US 12,133,012 B2
Image sensor and method of operating the image sensor
Yu Jin Park, Icheon-si Gyeonggi-do (KR); and Han Sol Park, Icheon-si Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Assigned to SK hynix inc., Icheon-si (KR)
Filed by SK hynix Inc., Icheon-si Gyeonggi-do (KR)
Filed on Nov. 8, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/982,952.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2022-0062340 (KR), filed on May 20, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2023/0421926 A1, Dec. 28, 2023
Int. Cl. H04N 25/778 (2023.01); H01L 27/146 (2006.01); H04N 25/78 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/778 (2023.01) 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image sensor comprising:
a pixel array including a plurality of common lines to which a plurality of pixels are connected;
an internal amplifier configured to amplify a signal of a target pixel selected from among the plurality of pixels;
switches configured to control a connection between a floating diffusion node of the target pixel and respective floating diffusion nodes of candidate pixels; and
a controller configured to output control signals for controlling the switches,
wherein the candidate pixels are positioned on the same common line as the target pixel, and
wherein the internal amplifier compares a signal of a reference pixel and the signal of the target pixel, the reference pixel positioned on the same common line as the target pixel.