CN-122003874-A - Image sensor

Abstract

An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a pixel array composed of a plurality of rectangular units, each rectangular unit including a plurality of pixels. The image sensor is configured to operate in different resolution modes in response to the number of pixels read out from each rectangular unit.

Inventors

• WU JINGCHENG

Assignees

• 华为技术有限公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20230913

Claims (12)

1. 1. An image sensor is provided, which is capable of detecting a light source, characterized by comprising the following steps: A pixel array composed of a plurality of rectangular units, each rectangular unit including a plurality of pixels; the image sensor is configured to operate in different resolution modes in response to the number of pixels read out from each rectangular unit.
2. 2. The image sensor of claim 1, wherein the number of pixels in the x-direction or the y-direction of each cell is an even number.
3. 3. The image sensor of claim 1 or 2, wherein every even number of pixels in each rectangular unit shares a floating node that electronically converts a signal to a voltage signal.
4. 4. The image sensor according to claim 1 or2, wherein a microlens for auto-focusing is provided for every even number of pixels in each rectangular unit.
5. 5. The image sensor of claim 3, wherein each pixel pair in each rectangular cell shares the one floating node.
6. 6. The image sensor of claim 4, wherein the microlenses are disposed on each pixel pair in each rectangular unit for an entire pixel in the pixel array.
7. 7. The image sensor of claim 3, wherein every four 2 x 2 configured pixels in each rectangular cell share the one floating node.
8. 8. The image sensor of claim 4, wherein the microlenses are disposed on every fourth 2 x 2 configured pixel in each rectangular unit for an entire pixel in the pixel array.
9. 9. The image sensor of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein all floating nodes in each rectangular unit are connected.
10. 10. The image sensor of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each pixel in each rectangular unit has substantially the same spectral sensitivity characteristic.
11. 11. The image sensor of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of rectangular cells are square.
12. 12. The image sensor of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the pixel array is repeated at equal intervals in the x-direction and the y-direction.

Description

Image sensor Technical Field The present invention relates generally to an image sensor, and more particularly, to an image sensor capable of switching resolution modes. Background An image sensor such as a CMOS image sensor that converts light into an electric signal has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in a matrix form for each color of a color filter array. The photoelectric conversion element may be implemented by, for example, a photodiode, and converts incident light into electric charges corresponding to the amount of light and stores the electric charges. The stored charge is converted to a voltage, which in turn is converted to a digital signal for each corresponding color and output. However, the conventional image sensor has a problem in that power consumption and noise cannot be sufficiently reduced. There is also a problem in that focusing performance is poor in a dark place. Disclosure of Invention The invention provides an image sensor capable of switching resolution modes. According to the present invention, power consumption and noise can be reduced, and focusing performance, particularly in a dark place, can be improved. According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image sensor includes: A pixel array composed of a plurality of rectangular units, each rectangular unit including a plurality of pixels; the image sensor is configured to operate in different resolution modes in response to the number of pixels read out from each rectangular unit. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the number of pixels in the x-direction or the y-direction of each unit is an even number. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, each even number of pixels in each rectangular unit shares a floating node, and the floating node electronically converts a signal into a voltage signal. According to one possible implementation of the first aspect, for every even number of pixels in each rectangular unit, a micro lens for auto focusing is provided. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, each pixel pair in each rectangular unit shares the one floating node. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the microlenses are disposed on each pixel pair in each rectangular unit for an entire pixel in the pixel array. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, every fourth 2×2 configured pixel in each rectangular unit shares the one floating node. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the microlenses are disposed on every fourth 2×2 configured pixel in each rectangular unit for an entire pixel in the pixel array. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, all floating nodes in each rectangular unit are connected. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, each pixel in each rectangular unit has substantially the same spectral sensitivity characteristic. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, at least a part of the plurality of rectangular units is square. According to a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the pixel array is repeated at equal intervals in the x-direction and the y-direction. Drawings In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments, the drawings required for describing the embodiments of the present invention are briefly introduced below. It is evident that the figures in the following description depict only some of the possible embodiments and that other figures can be obtained from these figures by a person skilled in the art without inventive effort, in which: Fig. 1 shows a pixel array of an image sensor employing bayer arrangement; fig. 2 shows a pixel array in which one color corresponds to four pixels (2×2); Fig. 3 shows a pixel array in which one color corresponds to nine pixels (3×3); FIG. 4 shows a typical structure of a 4-T COMS image sensor; FIG. 5 shows the layout of the 4-T readout circuitry provided for each pixel in the pixel array; FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of 4-T readout circuits in a pixel array; FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of 4-T readout circuits in a pixel array; fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary configuration of a2×1 image plane phase difference pixel; fig. 9 shows a layout of 2×1 image plane difference pixels in a 3×3 configuration of a pixel array; FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary pixel array of an image sensor provided by an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of 4-T readout circuitry in the pixel array of FIG. 10 provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary arrangement of 2X 1 image plane phase difference pixels in the pixel array of FIG. 10, provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13 illustrates an exam