US 11,856,309 B2
Pixel array, image sensor, and self-checking method of the image sensor
Guang Yang, Shanghai (CN)
Assigned to SMARTSENS TECHNOLOGY (HK) CO., LIMITED, Hong Kong (CN)
Filed by SMARTSENS TECHNOLOGY (HK) CO., LIMITED, Hong Kong (CN)
Filed on Jun. 21, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/845,966.
Claims priority of application No. 202111165044.6 (CN), filed on Sep. 30, 2021; and application No. 202122405458.3 (CN), filed on Sep. 30, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0108630 A1, Apr. 6, 2023
Int. Cl. H04N 25/75 (2023.01); H04N 25/46 (2023.01); H04N 25/77 (2023.01); H04N 25/683 (2023.01); H04N 25/633 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/75 (2023.01) [H04N 25/46 (2023.01); H04N 25/77 (2023.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pixel array, wherein the pixel array comprises:
a photosensitive pixel region comprising M rows and N columns of pixels arranged in an array, wherein the pixels are used for outputting pixel data through a readout circuit under the control of a control circuit to obtain an image signal; and
a first reference pixel region comprising n columns of first reference pixels corresponding to the N columns of pixels of the photosensitive pixel region, and each of the first reference pixels is used for receiving a corresponding first input signal, and outputting a corresponding first output signal through the readout circuit, in which the first input signal and the first output signal are used for determining whether the state of the readout circuit is normal, wherein the n is less than or equal to the N, and the n and the N are natural numbers greater than 0; and/or,
a second reference pixel region comprising m rows of second reference pixels corresponding to the M rows of pixels in the photosensitive pixel region, and each of the second reference pixels is used for receiving a corresponding second input signal, and outputting a corresponding second output signal through the readout circuit under the control of the control circuit, in which the second input signal and the second output signal are used for determining whether the state of the control circuit is normal, wherein the m is less than or equal to the M, and the m and the M are natural numbers greater than 0.