IP Library Granted Patent US 9,854,189
Granted Patent B2
US 9,854,189 · App. 14/338,886 · Granted Dec 26, 2017

Imaging element and electronic apparatus with improved wiring layer configuration

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,854,189
App. No.
14/338,886
Granted
Dec 26, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

An imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion section and a wiring layer. The photoelectric conversion section is configured to photoelectrically convert light incident from a subject. The wiring layer is provided on an opposite side of the subject with respect to the photoelectric conversion section and includes a wire connected to an element that constitutes a pixel including the photoelectric conversion section. The wire includes a plurality of wires extending long in a predetermined direction. The plurality of wires are arranged in a direction almost perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the wiring layer. The wire is provided with a protrusion protruding in a direction different from the predetermined direction.

Claims (31)

1. An imaging element, comprising:

a photoelectric conversion section configured to photoelectrically convert light incident from a subject; and

a wiring layer that is provided on a side of the photoelectric conversion section opposite the subject and includes a plurality of wires extending long in a predetermined direction and coupled to an element that constitutes a pixel including the photoelectric conversion section, the plurality of wires being arranged parallel to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the wiring layer, each of the plurality of wires being provided with a plurality of protrusions,

wherein each protrusion protrudes in a direction that is perpendicular to the predetermined direction,

wherein at least one wire of the plurality of wires has at least a first protrusion and a second protrusion in a region corresponding to one pixel in a plan view,

wherein the first protrusion is disposed at a first side of the at least one wire in the plan view, and

wherein the second protrusion is disposed at a second side of the at least one wire in the plan view.

2. The imaging element according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are additional wires in the form of stubs that extend from each of the plurality of wires to protrude toward another of the plurality of wires.

3. The imaging element according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are alternately arranged in the predetermined direction such that the protrusions of adjacent wires are at alternate locations along the predetermined direction.

4. The imaging element according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are arranged for adjacent wires such that the protrusions of a first one of the adjacent wires are opposite the protrusions of a second one of the adjacent wires.

5. The imaging element according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of protrusions of adjacent wires are interleaved with one another.

6. The imaging element according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of protrusions each have a rectangular shape.

7. The imaging element according to claim 6 , wherein each protrusion of a first one of the plurality of wires is opposite a protrusion of a second one of the plurality of wires.

8. The imaging element according to claim 6 , wherein the protrusions of a first one of the plurality of wires is adjacent the protrusions of a second one of the plurality of wires.

9. The imaging element according to claim 1 , wherein the imaging element includes a pixel in a predetermined color having a highest transmittance of the light and pixels in a color different from the predetermined color, the pixels having a color different from the predetermined color being arranged on upper, lower, left, and right sides of the pixel.

10. The imaging element according to claim 1 , wherein as the wiring layer is viewed in a direction perpendicular to a light reception surface of the imaging element, the plurality of wires and one of an entire protrusion and a part of the protrusion are included in a region of the wiring layer, the region overlapping with an entirety of the photoelectric conversion section in the pixel.

11. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

an imaging element, including:

a photoelectric conversion section configured to photoelectrically convert light incident from a subject, and

a wiring layer that is provided on a side of the photoelectric conversion section opposite the subject and includes a plurality of wires extending long in a predetermined direction and coupled to an element that constitutes a pixel including the photoelectric conversion section, the plurality of wires being arranged parallel to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the wiring layer, each of the plurality of wires being provided with a plurality of protrusions, wherein each protrusion protrudes in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction,

wherein at least one wire of the plurality of wires has at least a first protrusion and a second protrusion in a region corresponding to one pixel in a plan view,

wherein the first protrusion is disposed at a first side of the wire in the plan view, and

wherein the second protrusion is disposed at a second side opposite to the first side of the wire in the plan view.

12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein at least some of the wires in the plurality of wires include a first plurality of protrusions that extend in a first direction that is perpendicular to the predetermined direction and a second plurality of protrusions that extend in a second direction that is perpendicular to the predetermined direction.

13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of protrusions are additional wires in the form of stubs that extend from each of the plurality of wires to protrude toward another of the plurality of wires.

14. The electronic apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein each protrusion is formed by extending a part of each of the plurality of wires such that the part of each of the plurality of wires protrudes toward another of the plurality of wires.

15. The electronic apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein each protrusion has a rectangular shape.

16. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the imaging element includes a pixel in a predetermined color having a highest transmittance of the light and pixels in a color different from the predetermined color, the pixels having a color different from the predetermined color being arranged on upper, lower, left, and right sides of the pixel.

17. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein as the wiring layer is viewed in a direction perpendicular to a light reception surface of the imaging element, the plurality of wires and one of an entire protrusion and a part of the protrusion are included in a region of the wiring layer, the region overlapping with an entirety of the photoelectric conversion section in the pixel.

18. The imaging element according to claim 1 , wherein each protrusion includes sides that are perpendicular to the predetermined direction and an end that is parallel to the predetermined direction.

19. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein each protrusion includes sides that are perpendicular to the predetermined direction and an end that is parallel to the predetermined direction.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE REMOVE INCORRECT APPLICATION NUMBER 14/572221 AND REPLACE IT WITH 14/527221 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 040815 FRAME: 0649. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jan 27, 2022
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 058875/0887 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 039635 FRAME 0495. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 5, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040815/0649 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Aug 9, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 039635/0495 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 23, 2014
From: KIDO, HIDEO
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 033374/0924 →