Sign in Subscribe
Image processing equipment

Sony Develops Innovative Solid-State Image Sensor Technology

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Sony's latest patent, filed on April 25, 2023, and published online on October 14, 2025, has introduced a groundbreaking solid-state image sensor technology that enables switching of floating diffusion (FD) conversion efficiency in all pixels. This innovative solution tackles the limitations of existing technology, which only allowed for switching of FD conversion efficiency in ZAF pixels, resulting in reduced sensitivity and phase difference detection characteristics in normal pixels. The new technology optimizes microlenses in both normal and ZAF pixels, ensuring uniform sensitivity and phase difference detection characteristics.

Key Takeaways:

  • The patent, filed by Takashi Machida and Kazuyoshi Yamashita, addresses the limitations of existing solid-state image sensor technology by enabling FD conversion efficiency switching in all pixels.
  • The innovative solution optimizes microlenses in both normal and ZAF pixels, ensuring uniform sensitivity and phase difference detection characteristics.
  • The technology uses a capacitor to switch FD conversion efficiency, allowing for improved sensitivity and reduced cost.
  • The patent claims cover various aspects of the technology, including the use of a first and second electrode, a region between the electrodes, and the placement of the electrodes in layers.
  • The technology has potential applications in electronic devices, imaging devices, and solid-state image sensors.

Statistics:

  • The patent was filed on April 25, 2023, and published online on October 14, 2025.
  • Patent number 12445750 is assigned to Sony Group Corporation.
  • The technology uses a capacitor to switch FD conversion efficiency, improving sensitivity by (no specific percentage mentioned).
  • The technology reduces the number of processes and costs associated with producing microlenses with different curvatures.

Sources:

  • Machida, Takashi. Solid-state image sensor, imaging device, and electronic device. U.S. Patent Number 12445750, filed April 25, 2023, and published online on October 14, 2025.
  • Patent URL (for desktop use only): https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/external.html?q=(12445750)&db=USPAT&type=ids
  • VerticalNews LLC. (2025). Sony Develops Innovative Solid-state Image Sensor Technology.

Read more