Image sensor and operation method of the same
AssigneeSamsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
InventorsDaekun YOON, Deokyoung KANG
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided is an operation method of an image sensor including a plurality of pixels, the operation method including transmitting a first output voltage of a first pixel to a first amplifier, transmitting the first output voltage to a second amplifier by controlling a first switch connected to the first pixel, transmitting a second output voltage of a second pixel to be binned with the first pixel to the second amplifier by controlling a second switch connected to the second pixel, and outputting selectively one of a first output of the first amplifier and a second output of the second amplifier based on an illuminance of an environment in which the image sensor operates.
Claims20
An operation method of an image sensor, the operation method comprising:
- transmitting a first output voltage of a first pixel to a first amplifier and a second amplifier;
- transmitting a second output voltage of a second pixel to be binned with the first pixel to the second amplifier;
- and
- outputting selectively one of a first output of the first amplifier and a second output of the second amplifier, based on an operation condition of the image sensor.
An image sensor comprising:
- a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels;
- a row driver configured to control the pixel array;
- a binning circuit comprising a plurality of switches, a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of multiplexers;
- an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit configured to process an output of the binning circuit;
- and
- a control circuit configured to control the row driver, the binning circuit, and the ADC circuit,
- wherein the binning circuit is further configured to:
- transmit a first output voltage of a first pixel to a first amplifier and a second amplifier;
- transmit a second output voltage of a second pixel to be binned with the first pixel to the second amplifier;
- and
- output selectively one of a first output of the first amplifier and a second output of the second amplifier based on an operation condition of the image sensor operates.
An electronic device comprising:
- an image sensor configured to output a digital signal, the image sensor comprising:
- a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels;
- a row driver configured to control the pixel array;
- a binning circuit comprising a plurality of switches, a plurality of amplifiers, and a plurality of multiplexers;
- an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuit configured to process an output of the binning circuit;
- and
- a control circuit configured to control the row driver, the binning circuit, and the ADC circuit,
- wherein the binning circuit is further configured to:
- transmit a first output voltage of a first pixel to a first amplifier and a second amplifier;
- transmit a second output voltage of a second pixel to be binned with the first pixel to the second amplifier;
- and
- output selectively one of a first output of the first amplifier and a second output of the second amplifier based on an operation condition of the image sensor operates;
- a memory configured to store the digital signal output from the image sensor;
- and
- a processor configured to control the image sensor and the memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.