Sony has filed a patent for a new dual-layer image sensor in Japan.
The patent describes a two-layer sensor architecture where the top layer is made up of regular pixels with a standard RGB colour filter array, and the second consists of monochromatic pixels suitable for phase-detect auto focus (PDAF) operation. This also means the phase detection will cover the full sensor area.
If this patent becomes in mass production one day in a camera or smartphone, this sensor could enable users to pick their focus point with pixel-level accuracy.
Sony Dual-layer Sensor with PDAF Patent
See the patent details below:
Patent Publication No. 2015-128131
- Published 2015.7.9
- Filing date 2013.11.27
Sony patents
- Two or more layers of the multi-layered sensor
- The first layer is color sensor
- The second layer is monochrome sensor
- Phase difference detection pixels
via Egami
