Patents by Inventor Tae-Chan Kim

Tae-Chan 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: 9673236
    Abstract: A pixel array of an image sensor includes a substrate, a chromatic pixel including a first photodiode formed in the substrate and a color filter formed over the first photodiode, and an achromatic pixel including a second photodiode formed in the substrate, the second photodiode having a nano pillar pattern at a surface region of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun-Jong Jin, Tae-Chan Kim, Dong-Ki Min
  • Publication number: 20170131405
    Abstract: A method of operating a depth sensor includes generating a first photo gate signal and second through fourth photo gate signals respectively having 90-, 180- and 270-degree phase differences from the first photo gate signal, applying the first photo gate signal and the third photo gate signal to a first row of a pixel array and the second photo gate signal and the fourth photo gate signal to a second row adjacent to the first row in a first frame using a first clock signal, and applying the first photo gate signal and the third photo gate signal to a first column of the pixel array and the second photo gate signal and the fourth photo gate signal to a second column adjacent to the first column in a second frame using a second clock signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Kwang Hyuk BAE, Kyu Min KYUNG, Tae Chan KIM, Shung Han CHO
  • Publication number: 20170126996
    Abstract: A lens distortion correction device and an application processor having the same include a distortion correction unit configured to correct a distorted image into an undistorted image and an image enhancement unit configured to improve the undistorted image using a high-frequency component of the distorted image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Byung-Joon Baek, Joon-Ki Paik, Tae-Chan Kim, Dong-Gyun Kim, Jin-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 9635333
    Abstract: A white balancing device and a method of driving the same are provided. The white balancing device includes a map generator and an automatic white balancing (AWB) block. The map generator is configured to generate an indoor-outdoor map comparing a first image and a second image generated by performing a wide dynamic range (WDR) algorithm on the first image. The AWB block is configured to generate a first white point with respect to an outdoor region and a second white point with respect to an indoor region using the indoor-outdoor map.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Kwang Cho, Tae-Chan Kim, Dong-Pan Lim
  • Patent number: 9633419
    Abstract: A lens distortion correction device and an application processor having the same include a distortion correction unit configured to correct a distorted image into an undistorted image and an image enhancement unit configured to improve the undistorted image using a high-frequency component of the distorted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Byung-Joon Baek, Joon-Ki Paik, Tae-Chan Kim, Dong-Gyun Kim, Jin-Ho Park
  • Patent number: 9635277
    Abstract: An image sensor operates in a base mode according to a first sampling rate and a first pixel exposure time and includes a light condition detector that extracts illuminance information from a pixel signal received from pixels in a pixel array, and generates a low-illuminance information signal upon detecting that a value of the illuminance information falls within a first range, a sampling controller that changes the first sampling rate to a second sampling rate in response to the low-illuminance information signal, and an exposure time controller that changes the first pixel exposure time to a second pixel exposure time in response to the low-illuminance information signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong-Ki Min, Ilia Ovsiannikov, Lilong Shi, Tae-Chan Kim
  • Patent number: 9568607
    Abstract: A method of operating a depth sensor includes generating a first photo gate signal and second through fourth photo gate signals respectively having 90-, 180- and 270-degree phase differences from the first photo gate signal, applying the first photo gate signal and the third photo gate signal to a first row of a pixel array and the second photo gate signal and the fourth photo gate signal to a second row adjacent to the first row in a first frame using a first clock signal, and applying the first photo gate signal and the third photo gate signal to a first column of the pixel array and the second photo gate signal and the fourth photo gate signal to a second column adjacent to the first column in a second frame using a second clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kwang Hyuk Bae, Kyu Min Kyung, Tae Chan Kim, Shung Han Cho
  • Publication number: 20170038472
    Abstract: To measure the distance to points on an object by radiating a periodic amplitude-modulated optical signal to the object and detecting the phase difference between the radiated optical signal and a reflected optical signal from the object, a first photo-detection control signal is generated to control the radiation of the optical signal. A mask signal is generated such that the mask signal is activated at least during a shuttering duration for resetting the voltage level at a sensing node (associated with an operation of a previous frame). A second photo-detection control signal is generated based on the first photo-detection signal and the mask signal such that the second photo-detection signal is deactivated or masked at least during the shuttering duration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: HAN-SOO LEE, HAE-KYUNG KONG, KYUNG-IL KIM, MIN-SEOK OH, TAE-CHAN KIM, MOO-SUP LIM
  • Patent number: 9565374
    Abstract: A sampling period control circuit according to an example embodiment of the inventive concepts is configured to derive a ramp voltage range of a row signal when analyzing a previous row signal in order to control a ramp voltage range of a next row signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Chan Kim, Gab-Soo Han, Dong-Ki Min, Jung-Hoon Jung
  • Publication number: 20170026602
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, an image processing device includes a pixel array including pixels two-dimensionally arranged and configured to capture an image, each of the pixels including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and an image data processing circuit configured to generate image data from pixel signals output from the pixels. The image processing device further includes a color data processing circuit configured to extract color data from the image data and output extracted color data. The image processing device further includes a depth data extraction circuit configured to extract depth data from the image data and output extracted depth data. The image processing device further includes an output control circuit configured to control the output of the color data and the depth data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Chan KIM
  • Patent number: 9538101
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a photo gate controller configured to generate a plurality of demodulated signals respectively corresponding to a plurality of rows of a pixel array and a photo gate driver configured to adjust a phase of the demodulated signals using a source clock signal to remove power, voltage and temperature (PVT) noise and to apply the phase-adjusted demodulated signals to the pixel array. The image sensor matches the phases of the respective demodulated signals using the source clock signal generated based on a reference clock signal, thereby increasing the quality of depth images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han Soo Lee, Tae-Chan Kim
  • Patent number: 9520426
    Abstract: A vision sensor chip includes a photoelectric conversion element that generates a current based on an incident light, a current-voltage (I-V) converter that converts the current into a voltage, an AC coupling capacitor directly connected to the I-V converter, an open-loop amplifier that includes a reset switch and amplifies a voltage provided by the I-V converter via the AC coupling capacitor. An event detection block detects motion according to a change in the amplified output voltage and generates first and second detection signals. A reset signal generator generates a reset signal controlling operation of the reset switch in response to first and second control signals respectively related to the first and second detection signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moo Young Kim, Yun Hong Kim, Seok Yong Hong, Tae Chan Kim, Jae Cheol Yun
  • Publication number: 20160353041
    Abstract: A method of operating an image processing system includes storing differences between first analog pixel signals and second analog pixel signals and converting the stored differences to one-bit digital signals, the first analog pixel signals being output from a plurality of pixels and corresponding to a previous frame, and the second analog pixel signals being output from the plurality of pixels and corresponding to a current frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Moo Young KIM, Tae Chan KIM, Jae Cheol YUN, Seog Heon HAM
  • Patent number: 9500477
    Abstract: To measure the distance to points on an object by radiating a periodic amplitude-modulated optical signal to the object and detecting the phase difference between the radiated optical signal and a reflected optical signal from the object, a first photo-detection control signal is generated to control the radiation of the optical signal. A mask signal is generated such that the mask signal is activated at least during a shuttering duration for resetting the voltage level at a sensing node (associated with an operation of a previous frame). A second photo-detection control signal is generated based on the first photo-detection signal and the mask signal such that the second photo-detection signal is deactivated or masked at least during the shuttering duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Han-Soo Lee, Hae-Kyung Kong, Kyung-IL Kim, Min-Seok Oh, Tae-Chan Kim, Moo-Sup Lim
  • Patent number: 9500521
    Abstract: An ambient light sensor includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a current control unit, a signal conversion unit and a comparison unit. The photoelectric conversion unit provides a photo current having a magnitude corresponding to illuminance of incident light to a first node. The current control unit generates a control current exponentially proportional to an elapse time based on a clock signal, provides the control current to the first node, and outputs a digital code corresponding to the elapse time in response to a reset signal. The signal conversion unit generates a comparison voltage logarithmically proportional to a sum of the photo current and the control current. The comparison unit generates the reset signal by comparing a magnitude of the comparison voltage and a magnitude of a reference voltage. The ambient light sensor generates the digital code effectively representing illuminance of ambient light that eyes of a human being perceives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Hong Kim, Moo-Young Kim, Tae-Chan Kim, Kwang-Hyun Lee, Seok-Yong Hong
  • Patent number: 9491442
    Abstract: In an example embodiment, an image processing device includes a pixel array including pixels two-dimensionally arranged and configured to capture an image, each of the pixels including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and an image data processing circuit configured to generate image data from pixel signals output from the pixels. The image processing device further includes a color data processing circuit configured to extract color data from the image data and output extracted color data. The image processing device further includes a depth data extraction circuit configured to extract depth data from the image data and output extracted depth data. The image processing device further includes an output control circuit configured to control the output of the color data and the depth data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tae Chan Kim
  • Patent number: 9485483
    Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel array, a micro lens array and polarizing filters. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels. The micro lens array is disposed on the pixel array and includes a plurality of micro lenses. The micro lens overlaps a pixel group of the pixel array. The polarizing filter is disposed on the micro lens and includes a plurality of polarizing filters having at least two different polarizing phases. Accordingly, the accuracy and the reliability of the local auto white balancing may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung-Kwang Cho, Dae-Kwan Kim, Tae-Chan Kim, Hyung-Gu Lee
  • Patent number: 9455290
    Abstract: An image sensor including: a plurality of pixels, wherein a first pixel of the pixels includes: a first photoelectric conversion element; and a first microlens overlapping the first photoelectric conversion element, wherein the first microlens reflects wavelengths of a first region of visible light and allows wavelengths of second and third regions of visible light to pass through to the first photoelectric conversion element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Jong Jin, Hyun Seok Lee, Tae Chan Kim
  • Patent number: 9443291
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a lens calibration method includes generating a distorted image by distorting a pattern image that includes at least two reference points separated from a center of the pattern image by different distances. The method further includes generating lens calibration data by comparing the pattern image with the distorted image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Chung Ang University Industry Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Hyung Gu Lee, Tae Chan Kim, Joonki Paik, Donggyun Kim, Seonyung Kim
  • Patent number: 9432604
    Abstract: An image sensor chip includes a first wafer and a second wafer. The first wafer includes an image sensor having a plurality of sub-pixels, each of which is configured to detect at least one photon and output a sub-pixel signal according to a result of the detection. The image processor is configured to process sub-pixel signals for each sub-pixel and generate image data. The first wafer and the second wafer are formed in a wafer stack structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tae Chan Kim, Min Ho Kim, Dong Ki Min, Sang Chul Sul, Tae Seok Oh, Kwang Hyun Lee, Tae Yon Lee, Jung Hoon Jung, Young Gu Jin