# US 12,009,375 B2 · Imaging device and imaging element > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,009,375 B2 - Document ID: US12009375B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/250,727 - Filed: 2019-07-10 - Published: 2021-12-23 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2018-09-05 - Assignees: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation - Applicants: Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation - Inventors: Kazuhiro Hoshino - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12009375B2 ## CPC - H10F 39/8033: {Photosensitive area} - H04N 25/585: with pixels having different sensitivities within the sensor, e.g. fast or slow pixels or pixels having different sizes - H10F 39/8027: {Geometry of the photosensitive area} - H10F 39/8053: {Colour filters} - H10F 39/8063: {Microlenses} - H04N 23/741: by increasing the dynamic range of the image compared to the dynamic range of the electronic image sensors - H10F 39/182: {Colour image sensors} - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION ## Abstract Provided is a device in which each pixel of an imaging element is divided into a plurality of pixel regions with different sensitivities of which central positions coincide with each other, and a high dynamic range image is generated on the basis of an output of each region. An imaging element is included on which imaging light is incident through a micro lens corresponding to each pixel. Each pixel of the imaging element includes a high-sensitive pixel region at a central portion of the pixel and a low-sensitive pixel region configured at an inner peripheral portion near sides of the pixel and surrounding the high-sensitive pixel region, and has a configuration in which central positions of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region coincide with each other. Moreover, a medium-sensitive pixel region may be included between the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging device, comprising: an imaging element; an individual micro lens for each pixel that constitutes the imaging element, wherein each pixel of the imaging element includes: a first sensitive pixel region at a central portion of the pixel; and a second sensitive pixel region that surrounds the high-sensitive pixel region, and central positions of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region coincide with each other; and an output control unit configured to calculate a pixel value corresponding to a pixel by a combination process of outputs of photodiodes (PDs) each being set corresponding to one of a plurality of pixel regions with different sensitivities. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein each pixel of the imaging element further includes: a medium-sensitive pixel region between the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region; and a central position of the medium-sensitive pixel region coincides with the central positions of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein each of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region includes an individual photodiode (PD), and each of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region is configured to perform electric charge output corresponding to an amount of received light individually on a per region basis. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein each of the high-sensitive pixel region, the medium-sensitive pixel region, and the low-sensitive pixel region includes an individual photodiode (PD), and each of the high-sensitive pixel region, the medium-sensitive pixel region, and the low-sensitive pixel region is configured to perform electric charge output corresponding to an amount of received light individually on a per region basis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein each of a plurality of pixel regions with different sensitivities included in each pixel of the imaging element is set to have a larger area as sensitivity in the region is higher. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the output control unit is further configured to: execute, for each output of photodiodes (PDs) being set corresponding to one of a plurality of pixel regions with different sensitivities, switching control of whether or not to use each output for the calculation of the pixel value; and execute a pixel value calculation process based on the switching control. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the output control unit is further configured to execute the switching control depending on whether or not each of the plurality of pixel regions with different sensitivities has reached a saturation level. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the output control unit is further configured to execute the pixel value calculation process based on an output of a photodiode (PD) corresponding to the low-sensitive pixel region or the medium-sensitive pixel region, in a case where the high-sensitive pixel region has reached the saturation level. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging element has a configuration in which a pixel center of a pixel in a peripheral region away from a central portion of the imaging element and a center of a micro lens corresponding to the pixel deviate from each other. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device further includes a color filter between the micro lens and the imaging element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the color filter includes one of an RGB array, an RGBW array obtained by mixing a white (W) filter in an RGB array, or an RGBIR array obtained by mixing an infrared (IR) filter in an RGB array. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the first-sensitive pixel region is a high-sensitive pixel region, and the second-sensitive pixel region is a low-sensitive pixel region. ### Claim 13 An imaging element, comprising: an individual micro lens for each pixel that constitutes the imaging element, wherein each pixel of the imaging element includes: a first sensitive pixel region at a central portion of the pixel; and a second sensitive pixel region surrounding the high-sensitive pixel region, and central positions of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region coincide with each other; and an output control unit configured to calculate a pixel value corresponding to a pixel by a combination process of outputs of photodiodes (PDs) each being set corresponding to one of a plurality of pixel regions with different sensitivities. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The imaging element according to claim 13, wherein each pixel of the imaging element further includes: a medium-sensitive pixel region between the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region, and a central position of the medium-sensitive pixel region coincides with the central positions of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The imaging element according to claim 13, wherein each of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region includes an individual photodiode (PD), and each of the high-sensitive pixel region and the low-sensitive pixel region is configured to perform electric charge output corresponding to an amount of received light individually on a per region basis.