Image sensor with three readout approach for phase detection autofocus and image sensing photodiodes through multiple column bitlines
US11463648B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 8, 2021 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 8, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/78
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An imaging device includes a photodiode array with a first and second photodiodes. First and second floating diffusions are configured to receive charge from the first and second photodiodes, respectively. An analog to digital converter (ADC) is configured to receive simultaneously first and second bitline signals from the first and second floating diffusions, respectively. The ADC is configured to generate a reference readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after a reset operation. The ADC next generates a first half of a phase detection autofocus (PDAF) readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after charge is transferred from the first PDAF photodiode to the first floating diffusion. The ADC then generates a full image readout in response to the first and second bitline signals after charge is transferred from the second photodiode to the second floating diffusion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.