Nikon has a new patent (US patent 9894305) for a Backside Illumination Sensor (BSI):
“An image sensor includes a first photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a first opening to an electric charge, a second photoelectric conversion unit that converts light incident through a second opening which is smaller than the first opening to an electric charge, and a signal output wiring that outputs a first signal generated by the electric charge converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal generated by the electric charge converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit. The second photoelectric conversion unit is disposed between the second opening and the signal output wiring.”
Additional drawings:
shows focus detection areas assumed on the image-capturing plane set on the predetermined image forming plane of the exchangeable lens in the first embodiment
shows the color filter Bayer array adopted in the first embodiment
shows image-capturing pixels
shows focus detection pixels
Other Nikon BSI sensor patents:
Nikon patent for BSI CMOS sensor with Dual Pixel AF on-sensor focusing system (see also this related patent).
Another Nikon patent for a layered BSI sensor (P6048482).
Thanks Broxibear!
