Sony patents camera sensor where pixels share a digital converter
Sony has been granted a patent for a camera sensor design where multiple light-sensing pixels share a single analog-to-digital converter (ADC). The system uses specific timing switches to route signals from different pixels to the shared converter one at a time, allowing the hardware to process light data without needing a separate converter for every pixel.
In the filing’s own words
A solid-state imaging element and an electronic device are provided. A pixel at least includes a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion, an FD unit to which charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, and an amplification transistor that has a gate electrode to which the FD unit is connected. A reference signal is input to a MOS transistor. The reference signal is referred to when AD conversion is performed on a pixel signal according to an amount of light received by the pixel. Then, a shared structure is employed in which a predetermined number of pixels share an AD converter that includes a differential pair including the MOS transistor and the amplification transistor. Each of the pixels is provided with a selection transistor that is used to select a pixel for which AD conversion is performed on the pixel signal.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A light detecting device, comprising: a first pixel unit that includes: a first photodiode; a first transfer transistor coupled to the first photodiode; a first amplification transistor having a gate terminal coupled to the first transfer transistor; and a first selection transistor coupled to the first amplification transistor; a second pixel unit that includes: a second photodiode; a second transfer transistor coupled to the second photodiode; a second amplification transistor having a gate terminal coupled to the second transfer transistor; and a second selection transistor coupled to the second amplification transistor; and an analog to digital (AD) converter that includes a first metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor to which a reference signal is input, wherein the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit share the AD converter, each of the first transfer transistor and the second transfer transistor is configured to enter into an ON state at a first timing, the first selection transistor is configured to enter into the ON state at a second timing, the second selection transistor is configured to enter into the ON state at a third timing, and the AD converter further includes: a comparator; a second MOS transistor; a third MOS transistor; and a fourth MOS transistor, wherein the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit are connected in parallel between a drain of the second MOS transistor and a drain of the fourth MOS transistor, and a connecting point of the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit, and the drain of the fourth MOS transistor, is connected to an input terminal of the comparator.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
- Official title
- Solid-state imaging element and electronic device including a shared structure for pixels for sharing an AD converter
- Patent number
- US12764441B2
- Application number
- 18915529
- Filed
- Oct 15, 2024
- Granted
- Oct 13, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 15
Classified under
H04N 25/79 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/18 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/802 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8037 Electricity & electronicsMore from Sony in Chips & hardware
- Sony patents light sensor that adjusts how it counts incoming photons Sep 1, 2026
- Sony patents camera sensor with two pixel types for better motion detection Sep 1, 2026
- Sony patents game graphics that adjust quality based on hardware heat Sep 8, 2026
- Sony patents camera sensor design that stacks chips to shrink pixels Sep 8, 2026
- Sony patents chip design that measures internal temperature from outside Sep 8, 2026
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.