Patents by Inventor Tso-Sheng Tsai
Tso-Sheng Tsai 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).
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Publication number: 20240069173Abstract: An output stage circuit, comprising: a current source circuit; an output switch circuit, comprising at least one output switch, coupled to the current source circuit, wherein an output current flows through a target circuit when the output switch circuit is conducted; at least one bias capacitor, coupled to the current source circuit; and a bias switch circuit, configured to receive a bias voltage, comprising at least one bias switch, coupled to the bias capacitor and the current source circuit, wherein the bias voltage charges the bias capacitor when the bias switch circuit is conducted. The present invention further discloses a DAC applying the output stage circuit and a TOF system applying the DAC. The conventional kick back issue can be improved by the mechanism provided by the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2022Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.Inventors: Yueh-Lin Chung, Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Publication number: 20240036209Abstract: There is provided an optical sensor including a light source, a first pixel, a second pixel and a processor. The first pixel generates a first output signal by receiving reflected light from an external object illuminated by the light source. The second pixel generates a second output signal by receiving reflected light from an inner surface of a package illuminated by the light source. The processor generates a random code according to the second output signal to modulate the light source, identifies whether to change an emission pattern of the light source according to a distance calculated according to the first output signal, and changes exposure intervals of the first pixel and the second pixel.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: February 1, 2024Inventors: Tso-Sheng TSAI, Yueh-Lin CHUNG
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Patent number: 11877082Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and four P-type or N-type transistors. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Publication number: 20230403481Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2023Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: SEN-HUANG HUANG, TSO-SHENG TSAI
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Publication number: 20230324524Abstract: An optical time-of-flight sensor includes a sensor array and a channel sampling circuit. The channel sampling circuit is arranged for receiving a photon pulse signal, generated from a senor unit of the sensor array, receiving a first channel selection signal to generate a first freezing signal, generating a first channel event signal to a first counting circuit in response to the first freezing signal and the photon pulse signal, and receiving the first channel event signal to generate and count a pulse number of the photon pulse signal received by the first channel; when a rising edge of the photon pulse signal occurs, the first freezing signal is kept at a previous state until a falling edge of the photon pulse signal occurs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2022Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: PixArt Imaging Inc.Inventors: Yueh-Lin Chung, Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Patent number: 11765482Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Sen-Huang Huang, Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Publication number: 20230288564Abstract: There is provided a distance measurement device including a light source, a light detector, a time control circuit and a processor. In first measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a low modulation frequency, and the processor calculates a rough flying time according to a first detection signal of the light detector to determine an operating phase zone and a delay time. In second measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a high modulation frequency and causes a light driving signal of the light source and a detecting control signal of the light detector to have a difference of the delay time, and the processor calculates a fine flying time according to a second detection signal of the light detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Inventors: Yueh-Lin CHUNG, Tso-Sheng TSAI
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Publication number: 20230236299Abstract: There is provided a time of flight sensor including a light source, a first pixel, a second pixel and a processor. The first pixel generates a first output signal without receiving reflected light from an external object illuminated by the light source. The second pixel generates a second output signal by receiving the reflected light from the external object illuminated by the light source. The processor calculates deviation compensation and deviation correction associated with temperature variation according to the first output signal to accordingly calibrate a distance calculated according to the second output signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Inventors: TSO-SHENG TSAI, YUEH-LIN CHUNG, SHIN-LIN WANG
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Patent number: 11693116Abstract: There is provided a distance measurement device including a light source, a light detector, a time control circuit and a processor. In first measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a low modulation frequency, and the processor calculates a rough flying time according to a first detection signal of the light detector to determine an operating phase zone and a delay time. In second measurement, the time control circuit controls the light source to illuminate at a high modulation frequency and causes a light driving signal of the light source and a detecting control signal of the light detector to have a difference of the delay time, and the processor calculates a fine flying time according to a second detection signal of the light detector.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Yueh-Lin Chung, Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Patent number: 11644554Abstract: There is provided a time of flight sensor including a light source, a first pixel, a second pixel and a processor. The first pixel generates a first output signal without receiving reflected light from an external object illuminated by the light source. The second pixel generates a second output signal by receiving the reflected light from the external object illuminated by the light source. The processor calculates deviation compensation and deviation correction associated with temperature variation according to the first output signal to accordingly calibrate a distance calculated according to the second output signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2020Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Tso-Sheng Tsai, Yueh-Lin Chung, Shin-Lin Wang
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Publication number: 20230083226Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2022Publication date: March 16, 2023Inventors: SEN-HUANG HUANG, TSO-SHENG TSAI
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Publication number: 20230077016Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and four P-type or N-type transistors. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventor: TSO-SHENG TSAI
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Patent number: 11575854Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and four P-type or N-type transistors. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: February 7, 2023Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Publication number: 20230013026Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode (SPAD) and a floating diffusion. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. The floating diffusion is used to record a voltage of one photon event detected by the SPAD in an exposure period.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventor: TSO-SHENG TSAI
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Patent number: 11528444Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventors: Sen-Huang Huang, Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Publication number: 20220286664Abstract: There is provided a detection device using a SPAD array including a sensor array, multiple counters, a processor and a frame buffer. The sensor array includes a plurality of SPADs respectively generates an avalanche current while receiving a photon. Each counter counts a number of triggering times of the avalanche current of a corresponding SPAD within an exposure interval. The frame buffer is pre-stored with a plurality of gain calibration values corresponding to every SPAD of the sensor array. The processor accesses the gain calibration values to accordingly calibrate a counting image frame outputted by the sensor array to output a calibrated image frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2022Publication date: September 8, 2022Inventor: TSO-SHENG TSAI
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Publication number: 20220260680Abstract: There is provided a detection device including a light source, an avalanche diode, a first counter, a second counter and a processor. The light source emits light within a first interval, and is turned off within a second interval, a third interval and a fourth interval. The avalanche diode detects photons corresponding to the first interval, second, third and fourth intervals to trigger avalanche events. The first counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the first interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the third interval to generate a first count value. The second counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the second interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the fourth interval to generate a second count value. The processor calculates a time-of-flight according to the first count value and the second count value.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 3, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Inventor: TSO-SHENG TSAI
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Patent number: 11381806Abstract: There is provided a detection device using a SPAD array including a sensor array, multiple counters, a processor and a frame buffer. The sensor array includes a plurality of SPADs respectively generates an avalanche current while receiving a photon. Each counter counts a number of triggering times of the avalanche current of a corresponding SPAD within an exposure interval. The frame buffer is pre-stored with a plurality of gain calibration values corresponding to every SPAD of the sensor array. The processor accesses the gain calibration values to accordingly calibrate a counting image frame outputted by the sensor array to output a calibrated image frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Patent number: 11353563Abstract: There is provided an object detection device including a light source, an avalanche diode, a first counter, a second counter and a processor. The light source emits light within a first interval, and is turned off within a second interval, a third interval and a fourth interval. The avalanche diode detects photons corresponding to the first interval, second, third and fourth intervals to trigger avalanche events. The first counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the first interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the third interval to generate a first count value. The second counter performs up-counting on the avalanche events in the second interval and performs down-counting on the avalanche events in the fourth interval to generate a second count value. The processor calculates a time-of-flight according to the first count value and the second count value.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai
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Publication number: 20220124271Abstract: There is provided an image sensor employing an avalanche diode. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix, a plurality of pulling circuits, a plurality of output circuits and a global current source circuit. Each of the plurality of pixel circuits includes a single photon avalanche diode and a P-type or N-type select switch transistor. Each of the plurality of pulling circuits is arranged corresponding to one pixel circuit column. The global current source circuit is used to form a current mirror with each of the plurality of pulling circuits. Each of the plurality of output circuits is shared by at least two pixel circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2021Publication date: April 21, 2022Inventors: SEN-HUANG HUANG, TSO-SHENG TSAI