Pixel array having wide dynamic range and good color reproduction and resolution and image sensor using the pixel array

Abstract

Provided is a pixel array having a wide dynamic range, good color reproduction, and good resolution and an image sensor using the pixel array. The pixel array includes a plurality of first type photodiodes, a plurality of second type photodiodes, and a plurality of image signal conversion circuits. A plurality of the second type photodiodes are disposed between the first type photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed. A plurality of the image signal conversion circuits are disposed between the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes to process image signals detected by the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes. An area of the first type photodiodes is wider than an area of the second type photodiodes.

1 . A pixel array with a wide dynamic range comprising:
 a plurality of first type photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed;   a plurality of second type photodiodes which are disposed between the first type photodiodes; and   a plurality of image signal conversion circuits which are disposed between the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes to convert image signals detected by the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes into electric signals,   wherein an area of the first type photodiodes is wider than that of the second type photodiodes.   
   
   
       2 . The pixel array of  claim 1 , wherein the first type photodiodes have an octagonal shape and the second type photodiodes have a square shape. 
   
   
       3 . A pixel array with a dynamic range comprising a plurality of first type photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed, a plurality of second type photodiodes which are disposed between the first type photodiodes, and a plurality of image signal conversion circuits which are disposed between the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes to convert image signals detected by the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes into electric signals,
 wherein an area of the first type photodiodes is wider than that of the second type photodiodes, and   wherein R (red) filters, G (green) filters, and B (blue) filters are disposed on the first type photodiode and the second type photodiode.   
   
   
       4 . The pixel array of  claim 3 ,
 wherein, on the first type photodiode a plurality of 1G horizontal filter lines having a plurality of G filters which are horizontally arrayed are disposed, and a plurality of 1RB horizontal filter lines having a plurality of R filters and B filters which are alternately arrayed are disposed,   wherein, on the second type photodiode, a plurality of 2G horizontal filter lines having a plurality of G filters which are horizontally arrayed are disposed, and a plurality of 2RB horizontal filter lines having a plurality of R filters and B filters which are horizontally and alternately arrayed are disposed,   wherein a plurality of the 1G horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1RB horizontal filter lines are vertically and alternately arrayed, and   wherein a plurality of the 2G horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1G horizontal filter lines are arrayed in virtually the same line, and a plurality of the 2RB horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 2RB horizontal filter lines are arrayed in virtually the same line.   
   
   
       5 . The pixel array of  claim 3 ,
 wherein, on the first type photodiode, a plurality of 1G horizontal filter lines having a plurality of G filters which are horizontally arrayed are disposed, and a plurality of 1RB horizontal filter lines having a plurality of R filters and B filters are horizontally and alternately arrayed are disposed,   wherein, on the second type photodiode, a plurality of 2G horizontal filter lines having a plurality of G filters which are horizontally arrayed are disposed, and a plurality of 2RB horizontal filter lines having a plurality of R filters and B filters which are horizontally and alternately arrayed are disposed,   wherein a plurality of the 1G horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1RB horizontal filter lines are vertically and alternately arrayed, and   wherein a plurality of the 2G horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1RB horizontal filter lines are arrayed in virtually the same line, and a plurality of the 2RB horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 2G horizontal filter lines are arrayed in virtually the same line.   
   
   
       6 . A pixel array with a dynamic range comprising a plurality of first type photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed, a plurality of second type photodiodes which are disposed between the first type photodiodes, and a plurality of image signal conversion circuits which are disposed between the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes to convert image signals detected by the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes into electric signals,
 wherein an area of the first type photodiodes is wider than that of the second type photodiodes,   wherein R filters, G filters, B filters are disposed on the first type photodiode, and   wherein one or more of C (cyan) filters, M (magenta) filters, and Y (yellow) filters are disposed on the second type photodiode.   
   
   
       7 . The pixel array of  claim 6 ,
 wherein, on the first type photodiode a plurality of 1G horizontal filter lines having a plurality of G filters which are horizontally arrayed are disposed, and a plurality of 1RB horizontal filter lines having a plurality of R filters and B filters which are alternately arrayed are disposed,   wherein, on the second type photodiode, a plurality of 2Y horizontal filter lines having a plurality of Y filters which are horizontally arrayed are disposed, and a plurality of 2CM horizontal filter lines having a plurality of C filters and M filters which are horizontally and alternately arrayed are disposed,   wherein a plurality of the 1G horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1RB horizontal filter lines are vertically and alternately arrayed, and   wherein a plurality of the 2GM horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1G horizontal filter lines are arrayed in virtually the same line, and a plurality of the 2Y horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1RB horizontal filter lines are arrayed in virtually the same line.   
   
   
       8 . The pixel array of  claim 6 ,
 wherein, on the first type photodiode, a plurality of 1G horizontal filter lines having a plurality of G filters which are horizontally arrayed are disposed, and a plurality of 1RB horizontal filter lines having a plurality of R filters and B filters are horizontally and alternately arrayed are disposed,   wherein, on the second type photodiode, a plurality of 2Y horizontal filter lines having a plurality of Y filters which are horizontally arrayed are disposed, and a plurality of 2CM horizontal filter lines having a plurality of C filters and M filters which are horizontally and alternately arrayed are disposed,   wherein a plurality of the 1G horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1RB horizontal filter lines are vertically and alternately arrayed, and   wherein a plurality of the 2Y horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1G horizontal filter lines are arrayed in virtually the same line, and a plurality of the 2CM horizontal filter lines and a plurality of the 1RB horizontal filter lines are arrayed in virtually the same line.   
   
   
       9 . A pixel array with a dynamic range comprising a plurality of first type photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed, a plurality of second type photodiodes which are disposed between the first type photodiodes, and a plurality of image signal conversion circuits which are disposed between the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes to convert image signals detected by the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes into electric signals,
 wherein an area of the first type photodiodes is wider than that of the second type photodiodes,   wherein each of wavelength ranges of the R filters, the G filters, and the B filters is divided into at least two ranges,   wherein an R1 filter covering a part of the wavelength range covered by the R filter, a G1 filter covering a part of the wavelength range covered by the G filter, and a B1 filter covering a part of the wavelength range covered by the B filter are disposed on the first type photodiode, and   wherein an R2 filter covering a remaining wavelength range in the wavelength range covered by the R filter excluding the part covered by the R1 filter, a G2 filter covering a remaining wavelength range in the wavelength range covered by the G filter excluding the part covered by the G1 filter, and a B2 filter covering a remaining wavelength range in the wavelength range covered by the B filter excluding the part covered by the B1 filter are disposed on the second type photodiode.   
   
   
       10 . The pixel array of  claim 9 , wherein the R1 filters, the G1 filters, and the B1 filters are arrayed in a Bayer pattern. 
   
   
       11 . The pixel array of  claim 9 , wherein the number of the G1 filters and the G2 filters is twice the number of the R2 filters, the B1 filters, and the B2 filters. 
   
   
       12 . A pixel array with a dynamic range comprising a plurality of first type photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed, a plurality of second type photodiodes which are disposed between the first type photodiodes, and a plurality of image signal conversion circuits which are disposed between the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes to convert image signals detected by the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes into electric signals,
 wherein an area of the first type photodiodes is wider than that of the second type photodiodes,   wherein R filters, G filters, B filters are disposed on the first type photodiode, and   wherein infrared filters are disposed on the second type photodiode, or no color filters are disposed on the second type photodiode.   
   
   
       13 . A pixel array with a dynamic range comprising a plurality of first type photodiodes which are two-dimensionally arrayed, a plurality of second type photodiodes which are disposed between the first type photodiodes, and a plurality of image signal conversion circuits which are disposed between the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes to convert image signals detected by the first type photodiodes and the second type photodiodes into electric signals,
 wherein an area of the first type photodiodes is wider than that of the second type photodiodes,   wherein two types of R filters, G filters, and B filters are disposed on the first type photodiode, and   wherein infrared filters are disposed on the second type photodiode, or no color filters are disposed on the second type photodiode.