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SonyPatent applicationCameras & imagingInterest 6/10

Sony patents camera sensor that tracks its own noise in real time

Sony describes a camera sensor where each pixel sends out two separate signals: one for the actual image data and another that measures only the electronic noise in the circuit. A dedicated processing block continuously analyzes the noise signal to track how the sensor's background interference changes over time.

Why it mattersThis technique could help cameras produce cleaner images by allowing the software to adjust for sensor noise as it happens, rather than relying on fixed settings.

In the filing’s own words

A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixel circuits. Each pixel circuit outputs a pixel data signal and a pixel noise signal. A voltage level of the pixel data signal is a function of an intensity of incident radiation detected in an exposure period. A voltage level of the pixel noise signal is a function of temporal noise in the pixel circuit and independent from the incident radiation. Column signal processing circuits convert the pixel data signals into digital pixel data values DS and the pixel noise signals into digital pixel noise values DR. A row noise block continuously obtains a parameter of a distribution of the pixel noise values DR and outputs a signal based on the parameter.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A solid-state imaging device, comprising: a plurality of pixel circuits, each pixel circuit configured to output a pixel data signal and a pixel noise signal, wherein a voltage level of the pixel data signal is a function of an intensity of incident radiation detected in an exposure period and a voltage level of the pixel noise signal is a function of temporal noise in the pixel circuit and independent from the incident radiation; a column signal processing circuit configured to convert the pixel data signals into digital pixel data values DS and the pixel noise signals into digital pixel noise values DR; and a row noise block configured to continuously obtain a parameter of a distribution of the pixel noise values DR and output a signal based on the parameter.

Facts

Company
Sony (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation)
Official title
SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE WITH PIXEL CIRCUITS OUTPUTTING PIXEL NOISE SIGNALS AND PIXEL DATA SIGNALS
Publication number
US20260270585A1
Application number
19166491
Filed
Mar 13, 2024
Published
Sep 10, 2026
Inventors
2
Claims
17

Classified under

H04N 25/618 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/78 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/79 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.