公开(公告)号：US20230077016A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-09

申请号：US17986947

申请日：2022-11-15

Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.

Inventor： TSO-SHENG TSAI

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H01L27/146

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and four P-type or N-type transistors. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits.

公开(公告)号：US20250024015A1

公开(公告)日：2025-01-16

申请号：US18897971

申请日：2024-09-26

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： TSO-SHENG TSAI

IPC: H04N17/00 ,  G01J1/44 ,  G06T7/80 ,  H04N25/76

Abstract: There is provided a detection device using a SPAD array including a sensor array, multiple counters, a processor and a frame buffer. The sensor array includes a plurality of SPADs respectively generates an avalanche current while receiving a photon. Each counter counts a number of triggering times of the avalanche current of a corresponding SPAD within an exposure interval. The frame buffer is pre-stored with a plurality of gain calibration values corresponding to every SPAD of the sensor array. The processor accesses the gain calibration values to accordingly calibrate a counting image frame outputted by the sensor array to output a calibrated image frame.

公开(公告)号：US20240314465A1

公开(公告)日：2024-09-19

申请号：US18677949

申请日：2024-05-30

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： TSO-SHENG TSAI

IPC: H04N25/75 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H01L31/107 ,  H04N25/76

CPC classification number: H04N25/75 ,  H01L27/14612 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N25/76 ,  H01L31/107

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a floating diffusion. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. The floating diffusion is used to record a voltage of one photon event detected by the SPAD in an exposure period.

公开(公告)号：US20250085162A1

公开(公告)日：2025-03-13

申请号：US18885774

申请日：2024-09-16

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： TSO-SHENG TSAI ,  KUEI-YANG TSENG ,  YUEH-LIN CHUNG

IPC: G01J1/44

Abstract: There is provided an optical sensor including an SPAD pixel array, multiple counters and a processor. The multiple counters count photon events of the SPAD pixel array to output an event-based vision sensor (EVS) frame per EVS period. The processor determines an index state of each pixel of the SPAD pixel array by comparing a counting value of each pixel respectively at a predetermined number of checking points with two predetermined thresholds, and calculates an index change of the index state associated with each pixel between adjacent EVS frames. The processor further changes the EVS period and/or adds a count offset to the counting value of each pixel to improve sensitivity of the event-based vision sensor.

公开(公告)号：US20230013026A1

公开(公告)日：2023-01-19

申请号：US17943579

申请日：2022-09-13

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： TSO-SHENG TSAI

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H01L31/107

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a floating diffusion. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. The floating diffusion is used to record a voltage of one photon event detected by the SPAD in an exposure period.

公开(公告)号：US20230236299A1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-27

申请号：US18129078

申请日：2023-03-31

Applicant: PIXART IMAGING INC.

Inventor： TSO-SHENG TSAI ,  YUEH-LIN CHUNG ,  SHIN-LIN WANG

IPC: G01S7/497 ,  G01S17/10 ,  G01S7/481 ,  G01S7/4865

CPC classification number: G01S7/497 ,  G01S17/10 ,  G01S7/4816 ,  G01S7/4814 ,  G01S7/4865

Abstract: There is provided a time of flight sensor including a light source, a first pixel, a second pixel and a processor. The first pixel generates a first output signal without receiving reflected light from an external object illuminated by the light source. The second pixel generates a second output signal by receiving the reflected light from the external object illuminated by the light source. The processor calculates deviation compensation and deviation correction associated with temperature variation according to the first output signal to accordingly calibrate a distance calculated according to the second output signal.

公开(公告)号：US20230083226A1

公开(公告)日：2023-03-16

申请号：US17983099

申请日：2022-11-08

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： SEN-HUANG HUANG ,  TSO-SHENG TSAI

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H01L27/146

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.

公开(公告)号：US20220286664A1

公开(公告)日：2022-09-08

申请号：US17826533

申请日：2022-05-27

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： TSO-SHENG TSAI

IPC: H04N17/00 ,  G01J1/44 ,  H04N5/374 ,  G06T7/80

Abstract: There is provided a detection device using a SPAD array including a sensor array, multiple counters, a processor and a frame buffer. The sensor array includes a plurality of SPADs respectively generates an avalanche current while receiving a photon. Each counter counts a number of triggering times of the avalanche current of a corresponding SPAD within an exposure interval. The frame buffer is pre-stored with a plurality of gain calibration values corresponding to every SPAD of the sensor array. The processor accesses the gain calibration values to accordingly calibrate a counting image frame outputted by the sensor array to output a calibrated image frame.

公开(公告)号：US20220124271A1

公开(公告)日：2022-04-21

申请号：US17562326

申请日：2021-12-27

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： SEN-HUANG HUANG ,  TSO-SHENG TSAI

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H01L27/146

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.

公开(公告)号：US20250123394A1

公开(公告)日：2025-04-17

申请号：US18985100

申请日：2024-12-18

Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.

Inventor： YUEH-LIN CHUNG ,  TSO-SHENG TSAI

IPC: G01S17/36 ,  G01S7/4911 ,  G01S7/4913 ,  G01S7/4915

Abstract: There is provided a distance measurement device including a light source, a light detector, a time control circuit and a processor. In first measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a low modulation frequency, and the processor calculates a rough flying time according to a first detection signal of the light detector to determine an operating phase zone and a delay time. In second measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a high modulation frequency and causes a light driving signal of the light source and a detecting control signal of the light detector to have a difference of the delay time, and the processor calculates a fine flying time according to a second detection signal of the light detector.