Sony patents camera sensor that switches counting modes for light
Sony has filed a patent for a light detecting device used in camera sensors. It includes a photodiode that captures light and circuitry that can switch between two different counting modes to process the signal.
In the filing’s own words
A light detecting device including a first photodiode; pixel readout circuitry coupled to the first photodiode, the pixel readout circuitry including a recharging circuit coupled to the photodiode and count rate control circuitry coupled between a node and a fixed voltage, the count rate control circuitry including a switch; and counter circuitry coupled to an output of the pixel readout circuitry, wherein the switch is configured to switch between a first counting mode and a second counting mode.
What exactly they claim (claim 1)
1. A light detecting device comprising: a first photodiode; pixel readout circuitry coupled to the first photodiode, the pixel readout circuitry including a recharging circuit coupled to the photodiode and count rate control circuitry coupled between a node and a fixed voltage, the count rate control circuitry including a switch; and counter circuitry coupled to an output of the pixel readout circuitry, wherein the switch is configured to switch a first counting mode and a second counting mode.
Facts
- Company
- Sony (Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation)
- Official title
- PHOTODETECTION DEVICE
- Publication number
- US20260332916A1
- Application number
- 19115591
- Filed
- Sep 13, 2023
- Published
- Oct 22, 2026
- Inventors
- 1
- Claims
- 20
Classified under
H04N 25/78 Electricity & electronicsH04N 25/773 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.