Sony patents camera sensor that bends to fit curved lenses
Sony describes an imaging device where the light-sensing chip is physically bent to match a curved surface. This design allows the sensor to sit closer to the lens, potentially improving image quality by reducing distortion at the edges.
In the filing’s own words
An imaging device includes a solid-state imaging element and a seating. The solid-state imaging element includes, on a base, a light-receiving surface on which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a two-dimensional array. The pixels each include a photoelectric conversion region that converts incident light into an electric signal. The seating is provided with a curved surface recessed in an incident direction of incident light. The seating includes a curved housing section that houses the solid-state imaging element. A back surface of the base opposed to the light-receiving surface and the curved surface are caused to face each other, and the solid-state imaging element is disposed in a curved state on the curved housing section.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An imaging device, comprising: a solid-state imaging element including, on a base, a light-receiving surface on which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a two-dimensional array, the pixels each including a photoelectric conversion region that converts incident light into an electric signal; and a seating provided with a curved surface recessed in an incident direction of incident light, the seating including a curved housing section that houses the solid-state imaging element, wherein a back surface of the base opposed to the light-receiving surface and the curved surface are caused to face each other, and the solid-state imaging element is disposed in a curved state on the curved housing section.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
- Official title
- IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING IMAGING DEVICE
- Publication number
- US20260271419A1
- Application number
- 19167548
- Filed
- Mar 26, 2024
- Published
- Sep 10, 2026
- Inventors
- 5
- Claims
- 17
Classified under
H10F 39/8063 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/024 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/026 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.