiode in a second period, outputs a third pixel signal based on the first conversion gain using the first photodiode in a third period, and outputs a fourth pixel signal based on the second conversion gain using the first photodiode in a fourth period, an ADC circuit that performs sampling on a reset signal and an image signal of each of the first to fourth pixel signal. A sampling count and the number of sampling bits are adjusted differently from each of the first to fourth period.

公开(公告)号：US10991748B2

公开(公告)日：2021-04-27

申请号：US16124226

申请日：2018-09-07

Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor： Min-Sun Keel ,  Doo Won Kwon ,  Hyun Surk Ryu ,  Young Chan Kim ,  Young Gu Jin

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H01L23/00 ,  H04N13/204 ,  G06T7/521 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) image sensor includes a first substrate having an upper pixel. The upper pixel includes a photoelectric element and first and second photogates connected to the photoelectric element. A second substrate includes a lower pixel, which corresponds to the upper pixel, that is spaced apart from the first substrate in a vertical direction. The lower pixel includes a first transfer transistor that transmits a first signal provided by the first photogate. A first source follower generates a first output signal in accordance with the first signal. A second transfer transistor transmits a second signal provided by the second photogate. A second source follower generates a second output signal in accordance with the second signal. First and second bonding conductors are disposed between the first and second substrates and electrically connect the upper and lower pixels.

公开(公告)号：US11984467B2

公开(公告)日：2024-05-14

申请号：US17368112

申请日：2021-07-06

Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor： Dae Shik Kim ,  Min-Sun Keel ,  Sang Kil Lee

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  H01L25/065 ,  H10B61/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14636 ,  H01L25/0657 ,  H01L27/1462 ,  H01L27/14634 ,  H10B61/00

Abstract: An image sensor includes an upper chip having a pixel array connected to a first connecting structure, and a lower chip below the upper chip and having a second connecting structure connected to the first connecting structure and having first and second stacked metal layers with a same thickness, a third metal layer on the second metal layer and thicker than the second metal layer, a fourth metal layer on the third metal layer and thicker than the third metal layer, first through third insulating layers alternating with the first through fourth metal layers, a first memory device with a first MTJ element in at least one of the first and second insulating layers, and a second memory device with a second MTJ element different from the first MTJ element, the second MTJ element being in at least one of the first through third insulating layers.

公开(公告)号：US11778161B2

公开(公告)日：2023-10-03

申请号：US17398113

申请日：2021-08-10

Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor： Kyu-Min Kyung ,  Seung-Chui Shin ,  Min-Sun Keel

IPC: H04N13/254 ,  G01S17/894 ,  H04N13/296

CPC classification number: H04N13/254 ,  G01S17/894 ,  H04N13/296

Abstract: A time of flight (TOF) camera device and a method of operating the same is provided. The time of flight (TOF) camera device includes a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal, a light module configured to emit output light to at least one object in response to the pulse signal, a three-dimensional (3D) sensor configured to receive reflected light when the output light is reflected by the at least one object for a first frame, a distance calculator configured to receive an output of the 3D sensor and generate a distance data signal, and a light density control device configured to receive the distance data signal from the distance calculator and output a light density control signal. The light density control signal may adjust the size of an opening in the light module to change a projected area from the output light onto the at least one object.

公开(公告)号：US11644552B2

公开(公告)日：2023-05-09

申请号：US16921060

申请日：2020-07-06

Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor： Younggu Jin ,  Min-Sun Keel ,  Daeyun Kim ,  Youngchan Kim

IPC: G01S7/48 ,  G01S7/486 ,  G01S17/894 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/4863 ,  G01S17/18

CPC classification number: G01S7/4868 ,  G01S7/4815 ,  G01S7/4863 ,  G01S17/18 ,  G01S17/894

Abstract: An electronic device includes a time of flight (ToF) sensor including a pixel array, a light source that emits light signals, and an optical device that projects the light signals to areas of an object which respectively correspond to a plurality of pixel blocks including pixels of the pixel array. Each of the pixels includes a plurality of taps each including a photo transistor, a first transfer transistor connected with the photo transistor, a storage element connected with the first transfer transistor, a second transfer transistor connected with the storage element, a floating diffusion area connected with the second transfer transistor, and a readout circuit connected with the floating diffusion area. An overflow transistor is disposed adjacent to the photo transistor and connected with a power supply voltage.

公开(公告)号：US20250039571A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-30

申请号：US18600114

申请日：2024-03-08

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Kyung-Min Kim ,  Haneol Seo ,  Min-Sun Keel ,  Youngtae Jang

IPC: H04N25/633 ,  H04N25/709

Abstract: An image sensor may include: a pixel array including a plurality of first pixels configured to receive light and output a plurality of first pixel signals; a row driver coupled to the plurality of first pixels and configured to apply a preset voltage to the plurality of first pixels; and an image signal processor configured to: obtain first state codes, each related to one of the plurality of first pixels, based on a plurality of second pixel signals received from the plurality of first pixels based on the preset voltage being applied to the plurality of first pixels; and process the plurality of first pixel signals based on the first state codes.

公开(公告)号：US20220191461A1

公开(公告)日：2022-06-16

申请号：US17398113

申请日：2021-08-10

Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor： Kyu-Min Kyung ,  Seung-Chul Shin ,  Min-Sun Keel

IPC: H04N13/254 ,  H04N13/296 ,  G01S17/894

Abstract: A time of flight (TOF) camera device and a method of operating the same is provided. The time of flight (TOF) camera device includes a pulse generator configured to generate a pulse signal, a light module configured to emit output light to at least one object in response to the pulse signal, a three-dimensional (3D) sensor configured to receive reflected light when the output light is reflected by the at least one object for a first frame, a distance calculator configured to receive an output of the 3D sensor and generate a distance data signal, and a light density control device configured to receive the distance data signal from the distance calculator and output a light density control signal. The light density control signal may adjust the size of an opening in the light module to change a projected area from the output light onto the at least one object.

公开(公告)号：US11082652B2

公开(公告)日：2021-08-03

申请号：US16225642

申请日：2018-12-19

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Younggu Jin ,  Youngchan Kim ,  Min-Sun Keel

IPC: H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/359 ,  G01S7/4863

Abstract: Image sensors and methods of operating the image sensors are provided. The image sensors may include a pixel configured to generate an image signal in response to light incident on the pixel. The pixel may include a charge collection circuit configured to collect charges, which are produced by the light incident on the pixel, during a sensing period and a floating diffusion region. The image sensor may further include a storage unit configured to store the charges and, during a transfer period after the sensing period, configured to transfer at least a portion of the charges to the floating diffusion region. An amount of charges that is transferred from the storage unit to the floating diffusion region may be controlled by a voltage level of a storage control signal that is applied to a storage control terminal of the storage unit.