18670610. SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE simplified abstract (SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION)

SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Organization Name

SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION

Inventor(s)

Tomohiko Shibata of Kanagawa (JP)

Kiyoshige Tsuji of Kanagawa (JP)

SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18670610 titled 'SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE

Simplified Explanation: The patent application describes an image sensor with a photoelectric conversion unit, a sense node to hold the generated charge, a discharge transistor to release the charge, and a voltage control unit to manage the transistor's off voltage.

• The image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion unit that generates a photoelectric charge.
• A sense node is connected to the photoelectric conversion unit and stores the generated charge.
• A discharge transistor discharges the charge from the sense node.
• A voltage control unit regulates the off voltage applied to the discharge transistor.

Key Features and Innovation:

• Efficient photoelectric charge generation.
• Controlled discharge of the stored charge.
• Precise management of the transistor's off voltage.

Potential Applications: This technology can be used in digital cameras, smartphones, surveillance systems, and medical imaging devices.

Problems Solved:

• Ensures accurate and reliable image capture.
• Improves the performance of image sensors.
• Enhances the overall quality of images.

Benefits:

• Enhanced image quality.
• Improved sensor performance.
• Increased reliability and accuracy in image capture.

Commercial Applications: Potential commercial applications include the manufacturing of digital cameras, smartphones, security cameras, and medical imaging equipment.

Questions about Image Sensors: 1. How does the voltage control unit impact the performance of the discharge transistor? 2. What are the key differences between traditional image sensors and the one described in the patent application?

Original Abstract Submitted

An image sensor () includes a photoelectric conversion unit () that generates a photoelectric charge, a sense node (SN) () that is connected to the photoelectric conversion unit () and holds the photoelectric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion unit (), a discharge transistor () for discharging the photoelectric charge held by the sense node (SN) () to the outside, and a voltage control unit () that controls a voltage value of an off voltage to be applied to a gate of the discharge transistor () when the discharge transistor () is turned off.