Sony patents camera sensor that counts individual light particles
Sony describes an imaging element that detects individual photons rather than just measuring total light. It uses a detection circuit with multiple storage units to count these light particles accurately, even if the lighting changes during the shot.
In the filing’s own words
To derive (estimate) a correct number of incident photons even in a case where a temporal change occurs in incident illuminance during an exposure period. An imaging element according to the present technology includes a light receiving element that is provided for each pixel and detects the presence or absence of photons, and a detection circuit that is provided corresponding to the light receiving element and detects photons incident on the light receiving element. In this imaging element, the detection circuit includes a photon detection unit that detects photons incident on the light receiving element by recharge control with a plurality of periods with respect to the light receiving element, a plurality of storage units, and a selection control unit that selects one of the plurality of storage units as a storage unit that stores the number of detected photons detected by the photon detection unit.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. An imaging element comprising: a light receiving element configured to detect a presence or absence of a photon, the light receiving element being provided for each pixel; and a detection circuit configured to detect a photon incident on the light receiving element, the detection circuit being provided corresponding to the light receiving element, wherein the detection circuit includes a photon detection unit configured to detect a photon incident on the light receiving element by recharge control with a plurality of periods with respect to the light receiving element, a plurality of storage units, and a selection control unit configured to select one of the plurality of storage units as a storage unit configured to store a number of detected photons detected by the photon detection unit.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)
- Official title
- IMAGING ELEMENT AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
- Publication number
- US20260332910A1
- Application number
- 19122098
- Filed
- Aug 31, 2023
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 17
Classified under
H04N 25/773 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/532 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/771 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.