Abstract: An image sensor according to an example embodiment concepts includes a pixel array including pixels, and each of the pixels includes photoelectric conversion elements. The photoelectric conversion elements independently operating to detect a phase difference. The image sensor further includes a control circuit configured to independently control exposure times of each of the photoelectric conversion elements included in each of the pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor according to an example embodiment concepts includes a pixel array including pixels, and each of the pixels includes photoelectric conversion elements. The photoelectric conversion elements independently operating to detect a phase difference. The image sensor further includes a control circuit configured to independently control exposure times of each of the photoelectric conversion elements included in each of the pixels.

Abstract: A method of calculating, using a depth sensor, a distance excluding an ambiguity distance including outputting a modulated light signal output from a light source to an object, receiving the modulated light signal reflected by the object, calculating a distance between the light source and the object using the reflected modulated light signal input to photo gates in conjunction with demodulation signals supplied to the photo gates, the calculating including calculating, using the modulated light signal, at least one distance farther than a maximum measurable distance, and setting the at least one distance to be equal to the maximum measurable distance may be provided. A range of the distance farther than the maximum measurable distance can be determined according to a duty ratio of the modulated light signal.

Abstract: An image sensor according to an example embodiment concepts includes a pixel array including pixels, and each of the pixels includes photoelectric conversion elements. The photoelectric conversion elements independently operating to detect a phase difference. The image sensor further includes a control circuit configured to independently control exposure times of each of the photoelectric conversion elements included in each of the pixels.

Abstract: Imaging systems, such as time-of-flight imaging systems, and methods with pixel sensitivity adjustments. An embodiment includes a method, comprising: for a plurality of pixels having a first output and a second output, measuring the first outputs and the second outputs in response to a demodulation signal; and adjusting the demodulation signal such that a combination of the first outputs is substantially similar to a combination of the second outputs.

Abstract: An image sensor according to an example embodiment concepts includes a pixel array including pixels, and each of the pixels includes photoelectric conversion elements. The photoelectric conversion elements independently operating to detect a phase difference. The image sensor further includes a control circuit configured to independently control exposure times of each of the photoelectric conversion elements included in each of the pixels.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a plurality of banks; and a control unit configured to receive a command from an external device and independently control the plurality of banks according to the received command. Each bank comprises a pixel array including a plurality of pixels; a row decoder configured to activate word lines connected to the plurality of pixels under control of the control unit; a column decoder configured to activate bit lines connected to the plurality of pixels under control of the control unit; a sense amplifier and write driver configured to control and detect respective voltages of the activated bit lines to provide respective amplified voltages; and an input/output buffer configured to output data states of the pixels based on the respective amplified voltages. Related methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: Imaging systems, such as time-of-flight imaging systems, and methods with pixel sensitivity adjustments. An embodiment includes a method, comprising: for a plurality of pixels having a first output and a second output, measuring the first outputs and the second outputs in response to a demodulation signal; and adjusting the demodulation signal such that a combination of the first outputs is substantially similar to a combination of the second outputs.

Abstract: A method of calculating, using a depth sensor, a distance excluding an ambiguity distance including outputting a modulated light signal output from a light source to an object, receiving the modulated light signal reflected by the object, calculating a distance between the light source and the object using the reflected modulated light signal input to photo gates in conjunction with demodulation signals supplied to the photo gates, the calculating including calculating, using the modulated light signal, at least one distance farther than a maximum measurable distance, and setting the at least one distance to be equal to the maximum measurable distance may be provided. A range of the distance farther than the maximum measurable distance can be determined according to a duty ratio of the modulated light signal.

Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a plurality of banks; and a control unit configured to receive a command from an external device and independently control the plurality of banks according to the received command. Each bank comprises a pixel array including a plurality of pixels; a row decoder configured to activate word lines connected to the plurality of pixels under control of the control unit; a column decoder configured to activate bit lines connected to the plurality of pixels under control of the control unit; a sense amplifier and write driver configured to control and detect respective voltages of the activated bit lines to provide respective amplified voltages; and an input/output buffer configured to output data states of the pixels based on the respective amplified voltages. Related methods of operation are also discussed.

Abstract: In a method of operating a three-dimensional image sensor including a light source module according to example embodiments, the three-dimensional image sensor detects a position change of an object by generating a two-dimensional image in a low power standby mode. The three-dimensional image sensor switches a mode from the low power standby mode to a three-dimensional operating mode when the position change of the object is detected in the two-dimensional image. The three-dimensional image sensor performs gesture recognition for the object by generating a three-dimensional image using the light source module in the three-dimensional operating mode.

Abstract: An imaging device and a memory sharing method are provided. The imaging device includes: an image sensor; an image signal processor chip that includes a frame memory and that receives and processes a video signal from the image sensor; and a control processor chip that receives video information from the image signal processor chip via a first serial interface and that accesses the frame memory via a second serial interface used for the image signal processor chip to receive the video image signal from the image sensor. Accordingly, it is possible to efficiently utilize resources in a movable communication terminal having a camera function.

Abstract: A method of transferring a deferred vertical synchronous signal and an image signal processor executing the method thereof are disclosed. Once the vertical synchronous signal for an mth frame is inputted from an encoding unit, the method monitors whether image data columns in the quantity of n corresponding to a predetermined process block have been stored, using a count value inputted from the encoding unit, and outputs a corresponding vertical synchronous signal to a receiving part in case the image data columns in the quantity of n have been stored. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for processing a dead pixel, more specifically to a method and an apparatus thereof for detecting and compensating a dead pixel that can maintain a good image quality by reducing image distortion and deterioration. With the present invention, the distortion of an image, caused by erroneously classifying a normal pixel of an inputted image as a dead pixel, is significantly reduced, thereby improving the quality of a processed image. Moreover, based on the characteristics of the inputted image, the algorithm and accuracy of detecting a dead pixel can be adjusted.

Abstract: A method of transferring a deferred vertical synchronous signal and an image signal processor executing the method thereof are disclosed. Once the vertical synchronous signal for an mth frame is inputted from an encoding unit, the method monitors whether image data columns in the quantity of n corresponding to a predetermined process block have been stored, using a count value inputted from the encoding unit, and outputs a corresponding vertical synchronous signal to a receiving part in case the image data columns in the quantity of n have been stored. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption.

Abstract: A method of transferring encoded data and an imaging device executing the method thereof are disclosed. The image signal processor according to an embodiment of the present invention has an encoding unit and a data output unit, which temporarily stores image data encoded by the encoding unit and delivers the stored encoded image data to a receiving part. Here, the data output unit uses valid data only among the encoded image data to output an accumulated valid data column in units of a predetermine line size. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption.

Abstract: A method of transferring encoded data and an imaging device executing the method thereof are disclosed. The method of transferring encoded data in accordance with the present invention converts a valid data enable signal to a high or low state, in case JPEG encoded data to be outputted to a receiving part includes start information for one frame, and then maintains the high or low state of the valid data enable signal until the JPEG encoded data to be outputted to the receiving part includes end information for one frame. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and an apparatus for processing a dead pixel, more specifically to a method and an apparatus thereof for detecting and compensating a dead pixel that can maintain a good image quality by reducing image distortion and deterioration. With the present invention, the distortion of an image, caused by erroneously classifying a normal pixel of an inputted image as a dead pixel, is significantly reduced, thereby improving the quality of a processed image. Moreover, based on the characteristics of the inputted image, the algorithm and accuracy of detecting a dead pixel can be adjusted.