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Sony patents camera sensor with two pixel types for better motion detection

Sony describes a camera sensor design that uses two different types of pixels to capture images. One pixel type measures the brightness of light, while the other has a larger light-collecting area to detect sudden changes in light intensity.

Why it mattersThis design could help cameras detect fast-moving objects or low-light changes more effectively by using specialized pixels for different tasks.

In the filing’s own words

A solid-state imaging element according to the present technology includes a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion portion is arranged, the pixel array unit includes, as the pixels, a first pixel for obtaining a gradation signal indicating an intensity of received light and a second pixel for detecting that a change in an amount of received light exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and a volume of a photoelectric conversion portion included in the second pixel is larger than a volume of a photoelectric conversion portion included in the first pixel.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A solid-state imaging element, comprising: a pixel array unit comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric conversion portion, the plurality of pixels includes a first pixel and a second pixel, the first pixel is configured to obtain a gradation signal that indicates an intensity of received light, the second pixel is configured to detect that a change in an amount of the received light exceeds a threshold value, the first pixel includes a first volume of the photoelectric conversion portion, the second pixel includes a second volume of the photoelectric conversion portion included in the second pixel, and the second volume is larger than the first volume.

Facts

Company
Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
Official title
Solid-state imaging element and imaging device with first pixel for gradation signal and second pixel for event detection having larger photoelectric conversion portion volume
Patent number
US12727264B2
Application number
18260339
Filed
Dec 13, 2021
Granted
Sep 1, 2026
Inventors
1
Claims
19

Classified under

H10F 39/8027 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/702 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/707 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/771 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/806 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8063 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.