公开(公告)号：US09848137B2

公开(公告)日：2017-12-19

申请号：US14950050

申请日：2015-11-24

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Uzi Hizi ,  Nathan Henri Levy ,  Mickey Bahar

IPC: H04N5/355 ,  H04N5/376 ,  H04N5/353 ,  H04N5/374

CPC classification number: H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/3532 ,  H04N5/3535 ,  H04N5/35563 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/3765

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array and a plurality of control circuits. The pixel array includes a plurality of sub-arrays arranged in a plurality of rows and columns, each of the plurality of sub-arrays including a plurality of pixels. The plurality of control circuits are coupled to the pixel array, and configured to control exposure of the plurality of sub-arrays. At least a first of the plurality of control circuits is configured to control exposure of a first of the plurality of sub-arrays according to a first set of exposure times. At least a second of the plurality of control circuits is configured to control exposure of a second of the plurality of sub-arrays according to a second set of exposure times. The first set of exposure times is different from the second set of exposure times.

公开(公告)号：US09774803B2

公开(公告)日：2017-09-26

申请号：US15046555

申请日：2016-02-18

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Mickey Bahar ,  Uzi Hizi

IPC: H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/2355 ,  H04N5/2357 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/37457 ,  H04N9/045

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method of generating an image using a global shutter image sensor. The method includes accumulating a first plurality of charges during a first exposure time from a first plurality of pixels, accumulating a second plurality of charges during a plurality of second exposure times from a second plurality of pixels, the plurality of second exposure times occurring during the first exposure time and being shorter than the first exposure time and generating the image based on the first plurality of charges and the second plurality of charges.

公开(公告)号：US20150281683A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-01

申请号：US14224198

申请日：2014-03-25

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Yoel Yaffe ,  Claudio G. Jakobson ,  Shemi Prazot ,  Uzi Hizi

IPC: H04N17/00 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/3651 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N17/002

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a linear-logarithmic image sensor pixel include performing a reset of the pixel in advance of establishing a leakage current between a photodiode and a floating diffusion region of the pixel. A first voltage of the floating diffusion region is then read through a source follower and selection transistor, after the leakage is terminated. A step is then performed to transfer charge between the photodiode and the floating diffusion region of the pixel so that a voltage of a cathode of the photodiode is increased. Thereafter, a second voltage of the floating diffusion region is read. The first and second read voltages are then used to perform a calibration operation. These steps may be repeated to establish another leakage current of different duration/magnitude and yield third and fourth read voltages, which support further calibration.

Abstract translation: 校准线性对数图像传感器像素的方法包括在建立像素的光电二极管和浮动扩散区域之间的漏电流之前执行像素的复位。 然后，在泄漏终止之后，通过源极跟随器和选择晶体管读取浮动扩散区域的第一电压。 然后执行步骤以在像素的光电二极管和浮动扩散区域之间传送电荷，使得光电二极管的阴极的电压增加。 此后，读取浮动扩散区域的第二电压。 然后，第一和第二读取电压用于执行校准操作。 可以重复这些步骤以建立不同持续时间/幅度的另一泄漏电流并产生第三和第四读取电压，这支持进一步校准。

公开(公告)号：US09100600B2

公开(公告)日：2015-08-04

申请号：US13938798

申请日：2013-07-10

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Uzi Hizi

IPC: H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/359

CPC classification number: H04N5/3591 ,  H04N5/353 ,  H04N5/376

Abstract: An image sensor includes a line driver, which further includes a transfer pulse generating circuit. The transfer pulse generating circuit is configured to determine an integration status of a first group of pixels, and to selectively apply the anti-blooming shutter to the first group of pixels based on the determined integration status of the first group of pixels.

Abstract translation: 图像传感器包括线驱动器，其还包括传送脉冲发生电路。 转移脉冲发生电路被配置为基于所确定的第一组像素的积分状态来确定第一组像素的积分状态，并且选择性地将防晕快门应用于第一组像素。

公开(公告)号：US09843750B2

公开(公告)日：2017-12-12

申请号：US14224198

申请日：2014-03-25

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Yoel Yaffe ,  Claudio G. Jakobson ,  Shemi Prazot ,  Uzi Hizi

IPC: H04N5/232 ,  H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N17/00 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/3651 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N17/002

Abstract: Methods of calibrating a linear-logarithmic image sensor pixel include performing a reset of the pixel in advance of establishing a leakage current between a photodiode and a floating diffusion region of the pixel. A first voltage of the floating diffusion region is then read through a source follower and selection transistor, after the leakage is terminated. A step is then performed to transfer charge between the photodiode and the floating diffusion region of the pixel so that a voltage of a cathode of the photodiode is increased. Thereafter, a second voltage of the floating diffusion region is read. The first and second read voltages are then used to perform a calibration operation. These steps may be repeated to establish another leakage current of different duration/magnitude and yield third and fourth read voltages, which support further calibration.

公开(公告)号：US09426395B2

公开(公告)日：2016-08-23

申请号：US14224264

申请日：2014-03-25

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Claudio G. Jakobson ,  Shemi Prazot ,  Uzi Hizi

IPC: G01D18/00 ,  H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N17/00 ,  H04N5/355 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/3651 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N17/002

Abstract: Methods of performing two point calibration of a linear-logarithmic image sensor pixel include measuring voltages of a floating diffusion region of the pixel after establishing a plurality of unequal sub-threshold currents through a transfer transistor of the pixel. These sub-threshold currents operate to sequentially increase a voltage of the floating diffusion region to respective voltage levels that enable knee-point (KNPT) voltage and logarithmic sensitivity (LOGS) determination. The methods also include depleting a photodiode within the pixel by driving a cathode of the photodiode with a pull-up current in advance of establishing the sub-threshold currents. The method is photocurrent-independent.

Abstract translation: 执行线性对数图像传感器像素的两点校准的方法包括在建立通过像素的传输晶体管的多个不等的亚阈值电流之后测量像素的浮动扩散区域的电压。 这些子阈值电流操作以将浮动扩散区域的电压顺序地增加到使能拐点（KNPT）电压和对数灵敏度（LOGS）确定的各个电压电平。 该方法还包括通过在建立亚阈值电流之前以上拉电流驱动光电二极管的阴极来消耗像素内的光电二极管。 该方法与光电流无关。

公开(公告)号：US20150281607A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-01

申请号：US14224264

申请日：2014-03-25

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Claudio G. Jakobson ,  Shemi Prazot ,  Uzi Hizi

IPC: H04N5/365 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/3651 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/35518 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N17/002

Abstract: Methods of performing two point calibration of a linear-logarithmic image sensor pixel include measuring voltages of a floating diffusion region of the pixel after establishing a plurality of unequal sub-threshold currents through a transfer transistor of the pixel. These sub-threshold currents operate to sequentially increase a voltage of the floating diffusion region to respective voltage levels that enable knee-point (KNPT) voltage and logarithmic sensitivity (LOGS) determination. The methods also include depleting a photodiode within the pixel by driving a cathode of the photodiode with a pull-up current in advance of establishing the sub-threshold currents. The method is photocurrent-independent.

Abstract translation: 执行线性对数图像传感器像素的两点校准的方法包括在建立通过像素的传输晶体管的多个不等的亚阈值电流之后测量像素的浮动扩散区域的电压。 这些子阈值电流操作以将浮动扩散区域的电压顺序地增加到使能拐点（KNPT）电压和对数灵敏度（LOGS）确定的各个电压电平。 该方法还包括通过在建立亚阈值电流之前以上拉电流驱动光电二极管的阴极来消耗像素内的光电二极管。 该方法与光电流无关。