Image sensor with pixels including photodiodes sharing floating diffusion region
US11381768B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 20, 2020 |
| Grant date | Jul 5, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 8, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/78
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An image sensor operating in multiple resolution modes including a low resolution mode and a high resolution mode includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel in the plurality of pixels comprises a micro-lens, a first subpixel including a first photodiode, a second subpixel including a second photodiode, and the first subpixel and the second subpixel are adjacently disposed and share a floating diffusion region. The image sensor also includes a row driver providing control signals to the pixel array to control performing of an auto focus (AF) function, such that performing the AF function includes performing the AF function according to pixel units in the high resolution mode and performing the AF function according to pixel group units in the low resolution mode. A resolution corresponding to the low resolution mode is equal to or less than ¼ times a resolution corresponding to the high resolution mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.