# US 2019/0174103 A1 · Image sensor and image-capturing device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0174103 A1 - Document ID: US20190174103A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/234,161 - Filed: 2018-12-27 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-30 - Assignees: Nikon Corporation - Applicants: Nikon Corporation - Inventors: Hironobu MURATA - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190174103A1 ## CPC - H04N 25/704: Pixels specially adapted for focusing, e.g. phase difference pixel sets - H04N 23/672: {based on the phase difference signals} - H04N 23/843: {Demosaicing, e.g. interpolating colour pixel values} - H04N 25/134: {based on three different wavelength filter elements} - H10F 39/182: {Colour image sensors} - H10F 39/802: {Geometry or disposition of elements in pixels, e.g. address-lines or gate electrodes} - H10F 39/8063: {Microlenses} - G02B 3/0056: {arranged along two different directions in a plane, e.g. honeycomb arrangement of lenses (G02B3/0043 takes precedence; miniaturised objectives for electronic devices employing wafer level optics G02B13/0085)} - G02B 7/34: using different areas in a pupil plane - H04N 23/67: Focus control based on electronic image sensor signals - H10F 39/018: {of hybrid image sensors} - H10F 39/8053: {Colour filters} - H10F 39/809: {of hybrid image sensors} - H10F 39/813: {Electronic components shared by multiple pixels, e.g. one amplifier shared by two pixels} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract An image sensor includes: a plurality of microlenses arranged in a two-dimensional pattern; and a plurality of pixels that are provided in correspondence to each of the microlenses and receive lights of different color components, respectively. Pixels that are provided at adjacent microlenses among the microlenses and that receive lights of same color components, are adjacently arranged. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An image sensor comprising: a first photoelectric conversion unit that generates set of charges by performing photoelectric conversion of a light which has transmitted through a first filter that is transmissive to a first wavelength light; a second photoelectric conversion unit that generates set of charges by performing photoelectric conversion of a light which has transmitted through a second filter that is transmissive to a second wavelength light; a third photoelectric conversion unit that generates set of charges by performing photoelectric conversion of a light which has transmitted through the first filter that is transmissive to the first wavelength light; a fourth photoelectric conversion unit that generates set of charges by performing photoelectric conversion of a light which has transmitted through the second filter that is transmissive to the second wavelength light; a first output unit that outputs a signal based upon at least one of the set of charges generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the set of charges generated by the third photoelectric conversion unit; and a second output unit that outputs a signal based upon at least one of the set of charges generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit and the set of charges generated by the fourth photoelectric conversion unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor includes: a first storage unit that stores at least one of the set of charges generated by the first photoelectric conversion unit and the set of charges generated by the third photoelectric conversion unit; and a second storage unit that stores at least one of the set of charges generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit and the set of charges generated by the fourth photoelectric conversion unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The image sensor according to claim 2, wherein the first storage unit is connected to the first photoelectric conversion unit and the third photoelectric conversion unit; and the second storage unit is connected to the second photoelectric conversion unit and the fourth photoelectric conversion unit. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The image sensor according to claim 2, wherein the first output unit outputs a signal based upon the set of charges stored in the first storage unit; and the second output unit outputs a signal based upon the set of charges stored in the second storage unit. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor includes a first microlens and a second microlens, wherein each of the first photoelectric conversion unit and the third photoelectric conversion unit performs photoelectric conversion of the light which has transmitted through the first microlens; and each of the second photoelectric conversion unit and the fourth photoelectric conversion unit performs photoelectric conversion of the light which has transmitted through the second microlens. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The image sensor according to claim 1, wherein the image sensor includes a signal processing unit that performs processing at least one of the signal output from the first output unit and the signal output from the second output unit. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The image sensor according to claim 6, wherein the signal processing unit includes: a first signal processing unit that performs processing the signal output from the first output unit; and a second signal processing unit that performs processing the signal output from the second output unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The image sensor according to claim 6, wherein each of the signal output from the first output unit and the signal output from the second output unit is analog signal; and the signal processing unit is a circuit that converts the analog signal to digital signal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The image sensor according to claim 6, wherein the signal processing unit is a memory in which the signal output from the first output unit and the signal output from the second output unit are stored; or the signal processing unit is a circuit that performs correlated double sampling for the signal output from the first output unit and the signal output from the second output unit. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The image sensor according to claim 6, wherein the image sensor includes: an image sensor chip that has the first photoelectric conversion unit, the second photoelectric conversion unit, third photoelectric conversion unit and the fourth photoelectric conversion unit; and a signal processing chip that is stacked above the image sensor chip and is provided with the signal processing unit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An image-capturing device comprising: the image sensor according to claim 1; and a detection unit that detects a focusing condition of an optical system based upon at least one of the signal output from the first output unit and the signal output from the second output unit.