| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 348297000 | Accumulation or integration time responsive to light or signal intensity | 66 |
| 20080198251 | Method, apparatus, and system providing multiple pixel integration periods - A method, apparatus and system providing high dynamic range operation for an image sensor by using signals from multiple pixels having different integration times. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080204583 | Adapted piecewise linear processing device - A piecewise linear processing device applies different amplification rates according to a general environment and a low luminance environment where much noise exists. The piecewise linear processing device includes a knee point storing unit configured to store a user's default setting value and low luminance setting value; a luminance detecting unit configured to detect a noisy environment to output a current luminance information signal and a maximum luminance information signal; an adaptive knee point supply unit configured to receive the default setting value, the low luminance setting value, the current luminance information signal, and the maximum luminance information signal to supply a adjusted adaptive knee point according to a degree of noise; and a piecewise linear processing unit configured to apply a section amplification rate to an input data on the basis of a region corresponding to the adaptive knee point. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080239122 | System and method for non-invasive conversion of film cameras into digital camera - A system and method for converting a film camera into a digital camera uses an electronic device placed in a space of the camera that normally contains film. The device includes an image sensing array arranged in optical communication with a lens of the camera when a shutter is open. An audio sensor is used to detect sounds within the camera, and an acoustic pattern recognizer with a built-in training mode is used to determine if the detected sounds correspond with the shutter operation. The image sensing array is switched into an image capture mode when the acoustic pattern recognizer determines that the shutter is being opened. When the shutter is opened, a read-out circuit captures multiple image frames from the image sensing array. An image processor associated with the image sensing array processes the captured images using advanced image processing algorithms. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20090051795 | Photometric device - A photometric device includes a storage-type photometric sensor, a first control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon an average value of an output of the photometric sensor, a second control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon a maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor, and an accumulation control means that controls the second control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor on which the accumulation control is performed by the first control means exceeds a saturation output level of the photometric sensor, and controls the first control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor does not exceed the saturation output level of the photometric sensor. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090059047 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - Provided is a solid-state imaging device having pixel units that are two-dimensionally arranged, and including: a photodiode that generates an optical signal charge corresponding to an intensity and an exposure time of light; a MOS transistor that transfers the optical signal charge; an accumulating unit that generates a voltage corresponding to the signal charge through the MOS transistor; a storing unit that stores a voltage corresponding to an optical signal charge in the accumulating unit; and a voltage setting unit that sets a value of a voltage in the accumulating unit to a value corresponding to the voltage in the storing unit. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090073293 | CMOS image sensors with increased dynamic range and methods of operating the same - A method of operating an image sensor apparatus is provided. In this method, first digital image data is generated based on a first exposure data signal, wherein the first exposure data signal is indicative of an exposure level of the image sensor during a first exposure period. The first digital image data is stored in a storage circuit. Second digital image data is generated based on a second exposure data signal, wherein the second exposure data signal is indicative of an exposure level of the image sensor during a second exposure period. The second exposure period is different from the first exposure period. The second digital image data associated with the image sensor is selectively stored based on a value of the first digital image data associated with the image sensor. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090190014 | WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE SENSOR HAVING A PINNED DIODE WITH MULTIPLE PINNED VOLTAGES - A pixel cell has controlled photosensor anti-blooming leakage by having dual pinned voltage regions, one of which is used to set the anti-blooming characteristics of the photosensor. Additional exemplary embodiments also employ an anti-blooming transistor in conjunction with the dual pinned photosensor. Other exemplary embodiments provide a pixel with two pinned voltage regions and two anti-blooming transistors. Methods of fabricating the exemplary pixel cells are also disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20100002113 | IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF DRIVING SOLID STATE IMAGING ELEMENT - An imaging device includes a solid state imaging element that includes a plurality of pixels; and a driving unit; wherein each pixel includes: a photoelectric converting element includes a pair of electrodes stacked above a semiconductor substrate and a photoelectric converting layer arranged between the electrodes; a connecting portion that is arranged in the semiconductor substrate; a potential barrier portion; a first charge accumulating portion; and a signal output circuit, and wherein the driving unit executes such a same potential driving that the connecting portion and the potential barrier portion are set to have a same potential by varying the potential of the potential barrier portion. | 01-07-2010 |
| 20100073535 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND APPARATUS FOR VARIABLE RATE PIXEL DATA TRANSFER AND STORAGE - A variable rate image sensor outputs pixel data at a variable rate using lookup tables to selectively read out particular rows at particular times. The readout rate is not constant, allowing for a smaller image buffer in the overall system. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100073536 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid state imaging device able to make noise from a nonselected row small, able to suppress occurrence of vertical stripes in a bright scene, not requiring charging including a floating node capacity via a reset transistor, able to prevent an increase of a driver size of a drain line, and able to secure high speed operation and a camera system using this as the imaging device are provided. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100265373 | Solid State Image Pickup Device and Driving Method Therefor - The objective of this invention is to provide a solid-state image pickup device and its driving method that has a minimum circuit area and a wide dynamic range. The invention includes: a sensor array SA; a memory M; and a signal determination circuit DC. The sensor array has plural pixels in an array integrated on a semiconductor substrate. Each pixel sequentially outputs a first signal and a second signal. The memory M is connected to each column of pixels array and stores the first signal or the second signal. The signal determination circuit DC outputs signal (SS) such that it works as follows: when the first signal is input to memory M from the pixel, the signal determination circuit DC determines whether the first signal can be used. If so, the first signal is selected and the second signal is discarded and is not output to memory M. When the second signal is selected, the second signal is uploaded to memory M. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100277631 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit in which unit pixels are two-dimensionally disposed; a vertical scanning unit selecting the unit pixels, which read out the signal electric charges, for each line; signal processing units separately disposed for each column of the pixel array unit and generate pixel signals corresponding to the signal electric charges; a horizontal scanning unit reading out the pixel signal by sequentially selecting the signal processing unit and outputting image signals in the unit of one line; and a scanning control unit performing operations of the vertical scanning unit and the horizontal scanning unit, wherein the scanning control unit selects a line having an exposure period different from that of a selected line between lines selected in the scanning order and sequentially outputs an image signal of an image having the different exposure period in the unit of one line from the horizontal scanning unit. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100277632 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging device comprises a pixel array; a reference signal generation unit operable to generate a reference signal that changes monotonically for a predetermined period in a horizontal period; a comparator operable to compare the level of a pixel signal with the level of a reference signal; a counter operable to count input clock pulses; a memory operable to store the number of counts counted by the counter as a digital value; and a timing control unit operable to generate a clock that is to be input into the counter, and change frequency of the clock that is to be input into the counter based on external input data. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100321548 | MOS SENSOR AND DRIVE METHOD THEREOF - To provide a drive method for finding out an optimum storage period quickly. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20110141331 | MULTI-STEP EXPOSURE METHOD USING ELECTRONIC SHUTTER AND PHOTOGRAPHY APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A multi-step exposure method using an electronic shutter and a photography apparatus using the same are provided. The photography apparatus includes an image sensor, and a control unit which divides an area of the image into a first area and a second area using brightness information of the acquired image, and controls so that a first row group and a second row group of the second area have different exposure times. As a result, an image with a wider dynamic range is provided. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110234871 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, the pixel driving circuit causes the amplifying transistor to form a source follower circuit without applying a bias voltage to the vertical signal line and connects the FD to the power source. Thereafter, the pixel driving circuit separates the current source from the vertical signal line to cancel the source follower circuit, applies a bias voltage to the vertical signal line so that the voltage of the FD is raised when the brightness of the subject is higher than the reference value, and the voltage of the FD is lowered when the brightness of the subject is lower than the reference value, and turns on the read transistor. The pixel driving circuit turns off the read transistor, and then connects the current source to the vertical signal line, and causes the amplifying transistor to form the source follower circuit. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110285886 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, CAMERA SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR - The solid-state image sensor of the present invention includes: multiple different types of pixel groups, which exhibit mutually different sensitivity properties that vary from one group to another according to wavelengths of incoming light, wherein each pixel has a photoelectric converter for outputting a pixel signal that changes with the intensity of the light received, and a reading circuit, which reads the pixel signal from each of the multiple types of pixel groups and which outputs an image signal representing an image that is associated with the type of a pixel group. The reading circuit outputs the image signal with the frame frequency changed according to the type of the pixel group. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20120002089 | PIXEL STRUCTURE WITH MULTIPLE TRANSFER GATES - A pixel structure comprises a photo-sensitive element for generating charge in response to incident light. A first transfer gate is connected between the photo-sensitive element and a first charge conversion element. A second transfer gate is connected between the photo-sensitive element and a second charge conversion element. An output stage outputs a first value related to charge at the first charge conversion element and outputs a second value related to charge at the second charge conversion element. A controller controls operation of the pixel structures and causes a pixel structure. The controller causes the pixel structure to: acquire charges on the photo-sensitive element during an exposure period; transfer a first portion of the charges acquired during the exposure period from the photo-sensitive element to the first charge conversion element via the first transfer gate; and transfer a second portion of the charges acquired during the exposure period from the photo-sensitive element to the second charge conversion element via the second transfer gate. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120002090 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY DEVICE - An object is to provide a solid-state imaging device or a semiconductor display device with which a high-quality image can be taken. By performing operation using a global shutter method, a potential for controlling charge accumulation operation can be shared by all pixels. In addition, a first photosensor group includes a plurality of photosensors connected to a wiring supplied with an output signal, and a second photosensor group includes a plurality of photosensors connected to another wiring supplied with the output signal. A wiring for supplying a potential or a signal for controlling charge accumulation operation to the first photosensor group is connected to a wiring for supplying the potential or signal to the second photosensor group. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120086840 | DYNAMIC RANGE ENHANCEMENT - A method of increasing dynamic range of pixels in an imaging sensor is disclosed. In one aspect, two image captures are performed, one at a first short integration time and one at a second optimum integration time. An electrical value obtained from a pixel or group of pixels at the first short integration time is used to predict the second integration time using a comparison with a set of reference values. The reference values relate to a saturation electrical value for each pixel or group of pixels to predict the second integration time. The first short integration time is determined as a fractional multiple of the saturation electrical value. The second integration times are such that there is no saturation of the pixel or group of pixels. Adjustments can be made to the reference values to allow for offset immunity and variability in light levels during the second integration time. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120188426 | FLASH CONTROL FOR ELECTRONIC ROLLING SHUTTER - A method performed by an electronic camera in flash mode is as follows. A scene ambient lighting indication is obtained. An integration time interval and a flash pulse-on time interval for taking a picture is then set. The set integration time interval is shorter when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark; and the set flash pulse-on time interval is longer when the indication is bright than when the indication is dark. An image is captured using the set integration time interval and the set flash pulse-on time interval in accordance with an electronic rolling shutter (ERS). Other embodiments are also described and claimed. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120257091 | DIGITAL IMAGE PHOTOGRAPHING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A digital image photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the digital image photographing apparatus, the method involving dividing an imaging surface of an imaging device into a plurality of areas, and applying a first skip mode to an area that is expected to include a target object and applying a different second skip mode to an area that is not expected to include the target object, so that images having different resolutions may be obtained from the plurality of areas. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20130057740 | IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image capture apparatus comprises an image sensor, an acquisition unit which acquires information concerning distances to objects in a plurality of areas in an image capturing area, and a control unit which controls a charge accumulation period for each of a plurality of segmented areas of the image sensor, wherein the plurality of areas for which information concerning distances to the objects are acquired by the acquisition unit respectively correspond to the plurality of segmented areas, and the control unit controls the charge accumulation periods for the respective segmented areas at the time of light emission by a light-emitting device based on the information concerning the distances to the objects in the corresponding areas. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20130208157 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGER SYSTEM - An imaging system configured to capture an image is provided, the imaging system including a high dynamic range imager configured to capture at least one high dynamic range image, and circuitry, wherein scheduling tasks within a row time interval is arranged to permit sharing of circuits used for correlated double sampling with selective reset tasks and with pixel readout tasks, and wherein scheduling tasks within a row time interval is arranged to permit sharing of comparator with selective reset tasks and with pixel readout tasks, while also providing at least one selectable integration period for which the integration period is adjustable and set to substantially less than a row time interval. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130229554 | CAMERA APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD - An image taking unit takes an image by using a specific light projector which emits specific light in a wavelength region corresponding to one of the three primary colors of light and by exposing light receivers which are sensitive to light in wavelength regions corresponding to the three primary colors of light. A marker pulse generator generates an exposure timing pulse for the image taking unit, and an emission timing pulse for the specific light projector on the basis of a reference signal. A color image creator creates a color image from an image taken by the image taking unit. A synchronous detection processor creates a detection image by performing a synchronous detection process on the image taken by the image taking unit by use of the reference signal. | 09-05-2013 |
| 20130342744 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: a photoelectric conversion section configured to perform photoelectric conversion on incident light, and to store obtained photoelectric charge; a voltage conversion section configured to convert the photoelectric charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion section into a voltage signal; a first gate section configured to transfer the photoelectric charge stored in the photoelectric conversion section to the voltage conversion section; a second gate section configured to reset a potential of the voltage conversion section; a third gate section configured to directly reset the photoelectric charge stored in the photoelectric conversion section; and a control section configured to control driving of the first to the third gate sections, wherein the control section controls driving of the third gate section so as to adjust an exposure time of the photoelectric conversion section. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140028883 | DEPTH SENSING APPARATUS AND METHOD - A depth sensing apparatus and method for acquiring a depth image of a target object may calculate a difference voltage between a first floating diffusion node and a second floating diffusion node, based on a voltage of a photodiode stored in the first floating diffusion node in a first phase interval and a voltage of the photodiode stored in the second floating diffusion node in a second phase interval, using a sub-integration period, may feed back the difference voltage to one of the first floating diffusion node and the second floating diffusion node, and may calculate a depth value of a pixel based on difference voltages accumulated during an integration period including sub-integration periods. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140028884 | PHOTODETECTOR SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD - A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming an image signal by receiving a flux of photons at a convex photodetector such as a hemispherical photodetector. The convex photodetector includes a plurality of photosensors. Each photosensor has a different orientation with respect to a propagation vector of the flux of photons. The photosensors generate a respective plurality of intensity signals. Each of the intensity signals is related to the respective orientation of the photosensor that generates it. The intensity signals are received by a signal processor, such as a digital signal processor, which uses the intensity signals to compute an image signal related to the intensity signals and thereby produce a focused output image. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140043509 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state image pickup device including a pixel section arranged with multiple pixel circuits in A matrix having functions for converting an optical signal to an electrical signal and for accumulating the electrical signal depending on an exposure time, and a pixel driving section capable of driving through a control line to reset, accumulate, transfer, and output signal electric charge of the pixel section. The pixel section may have a pixel shared structure arranged with one selection control line, one reset control line, and multiple transfer control lines, including a readout-pixel section and an unread-pixel section in its entirety. The pixel driving section includes a pixel control section where an unread-pixel is normally fixed in a reset state. When reading a readout-pixel in a shared relationship, if its address is selected or a selection signal becomes active, the unread-pixel reset-state is cancelled to turn into an unread state. | 02-13-2014 |
| 20140078361 | IMAGING DEVICE - The present invention relates to improved imaging devices having high dynamic range and to monitoring and automatic control systems incorporating the improved imaging devices. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140092285 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device and method of driving a pixel array section are described herein. By way of example, the solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section including a sharing pixel block, the sharing pixel block including a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion region, and each of the plurality of pixels of the sharing pixel block sharing a floating diffusion region, and a driver section configured to drive the pixel array section such that electric charges accumulated in one or more but less than all of the photoelectric conversion regions of the sharing pixel block undergo pixel addition and are read out. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140104469 | IMAGE SENSORS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEMS INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHODS OF OPERATING IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM - An image sensor includes a pixel array and a row driver block. The pixel array includes a plurality of subpixel groups, each including a plurality of subpixels. Each of the plurality of subpixels is configured to generate a subpixel signal corresponding to photocharge accumulated in response to a photon. The row driver block is configured to generate a first control signal to control the subpixels included in each of the plurality of subpixel groups to accumulate the photocharge in parallel from a first time point to a second time point. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140211052 | WDR PIXEL ARRAY, WDR IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - Disclosed is a WDR pixel array having high sensitivity under the middle intensity of illumination and high intensity of illumination by using the 4T pixel structure representing high sensitivity under the low intensity of illumination. According to the embodiment, the overflow charges generated under the very high intensity of illumination are not discarded or partially stored, but read through the 3T pixel operation, so that the WDR pixel array having high sensitivity under the middle intensity of illumination and high intensity of illumination can be obtained based on the 4T pixel structure without additionally providing a transistor or a photodiode for the high intensity of illumination in the WDR pixel array. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140313381 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes: an interest area setter configured to input a signal in order to set plurality of interest areas within an image pickup area of an image sensor; a readout area setter configured to set a readout area to read out an image signal from the image sensor so as to maintain shapes of the respective interest areas in an image formed by an image signal to be output; a sensor readout controller configured to control readout of a pixel signal of the readout area from the image sensor; and an output signal generator configured to generate the image signal to be output based on the pixel signal read out by the sensor readout controller. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20140368704 | IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM INCLUDING SENSE CIRCUITS TO MAKE BINARY DECISION - An imaging device includes: a pixel array section having an array of pixels, each of which has a photoelectric converting device and outputs an electric signal according to an input photon; a sense circuit section having a plurality of sensor circuits each of which makes binary decision on whether there is a photon input to a pixel in a predetermined period upon reception of the electric signal therefrom; and a decision result IC section which integrates decision results from the sense circuits, pixel by pixel or for each group of pixels, multiple times to generate imaged data with a gradation, the decision result IC section including a count circuit which performs a count process to integrate the decision results from the sense circuits, and a memory for storing a counting result for each pixel from the count circuit, the sense circuits sharing the count circuit for integrating the decision results. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20150042856 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: a pixel configured to generate a signal through photoelectric conversion; a comparator configured to compare a signal generated by the pixel with a first reference signal that changes with time; and a control unit configured to change a change rate of the first reference signal with respect to time according to a comparison result of the comparator. | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150042857 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS, FOCUS DETECTING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND DRIVING METHOD OF PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS - A photoelectric conversion apparatus is a photoelectric conversion apparatus formed in a semiconductor substrate, and includes: a first photoelectric conversion unit ( | 02-12-2015 |
| 20150070544 | OVERSAMPLED IMAGE SENSOR WITH CONDITIONAL PIXEL READOUT - In a pixel array within an integrated-circuit image sensor, each of a plurality of pixels is evaluated to determine whether charge integrated within the pixel in response to incident light exceeds a first threshold. N-bit digital samples corresponding to the charge integrated within at least a subset of the plurality of pixels are generated, and then applied to a lookup table to retrieve respective M-bit digital values (M being less than N), wherein a stepwise range of charge integration levels represented by possible states of the M-bit digital values extends upward from a starting charge integration level that is determined based on the first threshold. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150077603 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE, RECORDING MEDIUM IN WHICH IMAGE FILE IS RECORDED, RECORDING METHOD, IMAGE PLAYBACK METHOD, AND COMPUTER-READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM - An imaging device includes: an imaging unit having an imaging element formed of a plurality of pixels, and configured to perform imaging under a first exposure condition to generate first image data and to perform imaging under a second exposure condition different from the first exposure condition to generate second image data; an image composition unit configured to generate composite image data with an expanded dynamic range based on the first image data and the second image data; and an image file generation unit configured to generate an image file in which the first image data, the second image data, the composite image data, and position information on positions of pixels mutually replaced in a first image corresponding to the first image data and a second image corresponding to the second image data when the image composition unit generates the composite image data, are recorded in association with one another. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20150334320 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, there is provided a solid-state imaging device including a charge storage portion and a photoelectric conversion portion. The charge storage portion is formed of a first semiconductor material. The photoelectric conversion portion is formed of a second semiconductor material having a narrower band gap than the first semiconductor material. The charge storage portion forms an overflow potential in a connection area with the photoelectric conversion portion so that charges generated in the photoelectric conversion portion in response to incident light can overflow the overflow potential into the charge storage portion. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150334328 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes: first and second photoelectric conversion units that are disposed in a semiconductor substrate, are configured to accumulate charges, and are of a first conductivity type; an electrode that is disposed on a region between the first and second photoelectric conversion units and is configured to control an electrical conduction between the first and second photoelectric conversion units; a first semiconductor region that is formed under the electrode and between the first and second photoelectric conversion units, is continuous from the first photoelectric conversion unit to the second photoelectric conversion unit, and is of the first conductivity type; and a second semiconductor region that is formed under the electrode and between the first and second photoelectric conversion units, is provided at a depth different from that of the first semiconductor region, and is of a second conductivity type. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150334330 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - A solid-state image capture device includes a plurality of pixels and a first substrate and a second substrate in which circuit elements constitutes the pixels are disposed and which are electrically connected by a connection unit. The pixels includes: photoelectric conversion elements disposed in the first substrate and generating signals corresponding to amounts of incident light; sample hold capacities disposed in the second substrate and holding output signals corresponding to the signals generated by the photoelectric conversion elements; and a clamp capacitor disposed in the second substrate, shared by the plurality of pixels, and clamping voltages of the output signals held in the plurality of sample hold capacities. The sample hold capacities and the clamp capacitor are capacities having a structure in which two sheets of metal electrodes having a quadrangular flat plate shape are opposite to each other. | 11-19-2015 |
| 20150341580 | IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - In an imaging device including a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels is arranged, each of the pixels including first and second photoelectric conversion units, and a micro lens that collects incident light to the first and second photoelectric conversion units, in a first frame period, a first signal based on a signal electric charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal based on a signal electric charge generated in at least the second photoelectric conversion unit are read out from a plurality of pixels included in a part of the pixel array, and in a second frame period, a third signal based on the signal electric charges generated in the first and the second photoelectric conversion units is read out from a plurality of pixels included in another part of the pixel array. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150381910 | IMAGING UNIT, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON A CONTROL PROGRAM - Provided is an imaging unit including an imaging section that includes a pixel capable of performing charge accumulation a plurality of times in response to an imaging instruction for generating one frame of image data; a storage section that stores a pixel signal based on output from the pixel; an updating section that updates the pixel signal already stored in the storage section by performing an integration process to integrate the pixel signal output from the pixel as a result of a new charge accumulation and the pixel signal already stored in the storage section; and a control section that controls whether the updating section performs the update, for each of a plurality of pixel groups that each include one or more pixels. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160014362 | DRIVING METHOD OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160044259 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a first light-shielded pixel region including two or more rows of pixels each including a photoelectric converter which is shielded from light, an aperture pixel region including pixels each including a photoelectric converter which is not shielded from light, and a control unit configured to perform control such that a charge accumulation period for the pixels in the first light-shielded pixel region is longer than a charge accumulation period for the pixels in the aperture pixel region and time to read signals from the pixels in a first row of the first light-shielded pixel region is different from time to read signals from the pixels in a second row different from the first row of the first light-shielded pixel region. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160044262 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS USING THE SAME - Provided is a solid-state imaging device including: a pixel array section that pixels which detect a physical quantities are arranged in two dimensions of matrix; an AD converting section that performs AD (Analog-Digital) conversion for a plurality of channels of analog pixel signals which are read-out from the pixel array section; and a control section that sets quantized units AD-converted by the AD conversion section according to a gain setting of the unit pixel signal, wherein the control section determines the grayscale number of digital outputs AD-converted for at least one channel of the unit pixel signals according to the gain setting of the pixel signal. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160073045 | IMAGE CAPTURE WITH ADDITION OF ACCUMULATION SIGNALS FOR ADJACENT PHOTODETECTORS - An image capture instrument implements an addition of accumulation signals for photodetectors which are adjacent within a row of photodetectors. Segments are defined in the row with one and the same common length of segment, while being progressively offset by an offset length which is constant. The accumulation signals are added together for photodetectors which belong to one and the same segment. The offset length is less than the segment length, and greater than half said segment length. Artifacts in the image captured, which are due to spectrum aliasing, are thus decreased. The signal-to-noise ratio of the image is increased. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160134821 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR TRUE HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING - When imaging bright objects, a conventional detector array can saturate, making it difficult to produce an image with a dynamic range that equals the scene's dynamic range. Conversely, a digital focal plane array (DFPA) with one or more m-bit counters can produce an image whose dynamic range is greater than the native dynamic range. In one example, the DFPA acquires a first image over a relatively brief integration period at a relatively low gain setting. The DFPA then acquires a second image over longer integration period and/or a higher gain setting. During this second integration period, counters may roll over, possibly several times, to capture a residue modulus 2 | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160173797 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE | 06-16-2016 |
| 20220139995 | IMAGE SENSOR - Disclosed is an image sensor including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a first photoelectric conversion region and a second photoelectric conversion region in the substrate, a through electrode between the first and second photoelectric conversion regions, an insulation structure on the second surface of the substrate, a first color filter and a second color filter respectively provided on the first and second photoelectric conversion regions, and a photoelectric conversion layer on the insulation structure and electrically connected to the through electrode. The through electrode include a first end adjacent to the first surface and a second end adjacent to the second surface. The first end has a non-planar shape. | 05-05-2022 |
| 348298000 | In charge coupled type image sensor | 15 |
| 20100271518 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes at least a pixel unit, a trigger receiver, a storage controller, and a reading circuit. In the pixel unit, pixels are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix. The trigger receiver receives a first trigger which is a pre-instruction to start charge storage in the pixels and a second trigger which is an instruction to start the charge storage. The storage controller controls the pixels so as to start and end the charge storage in the pixels of a plurality of rows at the same time after the second trigger is received. The reading circuit reads a reset signal corresponding to one frame before the charge storage is ended after the first trigger is received, and reads a captured image signal corresponding to one frame after the second trigger is received. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20110164159 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid state imaging device including: a plurality of sensor sections formed in a semiconductor substrate in order to convert incident light into an electric signal; a peripheral circuit section formed in the semiconductor substrate so as to be positioned beside the sensor sections; and a layer having negative fixed electric charges that is formed on a light incidence side of the sensor sections in order to form a hole accumulation layer on light receiving surfaces of the sensor sections. | 07-07-2011 |
| 20120026370 | Solid-state imaging device, method for driving solid-state imaging device, and electronic apparatus - Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device, including: a pixel array unit configured to be formed by two-dimensionally arranging unit pixels each having a photoelectric converter, a charge-voltage converter, a reset transistor to set the charge-voltage converter to a predetermined potential, and an amplification transistor to read out a signal converted by the charge-voltage converter; a signal processor configured to process a signal output from the unit pixel by using a reference voltage; and a setter configured to set a reset level obtained from a second unit pixel from which a signal level has been already read out as the reference voltage of the signal processor before readout of a signal level based on a signal charge accumulated or retained in the charge-voltage converter from a first unit pixel. | 02-02-2012 |
| 20120044397 | FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS - A focus detection apparatus includes: a photoelectric conversion unit of a charge accumulation type, including a plurality of sensors; an accumulation controller for controlling charge accumulation of the photoelectric conversion unit; an accumulation time measuring unit for measuring accumulation time; a correction computing unit for performing correction computing of a photoelectric conversion signal; and a focus detection computing unit for performing focus detection computing. The accumulation controller detects a signal of accumulation completion in a first sensor of the plurality of sensors, and then forces sensors except the first sensor to terminate the charge accumulation. The correction computing unit performs the correction computing of the photoelectric conversion signal based on first accumulation time that is accumulation time of the first sensor and second accumulation time that is different from the first accumulation time. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20150015753 | IMAGE PROCESSOR - An aspect of one present embodiment, there is provided a solid state image processer, including a sample-and-hold circuit sampling an output signal of the CCD to hold the output signal of the CCD as voltage, a pre-buffer receiving an output signal of the sample-and-hold circuit, a selection circuit receiving the output signal of the pre-buffer as a first input signal and the output signal of the CCD as a second input signal to select the first input signal or the second input signal as an output signal of the selection circuit according to an instruction of a selection signal, and a main buffer receiving the output signal of the selection circuit. | 01-15-2015 |
| 20150341584 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An embodiment provides an imaging device including a pixel that includes a first photoelectric conversion portion, a second photoelectric conversion portion, a first transfer transistor, a second transfer transistor, and a floating diffusion portion. The first transfer transistor transfers a signal charge in the first photoelectric conversion portion to the floating diffusion portion. The second transfer transistor transfers a signal charge in the second photoelectric conversion portion to the floating diffusion portion. A potential at the first photoelectric conversion portion for the signal charge is higher than a potential at the second photoelectric conversion portion for the signal charge. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150350578 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE WITHOUT A LIGHT SHIELDING DEVICE AND DEFECT DETECTING METHOD THEREOF - An image pickup device without a light shielding device for blocking light received by a solid-state image pickup element, the image pickup device including: a supplying section configured to supply a signal for resetting a charge of a floating diffusion disposed so as to correspond to one or a plurality of pixels in the solid-state image pickup element; and a detecting section configured to detect a pixel in which change in output of the pixel after passage of a certain time from the resetting of the charge of the floating diffusion is larger than a predetermined threshold value. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150373287 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus including an image pickup unit configured to employ a first mode and a second mode; and a controller configured to read out, in the first mode, a first row, and read out, in the second mode and a mode different from the second mode, a second row, the first row being read out in the first mode during a first read-out period, the second row being read out in the second mode during a second read-out period, the second row read out in the mode different from the second mode during a third read-out period, and the first to third read-out periods having the same length. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20160048069 | OPTICAL MODULE, OPTICAL OBSERVATION DEVICE, AND LIGHT EXPOSURE DEVICE - An optical module ( | 02-18-2016 |
| 348299000 | With overflow gate or drain | 6 |
| 20130222659 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND CAMERA HAVING ARRAYED PIXELS INCLUDING AMPLIFYING UNITS - An solid state image pickup device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions (PD | 08-29-2013 |
| 20140022428 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - An MOS type solid state imaging device in which unit pixels | 01-23-2014 |
| 20140247380 | IMAGE SENSOR PIXELS WITH SELF-ALIGNED LATERAL ANTI-BLOOMING STRUCTURES - Pixels for solid-state CMOS image sensor arrays may be provided that have a lateral blooming control structure incorporated in them. The lateral blooming control structure is built as a separate structure from the charge transfer gate and it is fabricated in a self-aligned manner, which is particularly suitable for incorporating into small size pixels. The blooming control structure can be used for backside or for front side illuminated image sensors. When the lateral blooming control structure is provided with a separate bias means, it may also be used for the complete or partial charge removal from the photodiode and thus used in pixels that are designed for global shutter operation. | 09-04-2014 |
| 20150070545 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes an image sensor including a valid pixel area having valid pixels and a light-blocking pixel area having light-blocking pixels to generate an image signal; and a clamp circuit that detects an overflow of a signal charge and executes a black level signal processing for the image signal using a parameter. The clamp circuit detects the overflow using an integration value of the signals of the light-blocking pixels integrated in a direction from the light-blocking pixel area to the valid area, and sets the parameter generated from the output signals of the light-blocking pixels substantially not influenced by the overflow based on a result of the detection. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150334270 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A MOS type solid state imaging device in which unit pixels, each having a photodiode, a transfer transistor for transferring the signal of the photodiode to a floating node, an amplifier transistor for outputting the signal of the floating node to a vertical signal line, and a reset transistor for resetting the floating node are arrayed in a matrix. A gate voltage of the reset transistor is controlled by three values of a power source potential (for example 3V), a ground potential (0V), and a negative power source potential (for example −1V). | 11-19-2015 |
| 20160255287 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD THEREFOR | 09-01-2016 |
