Sony patents camera sensor that saves power during image capture
Sony describes a camera sensor design that reduces power usage while the device is not actively reading data from pixels. It uses a dummy pixel to help control the electrical voltage on shared lines, which lowers current draw without hurting image quality.
In the filing’s own words
In light detection devices, current of a load transistor in a non-readout period is reduced while the degradation of an image quality is suppressed. In one example, a light detection device includes a first signal line connected to a first effective pixel; a first current source connected to the first signal line; a first switch between the first effective pixel and the first current source; a second signal line connected to a second effective pixel; a second current source connected to the second signal line; a second switch between the second effective pixel and the second current source; and a horizontal connection signal line that connects the first signal line and the second signal line. A control unit controls a potential of the horizontal connection signal line on the basis of a potential of a dummy signal line.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A light detection device comprising: a first signal line connected to a first effective pixel; a first current source connected to the first signal line; a first switch provided between the first effective pixel and the first current source; a second signal line connected to a second effective pixel; a second current source connected to the second signal line; a second switch provided between the second effective pixel and the second current source; a horizontal connection signal line that connects the first signal line and the second signal line; a dummy signal line connected to a dummy pixel; a third current source connected to the dummy signal line; and a control unit that controls a potential of the horizontal connection signal line on a basis of a potential of the dummy signal line.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation)
- Official title
- LIGHT DETECTION DEVICE
- Publication number
- US20260323190A1
- Application number
- 19485074
- Filed
- May 7, 2024
- Published
- Oct 15, 2026
- Inventors
- 2
- Claims
- 15
Classified under
H04N 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.