Nikon has been granted a patent for an advanced image sensor featuring multiple pixels with dual photoelectric conversion units. This design enhances light conversion and charge accumulation, enabling improved control over focus adjustment in optical systems, thereby optimizing image quality and sensor performance. GlobalData’s report on Nikon 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 Nikon, Welding robots was a key innovation area identified from patents. Nikon's grant share as of July 2024 was 41%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Image sensor with multiple photoelectric conversion units
The patent US12075169B2 describes an advanced image sensor designed to enhance focus adjustment in imaging devices. The sensor features a configuration of four pixels arranged in a specific layout, with each pixel containing two photoelectric converters that generate charges based on light received through a microlens. These charges are then transferred to an accumulation unit via dedicated transfer units. The image sensor is equipped with multiple control lines that manage the transfer of these charges, allowing for precise control over the focus adjustment optical system. The output unit of the sensor plays a crucial role in providing signals that facilitate the control of the optical system's position, ensuring that images are sharply focused on the sensor.
Additionally, the patent outlines a position control unit that utilizes signals derived from the charges generated by the first and second pixels to adjust the focus of the optical system. This control unit can switch between two operational modes based on various factors, such as the speed of a moving subject or the amount of data output from the sensor. The first mode relies on specific charge signals from the pixels, while the second mode utilizes different combinations of these signals to optimize focus adjustment. This innovative design aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of focus control in imaging devices, potentially enhancing the overall quality of captured images.
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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.
