# US 12,225,313 B2 · Image capturing device and image capturing apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,225,313 B2 - Document ID: US12225313B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/800,433 - Filed: 2021-02-17 - Published: 2023-04-27 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2020-02-17 - Assignees: Nikon Corporation - Applicants: Nikon Corporation - Inventors: Sota Nakanishi; Shigeru Matsumoto; Tomoki Hirata - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12225313B2 ## CPC - H04N 25/771: comprising storage means other than floating diffusion - H10F 39/802: {Geometry or disposition of elements in pixels, e.g. address-lines or gate electrodes} - H04N 25/50: Control of the SSIS exposure - H04N 25/535: by dynamic region selection - H04N 25/74: Circuitry for scanning or addressing the pixel array - H04N 25/75: Circuitry for providing, modifying or processing image signals from the pixel array - H04N 25/78: Readout circuits for addressed sensors, e.g. output amplifiers or A/D converters - H04N 25/79: Arrangements of circuitry being divided between different or multiple substrates, chips or circuit boards, e.g. stacked image sensors - H10F 39/809: {of hybrid image sensors} - H04N 25/766: comprising control or output lines used for a plurality of functions, e.g. for pixel output, driving, reset or power - H10F 39/803: {Pixels having integrated switching, control, storage or amplification elements} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION ## Abstract An image capturing device including a pixel chip having pixel blocks each including one or more pixels; and a signal processing chip having a first control block including a first converting unit for converting a signal from a pixel in at least a first pixel block into a digital signal, and a first storage unit storing the digital signal, and a second control block next to the first control block in a column direction and including a second converting unit for converting a signal from a pixel included in at least a second pixel block into a digital signal, and a second storage unit storing the digital signal, wherein the second converting unit and the second storage unit in the second control block are reversed vertically to the first converting unit and the first storage unit in the first control block. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image capturing device comprising: a first semiconductor substrate including a first pixel block including a first photoelectric converting unit configured to convert light into electric charges; and a second pixel block containing a second photoelectric converting unit configured to convert light into electric charges; and a second semiconductor substrate stacked with the first semiconductor substrate, the second semiconductor substrate including a first control block including a first circuit unit, in which a first transistor for processing an analog signal is provided, and a second circuit unit, in which a second transistor for processing a digital signal is provided, and being configured to control an accumulation time of the electric charges converted by the first photoelectric converting unit; and a second control block (i) arranged next to the first control block, (ii) including a third circuit unit, in which a third transistor for processing an analog signal is provided, and a fourth circuit unit, in which a fourth transistor for processing a digital signal is provided, and (iii) being configured to control an accumulation time of the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric converting unit, wherein the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are formed in a well region provided in the second semiconductor substrate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the second semiconductor substrate includes a first well region with a first conductivity-type; and a plurality of second well regions, each with a second conductivity-type, and being provided in the first well region; and the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are formed in one of the plurality of second well regions. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image capturing device according to claim 2, wherein the second circuit unit is formed in one of the plurality of second well regions that is different from the second well region in which the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are provided; and the fourth circuit unit is formed in one of the plurality of second well regions that is different from the second well region in which the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are provided. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The image capturing device according to claim 3, wherein the first control block includes a first converting unit configured to convert an analog signal into a digital signal; the second control block includes a second converting unit configured to convert an analog signal into a digital signal; the first converting unit is formed in one of the plurality of second well regions that is different from the second well region in which the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are provided; and the second converting unit is formed in one of the plurality of second well regions that is different from the second well region in which the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are provided. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The image capturing device according to claim 2, wherein the first control block includes a first converting unit configured to convert an analog signal into a digital signal; the second control block includes a second converting unit configured to convert an analog signal into a digital signal; the first converting unit is formed in one of the plurality of second well regions that is different from the second well region in which the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are provided; and the second converting unit is formed in one of the plurality of second well regions that is different from the second well region in which the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are provided. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first transistor is driven by a first power supply, and the second transistor is driven by a second power supply that is different from the first power supply. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image capturing device according to claim 6, wherein the third transistor is driven by the first power supply, and the fourth transistor is driven by the second power supply. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The image capturing device according to claim 6, wherein the first circuit unit is arranged to form an outer periphery of the first control block, and the third circuit unit is arranged to form an outer periphery of the second control block. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The image capturing device according to claim 8, wherein the first circuit unit is arranged along two or more sides among a plurality of sides that form the outer periphery of the first control block; and the second circuit unit is arranged along two or more sides among a plurality of sides that form the outer periphery of the second control block. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The image capturing device according to claim 9, wherein the first circuit unit is arranged in an L-shape in the first control block, and the third circuit unit is arranged in an L-shape in the second control block. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The image capturing device according to claim 6, wherein the first circuit unit, the second circuit unit, the third circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit are arranged such that a distance between the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit is shorter than a distance between the second circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 6) The image capturing device according to claim 6, wherein the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are arranged between the second circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 6) The image capturing device according to claim 6, wherein the third circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit in the second control block are reversely arranged at positions with respect to arrangement positions of the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit in the first control block. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The image capturing device according to claim 13, wherein the second control block is arranged next to the first control block in a column direction; and the third circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit in the second control block are arranged at positions reversed vertically with respect to the arrangement positions of the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit in the first control block. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The image capturing device according to claim 13, wherein the second control block is arranged next to the first control block in a row direction; and the third circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit in the second control block are arranged at positions reversed horizontally with respect to the arrangement positions of the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit in the first control block. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit unit is arranged to form an outer periphery of the first control block, and the third circuit unit is arranged to form an outer periphery of the second control block. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The image capturing device according to claim 16, wherein the first circuit unit is arranged along two or more sides among a plurality of sides that form the outer periphery of the first control block; and the second circuit unit is arranged along two or more sides among a plurality of sides that form the outer periphery of the second control block. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The image capturing device according to claim 17, wherein the first circuit unit is arranged in an L-shape in the first control block, and the third circuit unit is arranged in an L-shape in the second control block. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit unit, the second circuit unit, the third circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit are arranged such that a distance between the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit is shorter than a distance between the second circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit unit and the third circuit unit are arranged between the second circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the third circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit in the second control block are reversely arranged at positions with respect to arrangement positions of the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit in the first control block. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The image capturing device according to claim 21, wherein the second control block is arranged next to the first control block in a column direction; and the third circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit in the second control block are arranged at positions reversed vertically with respect to the arrangement positions of the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit in the first control block. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The image capturing device according to claim 21, wherein the second control block is arranged next to the first control block in a row direction; and the third circuit unit and the fourth circuit unit in the second control block are arranged at positions reversed horizontally with respect to the arrangement positions of the first circuit unit and the second circuit unit in the first control block. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first circuit unit includes a first buffer circuit configured to output a control signal for controlling the accumulation time of the electric charges converted by the first photoelectric converting unit; and the third circuit unit includes a second buffer circuit configured to output a control signal for controlling the accumulation time of the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric converting unit. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The image capturing device according to claim 24, wherein the first pixel block includes a first transfer unit configured to transfer the electric charges converted by the first photoelectric converting unit; the second pixel block includes a second transfer unit configured to transfer the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric converting unit; the first buffer circuit is configured to output a first transfer control signal for controlling the first transfer unit; and the second buffer circuit is configured to output a second transfer control signal for controlling the second transfer unit. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The image capturing device according to claim 25, wherein the first buffer circuit is configured to output the first transfer control signal to a first transfer control line that is electrically connected to the first transfer unit; and the second buffer circuit is configured to output the second transfer control signal to a second transfer control line that is electrically connected to the second transfer unit. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The image capturing device according to claim 26, wherein the first pixel block includes a first discharge unit configured to discharge the electric charges converted by the first photoelectric converting unit; the second pixel block includes a second discharge unit configured to discharge the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric converting unit; the first buffer circuit is configured to output a first discharge control signal for controlling the first discharge unit; and the second buffer circuit is configured to output a second discharge control signal for controlling the second discharge unit. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The image capturing device according to claim 27, wherein the first buffer circuit is configured to output the first discharge control signal to a first discharge control line that is electrically connected to the first discharge unit; and the second buffer circuit is configured to output the second discharge control signal to a second discharge control line that is electrically connected to the second discharge unit. ### Claim 29 (depends on 25) The image capturing device according to claim 25, wherein the first pixel block includes: a first accumulating unit to which the electric charges converted by the first photoelectric converting unit are transferred; and a first reset unit configured to discharge the electric charges transferred to the first accumulating unit; the second pixel block includes: a second accumulating unit to which the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric converting unit are transferred; and a second reset unit configured to discharge the electric charges transferred to the second accumulating unit, and the second semiconductor substrate includes a drive unit configured to control the first reset unit and the second reset unit. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The image capturing device according to claim 29, wherein the drive unit is configured to control the first control block and the second control block. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The image capturing device according to claim 25, wherein the first control block is arranged at a position facing the first pixel block; and the second control block is arranged at a position facing the second pixel block. ### Claim 32 (depends on 24) The image capturing device according to claim 24, wherein the first pixel block includes a first discharge unit configured to discharge the electric charges converted by the first photoelectric converting unit; the second pixel block includes a second discharge unit configured to discharge the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric converting unit; the first buffer circuit is configured to output a first discharge control signal for controlling the first discharge unit; and the second buffer circuit is configured to output a second discharge control signal for controlling the second discharge unit. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The image capturing device according to claim 32, wherein the first buffer circuit is configured to output the first discharge control signal to a first discharge control line that is electrically connected to the first discharge unit; and the second buffer circuit is configured to output the second discharge control signal to a second discharge control line that is electrically connected to the second discharge unit. ### Claim 34 (depends on 32) The image capturing device according to claim 32, wherein the first pixel block includes: a first accumulating unit to which the electric charges converted by the first photoelectric converting unit are transferred; and a first reset unit configured to discharge the electric charges transferred to the first accumulating unit; the second pixel block includes: a second accumulating unit to which the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric converting unit are transferred; and a second reset unit configured to discharge the electric charges transferred to the second accumulating unit, and the second semiconductor substrate includes a drive unit configured to control the first reset unit and the second reset unit. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The image capturing device according to claim 34, wherein the drive unit is configured to control the first control block and the second control block. ### Claim 36 (depends on 32) The image capturing device according to claim 32, wherein the first control block is arranged at a position facing the first pixel block; and the second control block is arranged at a position facing the second pixel block. ### Claim 37 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first pixel block includes: a first accumulating unit to which the electric charges converted by the first photoelectric converting unit are transferred; and a first reset unit configured to discharge the electric charges transferred to the first accumulating unit; the second pixel block includes: a second accumulating unit to which the electric charges converted by the second photoelectric converting unit are transferred; and a second reset unit configured to discharge the electric charges transferred to the second accumulating unit, and the second semiconductor substrate includes a drive unit configured to control the first reset unit and the second reset unit. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The image capturing device according to claim 37, wherein the drive unit is configured to control the first control block and the second control block. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The image capturing device according to claim 37, wherein the first control block is arranged at a position facing the first pixel block; and the second control block is arranged at a position facing the second pixel block. ### Claim 40 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first control block is arranged at a position facing the first pixel block; and the second control block is arranged at a position facing the second pixel block. ### Claim 41 (depends on 1) The image capturing device according to claim 1, wherein the first pixel block includes a plurality of the first photoelectric converting units, and the second pixel block includes a plurality of the second photoelectric converting units. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The image capturing device according to claim 41, wherein the plurality of the first photoelectric converting units are arranged along a first direction; and the plurality of the second photoelectric converting units are arranged along the first direction. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The image capturing device according to claim 42, wherein the plurality of the first photoelectric converting units are arranged along a second direction which intersects the first direction; and the plurality of the second photoelectric converting units are arranged along the second direction. ### Claim 44 (depends on 1) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 1. ### Claim 45 (depends on 2) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 2. ### Claim 46 (depends on 6) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 6. ### Claim 47 (depends on 16) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 16. ### Claim 48 (depends on 19) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 19. ### Claim 49 (depends on 20) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 20. ### Claim 50 (depends on 21) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 21. ### Claim 51 (depends on 24) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 24. ### Claim 52 (depends on 37) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 37. ### Claim 53 (depends on 40) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 40. ### Claim 54 (depends on 41) An image capturing apparatus comprising the image capturing device according to claim 41.