The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 12, 2013
Filed:
Sep. 02, 2009
Shinichi Fujii, Osaka, JP;
Hiroki Ui, Tokyo, JP;
Yutaka Nishimura, Kanagawa, JP;
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A technology of a phase-difference detecting image pickup element that can precisely detect a focus by a phase difference detection method and that can be properly produced even if pixels are becoming finer is provided. An image pickup element of an image pickup device includes an AF pixel pairperforming a pupil division function by receiving an object light beam transmitted through a pair of portions Qa, Qb in an exit pupil; and ordinary pixels that are not provided with the pupil division function. The AF pixel pairincludes a pair of photoelectric converters PD having the same size as photoelectric converters of the ordinary pixels and being disposed adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction. A light-intercepting section LS and one microlens ML are provided above the pair of photoelectric converters PD. The light-intercepting section LS has two light-intercepting areas Ea, Eb that intercept the light beam transmitted through the exit pupil. The one microlens ML is interposed between the two light-intercepting areas Ea, Eb. This makes it possible to realize an image pickup element that can precisely detect a focus by the phase difference detection method and that can be properly produced even if pixels are becoming finer.