Sony patents camera pixel design with dual thresholds for better event detection
Sony describes a camera sensor pixel that uses two separate circuits to measure light levels at the same time. One circuit checks if the light hits a high threshold, while the other checks a lower threshold, allowing the sensor to detect specific changes in brightness more precisely.
In the filing’s own words
A pixel circuit includes a radiation sensitive circuit that converts a change of incident radiation into a pixel voltage signal VPR, wherein the pixel voltage signal VPR increases with increasing radiation intensity. A first capacitive element receives the pixel voltage signal VPR at a first electrode. A second capacitive element receives the pixel voltage signal VPR at a first electrode simultaneously with the first capacitive element. A first comparator circuit compares a first resettable voltage at a second electrode of the first capacitive element with a first threshold voltage VTH. A second comparator circuit compares a second resettable voltage at a second electrode of the second capacitive element with a second threshold voltage VTL.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A pixel circuit, comprising: a radiation sensitive circuit configured to convert a change of incident radiation into a pixel voltage signal VPR, wherein the pixel voltage signal VPR increases with increasing radiation intensity; a first capacitive element configured to receive the pixel voltage signal VPR at a first electrode; a second capacitive element configured to receive the pixel voltage signal VPR at a first electrode simultaneously with the first capacitive element; a first comparator circuit configured to compare a first resettable voltage at a second electrode of the first capacitive element with a first threshold voltage VTH; and a second comparator circuit configured to compare a second resettable voltage at a second electrode of the second capacitive element with a second threshold voltage VTL.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation)
- Official title
- PIXEL CIRCUIT INCLUDING TWO COMPARATOR CIRCUITS FOR EVENT DETECTION AND IMAGE SENSOR
- Publication number
- US20260261773A1
- Application number
- 19157707
- Filed
- Mar 4, 2024
- Published
- Sep 3, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 17
Classified under
H04N 25/47 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/707 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/767 Electricity & electronicsMore from Sony in Cameras & imaging
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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.