Will Semiconductor has filed a patent for image sensors and devices for phase-detection auto focus processes. The patent describes a symmetric polarization filter that includes two polarizers with a plurality of apertures, which are mirror symmetrical about a lateral axis. This filter aims to improve the performance of image sensors in auto focus processes. GlobalData’s report on Will Semiconductor gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Will Semiconductor, Under-screen biometric identification was a key innovation area identified from patents. Will Semiconductor's grant share as of September 2023 was 72%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
A patent for a symmetric polarization filter
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230314681A1) describes a symmetric polarization filter and an imaging system incorporating this filter. The filter consists of a first polarizer and a second polarizer, both defining a plurality of apertures. These apertures are mirror symmetrical about a lateral axis of the filter. The lateral axis serves as the axis of symmetry for the filter in the plane with the first and second polarizers.
In one embodiment, two apertures of the first polarizer are offset by a spacing and aligned along a nonzero polarization angle relative to a vertical axis of the filter. The polarization angle is approximately 22.5 degrees relative to a positive clockwise rotation. The filter may also include a third polarizer laterally adjacent to the first polarizer, defining a third plurality of apertures offset by the spacing and aligned at an angular orientation different from the polarization angle. This angular orientation can be a rotated polarization angle of about 45 degrees or about -45 degrees relative to the polarization angle.
The imaging system incorporates the symmetric polarization filter into an image sensor. The image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes arranged as a photodiode array. The first and second polarizers of the filter are vertically adjacent to each other, and their apertures are mirror symmetrical about the lateral axis. The system may also include a third polarizer laterally adjacent to the first polarizer and a fourth polarizer diagonally adjacent to the first polarizer, vertically adjacent to the third polarizer, and laterally adjacent to the second polarizer. These polarizers define additional apertures that are mirror symmetrical about the lateral axis.
The first and second polarizers of the imaging system can be characterized by equal extinction ratios, and their apertures can overlay equal portions of the photodiodes. The system may also include a controller and logic for reading out electrical signals generated by the photodiodes in response to incident light. Additionally, the system may perform operations for determining the focus state of the imaging system based on the electrical signals, particularly for phase-detection auto focus (PDAF).
In summary, the patent describes a symmetric polarization filter and an imaging system incorporating this filter. The filter consists of polarizers with mirror symmetrical apertures, allowing for precise control of polarization angles. The imaging system utilizes this filter in an image sensor, enabling improved focus detection and image quality.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
