Sony patents camera sensor that speeds up motion detection
Sony has filed a patent for a photodetection element designed to reduce the time it takes to detect changes in light. The system uses a light sensor and a comparison unit to trigger an "event signal" when light levels change significantly. It then uses two separate recording units to capture and pass along this signal, aiming to shorten the overall detection cycle.
In the filing’s own words
Photodetection elements and electronic apparatus that shorten a detection cycle of an event signal are disclosed. In one example, a photodetection element includes a light receiving unit that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate an electric signal, and a comparison unit which outputs an event signal when an amount of change in the electric signal exceeds or falls below a threshold A first recording unit is connected to an output terminal of the comparison unit, records the event signal, and outputs the event signal. A second recording unit is connected to the first recording unit, records the event signal from the first recording unit, and outputs the event signal.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A photodetection element comprising: a light receiving unit that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate an electric signal; a comparison unit which outputs an event signal when an amount of change in the electric signal exceeds or falls below a threshold; a first recording unit that is connected to an output terminal of the comparison unit, records the event signal, and outputs the event signal; and a second recording unit that is connected to the first recording unit, records the event signal from the first recording unit, and outputs the event signal.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation)
- Official title
- PHOTODETECTION ELEMENT AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
- Publication number
- US20260313254A1
- Application number
- 19164469
- Filed
- Feb 14, 2024
- Published
- Oct 8, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04N 25/47 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/77 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/78 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.