/Patent Tracker
SamsungPatent applicationCameras & imagingInterest 6/10

Samsung patents image sensor with special polarization patterns

Samsung describes an image sensor design that mixes standard color filters with a new set of polarization patterns. These patterns are arranged in a specific grid to help the sensor capture light data more effectively.

Why it mattersThis could lead to sharper or more detailed photos in future phones and cameras by improving how the sensor handles light.

In the filing’s own words

An image sensor includes a first through third sets of photoelectric conversion devices (PDs) arranged in a first 2 x 2 matrix form and a fourth set of PDs arranged in a first 2 x 1 matrix form, first through third color filters respectively on the first through third set of PDs configured to transmit light corresponding to respectively different wavelengths, a first plurality of patterns on the fourth set of PDs, and a grid pattern between the first color filter and the first plurality of patterns. The first, fourth, second, and the third set of PDs are sequentially arranged in a counterclockwise direction, the first plurality of patterns are directly adjacent to the first color filter, and a width of each of the first plurality of patterns in a first direction parallel to the second surface is less than a height of each of the first plurality of patterns.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An image sensor comprising: a substrate comprising a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface; a first set of photoelectric conversion devices (PDs) arranged in a first 2 x 2 matrix form; a first color filter on the first set of PDs configured to transmit light corresponding to a first wavelength; a second set of PDs arranged in a second 2 x 2 matrix form; a second color filter on the second set of PDs configured to transmit light corresponding to a second wavelength different from the first wavelength; a third set of PDs arranged in a third 2 x 2 matrix form; a third color filter on the third set of PDs configured to transmit light corresponding to a third wavelength different from the first and second wavelengths; a fourth set of PDs arranged in a first 2 x 1 matrix form; a first plurality of patterns on the fourth set of PDs; and a grid pattern between the first color filter and the first plurality of patterns, wherein the first set of PDs, the fourth set of PDs, the second set of PDs, and the third set of PDs are sequentially arranged in a counterclockwise direction within the substrate, wherein the first plurality of patterns are directly adjacent to the first color filter, and wherein a width of each of the first plurality of patterns in a first direction parallel to the second surface is less than a height of each of the first plurality of patterns in a thickness direction of the substrate.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING POLARIZATION PATTERNS
Publication number
US20260293347A1
Application number
19695317
Filed
Jun 2, 2026
Published
Sep 24, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
21

Classified under

H10F 39/806 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/024 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/182 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8053 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/8063 Electricity & electronicsH10F 39/807 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

More from Samsung in Cameras & imaging

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.