阅读说明：本技术 模数转换器、图像传感器及手持装置 (Analog-to-digital converter, image sensor and handheld device ) 是由 林奇青 于 2018-12-21 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种模数转换器(100),用来将多个像素列感测信息由模拟信号分别转换为多个数字信号,其特征在于,所述模数转换器(100)包括：计数器(104),用以产生计数信息并反应在所述计数器(104)输出的多个比特位；斜坡信号产生器(102),用以产生斜坡信号；以及多个模数转换单元,包括：比较器(106),用以比较对应的像素列感测信息以及所述斜坡信号；多个采样单元,其中每一采样单元依据其使能输入来决定是否采样对应的计数器(104)输出比特位以及输出对应的数字信号；以及使能信息产生单元(108),用以依据对应所述多个比特位中的最低有效位的采样单元输出的数字信号来产生使能信息。(An analog-to-digital converter (100) for converting a plurality of pixel column sensing information from an analog signal to a plurality of digital signals, respectively, the analog-to-digital converter (100) comprising: a counter (104) for generating count information and reflecting a plurality of bits output at said counter (104); a ramp signal generator (102) for generating a ramp signal; and a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units including: a comparator (106) for comparing the corresponding pixel column sensing information with the ramp signal; a plurality of sampling units, wherein each sampling unit determines whether to sample a corresponding counter (104) output bit and output a corresponding digital signal according to an enable input of the sampling unit; and an enable information generation unit (108) for generating enable information according to the digital signal output by the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit of the plurality of bits.)

An analog-to-digital converter for converting a plurality of pixel column sensing information from an analog signal to a plurality of digital signals, respectively, the analog-to-digital converter comprising:

a counter for generating count information and reflecting a plurality of bits (bits) output from the counter;

a ramp signal generator for generating a ramp signal; and

a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units corresponding to the plurality of pixel rows for sensing information, wherein each analog-to-digital conversion unit is coupled to the counter and the ramp signal generator, and comprises:

the comparator is used for comparing the sensing information of the corresponding pixel row with the ramp signal and generating a comparison result according to the comparison result;

a plurality of sampling units respectively coupled to a plurality of bits of the counter, wherein each sampling unit determines whether to sample a corresponding counter output bit and output a corresponding digital signal according to an enable input of the sampling unit, wherein the enable input of the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit of the plurality of bits is coupled to the comparison result; and

the apparatus includes an enable information generating unit for generating enable information according to a digital signal output by a sampling unit corresponding to a least significant bit of the plurality of bits, wherein enable inputs of a plurality of sampling units other than the least significant bit of the plurality of bits are coupled to the start enable information.

The analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, wherein the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit of the plurality of bits determines whether to stop sampling the corresponding counter output bit according to the comparison result.

The analog-to-digital converter of claim 1, wherein a total enable time for each of the plurality of sampling units other than the least significant bit of the plurality of bits is less than a total enable time for the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit of the plurality of bits.

The analog-to-digital converter according to claim 1, wherein the enable information generating unit generates the enable information according to rising and falling edges of the digital signal output from the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit among the plurality of bits.

The analog-to-digital converter according to claim 4, wherein the enable information generating unit includes:

a delay unit for delaying the digital signal output from the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit among the plurality of bits and generating a delayed signal; and

and the exclusive-OR circuit is used for generating the enabling information according to the delay signal and the digital signal output by the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit in the plurality of bits.

The analog-to-digital converter according to claim 1, wherein the enable information generating unit generates the enable information according to one of a rising edge and a falling edge of the digital signal output from the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit among the plurality of bits.

An analog-to-digital converter for converting a plurality of pixel column sensing information from an analog signal to a plurality of digital signals, respectively, the analog-to-digital converter comprising:

a counter for generating count information and reflecting a plurality of bits output at the counter;

a first ramp signal generator for generating a first ramp signal;

a second ramp signal generator for generating a second ramp signal, wherein the second ramp signal leads the first ramp signal by a certain time; and

a plurality of analog-to-digital conversion units corresponding to the plurality of pixel rows for sensing information, wherein each analog-to-digital conversion unit is coupled to the counter and the ramp signal generator, and comprises:

a first comparator for comparing the corresponding pixel row sensing information with the first ramp signal and generating a first comparison result accordingly;

the second comparator is used for comparing the corresponding pixel row sensing information with the second slope signal and generating a second comparison result according to the second slope signal;

and each sampling unit determines whether to sample the corresponding counter output bit and output the corresponding digital signal according to the first comparison result and the second comparison result.

The analog-to-digital converter of claim 7, wherein each sampling unit determines whether to start and stop sampling the corresponding counter output bit and output the corresponding digital signal according to the first comparison result and the second comparison result.

The analog-to-digital converter of claim 7, wherein the specific time is greater than an output period of the counter.

The analog-to-digital converter of claim 7, wherein each analog-to-digital conversion unit further comprises:

the enable information generating unit is used for generating enable information according to the digital signal output by the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit of the plurality of bits, wherein the plurality of sampling units corresponding to the bits except the least significant bit of the plurality of bits determine whether to sample the corresponding counter output bit and output the corresponding digital signal according to the enable information.

The analog-to-digital converter of claim 10, wherein a total enable time for each of the plurality of sampling units other than the least significant bit of the plurality of bits is less than a total enable time for the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit of the plurality of bits.

The analog-to-digital converter according to claim 10, wherein the enable information generating unit generates the enable information according to rising and falling edges of the digital signal output from the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit among the plurality of bits.

The analog-to-digital converter according to claim 12, wherein the enable information generating unit includes:

a delay unit for delaying the digital signal output from the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit among the plurality of bits and generating a delayed signal; and

and the exclusive-OR circuit is used for generating the enabling information according to the delay signal and the digital signal output by the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit in the plurality of bits.

The analog-to-digital converter according to claim 10, wherein the enable information generating unit generates the enable information according to one of a rising edge and a falling edge of the digital signal output from the sampling unit corresponding to the least significant bit among the plurality of bits.

An image sensor, comprising:

a plurality of pixels including a plurality of pixel columns and generating a plurality of pixel sensing column information; and

the analog-to-digital converter of any of claims 1-14, configured to convert the plurality of pixel column sensing information from analog signals to a plurality of digital signals, respectively.

A handheld device for sensing a fingerprint of a specific object, comprising:

a display screen assembly; and

the image sensor of claim 15, to obtain fingerprint information of the particular object.

The handheld device of claim 16 wherein the display screen assembly comprises a display panel and a protective cover.

The handheld device of claim 17, wherein the display panel has a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the protective cover is disposed on the second side of the display panel, and the image sensor is disposed on the first side of the display panel such that the display panel is between the image sensor and the protective cover.