Sony patents camera sensor that captures high-quality video without slowing down
Sony describes a camera sensor design that splits its pixels into groups to capture multiple slightly different images within the same frame time. These partial images are then combined into a single picture, allowing the camera to detect motion or handle bright and dark areas better without dropping the frame rate.
In the filing’s own words
At least one of detection of an optical flow or expansion of a dynamic range is performed without reduction of a frame rate. A photodetection device includes: a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction and divided into a plurality of pixel groups including some pixels different from each other on the basis of a plurality of pixel control signals; a control signal generation circuit that is arranged in a layer different from the pixel array section and generates the plurality of pixel control signals; a thinned image generation section that generates a plurality of thinned images by exposing the plurality of pixel groups within a predetermined frame period while shifting at least one of exposure start times or exposure end times from each other; and an image composition section that generates a composite image obtained by combining the plurality of thinned images.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A photodetection device comprising: a pixel array section including a plurality of pixels arranged in a first direction and a second direction and divided into a plurality of pixel groups including some pixels different from each other on a basis of a plurality of pixel control signals; a control signal generation circuit that is arranged in a layer different from the pixel array section and generates the plurality of pixel control signals; a thinned image generation section that generates a plurality of thinned images by exposing the plurality of pixel groups within a predetermined frame period while shifting at least one of exposure start times or exposure end times from each other; and an image composition section that generates a composite image obtained by combining the plurality of thinned images.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
- Official title
- PHOTODETECTION DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
- Publication number
- US20260261774A1
- Application number
- 19154487
- Filed
- Feb 22, 2024
- Published
- Sep 3, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 18
Classified under
H04N 25/589 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/672 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/772 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.