Samsung patents camera sensor that switches between rolling and global shutter modes
Samsung has been granted a patent for an image sensor design that allows a single pixel to operate in both rolling and global shutter modes. The pixel uses separate circuits to read out light data, with a switch that directs the signal to the appropriate reading path depending on the selected mode.
In the filing’s own words
An image sensor pixel includes: first and second sub-pixels, which are electrically coupled to first and second floating diffusion nodes of the pixel, respectively; a first rolling shutter operation circuit configured to read out photocharges that are collected in the first floating diffusion node during a rolling shutter mode of operation; a second rolling shutter operation circuit configured to read out photocharges that are collected in the second floating diffusion node during the rolling shutter mode of operation; a global select switch circuit electrically coupled to the first and second rolling shutter operation circuits; and a global shutter operation circuit electrically coupled to the global select switch circuit. The global shutter operation circuit is configured to read out photocharges that are: (i) collected in the first and second floating diffusion nodes, and (ii) pass through the global select switch circuit during a global shutter mode of operation.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An image sensor, comprising: a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels comprises: a first sub-pixel electrically coupled to a first floating diffusion node of the pixel; a second sub-pixel electrically coupled to a second floating diffusion node of the pixel; a first rolling shutter operation circuit configured to read out photocharges integrated in the first floating diffusion node during a rolling shutter mode of operation; a second rolling shutter operation circuit configured to read out photocharges integrated in the second floating diffusion node during the rolling shutter mode of operation; a global select switch circuit electrically coupled to the first and second rolling shutter operation circuits; and a global shutter operation circuit electrically coupled to the global select switch circuit, and configured to read out photocharges integrated in the first and second floating diffusion nodes during a global shutter mode of operation.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- Official title
- Image sensors and image processing devices that support rolling and global shutter modes of operation
- Patent number
- US12764423B2
- Application number
- 18782093
- Filed
- Jul 24, 2024
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04N 23/73 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/531 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/532 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/18 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8037 Electricity & electronicsMore from Samsung in Cameras & imaging
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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.