IP Library Granted Patent US 9,137,472
Granted Patent B2
US 9,137,472 · App. 14/531,546 · Granted Sep 15, 2015

Solid-state imaging device and camera system

Inventors: Yusuke Minagawa (Kanagawa, JP); Go Asayama (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: SONY CORPORATION
H04N5/378H04N5/351H04N5/35563H04N5/3745H04N5/37457H04N9/045
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 9,137,472
App. No.
14/531,546
Granted
Sep 15, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern; and a pixel signal read-out unit including an AD conversion unit performing analog-to-digital (AD) conversion of a pixel signal read out from the pixel unit, wherein each pixel included in the pixel unit includes division pixels divided into regions in which photosensitivity levels or electric charge accumulating amounts are different from one another, the pixel signal reading unit includes a normal read-out mode and a multiple read-out mode, and includes a function of changing a configuration of a frame in accordance with a change of the read-out mode, and wherein the AD conversion unit acquires a pixel signal of one pixel by adding the division pixel signals while performing AD conversion for the division pixel signals.

Claims (11)

1. A solid-state imaging device, comprising:

a pixel unit that has a plurality of pixel groups, wherein each of the pixel groups includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth pixel that have a same color filter respectively; and

wherein the first and the fourth pixels arranged on a diagonal direction have a first sensitivity or a first exposure time and the second and the third pixels arranged on an opposite diagonal direction have a second sensitivity or a second exposure time, and

wherein a first pixel signal output from the first pixel and a fourth pixel signal output from the fourth pixel are added and a second pixel signal output from the second pixel and a third pixel signal output from the third pixel are added.

2. The solid-state imaging device according to the claim 1 , wherein the first sensitivity or the first exposure time is different from the second sensitivity or the second exposure time.

3. The solid-state imaging device according to the claim 1 , further comprising a floating diffusion element that is shared by the first, the second, the third and the fourth pixels.

4. The solid-state imaging device according to the claim 3 , wherein the first pixel signal output from the first pixel and a fourth pixel signal output from the fourth pixel are simultaneously read to the floating diffusion element.

5. The solid-state imaging device according to the claim 3 , wherein the second pixel signal output from the second pixel and a third pixel signal output from the third pixel are simultaneously read to the floating diffusion element.

6. The solid-state imaging device according to the claim 1 , further comprising an amplifying element that is shared by the first, the second, the third and the fourth pixels.

7. The solid-state imaging device according to the claim 1 , further comprising a reset element that is shared by the first, the second, the third and the fourth pixels.

8. The solid-state imaging device according to the claim 1 , further comprising a select element that is shared by the first, the second, the third and the fourth pixels.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 13, 2020
From: MINAGAWA, YUSUKE; ASAYAMA, GO
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 052107/0487 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2011-192114 · Sep 2, 2011 · national
Continuity (2)
Continuation 13594399 · Aug 24, 2012
Related Publication 20150054996A1 · Feb 26, 2015