SonyPatent applicationCameras & imagingInterest 6/10

Sony patents camera sensor with built-in waterproof shell and lens array

Sony describes a camera sensor design where a transparent, waterproof film wraps around the light-sensing parts. This protective layer includes a ceiling and side walls that enclose the photodiodes, while also incorporating a lens array to help focus light.

Why it mattersThis design could make smartphone or action camera sensors more durable against water and dust without needing separate external seals.

In the filing’s own words

There is provided a solid-state imaging device including a substrate having a surface over which a plurality of photodiodes are formed, and a protection film that is transparent, has a water-proofing property, and includes a side wall part vertical to the surface of the substrate and a ceiling part covering a region surrounded by the side wall part, the side wall part and the ceiling part surrounding a region where the plurality of photodiodes are arranged over the substrate.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An imaging device, comprising: a substrate including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; and a first film including an upper side part and a first side part, wherein at least a part of the upper side part is disposed above the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, wherein the first side part is in contact with a side part of a second film covering the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, and wherein a portion of the upper side part comprises at least a part of a lens array.

Facts

Company: Sony (SONY GROUP CORPORATION)
Official title: SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Publication number: US20260271417A1
Application number: 19662921
Filed: Apr 29, 2026
Published: Sep 10, 2026
Inventors: 2
Claims: 20

Classified under

H10F 39/804 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/024 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/182 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8053 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8057 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8063 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.