Samsung patents image sensor design that reads multiple pixels at once
This patent describes an image sensor layout where pixels with the same color filter are arranged in different rows but share the same column. It uses a conversion circuit to read signals from these pixels simultaneously through separate column lines to create image data.
In the filing’s own words
Disclosed is an image sensor device which includes a first pixel located at a first row and a first column, corresponding to a first color filter, and outputting a first pixel signal through a first column line, a second pixel located at a second row different from the first row and the first column, corresponding to the first color filter, and outputting a second pixel signal through a second column line, and a conversion circuit receiving the first pixel signal through the first column line, receiving the second pixel signal through the second column line, and generating first image data and second image data based on the first pixel signal and the second pixel signal. The first pixel signal and the second pixel signal are respectively output through the first column line and the second column line simultaneously.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An image sensor device comprising: a first pixel located at a first row and a first column, corresponding to a first color filter, and configured to output a first pixel signal through a first column line; a second pixel located at a second row different from the first row and the first column, corresponding to the first color filter, and configured to output a second pixel signal through a second column line; a third pixel located at the first row and the first column, corresponding to a second color filter, and configured to output a third pixel signal through a third column line; a fourth pixel located at the first row and the first column, corresponding to a third color filter, and configured to output a fourth pixel signal through a fourth column line; a fifth pixel located at the first row and the first column, corresponding to a fourth color filter, and configured to output a fifth pixel signal through a fifth column line; and a conversion circuit configured to receive the first pixel signal through the first column line, receive the second pixel signal through the second column line, and generate first image data and second image data based on the first pixel signal and the second pixel signal, wherein the first pixel signal and the second pixel signal are respectively output through the first column line and the second column line simultaneously, and wherein the third pixel signal, the fourth pixel signal, and the fifth pixel signal are respectively output through the third column line, the fourth column line, and the fifth column line simultaneously with the first pixel signal and the second pixel signal.
Facts
- Company
- Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
- Official title
- Image sensor device and operation method thereof
- Patent number
- US12764439B2
- Application number
- 18400213
- Filed
- Dec 29, 2023
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 3
- Claims
- 12
Classified under
H04N 25/78 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/40 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/75 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/772 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/7795 Electricity & electronicsMore from Samsung in Chips & hardware
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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.