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Samsung patents image sensor method to reduce noise in photos

Samsung has filed a patent for an image sensor design that improves how digital data is processed from camera pixels. The system uses a specific circuit to correct the baseline signal before calculating the final image data, which helps remove unwanted electrical noise.

Why it mattersThis is a technical improvement to camera hardware that could lead to cleaner images with less grain, though it is a standard part of ongoing sensor development.

In the filing’s own words

An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes: a pixel array with pixels. At least one of the pixels includes: a photo detecting circuit configured to output a pixel signal corresponding to a signal level and a reset level based on a received optical signal; an ADC configured to receive the pixel signal, generate a reset value and a signal value by converting the pixel signal into an analog-to-digital converted signal; and a clamping circuit configured to provide a clamping signal to the input terminal of the ADC during an auto-zero period; a clamping correction circuit configured to generate a corrected reset value by correcting the reset value provided from the pixel array based on a threshold value; and a digital CDS circuit configured to generate pixel data based on the corrected reset value and the signal value provided from the pixel array.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An image sensor comprising: a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, wherein at least one of the plurality of pixels comprises: a photo detecting circuit configured to output a pixel signal corresponding to a signal level and a reset level based on a received optical signal; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) comprising an input terminal configured to receive the pixel signal, wherein the ADC is configured to generate a reset value and a signal value by converting the pixel signal into an analog-to-digital converted signal; and a clamping circuit configured to provide a clamping signal to the input terminal of the ADC during an auto-zero period in which the ADC performs an auto-zero operation; a clamping correction circuit configured to generate a corrected reset value by correcting the reset value provided from the pixel array based on a threshold value; and a digital correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit configured to generate pixel data based on the corrected reset value and the signal value provided from the pixel array.

Facts

Company
Samsung (SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.)
Official title
IMAGE SENSOR, AND METHOD OF OPERATING IMAGE SENSOR
Publication number
US20260281589A1
Application number
19560547
Filed
Mar 9, 2026
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

H04N 25/78 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/616 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/773 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.