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Samsung patents image sensor design that reduces noise during startup

Samsung has filed a patent for an image sensor device that uses variable ramp buffers to manage voltage levels during a startup process called auto-zero. The system adjusts the voltage to specific levels before switching to a standard reference level to ensure accurate digital signal sampling from the sensor's pixels.

Why it mattersThis technical improvement aims to enhance the baseline accuracy of camera sensors, which could lead to slightly better image quality in future phones or cameras.

In the filing’s own words

An image sensor device includes: a ramp generator circuit configured to generate a ramp signal; a first variable ramp buffer circuit configured to output a first output voltage according to the ramp signal and a first control signal; a second variable ramp buffer circuit configured to output a second output voltage according to the ramp signal and a second control signal; a first ADC circuit configured to sample a first digital signal based on a first pixel voltage received via a first column line and the first output voltage; and a second ADC circuit configured to sample a second digital signal based on a second pixel voltage received via a second column line and the second output voltage. The variable ramp buffer circuit controls the first output voltage to a first level during an auto-zero operation, and the first output voltage to a reference level after the auto-zero operation.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An image sensor device comprising: a ramp generator circuit configured to generate a ramp signal; a first variable ramp buffer circuit configured to output a first output voltage according to the ramp signal and a first control signal; a second variable ramp buffer circuit configured to output a second output voltage according to the ramp signal and a second control signal; a first analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit configured to sample a first digital signal based on a first pixel voltage received via a first column line and the first output voltage; and a second ADC circuit configured to sample a second digital signal based on a second pixel voltage received via a second column line and the second output voltage, wherein the first variable ramp buffer circuit is further configured to control the first output voltage to a first level during an auto-zero operation of the first and second ADC circuits, and control the first output voltage to a reference level after the auto-zero operation, and wherein the second variable ramp buffer circuit is further configured to control the second output voltage to a second level different from the first level during the auto-zero operation, and control the second output voltage to the reference level after the auto-zero operation.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
IMAGE SENSOR DEVICE
Publication number
US20260270591A1
Application number
19462546
Filed
Jan 28, 2026
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
4
Claims
21

Classified under

H04N 25/78 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/709 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/79 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/809 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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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.