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Samsung patents image sensor that reads pixels in two separate steps

Samsung describes an image sensor where each pixel contains a grid of light collectors and switches. Instead of opening all switches at once, the sensor turns on a larger group of switches first, followed by a smaller group at a different time.

Why it mattersThis design could help cameras capture images with better quality or speed by managing how light data is moved out of the sensor.

In the filing’s own words

An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels including a first pixel, a first microlens on the first pixel, and a peripheral circuit configured to drive the first pixel. The first pixel includes a first N 2 photodiodes in N×N form, and a first N 2 transfer transistors. P transfer transistors among the first N 2 transfer transistors are configured to be turned on at time t1 and L transfer transistors among the first N 2 transfer transistors are configured to be turned on at time t2 different from the time t1. P, N, and L are integers. N is an odd number equal to or greater than 3. P is greater than N 2 /2. P transfer transistors are included in a first transistor group and L transfer transistors are included in a second transistor group different from the first transistor group.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An image sensor, comprising: a plurality of pixels including at least one first pixel; a first microlens on the at least one first pixel; and a peripheral circuit configured to drive the at least one first pixel, wherein the at least one first pixel comprises a first N 2 photodiodes in N×N form, and a first N 2 transfer transistors each connected to corresponding one of the first N 2 photodiodes, wherein P transfer transistors among the first N 2 transfer transistors are configured to be turned on at a time t1 and L transfer transistors among the first N 2 transfer transistors are configured to be turned on at a time t2 different from the time t1, wherein P, N, and L are integers, wherein N is an odd number equal to or greater than 3, wherein P is greater than N 2 /2, wherein L is equal to or greater than 2, wherein P is different from L, and wherein the P transfer transistors are included in a first transistor group and the L transfer transistors are included in a second transistor group different from the first transistor group.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
IMAGE SENSOR, OPERATING METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGING DEVICE INCLUDING IMAGE SENSOR
Publication number
US20260303996A1
Application number
19409232
Filed
Dec 4, 2025
Published
Oct 1, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
20

Classified under

H04N 25/77 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8053 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8063 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/10 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.