Image Sensor Pixel Areas for Uniform Sensitivity in Merged Pixels
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Highly integrated image sensors face challenges in maintaining uniform sensitivity across unit pixels due to varying light exposure, leading to image quality deterioration when merged pixels are rearranged, as sensitivity differences cause inconsistencies in the generated image.
Innovation Solution
The image sensor design varies light receiving areas based on the position of unit pixels within merged pixels, with pixels farther from the center having smaller light receiving areas, reducing sensitivity differences and improving image quality by optimizing light collection efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If all unit pixels have the same light receiving area, then manufacturing is simplified, but sensitivity uniformity deteriorates due to varying light exposure positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the light receiving area of unit pixels based on their position within merged pixels. Central pixels have larger light receiving areas while peripheral pixels have smaller areas, optimizing light collection efficiency for each position and achieving uniform sensitivity across the entire merged pixel structure.
2Reliability
If light receiving areas are optimized for uniform sensitivity, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases due to varied pixel structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light receiving area configuration into different types based on pixel position within merged pixels. By dividing pixels into central and peripheral categories with different light receiving area specifications, the system achieves uniform sensitivity while maintaining manageable structural complexity through systematic classification.
3Productivity
If merged pixels are rearranged for higher integration, then productivity increases, but sensitivity consistency deteriorates causing image quality issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the light receiving area parameter of unit pixels based on their position within merged pixels. By adjusting this critical parameter - larger areas for central pixels and smaller areas for peripheral pixels - the system maintains sensitivity consistency even when merged pixels are rearranged for higher integration density.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances image quality by minimizing sensitivity variations across merged pixels, resulting in improved brightness and detail in both dark and bright areas of the image, thereby addressing the issue of inconsistent sensitivity and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of unit pixels in the substrate, each of the plurality of unit pixels including a respective photoelectric conversion layer
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of microlenses on the plurality of color filters, each of the plurality of microlenses corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of unit pixels
Data Source
AI summary
An image sensor includes a substrate including a first surface on which light is incident and a second surface opposite to the first surface, unit pixels in the substrate, each including a photoelectric conversion layer, color filters on the first surface of the substrate, a grid pattern on the first surface of the substrate defining a respective light receiving area of each of the unit pixels, and microlenses on the color filters, each of the microlenses corresponding to a respective one of the unit pixels, wherein the unit pixels include a first pixel and a second pixel sharing a first color filter which is one of the color filters, and a first light receiving area of the first pixel is different from a second light receiving area of the second pixel.