Flexible exposure control for image sensors with phase detection auto focus pixels
US11356626B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 22, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jun 7, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 30, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F39/813
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An imaging device includes a photodiode array. The photodiodes include a first set of photodiodes configured as image sensing photodiodes and a second set of photodiodes configured as phase detection auto focus (PDAF) photodiodes. The PDAF photodiodes are arranged in at least pairs in neighboring columns and are interspersed among the image sensing photodiodes. Transfer transistors are coupled to corresponding photodiodes. The transfer transistors coupled to the image sensing photodiodes included in an active row of are controlled in response to a first transfer control signal or a second transfer control signal that control all of the image sensing photodiodes of the active row. A transfer transistor is coupled to one of a pair of the PDAF photodiodes of the active row. The first transfer transistor is controlled in response to a first PDAF control signal that is independent of the first or second transfer control signals.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.