Abstract: A direct-time-of-flight (dTOF) detecting device is provided. The dTOF detecting device includes a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) sensor and a processor. The SPAD sensor is configured to receive a reflective light reflected from an object and output an original data based on the reflective light. The processor is coupled to the SPAD sensor and configured to process the original data to generate depth data and intensity data. The depth data includes depth information of the object and the intensity data includes a two-dimensional image of the object.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a first circuit, a comparator, a counter and a control circuit. The first circuit is configured to generate a ramp reference signal. The comparator is configured generate a comparator output signal in response to comparing a pixel output signal and the ramp reference signal. The counter is coupled to the comparator, and configured to be turned on or turned off in response to the comparator output signal. The control circuit is coupled to the comparator, and configured to generate a first enable signal in response to at least a control signal, and to turn on or turn off the comparator by the first enable signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a touch module and a touch screen. The touch module includes a touch panel located on the display module, a main circuit board located outside the casing of the touch screen, a plurality of signal cables connecting the touch panel and the main circuit board, and an equal potential wiring. By setting an equal potential wiring in the touch module to electrically bridge any two signal cables, a short circuit is formed between the shielding layers of the signal cables so that the potentials of different signal cables can be equalized to make the signal cables roughly the same degree of electrostatic or electromagnetic interference from the environment. By making the signals obtained by the signal cables be disturbed to approximately the same degree, the touch module can accurately determine the touch position.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a ramp signal generator circuit, a comparator, a counter and a control circuit. The ramp signal generator circuit is configured to generate a ramp reference signal. The comparator configured to compare a pixel output signal and the ramp reference signal thereby generating a comparator output signal. The counter is coupled to the comparator, and configured to be enabled or disabled in response to the comparator output signal. The control circuit coupled to the comparator, and configured to enable or disable the comparator by a first enable signal, the first enable signal generated in response to at least the comparator output signal.

Abstract: A method of a sensing device, comprising steps of emitting, by a light source of the sensing device, a light pulse in each of n cycles; measuring, by a single photon avalanche diodes array of the sensing device, a time-of-flight value with a resolution of m in each of the n cycles to generate n raw data frames based on a reflected light of the light pulse; performing, by a pre-processing circuit of the sensing device, a pre-processing operation to n raw data frames to generate k pre-processed data frames, wherein m, n and k are natural numbers, and k is smaller than n; and generating, by post-processor of the sensing device, a histogram according to the k pre-processed data frames and analyzing the histogram to output a depth result.

Abstract: A pressure calibration method, applicable to a touch panel which sequentially comprises a first electrode layer, an elastic dielectric layer and a second electrode layer, the first electrode layer includes multiple first electrodes in parallel to a first axis, the second electrode layer includes multiple second electrodes in parallel to a second axis, the pressure calibration method comprising: retrieving a depression event according to mutual capacitance sensing between the first electrodes and the second electrodes; finding a corresponding calibration area according to coordinate of the depression event; when a calibration area where the touching event locates exists, taking the found calibration area as the corresponding calibration area; otherwise, taking a nearby calibration area which is closest to the touching event as the corresponding calibration area; and calculating a calibrated pressure value according to a pressure sensing value of the depression event and a pressure calibration function of the c

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards an image sensor. The image sensor includes a first chip bonded to a second chip. The first chip includes a semiconductor substrate. The first chip includes a first transistor cell and a second transistor cell. The second transistor cell is laterally spaced from the first transistor cell. A first through-substrate via (TSV) extends vertically through the semiconductor substrate. The first transistor cell is electrically coupled to the first TSV. A second TSV extends vertically through the first semiconductor substrate. The second transistor cell is electrically coupled to the second TSV. The second chip comprises a first readout circuit that is electrically coupled to the first TSV and the second TSV. The first readout circuit is disposed laterally between the first TSV and the second TSV. The first readout circuit is configured to receive a first signal from the first transistor cell.

Abstract: A system and a method for time-of-flight (ToF) sensing are provided. The system comprises a sensing module array comprising a plurality of sensing modules. Each of the sensing modules comprises: a plurality of single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) cells, a periodical correlation detection (PCD) circuit and a time-to-digital converter (TDC). The plurality of SPAD cells is for receiving reflected light pulses. Each of the SPAD cells outputs a pixel event signal with logical high if the SPAD cell receives a reflected light pulse. One of the SPAD cells is a selected SPAD cell. The PCD circuit is configured to count the pixel event signals with logical high for each detection period. The TDC is valid if a count of the pixel event signals with logical high in one detection period reaches a predetermined threshold and if the selected SPAD cell receives a reflected light pulse in the detection period.

Abstract: An apparatus, a processing circuitry and a method for measuring a distance to an object are provided. The apparatus comprising a light source, a direct time of flight (DTOF) sensor array configured to receive a reflected signal from the object, a processing circuitry coupled to the DTOF sensor array and comprising a first time to digital converter (TDC) and a second TDC, respectively disposed on opposite sides of the DTOF sensor array, the processing circuitry configured to receive, by the first TDC, a first photon detection signal transmitted by a first pixel, receive, by the second TDC, a second photon detection signal transmitted by the first pixel, and calculate a first distance from the first pixel to the object according to a first arrival time of the first photon detection signal detected by the first TDC and a second arrival time of the second signal detected by the second TDC.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a ramp signal generator circuit, a comparator, a counter and a control circuit. The ramp signal generator circuit is configured to generate a ramp reference signal. The comparator configured to compare a pixel output signal and the ramp reference signal thereby generating a comparator output signal. The counter is coupled to the comparator, and configured to be enabled or disabled in response to the comparator output signal. The control circuit coupled to the comparator, and configured to enable or disable the comparator by a first enable signal, the first enable signal generated in response to at least the comparator output signal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a filtering false photon count events for each pixel in a DTOF sensor array are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a light source configured to emit a modulated signal towards the object; a direct time of flight (DTOF) sensor array configured to receive a reflected signal from the object, wherein the DTOF sensor array comprises a plurality of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs); and processing circuitry configured to receive photon event detection signals from a center pixel and a plurality of pixels orthogonally and diagonally adjacent to the center pixel and output a valid photon detection signal, in response to determining whether a sum of the received photon event detection signals is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method of a sensing device, comprising steps of emitting, by a light source of the sensing device, a light pulse in each of n cycles; measuring, by a single photon avalanche diodes array of the sensing device, a time-of-flight value with a resolution of m in each of the n cycles to generate n raw data frames based on a reflected light of the light pulse; performing, by a pre-processing circuit of the sensing device, a pre-processing operation to n raw data frames to generate k pre-processed data frames, wherein m, n and k are natural numbers, and k is smaller than n; and generating, by post-processor of the sensing device, a histogram according to the k pre-processed data frames and analyzing the histogram to output a depth result.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a comparator, a counter and a control circuit. The comparator is configured to generate a comparator output signal in response to a pixel output signal and a reference signal. The counter is coupled to the comparator, and configured to be enabled or disabled in response to the comparator output signal. The control circuit is coupled to the comparator, and configured to enable or disable the comparator by a first enable signal. The first enable signal is generated in response to at least the comparator output signal.

Abstract: A sensing device that is configured to determine a depth result based on time-of-flight value is introduced. The sensing device includes a delay locked loop circuit, a plurality of time-to-digital converters, a multiplexer and a digital integrator. The delay locked loop circuit is configured to output a plurality of delay clock signals through output terminals of the delay locked loop circuit. The plurality of time-to-digital converters include a plurality of latches. The multiplexer is configured to select a sub-group of m latches among the latches of the plurality of time-to-digital converters to be connected to the output terminals of the delay locked loop circuit according to a control signal.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for protecting a device are provided. A first device to be protected includes a gate dielectric of a first thickness. A second device includes a gate dielectric of a second thickness that is less than the first thickness. A gate is shared by the first device and the second device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a time-of-flight sensing apparatus and method.

Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a source/drain diffusion area, a first doped region and a gate. The source/drain diffusion area, defined between a first isolation structure and a second isolation structure, includes a source region, a drain region and a device channel. The first doped region, disposed along a first junction between the device channel and the first isolation structure, is separated from at least one of the source region and the drain region. The first doped region has a dopant concentration higher than that of the device channel. The gate is disposed over the source/drain diffusion area. The first doped region is located within a projected area of the gate onto the source/drain diffusion area, the first isolation structure and the second isolation structure. A length of the first doped region is shorter than a length of the gate in a direction from the source region to the drain region.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a filtering false photon count events for each pixel in a DTOF sensor array are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a light source configured to emit a modulated signal towards the object; a direct time of flight (DTOF) sensor array configured to receive a reflected signal from the object, wherein the DTOF sensor array comprises a plurality of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPADs); and processing circuitry configured to receive photon event detection signals from a center pixel and a plurality of pixels orthogonally and diagonally adjacent to the center pixel and output a valid photon detection signal, in response to determining whether a sum of the received photon event detection signals is greater than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A pixel circuit includes: a photodiode capable of generating electrical current according to an incoming light signal; a control circuit coupled to the photodiode for selectively coupling a cathode of the photodiode to a first reference voltage to generate the electrical current according to a first control signal; and an output circuit coupled to the control circuit for selectively coupling a second reference voltage to a connecting terminal between the control circuit and the output circuit and to generate an output signal according to a reset signal and a select signal.

Abstract: A self-calibration time-to-digital converter (TDC) integrated circuit for single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) based depth sensing is disclosed. The circuit includes a SPAD matrix with a plurality of SPAD pixels arranged in m rows and n columns, the SPAD pixels in each column of SPAD pixels are connected by a column bus; a global DLL unit with n buffers and n clock signals; and an image signal processing unit for receiving image signals from the column TDC array. The circuit can also include a row control unit configured to enable one SPAD pixel in each row for a transmitting signal; a circular n-way multiplexer for circularly multiplexing n clock signals in the global DLL unit; a column TDC array with n TDCs, each TDC further comprises a counter and a latch, the latch of each TDC is connected to the circular n-way multiplexer for circular multiplexing.