Patent ID: 10237501

Abstract:
The present invention includes an imaging apparatus that includes a two dimensional array of pixel sensors. Each pixel sensor includes a main photodiode, an autofocus photodiode, and a microlens that concentrates light onto the main photodiode and the autofocus photodiode. The imaging array of pixel sensors includes first and second autofocus arrays of pixel sensors, the pixel sensors in the first autofocus array of pixel sensors having the autofocus photodiodes positioned such that each autofocus photodiode receives light preferentially from one half of the microlens in that pixel sensor, and the pixel sensors in the second autofocus array of pixel sensors having each autofocus photodiode positioned such that each autofocus photodiode receives light preferentially from the other half of the microlens in that pixel sensor. The autofocus photodiodes can be constructed from the parasitic photodiodes associated with the floating diffusion nodes in each pixel sensor or conventional photodiodes.