US 11,863,893 B2
Image sensor including auto-focus pixels that receive the same transmission control signal
Jungwook Lim, Hwaseong-si (KR); and Jihun Kim, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on May 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/743,724.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0064221 (KR), filed on May 18, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0377267 A1, Nov. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. H04N 25/704 (2023.01); H04N 25/11 (2023.01); H04N 25/77 (2023.01); H04N 25/766 (2023.01); H01L 27/146 (2006.01)
CPC H04N 25/704 (2023.01) [H04N 25/11 (2023.01); H04N 25/77 (2023.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image sensor, comprising:
a pixel array comprising a first pixel group and a second pixel group, wherein each of the first pixel group and the second pixel group comprises a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; and
a row driver configured to provide a plurality of transmission control signals to the pixel array,
wherein the first pixel group comprises a first auto-focus (AF) pixel comprising a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a first direction, wherein the plurality of pixels of the first pixel group output a pixel signal through a first column line,
wherein the second pixel group comprises a second AF pixel comprising a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the plurality of pixels of the second pixel group output a pixel signal through a second column line,
wherein the first AF pixel of the first pixel group and the second AF pixel of the second pixel group receive same transmission control signals,
wherein the first pixel group further comprises a second AF pixel, and the second pixel group further comprises a first AF pixel, and
wherein the second AF pixel of the first pixel group and the first AF pixel of the second pixel group receive a same transmission control signal.