US 11,706,542 B2
Pixel circuit outputting time difference data and image data, and operating method of pixel array
Ren-Chieh Liu, Hsin-Chu County (TW); and Yi-Cheng Chiu, Hsin-Chu County (TW)
Assigned to PIXART IMAGING INC., Hsin-Chu County (TW)
Filed by PIXART IMAGING INC., Hsin-Chu County (TW)
Filed on Aug. 13, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/401,554.
Application 17/401,554 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/009,417, filed on Sep. 1, 2020, granted, now 11,290,671.
Prior Publication US 2022/0070401 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. H04N 25/75 (2023.01); H04N 25/589 (2023.01); H04N 25/767 (2023.01); H04N 25/77 (2023.01); H04N 25/78 (2023.01); H04N 25/771 (2023.01); H04N 25/44 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/75 (2023.01) [H04N 25/589 (2023.01); H04N 25/767 (2023.01); H04N 25/77 (2023.01); H04N 25/771 (2023.01); H04N 25/78 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A pixel circuit, comprising:
a photodiode, configured to generate light energy;
a storage capacitor, having a first end and a second end;
an image circuit, comprising:
a transfer transistor, connected between the photodiode and the first end of the storage capacitor;
a first reset transistor, having a source connected between the transfer transistor and the first end of the storage capacitor; and
a first output transistor, connected between the first end of the storage capacitor and a first readout line;
a difference circuit, comprising:
a second output transistor, connected between the second end of the storage capacitor and a second readout line;
a second reset transistor, having a source connected between the second end of the storage capacitor and the second output transistor, and configured to reset the second end of the storage capacitor to a reset voltage; and
a sharing circuit, shared by the pixel circuit with other pixel circuits, and comprising:
a first comparator, connected to the first readout line, and configured to output image data; and
a second comparator, connected to the second readout line, and configured to output time difference data or a state-change signal.