公开(公告)号：US20220018946A1

公开(公告)日：2022-01-20

申请号：US17139594

申请日：2020-12-31

Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.

Inventor： Younggu Jin

IPC: G01S7/4915 ,  G01S17/894

Abstract: A method of operating a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor including at least one depth pixel having a multi-tap structure and a light source illuminating a transmission light to an object is provided. An operation mode of a ToF sensor is determined among a distance detection mode to sense a distance to an object and a plurality of additional operation modes. A plurality of taps of a depth pixel and a light source are controlled based on the determined operation mode such that the plurality of taps generate a plurality of sample data corresponding to the determined operation mode. A sensing result corresponding to the selected operation mode is determined based on the plurality of sample data. A plurality of functions, in addition to a function of the ToF sensor to measure a distance to an object, may be performed efficiently by controlling the plurality of taps of the depth pixel and the light source depending on the operation modes.

公开(公告)号：US20190281241A1

公开(公告)日：2019-09-12

申请号：US16225642

申请日：2018-12-19

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： Younggu Jin ,  Youngchan Kim ,  Min-Sun Keel

IPC: H04N5/369 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3745

Abstract: Image sensors and methods of operating the image sensors are provided. The image sensors may include a pixel configured to generate an image signal in response to light incident on the pixel. The pixel may include a charge collection circuit configured to collect charges, which are produced by the light incident on the pixel, during a sensing period and a floating diffusion region. The image sensor may further include a storage unit configured to store the charges and, during a transfer period after the sensing period, configured to transfer at least a portion of the charges to the floating diffusion region. An amount of charges that is transferred from the storage unit to the floating diffusion region may be controlled by a voltage level of a storage control signal that is applied to a storage control terminal of the storage unit.

公开(公告)号：US09679929B2

公开(公告)日：2017-06-13

申请号：US14052168

申请日：2013-10-11

Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Inventor： GwideokRyan Lee ,  SangChul Sul ,  Myungwon Lee ,  Min-ho Kim ,  Taechan Kim ,  Taeseok Oh ,  KwangHyun Lee ,  Taeyon Lee ,  Younggu Jin

IPC: H01L27/146 ,  B82Y20/00

CPC classification number: H01L27/14609 ,  B82Y20/00 ,  H01L27/1461 ,  H01L27/14612 ,  H01L27/14679

Abstract: A binary image sensor includes a plurality of unit pixels on a substrate having a surface on which light is incident. At least one quantum dot is disposed on the surface of a substrate. A column sense amplifier circuit is configured to detect binary information of a selected unit pixel among the plurality of unit pixels from a voltage or a current detected from the selected unit pixel, and a processing unit is configured to process binary information of the respective unit pixels to generate pixel image information. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.