Abstract: An image sensor which relates to a technology for estimating crosstalk of each pixel is disclosed. The image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit test patterns, each of which is used to measure values of crosstalk components of a plurality of light blocking pixels generated by a single open pixel, the light blocking pixels and the single open pixel included in the unit test pattern, a storage circuit configured to store the measured values of the respective unit test patterns, a calculation circuit configured to calculate a crosstalk value about each target pixel included in the pixel array by combining the stored values, and a correction circuit configured to correct pixel data of the target pixel by reflecting the calculated crosstalk value in the pixel data.

Abstract: An image sensor which relates to a technology for estimating crosstalk of each pixel is disclosed. The image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit test patterns, each of which is used to measure values of crosstalk components of a plurality of light blocking pixels generated by a single open pixel, the light blocking pixels and the single open pixel included in the unit test pattern, a storage circuit configured to store the measured values of the respective unit test patterns, a calculation circuit configured to calculate a crosstalk value about each target pixel included in the pixel array by combining the stored values, and a correction circuit configured to correct pixel data of the target pixel by reflecting the calculated crosstalk value in the pixel data.

Abstract: Provided is an image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixel blocks. Each of the plurality of pixel blocks includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of phase difference sensing pixels. Each of the plurality of phase difference sensing pixels may be periodically repeatedly arranged in the pixel array in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an auto-focus system and method based on a sensor, using hierarchical extraction and motion estimation for an image. The auto-focus method may include the steps of: (a) extracting a phase difference image from a sensed image; (b) extracting a robust feature image which satisfies a preset reference with respect to noise and out-of-focus blur, from the phase difference image; and (C) estimating a motion vector for lens shift from the feature image.

Abstract: Provided is an image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixel blocks. Each of the plurality of pixel blocks includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a plurality of phase difference sensing pixels. Each of the plurality of phase difference sensing pixels may be periodically repeatedly arranged in the pixel array in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction.

Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixel arrays. Each of the plurality of unit pixel arrays may include a plurality of unit pixel blocks arranged in a 4×4 matrix, each of the plurality of unit pixel blocks may include a phase difference detecting unit so that each of the plurality of unit pixel arrays may include phase difference detecting units, the phase difference detecting unit may include a first phase difference detecting pixel and a second phase difference detecting pixel, the first and the second phase difference detecting pixels may have first and second openings, respectively, the first and the second openings may be arranged in an eccentrically manner with respect to each other, and the phase difference detecting units arranged at each of the plurality of unit pixel blocks may be asymmetrical to each other on the basis of a boundary line between adjacent unit pixel blocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an auto-focus system and method based on a sensor, using hierarchical extraction and motion estimation for an image. The auto-focus method may include the steps of: (a) extracting a phase difference image from a sensed image; (b) extracting a robust feature image which satisfies a preset reference with respect to noise and out-of-focus blur, from the phase difference image; and (C) estimating a motion vector for lens shift from the feature image.

Abstract: Provided is an image sensor including a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixel arrays. Each of the plurality of unit pixel arrays may include a plurality of unit pixel blocks arranged in a 4×4 matrix, each of the plurality of unit pixel blocks may include a phase difference detecting unit so that each of the plurality of unit pixel arrays may include phase difference detecting units, the phase difference detecting unit may include a first phase difference detecting pixel and a second phase difference detecting pixel, the first and the second phase difference detecting pixels may have first and second openings, respectively, the first and the second openings may be arranged in an eccentrically manner with respect to each other, and the phase difference detecting units arranged at each of the plurality of unit pixel blocks may be asymmetrical to each other on the basis of a boundary line between adjacent unit pixel blocks.

Abstract: An image sensing system includes: a light emitting device; a pixel configured to capture an optical signal and to convert the optical signal into an analog image signal; an analog circuit configured to selectively filter the analog image signal; an analog-to-digital converting circuit configured to convert the analog image signal to a digital image signal; a digital circuit configured to receive the digital image signal and to switch the light emitting device on and off; wherein the digital image signal includes a dark image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is off; wherein the digital image signal includes an effective image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is on and the analog circuit is configured to filter the analog image signal; and wherein the digital image signal includes a punctured image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is on and the analog circuit is not configured to filter the analog i

Abstract: An image sensor for a capsule type endoscope in which an image data is processed in frame units, the image sensor having analog and digital circuits, the image sensor includes a frame-puncturing unit for interrupting a power supply to the analog circuit at a predetermined frame among a plurality of frames. The image sensor may include a start delay unit for delaying a power supply to the analog circuit for a desired time.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an address sub-sampling apparatus and method, and an image sensor employing the same. An address sub-sampling apparatus includes a counting unit that generates a binary address of N bits, N being a natural number larger than 2. The address sub-sampling apparatus also includes an address conversion unit that sub-samples the binary address of N bits to output a sub-sampled address having first, second and third bit groups, wherein the sub-sampled address is arranged in order of the third, the first and the second bit groups from the MSB (Most Significant Bit).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for concealing a dark defect in an image sensor. The method includes the steps of: setting a window including five sequential pixels from pixel data sequentially outputted, the third pixel and the fifth pixels being identical in Bayer color with each other and the second and the fourth pixels being identical in Bayer color with each other; calculating an average value ? of the first and the fifth pixels and a plurality of ?/n obtained by dividing the average value ? by n; selecting one of the plurality of ?/n; comparing a threshold value ?+?/n calculated by adding the average value ? to the selected ?/n with a value of the third pixel in size; and omitting a concealment of the dark defect when the threshold value ?+?/n is greater than the value of the third pixel.

Abstract: An image sensor for a capsule type endoscope in which images are processed by a frame unit includes a control unit configured to generate a control signal to turn off a light emitting device installed out of the image sensor in every periodical frame among a plurality of frames.

Abstract: An image sensor for a capsule type endoscope in which an image data is processed in frame units, the image sensor having analog and digital circuits, the image sensor includes a frame-puncturing unit for interrupting a power supply to the analog circuit at a predetermined frame among a plurality of frames. The image sensor may include a start delay unit for delaying a power supply to the analog circuit for a desired time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for concealing a dark defect in an image sensor. The method includes the steps of: setting a window including five sequential pixels from pixel data sequentially outputted, the third pixel and the fifth pixels being identical in Bayer color with each other and the second and the fourth pixels being identical in Bayer color with each other; calculating an average value ? of the first and the fifth pixels and a plurality of ?/n obtained by dividing the average value ? by n; selecting one of the plurality of ?/n; comparing a threshold value ?+?/n calculated by adding the average value ? to the selected ?/n with a value of the third pixel in size; and omitting a concealment of the dark defect when the threshold value ?+?/n is greater than the value of the third pixel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an address sub-sampling apparatus and method, and an image sensor employing the same. An address sub-sampling apparatus includes a counting unit that generates a binary address of N bits, N being a natural number larger than 2. The address sub-sampling apparatus also includes an address conversion unit that sub-samples the binary address of N bits to output a sub-sampled address having first, second and third bit groups, wherein the sub-sampled address is arranged in order of the third, the first and the second bit groups from the MSB (Most Significant Bit).

Abstract: The presentc invention provides a pixel array of an image sensor, an image sensor having the same and a method for automatically compensating a black level of an image sensor. The inventive image sensor is able to prevent degradation of properties of the image sensor with regardless of applied conditions. To achieve this effect, an image sensor having a pixel array, includes: a first pixel group including N and M numbers of unit pixels, where N and M are integers; and a second pixel group being arrayed in one and the other sides of the first pixel group in a column direction so as to evaluate an offset value of a black level with respect to the unit pixels.

Abstract: A method capable of enhancing the uniformity of the color filter array and removing scum deposits from the surface of the color filter array to improve the yield ratio of the device is disclosed.

Abstract: A method capable of enhancing the uniformity of the color filter array and removing scum deposits from the surface of the color filter array to improve the yield ratio of the device is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for concealing a dark defect in an image sensor. The method includes the steps of: setting a window including five sequential pixels from pixel data sequentially outputted, the third pixel and the fifth pixels being identical in Bayer color with each other and the second and the fourth pixels being identical in Bayer color with each other; calculating an average value ? of the first and the fifth pixels and a plurality of ?/n obtained by dividing the average value ? by n; selecting one of the plurality of ?/n; comparing a threshold value ?+?/n calculated by adding the average value ? to the selected ?/n with a value of the third pixel in size; and omitting a concealment of the dark defect when the threshold value ?+?/n is greater than the value of the third pixel.