Imaging device and method of operating the same
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorYoungwoong Kim
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An imaging device includes an image sensing circuitry configured to receive image signals from pixels, to convert the received image signals into image data, and to output the image data. The imaging device includes a digital processing circuitry configured to process image data in synchronization with a digital clock. The digital processing circuitry includes a digital clock generator configured to generate the digital clock. The digital clock generator is configured to scatter the digital clock, in response to the image sensing circuitry converting the image signals into the image data.
Claims20
An imaging device, comprising:
- an image sensing circuitry configured to receive image signals from pixels, to convert the received image signals into image data, and to output the image data;
- and
- a digital processing circuitry configured to process the image data in synchronization with a digital clock,
- wherein the digital processing circuitry includes a digital clock generator configured to generate the digital clock, and
- wherein the digital clock generator is configured to scatter the digital clock, in response to the image sensing circuitry converting the image signals into the image data.
A method of operating an imaging device, the method comprising:
- converting an image signal into image data based on performing a counting operation until the image signal and a ramp signal equalize;
- and
- reducing consumption of digital power using a clock scattering scheme in response to the counting operation being performed.
An imaging device, comprising:
- a pixel array having a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of row lines and a plurality of column lines;
- a row driver configured to select one row line of the plurality of row lines;
- an analog-to-digital conversion circuit configured to covert analog signals output by the pixel array into digital data;
- a digital clock generator configured to generate a transfer clock for transmitting the digital data to an image signal processor;
- and
- a timing controller configured to control timing of the pixel array, the row driver, the analog-to-digital conversion circuit, and the digital clock generator,
- wherein the analog-to-digital conversion circuit includes a comparator circuit having comparators for comparing pixel signals output by the pixel array with a ramp signal, and a counter circuit having counters configured to count an output of each comparator of the comparators, and
- wherein the digital clock generator is configured to scatter the transfer clock in response to a horizontal synchronization signal or a counter enable signal received from the timing controller.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.