Patents by Inventor Sun-kwon Kim

Sun-kwon Kim has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11256892
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter, and a reference signal generator. The pixel array includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in rows and columns, and each of the plurality of unit pixels generates an analog signal by detecting a fingerprint of a user. The analog-to-digital converter performs an analog-to-digital conversion operation on the analog signal to generate a digital signal. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to perform the analog-to-digital conversion based on a reference signal. The reference signal generator generates the reference signal such that the reference signal decreases at a first rate from a start voltage, and adjusts a magnitude of the start voltage based on the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Uk Jeon, Sun-Kwon Kim, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10614279
    Abstract: Provided are a fingerprint controller for driving a fingerprint sensing array in a touchscreen divided by at least a touch sensing region and a fingerprint sensing region, a method of operating the fingerprint controller, and a driver integrated circuit for driving the touchscreen including the fingerprint sensing array. The method includes: receiving a reference timing signal from an external module; generating a fingerprint sensing timing signal for driving the fingerprint sensing array in synchronization with the reference timing signal; and driving the fingerprint sensing array based on the fingerprint sensing timing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun-kwon Kim, Min-gyu Kim, Yoon-Kyung Choi, Seong-il Park, Se-woong Ahn
  • Publication number: 20200065543
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter, and a reference signal generator. The pixel array includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in rows and columns, and each of the plurality of unit pixels generates an analog signal by detecting a fingerprint of a user. The analog-to-digital converter performs an analog-to-digital conversion operation on the analog signal to generate a digital signal. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to perform the analog-to-digital conversion based on a reference signal. The reference signal generator generates the reference signal such that the reference signal decreases at a first rate from a start voltage, and adjusts a magnitude of the start voltage based on the digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Uk JEON, Sun-Kwon KIM, Seung-Hoon LEE
  • Patent number: 10496864
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter, and a reference signal generator. The pixel array includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in rows and columns, and each of the plurality of unit pixels generates an analog signal by detecting a fingerprint of a user. The analog-to-digital converter performs an analog-to-digital conversion operation on the analog signal to generate a digital signal. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to perform the analog-to-digital conversion based on a reference signal. The reference signal generator generates the reference signal such that the reference signal decreases at a first rate from a start voltage, and adjusts a magnitude of the start voltage based on the digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Uk Jeon, Sun-Kwon Kim, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 10410032
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array and a controller. The pixel array includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in rows and columns, each of the plurality of unit pixels including, a sensing electrode configured to form a detection capacitance with a finger, a signal generation circuit configured to output an analog signal through a column line based on the detection capacitance, and a protection circuit configured to control a voltage transfer between the sensing electrode and a common line. The controller is configured to control the protection circuit in each of the plurality of unit pixels to transfer a voltage at the sensing electrode of an active unit pixel of the plurality of unit pixels to the sensing electrode in at least one protection unit pixel of the plurality of unit pixels through the common line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shin-Wuk Kang, Sun-Kwon Kim, Jin-Uk Jeon
  • Publication number: 20180349667
    Abstract: Provided are a fingerprint controller for driving a fingerprint sensing array in a touchscreen divided by at least a touch sensing region and a fingerprint sensing region, a method of operating the fingerprint controller, and a driver integrated circuit for driving the touchscreen including the fingerprint sensing array. The method includes: receiving a reference timing signal from an external module; generating a fingerprint sensing timing signal for driving the fingerprint sensing array in synchronization with the reference timing signal; and driving the fingerprint sensing array based on the fingerprint sensing timing signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun-kwon KIM, Min-gyu KIM, Yoon-kyung CHOI, Seong-il PARK, Se-woong AHN
  • Publication number: 20180349669
    Abstract: An operating method of an optical fingerprint sensor, an operating method of an electronic device including the optical fingerprint sensor, and a display device including the optical fingerprint sensor are disclosed. The method of operating a fingerprint sensor, wherein the fingerprint sensor senses a fingerprint image based on light reflected from a fingerprint, may include transmitting a first signal indicating a first request to turn on light emission, to a display driving circuit which drives a display panel disposed on the fingerprint sensor, scanning an object on the display panel, based on light irradiated from the display panel, and transmitting, to the display driving circuit, a second signal indicating a second request to turn off the light emission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun-kwon KIM, Se-woong AHN, Yoon-kyung CHOI, Min-gyu KIM
  • Publication number: 20180348949
    Abstract: A touch controller for driving a touch screen including a touch sensing array and a fingerprint sensing array, the touch controller including a processor configured to: generate first touch data from a first input, on a touch sensing area of the touch screen, sensed by the touch sensing array; generate second touch data from a second input, on a fingerprint sensing area of the touch screen, sensed by at least one of the touch sensing array and the fingerprint sensing array; and compensate the second touch data by adjusting touch values included therein to generate compensated second touch data, wherein the first touch data, the second touch data and the compensated second touch data are used to calculate coordinates of the first input and the second input on the touch screen, and the fingerprint sensing array receives a third input on the fingerprint sensing area to generate fingerprint data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sun-kwon KIM, Yoon-Kyung CHOI, Min-gyu KIM, Seong-il PARK
  • Publication number: 20170270333
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter, and a reference signal generator. The pixel array includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in rows and columns, and each of the plurality of unit pixels generates an analog signal by detecting a fingerprint of a user. The analog-to-digital converter performs an analog-to-digital conversion operation on the analog signal to generate a digital signal. The analog-to-digital converter is configured to perform the analog-to-digital conversion based on a reference signal. The reference signal generator generates the reference signal such that the reference signal decreases at a first rate from a start voltage, and adjusts a magnitude of the start voltage based on the digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Uk JEON, Sun-Kwon Kim, Seung-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20170255806
    Abstract: A fingerprint sensor includes a pixel array and a controller. The pixel array includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in rows and columns, each of the plurality of unit pixels including, a sensing electrode configured to form a detection capacitance with a finger, a signal generation circuit configured to output an analog signal through a column line based on the detection capacitance, and a protection circuit configured to control a voltage transfer between the sensing electrode and a common line. The controller is configured to control the protection circuit in each of the plurality of unit pixels to transfer a voltage at the sensing electrode of an active unit pixel of the plurality of unit pixels to the sensing electrode in at least one protection unit pixel of the plurality of unit pixels through the common line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shin-Wuk KANG, Sun-Kwon Kim, Jin-Uk Jeon
  • Patent number: 9749613
    Abstract: Provided are a three-dimensional (3D) image acquisition apparatus, and a method of generating a depth image in the 3D image acquisition apparatus. The method may include sequentially projecting a light transmission signal, which is generated from a light source, to a subject, modulating reflected light, which is reflected by the subject, using a light modulation signal, calculating a phase delay using a combination of a first plurality of images of two groups, from among a second plurality of images of all groups obtained by capturing the modulated reflected light, and generating a depth image based on the phase delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-hwa Park, Sun-kwon Kim, Hee-sun Yoon
  • Patent number: 9599846
    Abstract: Provided are methods of switching guest-host dual frequency liquid crystals by using a back flow. In the case of a shutter having a dual frequency liquid crystal layer between two transparent substrates, such a method includes: applying a first voltage having a first frequency to the dual frequency liquid crystal layer; and applying a second voltage having a second frequency to the dual frequency liquid crystal, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency, wherein the second voltage is higher than a threshold voltage that generates a back flow around liquid crystals of the dual frequency liquid crystal layer, and the first voltage is lower than the threshold voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-kwon Kim, Do-kyoon Kim, Kee-chang Lee, Glenn Mangelinckx, Jeroen Beeckman
  • Publication number: 20150065878
    Abstract: A method of generating an image by using ultrasound waves. The method includes acquiring a first bio-signal of an object, generating at least one first ultrasound frame by using at least one echo signal obtained from at least one first ultrasound wave transmitted to a preset region of interest (ROI) of the object, generating a second ultrasound frame by using an echo signal obtained from a second ultrasound wave transmitted to the preset ROI, and acquiring a second bio-signal of the object at a time when the second ultrasound wave is transmitted to be used for generating the second ultrasound frame, and determining a reference frame from among the generated at least one first ultrasound frame based on the generated second ultrasound frame and the acquired second bio-signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joon-ho SEO, Sun-kwon KIM, Won-chul BANG, Jong-bum SON
  • Publication number: 20150015818
    Abstract: Provided are methods of switching guest-host dual frequency liquid crystals by using a back flow. In the case of a shutter having a dual frequency liquid crystal layer between two transparent substrates, such a method includes: applying a first voltage having a first frequency to the dual frequency liquid crystal layer; and applying a second voltage having a second frequency to the dual frequency liquid crystal, the second frequency being higher than the first frequency, wherein the second voltage is higher than a threshold voltage that generates a back flow around liquid crystals of the dual frequency liquid crystal layer, and the first voltage is lower than the threshold voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-kwon KIM, Do-kyoon Kim, Kee-chang Lee, Glenn Mangelinckx, Jeroen Beeckman
  • Publication number: 20140300701
    Abstract: Provided are a three-dimensional (3D) image acquisition apparatus, and a method of generating a depth image in the 3D image acquisition apparatus. The method may include sequentially projecting a light transmission signal, which is generated from a light source, to a subject, modulating reflected light, which is reflected by the subject, using a light modulation signal, calculating a phase delay using a combination of a first plurality of images of two groups, from among a second plurality of images of all groups obtained by capturing the modulated reflected light, and generating a depth image based on the phase delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-hwa PARK, Sun-kwon KIM, Hee-sun YOON
  • Publication number: 20140233794
    Abstract: A method of tracking motion of an organ, includes receiving organ shape data that includes a shape of an organ of an examinee at a moment of motion of the examinee, and loading first to Nth interpolation curves that represent spatiotemporal motion of respective organs of other examinees, the organs of the other examinees being the same type as the organ of the examinee. The method further includes estimating an interpolation curve that represents a spatiotemporal motion of the organ of the examinee based on the first to Nth interpolation curves and the organ shape data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-taek OH, Sun-kwon KIM, Do-kyoon KIM, Jung-bae KIM, Won-chul BANG, Young-kyoo HWANG
  • Patent number: 8576626
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory and a memory controller operating to control the memory. The memory includes a random accessible memory including a memory cell array operable in a random access mode, a NAND flash memory, and a selection circuit making the memory controller operate either one of the random accessible memory or the NAND flash memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeong-Hoon Lee, Ki-Hong Kim, Seung-Won Lee, Sun-Kwon Kim
  • Patent number: 8332662
    Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit including a detector and a secure checker. The detector generates a detection signal upon sensing an abnormal state in an operating environment of the semiconductor integrated circuit. The secure checker generates a check signal to find an operating condition of the detector and receives the detection signal. The detector activates the detection signal in response to the check signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sun-Kwon Kim, Byeong-Hoon Lee, Ki-Hong Kim, Hyuck-Jun Cho
  • Publication number: 20120300548
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory and a memory controller operating to control the memory. The memory includes a random accessible memory including a memory cell array operable in a random access mode, a NAND flash memory, and a selection circuit making the memory controller operate either one of the random accessible memory or the NAND flash memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: BYEONG-HOON LEE, KI-HONG KIM, SEUNG-WON LEE, SUN-KWON KIM
  • Patent number: 8259501
    Abstract: A memory system includes a memory and a memory controller operating to control the memory. The memory includes a random accessible memory including a memory cell array operable in a random access mode, a NAND flash memory, and a selection circuit making the memory controller operate either one of the random accessible memory or the NAND flash memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byeong-Hoon Lee, Ki-Hong Kim, Seung-Won Lee, Sun-Kwon Kim