High resolution, high frame rate, low power image sensor
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorPeter Deane
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for determining a distance to an object using a binary, event-based image sensor. In one aspect, the image sensor includes memory circuitry and address decode circuitry. In one aspect, activation of a photodiode of the image sensor array by receipt of one or more photons is able to be used directly as an input to logic circuitry. In one embodiment, the image sensor includes photodiodes operating in an avalanche photodiode mode or Geiger mode. In one embodiment, the imaging sensor includes photodiodes operating as thresholded integrating pixels. The imaging sensor can be fabricated from one or more substrates having at least a first and a second voltage portion.
Claims17
A sensor for measuring a distance to an object, the sensor comprising:
- an image sensor comprising an array of photodiodes, the image sensor operatively coupled to an interrogation source and configured to receive a reflected beam generated by illumination of the object by an interrogation beam of the interrogation source, and wherein the image sensor is configured to develop a signal based on an array address of a photodiode of the array of photodiodes activated by incidence of the reflected beam on the array;
- a memory comprising a latch circuit configured to generate a set signal in direct response to the photodiode receiving the reflected beam, wherein the set signal reports the array address of the photodiode;
- an address decode circuit configured to store the array address;
- a timing circuit operatively coupled to the address decode circuit for reading the array address;
- and
- an analysis circuit operatively coupled to the interrogation source and to the image sensor, and configured to determine a distance to the object based upon the controlled angle of the photonic interrogation source and upon the array address.
A pixel circuit, comprising:
- a photodiode;
- a load comprising at least one of an active and a passive element, electrically coupled to the photodiode;
- and
- a plurality of transistors electrically coupled to the photodiode, the plurality of transistors comprising a latch circuit;
- wherein a control of the photodiode is referenced to ground and configured to selectively activate the photodiode, wherein the photodiode that is referenced to ground is configured to develop a current based on photons incident at the photodiode, the load configured to convert the current to a voltage pulse, the voltage pulse configured as an input to set a logic level of the latch circuit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.