US 12,323,718 B2
Image sensor, method of operating the image sensor, and image processing device
Eunsub Shim, Suwon-si (KR)
Assigned to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Filed by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Suwon-si (KR)
Filed on Aug. 28, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/456,853.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0129754 (KR), filed on Oct. 11, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0121526 A1, Apr. 11, 2024
Int. Cl. H04N 25/67 (2023.01); H03M 1/56 (2006.01); H04N 25/571 (2023.01); H04N 25/709 (2023.01); H04N 25/76 (2023.01); H04N 25/771 (2023.01); H04N 25/78 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/67 (2023.01) [H03M 1/56 (2013.01); H04N 25/571 (2023.01); H04N 25/709 (2023.01); H04N 25/771 (2023.01); H04N 25/78 (2023.01); H04N 25/7795 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image sensor, comprising:
a pixel array including a plurality of pixels;
an analog-to-digital conversion circuit configured to receive an analog signal from the plurality of pixels and transmit a digital signal; and
an image signal processor configured to receive the digital signal and generate image data,
wherein at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels is configured to
generate a first analog signal based on a first quantity of charge accumulated at the at least one pixel during a first exposure time, and
generate a second analog signal based on a second quantity of charge accumulated at the at least one pixel during a second exposure time that is shorter than the first exposure time,
wherein the analog-to-digital conversion circuit is further configured to
generate a first digital signal based on the first analog signal and a first ramp signal, and
generate a second digital signal based on the second analog signal and a second ramp signal,
wherein the image signal processor is further configured to generate the image data based on the first digital signal and the second digital signal, and
wherein the first ramp signal is different from the second ramp signal such that at least one of a ramping time of the first ramp signal or a ramping start voltage level of the first ramp signal is different from a corresponding one of a ramping time of the second ramp signal or a ramping start voltage level of the second ramp signal.