Sony patents camera sensor pixels with adjustable charge capacity
Sony describes an imaging device that uses two types of light-sensing pixels with different numbers of photodiodes. It includes a component in the smaller pixels that adjusts their electrical capacity so both pixel types convert light into digital signals with similar efficiency.
In the filing’s own words
An imaging device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a plurality of first light receiving pixels and a plurality of second light receiving pixels. Each of the plurality of first light receiving pixels includes N-number of first photodiodes and a first floating diffusion, the first floating diffusion accumulating a charge transferred from each of the first photodiodes via a first wiring. Each of the plurality of second light receiving pixels includes M-number of second photodiodes (M<N) and a second floating diffusion, the second floating diffusion accumulating a charge transferred from each of the second photodiodes via a second wiring. Each of the plurality of second light receiving pixels includes a capacitance adjustment section adjusted to have conversion efficiency of each of the plurality of first light receiving pixels and conversion efficiency of each of the plurality of second light receiving pixels substantially equal to one another.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An imaging device comprising: a plurality of first light receiving pixels; and a plurality of second light receiving pixels, wherein each of the plurality of first light receiving pixels includes N-number of first photodiodes and a first floating diffusion, the first floating diffusion accumulating a charge transferred from each of the first photodiodes via a first wiring, each of the plurality of second light receiving pixels includes M-number of second photodiodes (M<N) and a second floating diffusion, the second floating diffusion accumulating a charge transferred from each of the second photodiodes via a second wiring, and each of the plurality of second light receiving pixels includes a capacitance adjustment section adjusted to have conversion efficiency of each of the plurality of first light receiving pixels and conversion efficiency of each of the plurality of second light receiving pixels substantially equal to one another.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
- Official title
- IMAGING DEVICE
- Publication number
- US20260270588A1
- Application number
- 18871924
- Filed
- Apr 20, 2023
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 5
Classified under
H04N 25/766 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/134 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/771 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/778 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.