Image sensor, image sensor assembly, camera device and electronic device

Abstract

The present application discloses an image sensor, an image sensor assembly, a camera device and an electronic device. The image sensor comprises: a plurality of photosensitive layers, the plurality of photosensitive layers are stacked and arranged, and the photosensitive wavelengths of the plurality of photosensitive layers gradually increase along the incident direction of light; each photosensitive layer is a retractable part, and the retraction of the photosensitive layer can adjust the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the technical field of electronic equipment, and specifically relates to an image sensor, an image sensor assembly, a camera device and an electronic equipment. Background Art

[0002] Consumer electronics such as mobile phones have become an indispensable part of people's daily lives. In order to meet people's needs for taking pictures during the day and at night, in related technologies, image sensors use four-in-one, nine-in-one and other color filters. For example, a four-in-one color filter needs to be remosaiced under high light conditions so that the output image is a conventional Bayer pixel arrangement to obtain a higher resolution. This setting requires the remosaic algorithm to synthesize color information in order to display the color information at the pixel. The color information restored at the pixel will have a certain deviation from the actual color information. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present application aims to provide an image sensor, an image sensor assembly, a camera device and an electronic device, which at least solve the technical problem in the related art that the color information at the pixel point restored by the camera device has a certain deviation compared with the actual color information.

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, this application is implemented as follows:

[0005] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes an image sensor, comprising: multiple photosensitive layers, wherein the multiple photosensitive layers are stacked and arranged, and along the incident direction of light, the photosensitive wavelengths of the multiple photosensitive layers gradually increase; each photosensitive layer is a retractable part, and the retraction of the photosensitive layer can adjust the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer.

[0006] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes an image sensor assembly, including: a driving component; and an image sensor as in any embodiment of the first aspect, wherein the driving component is used to drive the photosensitive layer to expand and contract.

[0007] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes a camera device, comprising: an image sensor as in any embodiment of the first aspect; or an image sensor assembly as in the second aspect.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application proposes an electronic device, including: a camera device as in the third aspect.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present application, the image sensor includes a plurality of photosensitive layers, the plurality of photosensitive layers are stacked and arranged, and light is incident on the plurality of photosensitive layers.

[0010] Since light of different wavelengths has different penetrating abilities, by limiting the structure of multiple photosensitive layers, the wavelengths of light sensed by any two adjacent photosensitive layers are different. Along the incident direction of the light, the photosensitive wavelengths of multiple photosensitive layers gradually increase, so that different sensing layers can sense different types of light. This allows each pixel to simultaneously obtain the real light intensity of multiple wavelengths of light at the pixel. Therefore, when restoring the color information at the pixel, that is, when performing multi-color synthesis, there is no need to perform algorithm filtering and interpolation, which can reduce false colors and show the real color information at the pixel. Compared with the color information synthesis through the remosaic algorithm in the related art, it has better resolution.

[0011] In addition, any of the multiple photosensitive layers is a retractable part, that is, the photosensitive layer can be stretched, and the photosensitive layer can be shrunk. For example, the photosensitive layer can be changed from an initial state to a stretched state, and the photosensitive layer can be changed from an initial state to a shrunk state. By changing the state of the photosensitive layer, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer can be adjusted. In other words, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer can be changed in a stretched state or a shrunk state to achieve a change in the photosensitive size of the image sensor, so as to achieve resolution switching without using a remosaic algorithm, and can display actual color information, thereby improving the product's performance and market competitiveness.

[0012] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be given in part in the description below, and in part will become apparent from the description below, or will be learned through the practice of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present application will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0014] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a camera device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0015] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a partial structure of an image sensor in an initial state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0016] Figure 3 is a partial structural schematic diagram of an image sensor in an initial state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0017] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a partial structure of an image sensor in a stretched state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0018] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of an image sensor in a stretched state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0019] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a partial structure of an image sensor in a contracted state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0020] Figure 7 is a partial structural schematic diagram of an image sensor in a contracted state according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the structure of an image sensor according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Reference numerals:

[0023] Figures 1 to 8 The corresponding relationship between the reference numerals and component names in the figure is:

[0024] 100 image sensor, 110 photosensitive layer, 112 blue light photosensitive layer, 114 red light photosensitive layer, 116 green light photosensitive layer, 118 retractable photodiode, 120 lens, 200 camera device, 210 infrared filter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present application, and should not be construed as limitations on the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in the field without making creative work are within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0026] The term "first" or "second" in the specification and claims of this application may include one or more of the features explicitly or implicitly. In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more. In addition, "and / or" in the specification and claims means at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally means that the objects connected before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0027] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or a connection; it can be a direct connection, or it can be indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, or it can be the internal communication of two elements. For ordinary technicians in this field, the specific meanings of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] Combine the following Figures 1 to 8An image sensor 100 , an image sensor assembly, a camera device 200 , and an electronic device according to embodiments of the present application are described.

[0029] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, according to some embodiments of the present application, the image sensor 100 includes: multiple photosensitive layers 110, the multiple photosensitive layers 110 are stacked and arranged, and the photosensitivity wavelengths of the multiple photosensitive layers 110 gradually increase along the incident direction of light; each photosensitive layer 110 is a retractable part, and the retraction of the photosensitive layer 110 can adjust the photosensitivity area of ​​the photosensitive layer 110.

[0030] In this embodiment, the image sensor 100 includes a plurality of photosensitive layers 110 , the plurality of photosensitive layers 110 are stacked and arranged, and light is incident on the plurality of photosensitive layers 110 .

[0031] Since light of different wavelengths has different penetrating abilities, by limiting the structure of multiple photosensitive layers 110, the wavelengths of light sensed by any two adjacent photosensitive layers 110 are different, and along the incident direction of the light, the photosensitive wavelengths of multiple photosensitive layers 110 gradually increase, so that different sensing layers can sense different types of light. This allows each pixel to simultaneously obtain the real light intensity of multiple wavelengths of light at the pixel. Therefore, when restoring the color information at the pixel, that is, when performing multi-color synthesis, there is no need to perform algorithm filtering and interpolation, which can reduce false colors and show the real color information at the pixel. Compared with the color information synthesis through the remosaic algorithm in the related art, it has better resolution.

[0032] In addition, any of the multiple photosensitive layers 110 is a retractable member, that is, the photosensitive layer 110 can be stretched, and the photosensitive layer 110 can be shrunk. For example, the photosensitive layer 110 can be changed from an initial state to a stretched state, and the photosensitive layer 110 can be changed from an initial state to a shrunk state. By changing the state of the photosensitive layer 110, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer 110 can be adjusted. In other words, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer 110 can be changed in a stretched state or a shrunk state to achieve a change in the photosensitive size of the image sensor 100, so as to achieve resolution switching without using a remosaic algorithm, and can display actual color information, thereby improving the product's performance and market competitiveness.

[0033] It can be understood that when the photosensitive layer 110 changes from the initial state to the stretched state, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer 110 increases accordingly.

[0034] It can be understood that when the photosensitive layer 110 changes from the initial state to the contracted state, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer 110 decreases accordingly.

[0035] It is understandable that the photosensitivity wavelength of the photosensitive layer 110 refers to the wavelength of light sensed by the photosensitive layer 110 .

[0036] Specifically, along the incident direction of the light, the photosensitive wavelengths of the plurality of photosensitive layers 110 gradually increase, that is, the photosensitive layer with the shortest photosensitive wavelength is first exposed to the light.

[0037] Specifically, Figure 1 The arrows in the figure indicate the paths along which the light rays travel.

[0038] In some embodiments, Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the plurality of photosensitive layers 110 at least include: a blue light photosensitive layer 112 ; a red light photosensitive layer 114 ; and a green light photosensitive layer 116 , wherein the green light photosensitive layer 116 is stacked between the blue light photosensitive layer 112 and the red light photosensitive layer 114 .

[0039] In this embodiment, the multiple photosensitive layers 110 are divided, and the multiple photosensitive layers 110 at least include a blue light photosensitive layer 112 , a red light photosensitive layer 114 , and a green light photosensitive layer 116 , and the green light photosensitive layer 116 is stacked between the blue light photosensitive layer 112 and the red light photosensitive layer 114 .

[0040] Specifically, light of different wavelengths has different penetration capabilities, and the longer the wavelength, the greater the penetration depth. The penetration depth L1 of the blue light photosensitive layer 112, the penetration depth L2 of the green light photosensitive layer 116, and the penetration depth L3 of the red light photosensitive layer 114 satisfy: L3>L2>L1.

[0041] Each pixel can simultaneously obtain the true light intensity of the three wavelengths of red, green and blue at the pixel. Therefore, when restoring the color information at the pixel, that is, synthesizing the red, green and blue colors, there is no need to perform algorithm filtering and interpolation, which can reduce false colors and show the true color information at the pixel. Compared with the color information synthesis through the remosaic algorithm in the related art, it has better resolution.

[0042] In some embodiments, Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 , Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the image sensor 100 further includes: a lens 120 located on one side of the plurality of photosensitive layers 110 , and along the direction from the lens 120 to the plurality of photosensitive layers 110 , the light-sensitive wavelengths of the plurality of photosensitive layers 110 gradually increase.

[0043] In this embodiment, the image sensor 100 further includes a lens 120, and the lens 120 is located on one side of the multiple photosensitive layers 110. That is, the multiple photosensitive layers 110 are a whole, and the lens 120 is located on one side of the whole. And the matching structure of the lens 120 and the multiple photosensitive layers 110 is defined as follows: along the direction from the lens 120 to the multiple photosensitive layers 110, the wavelength of the light sensed by the multiple photosensitive layers 110 gradually increases. That is, the lens 120 is close to the photosensitive layer 110 with a smaller wavelength of the sensed light.

[0044] Specifically, the lens 120 includes a microlens.

[0045] Specifically, the lens is used to converge light to obtain more light input, so that more light is incident on the multiple photosensitive layers 110.

[0046] In some embodiments, Figure 8 As shown, the outer edge of any photosensitive layer 110 among the multiple photosensitive layers 110 is located outside the lens 120.

[0047] In this embodiment, the matching structure of the multiple photosensitive layers 110 and the lens 120 is further defined. Specifically, the outer edge of any photosensitive layer 110 in the multiple photosensitive layers 110 is located outside the outer contour of the lens 120. That is, the outer edge of each photosensitive layer 110 is located outside the outer contour of the lens 120.

[0048] In other words, along the direction from the lens 120 to the plurality of photosensitive layers 110 , an orthographic projection is made onto the photosensitive layer 110 , and the projection of the lens 120 is located inside the outer edge of the photosensitive layer 110 .

[0049] Specifically, the lens 120 and the multiple photosensitive layers 110 are independent structures, that is, the lens 120 is independent of the multiple photosensitive layers 110 at the bottom, and the shape of the lens 120 does not change when the photosensitive layer 110 is stretched or contracted. In other words, the shape of the lens 120 does not change, and the lens 120 will not change due to the change in the shape of the photosensitive layer 110.

[0050] By reasonably setting the matching structure of multiple photosensitive layers 110 and lenses 120, the outer edge of each photosensitive layer 110 is located outside the outer edge of the lens 120, that is, the periphery of the lens 120 is also distributed with a photosensitive layer 110, thus providing effective and reliable structural support for the stretching and contraction of the photosensitive layer 110. It can be understood that, due to the stretchable and contractible characteristics of the photosensitive layer 110, in the initial state, the periphery of the lens 120 is distributed with a photosensitive layer 110, which can be used when the photosensitive layer 110 is subsequently switched to a contracted state.

[0051] In some embodiments, Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the photosensitive layer 110 includes at least one stretchable photodiode 118 .

[0052] In this embodiment, the structure of the photosensitive layer 110 is further defined, specifically, the photosensitive layer 110 includes at least one retractable photodiode 118. The retractable photodiode 118 has a variable shape, so that the use requirement of the photosensitive layer 110 as a retractable member can be met.

[0053] In this embodiment, the photosensitive layer 110 includes a plurality of stretchable photodiodes 118 .

[0054] Specifically, Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the photosensitive layer 110 is in an initial state, and the photosensitive area of ​​the retractable photodiode 118 is 0.36 μm 2 (ie the pixel size is 0.6 μm).

[0055] Specifically, Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the photosensitive layer 110 is in a stretched state (wherein the stretched state refers to the photosensitive layer 110 being stretched outward, such as enlarging the photosensitive area of ​​the stretchable photodiode 118). At this time, the photosensitive area of ​​the stretchable photodiode 118 is stretched to 1.44 μm 2 (That is, the pixel size is 1.2μm). In this case, the photosensitive area of ​​a single pixel is greatly improved, and it can be used to take pictures under low-light conditions at night without the need for a remosaic algorithm, and can better display actual color information.

[0056] Specifically, Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the photosensitive layer 110 is in a contracted state (wherein the contracted state refers to compression and contraction inward, such as reducing the photosensitive area of ​​the retractable photodiode 118). At this time, the photosensitive area of ​​the retractable photodiode 118 is compressed to 0.09 μm 2 (That is, the pixel size is 0.3μm). In daytime with sufficient light, this mode can be used to take photos to achieve high resolution. Similarly, there is no need to go through the remosaic algorithm, and the actual color information can be better displayed.

[0057] In some other embodiments, the photosensitive layer 110 includes a stretchable photodiode 118 .

[0058] According to some further embodiments of the present application, an image sensor assembly includes: a driving component; and an image sensor 100 as in any of the above embodiments, wherein the driving component is used to drive the photosensitive layer 110 to expand and contract.

[0059] In this embodiment, the image sensor assembly includes a driving member and an image sensor 100 , and the driving member is used to cooperate with a plurality of photosensitive layers 110 of the image sensor 100 to drive each photosensitive layer 110 to stretch or contract.

[0060] In some embodiments, the driving element includes at least one of the following: a voice coil motor, a piezoelectric driving unit, and an electrodeformable element driving unit.

[0061] In this embodiment, the types of driving members are exemplified.

[0062] Specifically, the driving member includes a voice coil motor.

[0063] Specifically, the driving member includes a piezoelectric driving portion.

[0064] Specifically, the driving member includes an electro-deformable member driving portion, such as a shape memory alloy driving portion.

[0065] According to some further embodiments of the present application, the camera device 200 includes: the image sensor 100 as in any of the above embodiments; or the image sensor assembly as in any of the above embodiments.

[0066] The camera device 200 according to the embodiment of the present application includes the image sensor 100 or the image sensor assembly of the above embodiment, and therefore has all the beneficial effects of the above image sensor 100 or the image sensor assembly, which are not listed here one by one.

[0067] In some embodiments, Figure 1 As shown, the camera device 200 further includes: an infrared filter 210 located on a side of the lens 120 of the image sensor 100 away from the multiple photosensitive layers 110 .

[0068] In this embodiment, the camera device 200 further includes an infrared filter 210, which is used to filter out infrared light, so that the multiple photosensitive layers 110 can sense three color information of red light, green light and blue light.

[0069] Specifically, the camera device 200 further includes a lens, a digital signal processor, and a flexible circuit board.

[0070] Electronic devices according to some further embodiments of the present application include: a camera device 200 as in any of the above embodiments.

[0071] Since the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present application includes the camera device 200 of the above embodiment, it has all the beneficial effects of the above camera device 200, which are not listed here one by one.

[0072] Specifically, the electronic device can be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a wearable device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a mobile computer, an augmented reality device (also known as an AR device), a virtual reality device (also known as a VR device), and a handheld game console, etc.

[0073] In some other embodiments, the image sensor 100 includes a lens 120, a filter and a photodiode, and the filter is an electrically coded filter, so that the filter can be coded and transformed. This setting also does not require the use of a remosaic algorithm and can realize the collection of real color information.

[0074] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "illustrative embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples" means that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present application. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any one or more embodiments or examples in a suitable manner.

[0075] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to the embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present application, and that the scope of the present application is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An image sensor, characterized in that: Includes: A plurality of photosensitive layers, wherein the plurality of photosensitive layers are stacked and arranged, and along the incident direction of light, the photosensitive wavelengths of the plurality of photosensitive layers gradually increase; Each of the photosensitive layers is a retractable member, and the retracting of the photosensitive layer can adjust the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer; When the photosensitive layer changes from an initial state to a stretched state, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer increases; When the photosensitive layer changes from an initial state to a contracted state, the photosensitive area of ​​the photosensitive layer decreases; The photosensitive layer includes at least one retractable photodiode.

2. The image sensor according to claim 1, characterized in that The plurality of photosensitive layers at least include: Blue light photosensitive layer; Red light photosensitive layer; A green light photosensitive layer is stacked between the blue light photosensitive layer and the red light photosensitive layer.

3. The image sensor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Also includes: The lens is located on one side of the multiple photosensitive layers, and along the direction from the lens to the multiple photosensitive layers, the photosensitive wavelengths of the multiple photosensitive layers gradually increase.

4. The image sensor according to claim 3, characterized in that: The outer edge of any photosensitive layer among the multiple photosensitive layers is located outside the lens.

5. An image sensor assembly, characterized in that: include: Driving parts; and According to the image sensor as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, the driving member is used to drive the photosensitive layer to expand and contract.

6. The image sensor assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that: The driving element includes at least one of the following: a voice coil motor, a piezoelectric driving unit and an electrodeformable element driving unit.

7. A camera device, characterized in that: include: The image sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4; or An image sensor assembly as claimed in claim 5 or 6.

8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein: Also includes: The infrared filter is located on a side of the lens of the image sensor away from the multiple photosensitive layers.

9. An electronic device, characterized in that: include: The camera device according to claim 7 or 8.

Images