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US 10,379,317 B2Granted
Image sensor and electronic device having the same
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsShuichi Shimokawa, Sangmin Lee
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An image sensor according to an embodiment may include a plurality of pixels. Each pixel of the plurality of pixels may include first, second, third and fourth photodiodes configured to convert light into an electric signal, and an electric circuit configured to add at least two of the electrical signals converted respectively by the first, second, third and fourth photodiodes and then output the added signals. An electronic device according to an embodiment may include the image sensor. The image sensor and the electronic device may offer an auto focusing function by controlling signals converted by and outputted from the plurality of photodiodes. Other various embodiments are possible.
Claims10
An electronic device comprising:
- an image sensor including a plurality of pixels;
- and
- a processor configured to control operations of the image sensor and perform an auto focusing function,
- wherein each of the plurality of pixels comprises:
- first, second, thirds and fourth photodiodes configured to convert light into an electrical signal, respectively;
- and
- an electric circuit configured to:
- add the electrical signals converted respectively by the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes to generate added signals, and
- output the added signals,
- wherein the electric circuit includes:
- a plurality of floating diffusion regions configured to:
- using at least one floating diffusion capacitor, add a first two electrical signals in a first direction among the electrical signals converted respectively by the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes to generate a first added signal,
- using at least another floating diffusion capacitor, add a second two electrical signals in the first direction among the electrical signals converted respectively by the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes to generate a second added signal,
- using the at least one floating diffusion capacitor, add a third two electrical signals in a second direction different from the first direction among the electrical signals converted respectively by the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes to generate a third added signal,
- using the at least another floating diffusion capacitor, add a fourth two electrical signals in the second direction among the electrical signals converted respectively by the first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes to generate a fourth added signal, and
- output the first, second, third, and fourth added signals;
- and
- a plurality of transfer gates configured to selectively electrically connect the photodiodes and the plurality of floating diffusion regions,
- wherein the processor outputs at least one control signal for controlling the plurality of transfer gates, and
- wherein the processor is further configured to:
- compare the first added signal and the second added signal to detect a phase difference in the first direction,
- compare the third added signal and the fourth added signal to detect a phase difference in the second direction, and
- perform the auto focusing function based on the phase differences in the first and second directions.
20 more elements
A method of sensing images, comprising:
- converting light into first, second, third, and fourth electrical signals by first, second, third, and fourth photodiodes;
- selectively electrically connecting the photodiodes and a plurality of floating diffusion regions, the plurality of floating diffusion regions including a plurality of floating diffusion capacitors,
- adding, by the plurality of floating diffusion regions, using at least one of the plurality of floating diffusion capacitors, a first two electrical signals in a first direction among the first, second, third, and fourth electrical signals to generate a first added signal;
- adding, by the plurality of floating diffusion regions, using at least another of the plurality of floating diffusion capacitors, a second two electrical signals in the first direction among the first, second, third, and fourth electrical signals to generate a second added signal;
- adding, by the plurality of floating diffusion regions, using the at least one of the plurality of floating diffusion capacitors, a third two electrical signals in a second direction different from the first direction among the first, second, third, and fourth electrical signals to generate a third added signal;
- adding, by the plurality of floating diffusion regions, using the at least another of the plurality of floating diffusion capacitors, a fourth two electrical signals in the second direction among the first, second, third, and fourth electrical signals to generate a fourth added signal;
- outputting, by the plurality of floating diffusion regions, the first, second, third, and fourth added signals;
- comparing, by a processor, the first added signal and the second added signal to detect a phase difference in the first direction;
- comparing, by the processor, the third added signal and the fourth added signal to detect a phase difference in the second direction;
- and
- performing, by the processor, an auto focusing function based on the phase differences in the first and second directions.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.