US 11,997,401 B2
Image sensor, image acquisition apparatus, and electronic apparatus with improved performance
Jungwoo Kim, Hwaseong-si (KR); and Byeongil Min, Seoul (KR)
Assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed by SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Jun. 3, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/832,029.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2021-0146059 (KR), filed on Oct. 28, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0134771 A1, May 4, 2023
Int. Cl. H04N 25/40 (2023.01); H04N 25/58 (2023.01); H04N 25/704 (2023.01); H04N 25/75 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/40 (2023.01) [H04N 25/58 (2023.01); H04N 25/704 (2023.01); H04N 25/75 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image sensor using photon counting, the image sensor comprising a pixel:
wherein the pixel comprises:
a plurality of sub-pixels;
a plurality of counters which are respectively connected to the plurality of sub-pixels and configured to count and output a plurality of pulse signals generated based on photons incident on each of the plurality of sub-pixels; and
an operator circuit configured to perform an operation on an output value output from each of the plurality of counters; and
wherein the operator circuit being configured to perform the operation includes being configured to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.