Image sensor and controlling method thereof

#This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C. sctn. 119(a)-(d) to PCT/KR20071000337, filed Jan. 19, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

#1. Technical Field

#The present invention relates to an image sensor, more particularly to a CMOS image sensor and a controlling method thereof.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a pair of pixels having different sizes in a conventional image sensor.

#FIGS. 2a and 2b shows two images generated by applying different output voltages, and FIG. 2c shows a composite image of the two images that can represent a wide dynamic range.

#FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a CMOS image sensor employing a scanning method.

#Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

#The descriptions set forth below merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art could devise various methods and apparatus thereof which realize the principles of the present invention and which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention, even though they may not be explicitly described in the present specification. Also, it is to be appreciated that not only the principles, viewpoints, and embodiments of the present invention, but all detailed descriptions listing the particular embodiments are intended to include structural and functional equivalents.

#Terms used in the description (for example, a first, a second, etc.) are merely used to distinguish equal or similar items in an ordinal manner.