Sony patents camera sensor design that shrinks pixel size
Sony describes a camera sensor design where the part that stores light-generated charge is built directly into the semiconductor chip. This embedding allows the pixels to take up less space, potentially making the overall sensor smaller or more efficient.
In the filing’s own words
The size (occupied area) of each of a plurality of pixels arranged in an imaging element is easily reduced. The imaging element includes pixels and signal generation sections. A pixel included in the imaging element includes: a photoelectric conversion section that performs photoelectric conversion of incident light, the photoelectric conversion section formed in a semiconductor substrate; and a charge holding section that holds a charge generated by the photoelectric conversion, the charge holding section disposed by being embedded in the semiconductor substrate. A signal generation section included in the imaging element generates a pixel signal that is a signal corresponding to the charge held in the charge holding section.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An imaging element, comprising: a pixel including: a photoelectric conversion section that performs photoelectric conversion of incident light, the photoelectric conversion section formed in a semiconductor substrate; and a charge holding section that holds a charge generated by the photoelectric conversion, the charge holding section disposed by being embedded in the semiconductor substrate; and a signal generation section that generates a pixel signal, the pixel signal corresponding to the charge held in the charge holding section.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
- Official title
- IMAGING ELEMENT AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
- Publication number
- US20260262308A1
- Application number
- 18875360
- Filed
- Jun 23, 2023
- Published
- Sep 3, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 32
Classified under
H10F 39/8037 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/182 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/802 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/807 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/811 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.