US 12,230,663 B2
Electronic device comprising image sensor for identifying an operation setting and an external environmental condition and method of operation thereof
Dongsoo Kim, Gyeonggi-do (KR); Hwayong Kang, Gyeonggi-do (KR); Yeongeun Kim, Gyeonggi-do (KR); Minyoung Park, Gyeonggi-do (KR); Youngkwon Yoon, Gyeonggi-do (KR); and Hyeoncheol Jo, Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, (KR)
Filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Filed on Apr. 10, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/132,625.
Application 18/132,625 is a continuation of application No. 17/130,778, filed on Dec. 22, 2020, granted, now 11,626,447.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2019-0172916 (KR), filed on Dec. 23, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0246057 A1, Aug. 3, 2023
Int. Cl. H01L 27/146 (2006.01); H04N 23/667 (2023.01); H04N 23/67 (2023.01); H04N 25/42 (2023.01); H04N 25/704 (2023.01); H04N 23/68 (2023.01); H04N 25/11 (2023.01); H04N 25/13 (2023.01); H04N 25/445 (2023.01)
CPC H01L 27/14645 (2013.01) [H01L 27/14609 (2013.01); H01L 27/14621 (2013.01); H01L 27/14627 (2013.01); H01L 27/14636 (2013.01); H01L 27/14643 (2013.01); H04N 23/667 (2023.01); H04N 23/67 (2023.01); H04N 25/42 (2023.01); H04N 25/704 (2023.01); H04N 23/6812 (2023.01); H04N 25/11 (2023.01); H04N 25/134 (2023.01); H04N 25/445 (2023.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electronic device comprising:
an image sensor including a plurality of unit pixels including a first unit pixel and a second unit pixel, the first unit pixel including a first micro-lens, a first color filter disposed under the first micro-lens, and a first photodiode-array disposed under the first color filter and including a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a same number of columns and rows as each other, and the second unit pixel including a second micro-lens, a second color filter disposed under the second micro-lens and having a different color from that of the first color filter, and a second photodiode-array disposed under the second color filter and including a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a same number of columns and rows as each other; and
a processor operatively coupled with the image sensor, wherein the processor is configured to:
identify a luminance level corresponding to an external environment of the electronic device;
if the mode is identified as a first mode where the luminance level falls into a first range, perform the auto-focus function based at least in part on comparing a first combined signal generated by combining signals obtained from a first column of the first photodiode-array with a second combined signal generated by combining signals obtained from a second column of the first photodiode-array;
if the mode is identified as a second mode where the luminance level falls into a second range lower than the first range, perform the auto-focus function based at least in part on comparing the first combined signal with the second combined signal and comparing a third combined signal generated by combining signals obtained from a first row of the first photodiode-array with a fourth combined signal generated by combining signals obtained from a second row of the first photodiode-array;
generate an image signal based at least in part on signals obtained from the first unit pixel and the second unit pixel while the auto-focus function is performed according to a one of the first mode and the second mode;
identify a live-preview mode for shooting; and
generate the image signal for a preview image based on a first synthesizing signal and a second synthesizing signal, different than the first synthesizing signal.