Imaging device and image sensor
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsDae Yun Kim, Min Sun Keel, Yeo Myung Kim, Hyun Surk Ryu, Myung Han Bae
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Abstract
An imaging device is described which, in some examples, includes general pixels and phase difference pixels. The general pixels, when operated by control signals, receive light from a subject and generate currents or voltages that are measured; a depth is estimated based on the measurements. The phase difference pixels generate currents based on a switched charge source. Data obtained from the currents generated by the phase difference pixels is used to adjust the control signals and thereby improve an accuracy of the depth estimation.
Claims20
An imaging device comprising:
- a light source configured to be operated by a light control signal;
- and
- a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels including a pixel circuit generating an electrical signal based on an electric charge,
- wherein the plurality of pixels comprises a plurality of general pixels and a plurality of phase difference pixels,
- wherein each of the plurality of general pixels comprises a photodiode, wherein the photodiode is configured to generate a first electric charge in response to a received optical signal output from the light source and reflected by a subject, wherein the pixel circuit of each of the plurality of general pixels is configured to generate a first electrical signal based on the first electric charge, and
- wherein each of the plurality of phase difference detection pixels comprises a switch element connected to the pixel circuit of each of the plurality of phase difference detection pixels and an electric charge-supply source connected to the switch element and output a second electric charge, wherein the switch element is configured to be turned on and turned off by a switch control signal, and wherein the pixel circuit of each of the plurality of phase difference detection pixels is configured to generate a second electrical signal based on the second electric charge.
An image sensor comprising:
- a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels,
- wherein at least one of the plurality of pixels comprises a first pixel circuit having a first photo transistor connected to a pixel node, a second pixel circuit having a second photo transistor connected to the pixel node, a switch element connected to the pixel node, and an electric charge-supplying source connected to the switch element, wherein the first photo transistor comprises a first photogate and the second photo transistor comprises a second photogate, and
- a controller configured to:
- input a first photo-control signal to the first photogate,
- input a second photo-control signal having a phase difference of 180 degrees from the first photo-control signal to the second photogate, and
- turn on and turn off the switch element to supply an electric charge to the pixel node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.