Time of flight sensor, a three-dimensional imaging device using the same, and a method for driving the three-dimensional imaging device

A three-dimensional 3D imaging device, comprising:

• a time of flight (ToF) sensor including:
• first pixel groups including a plurality of pixels disposed adjacent to each other;
• and
• second pixel groups including a plurality of pixels disposed adjacent to each other,
• wherein each of the plurality of pixels of the first pixel groups receives light reflected by an object and outputs a first phase signal and a second phase signal having a phase difference of 180 degrees, and
• each of the plurality of pixels of the second pixel groups receives the light reflected by the object and outputs a third phase signal and a fourth phase signal having a phase difference of 180 degrees;
• and
• a phase pattern processor configured to receive and convert the first phase signal, the second phase signal, the third phase signal, and the fourth phase signal into digital phase values and generate a phase pattern image by arranging the digital phase values in one frame.

A three-dimensional (3D) imaging device, comprising:

• a time of flight (ToF) sensor including:
• a first pixel group including a plurality of first pixels disposed to adjoin each other, wherein the plurality of first pixels is driven for a first time period to output a first phase signal and a second phase signal different from each other;
• a second pixel group including a plurality of second pixels disposed to adjoin each other, wherein the plurality of second pixels is driven for the first time period to output a third phase signal and a fourth phase signal different from each other;
• a third pixel group including a plurality of third pixels disposed to adjoin each other, wherein the plurality of third pixels is driven for a second time period, which is shorter than the first time period, to output a fifth phase signal and a sixth phase signal different from each other;
• and
• a fourth pixel group including a plurality of fourth pixels disposed to adjoin each other, wherein the plurality of fourth pixels is driven for the second time period to output a seventh phase signal and an eighth phase signal different from each other;
• and
• a phase pattern processor configured to receive and convert the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth phase signals into digital phase values and generate a phase pattern image by arranging the digital phase values in one frame.