Patent ID: 8304727
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image sensor capable of judging proximity to a subject, comprising: a light source radiating infrared (IR) light having a specific band of wavelengths to the subject; a light source controller having a light emitting diode (LED) controller, which generates a control signal controlling turn-on and -off of the light source, and a LED driver, which controls supply of power to the light source using the control signal; an IR pass filter disposed between a lens, which transmits incident light reflected from the subject to a sensor element, and the sensor element, which receives the transmitted light, and transmitting only a part of the IR light which has a specific band of wavelengths and visible light; the sensor element having a voltage sensing section, which receives the light passing through the IR pass filter and generates output voltage corresponding to the received light, and an image sensing section, which obtains an image entering through the IR pass filter; and a proximity judgment unit judging proximity to the subject using an output voltage difference caused by whether or not the IR light, which passes through the IR pass filter with the specific band of wavelengths and is incident onto proximity pixels provided to the voltage sensing section, exists, wherein the voltage sensing section includes luminance sensors that are alternately disposed adjacent to each other, and proximity pixels that are alternately disposed adjacent to each other.