Image sensing device and method of operating the same
AssigneeSK hynix Inc.
InventorsEun Chang LEE, Min Kyu KIM, Han Sang KIM, Da Hwan PARK, Sang Young LEE
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An image sensing device capable of detecting a distance to a target object according to a time-of-flight (TOF) method is disclosed. The image sensing device includes a pixel configured to generate a pulse signal based on photons reflected from a target object, the pixel including a light receiving element of which sensitivity is controlled according to a quenching control voltage, a time-to-digital converter (TDC) configured to count the number of the photons to output a photon counting value, and a controller configured to adjust a level of the quenching control voltage based on the photon counting value.
Claims20
An image sensing device comprising:
- a pixel configured to generate a pulse signal based on photons reflected from a target object, the pixel including a light receiving element of which sensitivity is controlled according to a quenching control voltage;
- a time-to-digital converter configured to count a number of the photons to output a photon counting value;
- and
- a controller configured to adjust a level of the quenching control voltage based on the photon counting value.
An image sensing device comprising:
- a light receiving element connected between an input terminal of a first bias voltage and a sensing node;
- a quenching circuit connected between the sensing node and an input terminal of a second bias voltage and configured to adjust a resistance value thereof based on a quenching control voltage;
- and
- a controller configured to control the quenching control voltage based on a counting value of photons reflected from a target object.
A method of operating an image sensing device with a pixel including a light receiving element connected to a sensing node, the method comprising:
- generating a pulse signal based on photons reflected from a target object;
- counting a number of the photons to output a photon counting value;
- generating a quenching control voltage having a level adjusted based on the photon counting value;
- and
- adjusting a quenching speed of a voltage level of the sensing node according to the level of the quenching control voltage to control sensitivity of the light receiving element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.