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SonyGranted patentCameras & imagingInterest 4/10

Sony patents camera sensor design to maintain speed during data processing

Sony describes an imaging device that uses a specific circuit layout to handle light data more efficiently. The system includes a mechanism that temporarily holds the signal steady while the internal converter boosts the charge, preventing a drop in frame rate.

Why it mattersThis technical improvement could help cameras capture video at higher frame rates without losing image quality, which is useful for high-speed photography and video recording.

In the filing’s own words

Provided is an imaging device capable of suppressing a decrease in a frame rate while improving charge transfer efficiency. An imaging device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a photoelectric conversion element; a signal converter that is boosted when charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion element is converted into a pixel signal; a selection transistor that interrupts a signal line of the pixel signal during a boosting period of the signal converter; a comparator including a non-inverting input terminal to which the pixel signal is input via the selection transistor, an inverting input terminal to which a ramp signal is input, and an output terminal which outputs a comparison result between the pixel signal and the ramp signal; and a correction circuit that holds a potential of the non-inverting input terminal in the boosting period at a potential of the non-inverting input terminal before the boosting period.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An imaging device, comprising: a photoelectric conversion element; a transfer transistor configured to transfer a charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a floating diffusion; an amplification transistor configured to convert the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element into a pixel signal; a selection transistor configured to interrupt the pixel signal; a comparator that includes: a first input terminal configured to receive an input signal, a second input terminal configured to receive a ramp signal, and an output terminal configured to output a comparison result between the input signal and the ramp signal; and a correction circuit that includes: a first switch; a second switch; a first transistor, wherein a gate of the first transistor is configured to receive the pixel signal via the first switch; and a first capacitor, wherein a first terminal of the first capacitor is coupled to the gate of the first transistor, the second switch is configured to interrupt an output signal of the first transistor, and the first input terminal is configured to selectively receive, as the input signal, one of: the pixel signal via the selection transistor, or the output signal of the first transistor via the second switch.

Facts

Company
Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
Official title
Imaging device and distance measurement system
Patent number
US12745020B2
Application number
19173054
Filed
Apr 8, 2025
Granted
Sep 22, 2026
Inventors
1
Claims
8

Classified under

H04N 25/78 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/56 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/667 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/705 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/772 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/779 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.