IP Library Granted Patent US 8,853,610
Granted Patent B2
US 8,853,610 · App. 13/609,366 · Granted Oct 7, 2014

Imaging device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,853,610
App. No.
13/609,366
Granted
Oct 7, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging device includes: a plurality of first pixels, each including a photodiode and in-pixel transistors and having a light-blocking metal film blocking part of light entering the respective first pixels; and a plurality of second pixels, each including a photodiode and in-pixel transistors and having no light-blocking metal film; and each of the photodiodes included in the first pixels or the second pixels is surrounded with a metal frame.

Claims (14)

1. An imaging device comprising:

a plurality of first pixels, each including (i) a photodiode,(ii) in-pixel transistors, and (iii) a light-blocking metal film operable to partially block light entering the respective first pixels; and

a plurality of second pixels, each including (i) a photodiode and (ii) in-pixel transistors, the plurality of second pixels having no light-blocking metal film,

wherein,

each of the photodiodes included in the first pixels or the second pixels is surrounded with a metal frame.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein

in each of the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels, a distance between (i) part of a wiring line connected to a terminal of one of the in-pixel transistors, and (ii) a metal frame of an adjacent pixel is equal.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein

in each of the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels, a distance between (i) a wiring line connecting (a) a gate terminal of one of the in-pixel transistors operable to convert electric charges into a voltage signal, and (b) a floating diffusion terminal in a circuit, and (ii) a metal frame in an adjacent pixel is equal.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein

the light-blocking metal film and the metal frame (i) are made of a same metal film, and (ii) form a wiring line connecting predetermined terminals of the in-pixel transistors.

5. The imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein

the first pixels are configured to detect a focal length, and

the second pixels are configured to output an imaging signal.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 19, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040419/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 11, 2012
From: ADACHI, YUDAI
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 028932/0240 →