Solid-state imaging device

Abstract

A solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment includes: an imaging element including an imaging area formed with a plurality of pixel blocks each including pixels; a first optical system forming an image of an object on an imaging surface; and a second optical system re-forming the image, which has been formed on the imaging surface, on the pixel blocks corresponding to microlenses, the second optical system including a microlens array formed with the microlenses provided in accordance with the pixel blocks. The microlenses are arranged in such a manner that an angle θ between a straight line connecting center points of adjacent microlenses and one of a row direction and a column direction in which the pixels are aligned is expressed as follows: θ>sin −1 (2dp/D ml ), where D ml represents microlens pitch, and dp represents pixel pitch.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imaging device comprising:
 an imaging element including a plurality of pixels;   an optical system; and   a plurality of microlenses,   wherein the plurality of microlenses are arranged in such a manner that an angle θ between a straight line connecting center points of adjacent microlenses and a first direction in which the pixels are aligned is expressed as follows:
   θ>sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )
 
   
       where D ml  represents microlens pitch, and dp represents pixel pitch. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first direction is a direction to select the pixels.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first direction is a direction to read the pixels.   
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of microlenses are arranged in a hexagonal closest packed array, and   the angle θ is not included in the following ranges:
   60°−sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )≦θ≦60°+sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml ).
 
   
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the plurality of microlenses are arranged in a square array, and   the angle θ is not included in the following ranges:
   26°−sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )≦θ≦26°+sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )
 
   45°−sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )≦θ≦45°+sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml ).
 
   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a processing unit configured to process a signal output from the imaging element.   
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a drive unit configured to drive the imaging element.   
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 a power supply connected to the imaging element.   
     
     
         9 . An imaging device comprising:
 an imaging element including a plurality of pixels;   an optical system; and   a plurality of microlenses,   wherein the plurality of microlenses are arranged in such a manner that an angle θ between a straight line connecting center points of adjacent microlenses and one of a first direction and a second direction in which the pixels are aligned is expressed as follows:
   θ>sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )
 
   
       where D ml  represents microlens pitch, and dp represents pixel pitch. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the first direction is a direction to select the pixels.   
     
     
         11 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the second direction is a direction to read the pixels.   
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 9 , wherein
 the plurality of microlenses are arranged in a hexagonal closest packed array, and   the angle θ is not included in the following ranges:
   60°−sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )≦θ≦60°+sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml ).
 
   
     
     
         13 . A mobile communication terminal comprising a imaging device, the imaging device comprising:
 an imaging element including a plurality of pixels;   an optical system; and   a plurality of microlenses,   wherein the plurality of microlenses are arranged in such a manner that an angle θ between a straight line connecting center points of adjacent microlenses and one of a first direction and a second direction in which the pixels are aligned is expressed as follows:
   θ>sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )
 
   
       where D ml  represents microlens pitch, and dp represents pixel pitch. 
     
     
         14 . The terminal according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the first direction is a direction to select the pixels.   
     
     
         15 . The terminal according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the second direction is a direction to read the pixels.   
     
     
         16 . The terminal according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the plurality of microlenses are arranged in a hexagonal closest packed array, and   the angle θ is not included in the following ranges:
   60°−sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )≦θ≦60°+sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml ).
 
   
     
     
         17 . A digital camera comprising a imaging device, the imaging device comprising:
 an imaging element including a plurality of pixels;   an optical system; and   a plurality of microlenses,   wherein the plurality of microlenses are arranged in such a manner that an angle θ between a straight line connecting center points of adjacent microlenses and one of a first direction and a second direction in which the pixels are aligned is expressed as follows:
   θ>sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )
 
   
       where D ml  represents microlens pitch, and dp represents pixel pitch. 
     
     
         18 . The camera according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the first direction is a direction to select the pixels.   
     
     
         19 . The camera according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the first direction is a direction to read the pixels.   
     
     
         20 . The camera according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the plurality of microlenses are arranged in a hexagonal closest packed array, and   the angle θ is not included in the following ranges:
   60°−sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )≦θ≦60°+sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml ).
 
   
     
     
         21 . A surveillance camera comprising a imaging device, the imaging device comprising:
 an imaging element including a plurality of pixels;   an optical system; and   a plurality of microlenses,   wherein the plurality of microlenses are arranged in such a manner that an angle θ between a straight line connecting center points of adjacent microlenses and one of a first direction and a second direction in which the pixels are aligned is expressed as follows:
   θ>sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )
 
   
       where D ml  represents microlens pitch, and dp represents pixel pitch. 
     
     
         22 . The camera according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the first direction is a direction to select the pixels.   
     
     
         23 . The camera according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the first direction is a direction to read the pixels.   
     
     
         24 . The camera according to  claim 21 , wherein
 the plurality of microlenses are arranged in a hexagonal closest packed array, and   the angle θ is not included in the following ranges:
   60°−sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml )≦θ≦60°+sin −1 (2 dp/D   ml ).