IP Library Granted Patent US 11,483,509
Granted Patent B2
US 11,483,509 · App. 17/119,084 · Granted Oct 25, 2022

Imaging element, imaging method and electronic apparatus

Inventors: Atsumi Niwa (Kanagawa, JP); Yosuke Ueno (Kanagawa, JP); Shimon Teshima (Kanagawa, JP); Daijiro Anai (Kanagawa, JP); Yoshinobu Furusawa (Fukuoka, JP); Taishin Yoshida (Tokyo, JP); Takahiro Uchimura (Kanagawa, JP); Eiji Hirata (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
H04N5/378H01L27/14612H01L27/14621H01L27/14636H01L27/14645H04N5/369H04N5/37455H04N5/37457H04N9/04557H03M1/123H03M1/1295H03M1/56H04N2209/045
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,483,509
App. No.
17/119,084
Granted
Oct 25, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

There is provided an imaging device including a pixel array section including pixel units two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix pattern, each pixel unit including a photoelectric converter, and a plurality of column signal lines disposed according to a first column of the pixel units. The imaging device further includes an analog to digital converter that is shared by the plurality of column signal lines.

Claims (50)

1. A light detecting device, comprising:

a pixel array having a plurality of pixels arranged in columns and rows, the pixel array including:

a first pixel, wherein the first pixel includes a first transfer transistor; and

a second pixel, wherein the second pixel includes a second transfer transistor; and

a transfer signal supply unit, including:

a first amplifier, wherein the first amplifier is coupled to a gate of the first transfer transistor;

a second amplifier, wherein the second amplifier is coupled to a gate of the second transfer transistor;

a first capacitor, wherein the first amplifier is connected to a ground potential through the first capacitor; and

a second capacitor, wherein the second amplifier is connected to the ground potential through the second capacitor.

2. The light detecting device of claim 1 , wherein the transfer signal supply unit further includes:

a first charge pump, wherein the first charge pump is connected to a connection point of the first amplifier and the first capacitor; and

a second charge pump, wherein the second charge pump is connected to a connection point of the second amplifier and the second capacitor.

3. The light detecting device of claim 1 , wherein the first amplifier selectively supplies a transfer signal to the first pixel, and wherein the second amplifier selectively supplies a transfer signal to the second pixel.

4. The light detecting device of claim 1 , wherein the first pixel is a primary pixel and the second pixel is a secondary pixel.

5. The light detecting device of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first signal line coupled to the first pixel;

a second signal line coupled to the second pixel; and

a plurality of column signal processing circuits, wherein at least a first one of the plurality of column signal processing circuits includes a comparator coupled to the first signal line or the second signal line via switch circuitry, the comparator including:

a first transistor configured to receive a third signal according to a first signal;

a second transistor configured to receive a fourth signal according to a second signal; and

a third transistor configured to receive a reference signal.

6. The light detecting device of claim 5 , wherein the column signal processing circuits in the plurality of column signal processing circuits are disposed together.

7. The light detecting device of claim 5 , wherein the first signal line and the second signal line extend in a same direction.

8. The light detecting device of claim 5 , wherein the first column signal processing circuit further includes a counter.

9. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

an optical system including at least one lens; and

an imaging device, wherein light is directed to the imaging device by the optical system, the imaging device including:

a pixel array having a plurality of pixels arranged in columns and rows, the pixel array including:

a first pixel, wherein the first pixel includes a first transfer transistor; and

a second pixel, wherein the second pixel includes a second transfer transistor; and

a transfer signal supply unit, including:

a first amplifier, wherein the first amplifier is coupled to a gate of the first transfer transistor;

a second amplifier, wherein the second amplifier is coupled to a gate of the second transfer transistor;

a first capacitor, wherein the first amplifier is connected to a ground potential through the first capacitor; and

a second capacitor, wherein the second amplifier is connected to the ground potential through the second capacitor.

10. The electronic apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the transfer signal supply unit further includes:

a first charge pump, wherein the first charge pump is connected to a connection point of the first amplifier and the first capacitor; and

a second charge pump, wherein the second charge pump is connected to a connection point of the second amplifier and the second capacitor.

11. The electronic apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first amplifier selectively supplies a transfer signal to the first pixel, and wherein the second amplifier selectively supplies a transfer signal to the second pixel.

12. The electronic apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the first pixel is a primary pixel and the second pixel is a secondary pixel.

13. The electronic apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising:

a first signal line coupled to the first pixel;

a second signal line coupled to the second pixel; and

a plurality of column signal processing circuits, wherein at least a first one of the plurality of column signal processing circuits includes a comparator coupled to the first signal line or the second signal line via switch circuitry, the comparator including:

a first transistor configured to receive a third signal according to a first signal;

a second transistor configured to receive a fourth signal according to a second signal; and

a third transistor configured to receive a reference signal.

14. The electronic apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the column signal processing circuits in the plurality of column signal processing circuits are disposed together.

15. The electronic apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first signal line and the second signal line extend in a same direction.

16. The electronic apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first column signal processing circuit further includes a counter.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2021
From: NIWA, ATSUMI; UENO, YOSUKE; TESHIMA, SHIMON; ANAI, DAIJIRO; FURUSAWA, YOSHINOBU; YOSHIDA, TAISHIN; UCHIMURA, TAKAHIRO; HIRATA, EIJI
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057538/0084 →
Priority Claims (4)
JP JP2014-114143 · Jun 2, 2014 · national
JP JP2014-230000 · Nov 12, 2014 · national
JP JP2014-230001 · Nov 12, 2014 · national
JP JP2014-230002 · Nov 12, 2014 · national
Continuity (5)
Continuation 16840077 · Apr 3, 2020
Continuation 16559795 · Sep 4, 2019
Continuation 15987363 · May 23, 2018
Continuation 15313645
Related Publication 20210099660A1 · Apr 1, 2021