Sony patents camera chip design with built-in self-test switch
Sony describes a circuit chip for cameras that includes a special test circuit and a switch. This setup allows the chip to send a known test signal through its normal data lines to check if the components are working correctly.
In the filing’s own words
A circuit chip includes a first circuit chip contact area configured to be electrically connected to a first pixel chip contact area of a pixel chip. The circuit chip further includes a first signal line electrically connected to the first circuit chip contact area. The circuit chip further includes a first comparator circuit. The first signal line is electrically coupled to a first input of the first comparator circuit. The circuit chip further includes a first test circuit comprising a digital-to-analog converter circuit. The first test circuit is configured to output a test signal at an output of the first test circuit. The circuit chip further includes a first switching element electrically coupled in series between the output of the first test circuit and the first signal line.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A circuit chip, comprising: a first circuit chip contact area configured to be electrically connected to a first pixel chip contact area of a pixel chip; a first signal line electrically connected to the first circuit chip contact area; a first comparator circuit, wherein the first signal line is electrically coupled to a first input of the first comparator circuit; a first test circuit comprising a digital-to-analog converter circuit, the first test circuit being configured to output a test signal at an output of the first test circuit; and a first switching element electrically coupled in series between the output of the first test circuit and the first signal line.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation)
- Official title
- CIRCUIT CHIP AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE
- Publication number
- US20260281592A1
- Application number
- 19162430
- Filed
- Mar 4, 2024
- Published
- Sep 17, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 15
Classified under
H04N 25/79 Electricity & electronicsG01R 31/2884 Physics & computingH04N 17/002 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/809 Electricity & electronicsMore from Sony in Chips & hardware
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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.