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).

  • Publication number: 20230236299
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: TSO-SHENG TSAI, YUEH-LIN CHUNG, SHIN-LIN WANG
  • Patent number: 11693116
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Yueh-Lin Chung, Tso-Sheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 11644554
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Tso-Sheng Tsai, Yueh-Lin Chung, Shin-Lin Wang
  • Publication number: 20230083226
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: SEN-HUANG HUANG, TSO-SHENG TSAI
  • Publication number: 20230077016
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Inventor: TSO-SHENG TSAI
  • Patent number: 11575854
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20230013026
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Inventor: TSO-SHENG TSAI
  • Patent number: 11528444
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Sen-Huang Huang, Tso-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20220286664
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: TSO-SHENG TSAI
  • Publication number: 20220260680
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2022
    Publication date: August 18, 2022
    Inventor: TSO-SHENG TSAI
  • Patent number: 11381806
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai
  • Patent number: 11353563
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20220124271
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2021
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: SEN-HUANG HUANG, TSO-SHENG TSAI
  • Publication number: 20220066035
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Yueh-Lin CHUNG, Tso-Sheng TSAI
  • Patent number: 11245865
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventors: Sen-Huang Huang, Tso-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20220026545
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Publication date: January 27, 2022
    Inventors: Tso-Sheng TSAI, Yueh-Lin CHUNG, Shin-Lin WANG
  • Publication number: 20210344862
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Inventor: Tso-Sheng TSAI
  • Patent number: 11102439
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: PIXART IMAGING INC.
    Inventor: Tso-Sheng Tsai
  • Publication number: 20210185260
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Sen-Huang HUANG, Tso-Sheng TSAI
  • Publication number: 20200275044
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventor: Tso-Sheng TSAI