Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080204584 | IMAGING APPARATUS, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - In an imaging apparatus according to the present invention, the driving unit drives each of the pixels in the non-readout region in the first mode such that the setting unit sets the input unit to a third electric potential with the transfer unit being ready to transfer the electric charge to reset the photoelectric conversion unit in a first period and that the setting unit sets the input unit to a fourth electric potential for the pixel to be deselected in a second period later than the first period. | 08-28-2008 |
20080211948 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of block lines to which signals are supplied from the pixels, transfer switches used to supply the signals from the block lines to a common signal line, and a driving circuit configured to drive the pixels, the block lines, and the transfer switches. The block lines have resetting units used to reset potentials of the block lines. With this configuration, a signal reading operation is performed at high speed in the photoelectric conversion apparatus. | 09-04-2008 |
20080211949 | Solid-state image sensing apparatus and driving method thereof - A solid-state image sensing apparatus which can improve the S/N ratio without enlarging the chip area in both of the mode in which pixel signals are summed and the mode in which pixel signals are not summed is provided. The solid-state image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing region | 09-04-2008 |
20080239123 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes an imaging section having multiple pixels laid out in a matrix form for performing photoelectric conversion and multiple vertical transfer sections that vertically transfer signal charges of the multiple pixels in columns, a control section that controls the transfer, hold and addition of signal charges transferred from each of the vertical transfer sections, at least two horizontal transfer sections that horizontally transfer signal charges output from the control section, and a horizontal-horizontal transfer section that transfers the signal charges of one horizontal transfer section that has received the signal charges transferred from the control section to the other horizontal transfer section. | 10-02-2008 |
20080246867 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes rows and columns of pixels, each column or each set of a plurality of columns being provided with an analog-to-digital converter. When an operation for holding analog electric signals performed by the analog-to-digital converters is performed simultaneously with an operation for outputting data from memories holding digital signals that are output from the analog-to-digital converters, “streaky noise” artifacts appear on an image obtained by such operations. To avoid this, the operation for holding the analog electric signals and the operation for outputting data from the memories holding the digital signals are set apart from each other by at least one data clock period of a scanning circuit. | 10-09-2008 |
20080278612 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - A solid-state image sensor includes a pixel section that outputs a signal charge subjected to photoelectric conversion by each of a plurality of photoelectric transducers, a conversion circuit that converts an output signal from the pixel section into a digital signal by using a triangular wave, and a saturation signal level calculation circuit that calculates a saturation signal level of each photoelectric transducer based on the digital signal from the conversion circuit. The solid-state image sensor further includes a setting circuit which sets a maximum signal level of the triangular wave in accordance with the saturation signal level from the saturation signal level calculation circuit. | 11-13-2008 |
20080284887 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging device comprises a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, and a readout unit operable to read out pixel signals of the pixels included in the pixel array row by row. The readout unit (i) reads out pixel signals of a row of pixels in column order of the pixel array during a horizontal readout period, except during a readout-standby period that is within the horizontal readout period, and (ii) suspends reading out the pixel signals of the row of pixels in the column order during the readout-standby period. | 11-20-2008 |
20080291307 | IMAGING APPARATUS HAVING ELECTRON SOURCE ARRAY - An imaging apparatus includes an electron emission array having electron sources arranged in matrix form, a photoelectric conversion film opposed to the electron emission array, and a control and drive circuit configured to select one or more horizontal scan lines in a given video signal output period and to cause the electron sources included in the selected one or more horizontal scan lines to emit electrons toward the photoelectric conversion film, wherein the control and drive circuit is further configured to cause the electron sources included in the selected one or more horizontal scan lines to emit electrons toward the photoelectric conversion film in any one or more blanking periods excluding both a blanking period immediately following the given video signal output period and a blanking period immediately preceding a next video signal output period in which the one or more horizontal scan lines will be selected next time. | 11-27-2008 |
20080291308 | IMAGING APPARATUS HAVING ELECTRON SOURCE ARRAY - An imaging apparatus includes an electron emission array having electron sources arranged in matrix form and having a plurality of horizontal scan lines, a photoelectric conversion film opposed to the electron emission array, and a control and drive circuit configured to select one or more of the horizontal scan lines in a given video signal output period and to cause the electron sources included in the selected one or more horizontal scan lines to emit electrons toward the photoelectric conversion film to produce a video signal, wherein the control and drive circuit is configured to control electron emission of the electron emission array in a blanking period in response to a signal level of the video signal produced in the given video signal output period. | 11-27-2008 |
20080309808 | METHOD OF DRIVING CCD SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, AND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A method of driving a CCD solid-state image pickup device, which performs multiplication driving on the signal charges, the method including: reading out signal charges from a plurality of photoelectric converting elements that are arranged in a two-dimensional array-like pattern to a charge transfer path that is disposed in parallel to a photoelectric converting element column of the photoelectric converting elements; and applying a multiplying pulse to a multiplying electrode among transfer electrodes constituting the charge transfer path, wherein an electrode, which is set as the multiplying electrode among the transfer electrodes, is periodically changed. | 12-18-2008 |
20090002534 | Solid-state image capturing device, driving method of solid state image capturing device and electronic information device - A solid-state image capturing device for capturing a subject to generate and output an image signal is provided, in which a predetermined number of transfer gates applied with different driving signals are arranged adjacent to respective pixel sections, so that each light receiving section and the predetermined number of transfer gates in the vertical transfer section form each pixel, and a driving signal for a transfer gate is applied to the transfer gates in such a manner that adjacent pixels are included in a cycle of an arrangement pattern for transfer gates and accumulated charges in the adjacent pixels are simultaneously read out to a single transfer packet formed in a vertical transfer section. | 01-01-2009 |
20090021622 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section with a plurality of pixels that are two-dimensionally arranged, the pixels including a first pixel having a first input section for accumulating a signal associated with object image, a first amplification section for amplifying signals accumulated at the first input section so as to generate a first pixel signal, a first reset section for resetting the first input section, and a first select section for selecting the first amplification section to cause the first pixel signal to be outputted onto a signal output line, and a second pixel having a second input section for accumulating a signal corresponding to a noise generated at the first input section, a second amplification section for amplifying signals accumulated at the second input section so as to generate a second pixel signal, a second reset section for resetting the second input section, and a second select section for selecting the second amplification section to cause the second pixel signal to be outputted onto the signal output line; a control section for, after simultaneously and concurrently resetting all the first and second input sections, effecting control so as to cause all the first input sections to concurrently and simultaneously accumulate the signal associated with the object image having the same exposure start timing; a correction data retaining section for retaining correction data to correct a characteristic variance between the first input section and the second input section; and a variance correction section for generating a third pixel signal corresponding to a difference between the first pixel signal and the second pixel signal where the characteristic variance is corrected based on the correction data. | 01-22-2009 |
20090040349 | Imager methods, apparatuses, and systems providing a skip mode with a wide dynamic range operation - Methods, apparatuses and systems provide a high dynamic range mode of operation for an image sensor when operating in a skip mode where certain pixels of an array are not readout. Multiple integration periods are employed in the skip mode with selected pixels being readout through circuits associated with pixels that are not readout. | 02-12-2009 |
20090040350 | IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system comprises an image sensing apparatus including a pixel array, a row selection unit, and a readout unit; and a supply unit including a plurality of A/D converting units, and a transfer unit. The supply unit supplies a power supply voltage to an A/D converting unit which, of the plurality of A/D converting units, receives signals from the pixels in the pixel array by means of the transfer unit, and does not supply a power supply voltage to an A/D converting unit which, of the plurality of A/D converting units, receives no signals from the pixels in the pixel array by means of the transfer unit, in a 1-line period. The readout unit A/D-converts the signals from the pixels in the pixel array using the A/D converting unit supplied with the power supply voltage by the supply unit, and outputs a digital image signal. | 02-12-2009 |
20090046187 | Solid-state imaging device - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array area having pixels including photoelectric transducers arranged as an array; signal lines wired for every pixel column in the pixel array area; and a plurality of noise reducers provided for the corresponding signal lines. Each of the noise reducers includes a first capacitor, one end of which is connected to the signal line; a first switch element, an input port of which is connected to the other end of the first capacitor; a second capacitor connected between an output port of the first switch element and a reference voltage; and a clamping element for clamping the voltage of a connecting node between the output port of the first switch element and the second capacitor to a predetermined voltage. The first capacitor is shared among the plurality of noise reducers. | 02-19-2009 |
20090046188 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, PIXEL-SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, ANALOG-SIGNAL TRANSFERRING DEVICE, AND ANALOG-SIGNAL TRANSFERRING METHOD - From a pixel array where imaging pixels are arranged, pixel signals of respective columns on a selected row are read in parallel in a horizontal blanking period of a horizontal period. The pixel signals of the respective columns are output to horizontal signal lines in an effective period of the horizontal period via charge integrating amps provided respectively for the columns, i.e., provided respectively for vertical signal lines, and are thereby transferred horizontally. In the charge integrating amps, it is possible to enter a standby state while holding the pixel signals by a holding voltage. Furthermore, in the charge integrating amps, a reference potential for precharging feedback capacitors for amps at the time of a reading operation is automatically controlled based on a black level. Furthermore, pixel signals from the respective charge integrating amps are horizontally transferred in parallel using a plurality of horizontal signal lines. | 02-19-2009 |
20090051796 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AN ON-CHIP VARIABLE ACUITY IMAGER ARRAY INCORPORATING ROLL, PITCH AND YAW ANGLE RATES MEASUREMENT - A variable acuity imager incorporates an array of detection elements for light energy, in the visible, infrared, ultraviolet, or light energy in another region of the electromagnetic spectrum with a means to change the spatial configuration of the array to include “superpixels” by combining energy detected by adjacent elements, thus permitting any number of high-resolution “foveal” regions to be placed within the confines of the focal plane array and moved around at the frame rate of the imaging device. Detectors to measure the pitch, yaw and roll angle rates of background imagery using velocity-sensing circuitry are employed for variation of the foveal regions to accommodate motion of the array. | 02-26-2009 |
20090066824 | OPTICAL SENSOR AND METHOD OF SELECTION OF PIXEL OF OPTICAL SENSOR - An optical sensor able to make a pixel area small without degrading an increase of the speed of detection of the change of light intensity and reduction of the power consumption, therefore able reduce the size of a chip at the time of an increase of pixels and a method of selection of pixels of the same, imparting a function of holding charges corresponding to a light reception intensity of a previous frame and a function for comparing strongness/weakness of the light reception intensity of the previous frame and the light reception intensity of the current frame to each of the pixels composing a pixel array part and configuring both function portions by a capacitor Cs connected between a photodiode PD and a selection transistor T | 03-12-2009 |
20090073295 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state image pickup device | 03-19-2009 |
20090073296 | Imaging device and imaging apparatus - An imaging device includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a plurality of vertical electric charge transfer paths; a horizontal transfer path that transfers; and a plurality of transfer connecting parts, wherein each of the transfer connecting parts includes an electric charge transfer channel that transfers a signal electric charges in a column direction, a width of the electric charge transfer channel in a row direction continuously increases over an entire part or a part of the electric charge transfer channel, a downstream side of the electric charge transfer channel in the column direction is large in increasing rate of the channel width than an upstream side of the electric charge transfer channel in the column direction. | 03-19-2009 |
20090086073 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device | 04-02-2009 |
20090096903 | Imaging device and imaging method - An imaging apparatus includes an imaging element having two-dimensionally arranged imaging pixels that receive light of an image transmitted through an optical system and output pixel signals corresponding to the received light, and in which non-imaging pixels that are different from the imaging pixels are arranged. The apparatus detects a direction of continuity of the pixel signals based on pixel signals of the imaging pixels positioned around the non-imaging pixels, and determines, based on the detected direction of continuity, the pixel signals at the positions of the non-imaging pixels by processing the pixel output of the imaging pixels positioned around the non-imaging pixels. | 04-16-2009 |
20090109310 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An imaging device includes an image obtaining unit configured to capture an image of a subject to obtain video data; an extraction unit configured to extract high-frequency components in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction of the video data; a calculation unit configured to calculate a parameter based on the high-frequency components in the at least one of the horizontal direction and vertical direction extracted by the extraction unit, the parameter indicating a magnitude of a high-frequency component for every line or every group of lines in the at least one of the horizontal direction and vertical direction; and a combining unit configured to combine an indicator indicating a magnitude of the parameter with the video data at a predetermined position in the at least one of the horizontal direction and vertical direction. | 04-30-2009 |
20090109311 | SOLID STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, DRIVE METHOD THEREOF AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid state image pickup device which includes a pixel unit having a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix shape and having a mechanism for converting an optical signal into an electrical signal and outputting the resultant signal, a column processing circuit for performing column processing of the signal from the pixel unit, a calculating circuit for calculating a processing result of the column processing circuit, a frame memory unit, an internal interface for connecting the calculating circuit and the frame memory unit, an external interface for connecting an external and the frame memory unit, and a connection switching circuit for switching a connection of the frame memory unit relative to the internal interface and the external interface. | 04-30-2009 |
20090115877 | METHOD FOR READING A TWO-DIMENSIONAL MATRIX OF PIXELS AND DEVICE FOR IMPLEMENTING SUCH A METHOD - The invention relates to a method for reading a two-dimensional matrix ( | 05-07-2009 |
20090122172 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel region including a plurality of pixels, each including a photoelectric conversion element, arranged in matrix, and a reset switch for discharging electric charge of the photoelectric conversion element; and a first scanning circuit for supplying a reset control signal for controlling an operation of the reset switch, the pixel region and the first scanning circuit being formed on a semiconductor substrate, in which the pixel region includes a first pixel region and a second pixel region, and the first scanning circuit includes a first decoder for controlling the operation of the reset switch arranged in the first pixel region, and a second decoder for controlling the operation of the reset switch arranged in the second pixel region. | 05-14-2009 |
20090141154 | SOLID-STATE PICKUP APPARATUS, ITS DRIVING METHOD AND CAMERA SYSTEM - There is used an XY address type solid-state image pickup element (for example, a MOS type image sensor) in which two rows and two columns are made a unit, and color filters having a color coding of repetition of the unit (repetition of two verticals (two horizontals) are arranged, and when a thinning-out read mode is specified, a clock frequency of a system is changed to 1/9, and on the basis of the changed clock frequency, a pixel is selected every three pixels in both a row direction and a column direction to successively read out a pixel signal. | 06-04-2009 |
20090147118 | DEVICE AND PIXEL ARCHITECTURE FOR HIGH RESOLUTION DIGITAL IMAGING - The present invention discloses structure of a two-gate field effect transistor (FET), named as charge gated FET, and presents various active pixel sensor (APS) and multimode architectures using the device which has only one, or two on-pixel transistors for high resolution, high gain and fast frame rate APS arrays. It is also disclosed a new method of addressing pixels of an APS array by applying the addressing voltage pulse directly to the gate of the amplifying transistor of the pixel architecture, eliminating the row select transistor from the pixel circuit. | 06-11-2009 |
20090153711 | CMOS image sensors and methods for outputting pixel data at high speeds - A The CMOS image sensor includes a pixel array including pixels arranged in a matrix of rows and columns and a row selection unit configured to generate selection signals for simultaneously or concurrently selecting at least two rows from the rows of the pixel array in response to a received row address. An analog-to-digital conversion unit is configured to convert pixel data output from the at least two rows selected from the pixel array into a digital video signal and output the digital video signal. The pixel array outputs the pixel data in response to the selection signals. | 06-18-2009 |
20090160987 | 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. | 06-25-2009 |
20090160988 | DRIVE METHOD FOR SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device having: (a) a pixel array with an oblique pixel pattern in which pixels are obliquely disposed, an odd-numbered row vertical signal line in an odd-numbered row vertical signal line group being connected to each column of odd-numbered row pixels and an even-numbered row vertical signal line in an even-numbered row vertical signal line group being connected to each column of even-numbered row pixels; (b) a row selector for separately selecting an odd-numbered row and an even-numbered row of the oblique pixel pattern; (c) an odd-numbered row column processing circuit group including column processing circuits and connected to the odd-numbered row vertical signal line group, for adding signals of the odd-numbered row pixels between columns; (d) an even-numbered row column processing circuit group including column processing circuits and connected to the even-numbered row vertical signal line group, for adding signals of the even-numbered row pixels in pixel columns; and (d) a column selector for selecting the column processing circuits of the odd-numbered row column processing circuit group and the column processing circuits of the even-numbered row column processing circuit group. | 06-25-2009 |
20090167915 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND DRIVING METHOD OF THE SAME - Provided is a solid-state imaging device being capable of suppressing RTS noise and preventing decrease in S/N when a signal having a smaller value is converted to a digital signal. The solid-state imaging device includes: an imaging unit including pixels arranged in rows and columns; column amplifying units each amplifying a column signal with a variable gain, each of the column amplifying units being provided for each column of the imaging unit; column sample-hold units each selectively sample-holding and passing the column signal, the column signal being amplified by a corresponding one of the column amplifying units; and column AD conversion units each converting, using a ramp signal, the column signal representing a signal component and a reference component to a digital signal corresponding to a difference between the signal component and the reference component, the column signal being read from a corresponding one of said column sample-hold units. | 07-02-2009 |
20090174800 | SHIFT REGISTER, AND SOLID STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND CAMERA USING SHIFT REGISTER - The present invention provides a solid state image sensor and a camera using such a solid state image sensor, in which all of stage registers of the shift register can be reset efficiently without increasing the number of pads and/or sensor pins. The solid state image sensor comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements | 07-09-2009 |
20090185062 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SCANNING AN ARRAY OF SENSORS - Aspects of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for scanning an array of sensors. More particularly, the invention is directed towards scanning an array of sensors to accurately determine actuated sensors on a contact-sensitive surface. In one embodiment, three sets of sensing lines can be incorporated into the sensing area for ghost-free detection of up to two keys. Further in other embodiments, n sets of sensing lines can be incorporated into the sensing area for ghost free detection of up to n−1 keys. | 07-23-2009 |
20090190015 | 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. | 07-30-2009 |
20090201403 | Correlated double sampling unit in image sensor with attenuation of parasitic voltage loss - A correlated double sampling unit in an image sensor includes a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and a capacitor switch. The first capacitor is coupled between a first node and an input node of a tripping unit. The second capacitor is coupled between the first node and a second node having a ramp signal switched thereon. The capacitor switch is coupled between the second node and the input node of the tripping unit for coupling the first and second capacitors in parallel as a final pixel signal is developed at the input node of the tripping unit for minimizing signal loss from a parasitic capacitance at the input node of the tripping unit. | 08-13-2009 |
20090201404 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting Camera Sensor Intensity Saturation - A method for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes monitoring an electrical signal from a light sensor for detecting an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of the light sensor, converting the electrical signal to a digital signal, imposing a reserved bit combination on the digital signal indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel. Alternatively stated, the method includes monitoring pixel data from an output of a light sensor to determine a number of pixels at saturation and a number of pixels near saturation, comparing the number of pixels at saturation to a predetermined first threshold number, comparing the number of pixels near saturation to a predetermined second threshold number, reprogramming the light sensor to adapt to more brightness if the number of pixels at saturation is above the first threshold number, and reprogramming the light sensor to adapt to less brightness if the number of pixels near saturation is below the second threshold number. An apparatus for detecting intensity saturation of a light sensor includes a saturation detector for detecting and measuring an intensity saturation condition of at least one pixel of a light sensor, the intensity saturation condition of the pixel being at saturation upon receiving light with an intensity above a predetermined level, the saturation detector emitting a digital signal with a reserved bit combination indicating the intensity saturation condition of the pixel, and a processor receiving and processing the digital signal from the saturation detector and transmitting a control signal in response to the digital signal to compensate for the intensity saturation condition of the pixel. | 08-13-2009 |
20090207290 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels, each pixel containing an amplification section for outputting onto an output signal line, and a reset section for resetting an accumulation section; a noise suppressing section with using a first signal being an output from the pixel at the time of resetting for suppressing noise components contained in a second signal corresponding to the signal electric charges; and a control section for, of the outputs onto the output signal line of a first pixel being subject of the noise suppressing operation, respectively limiting the first signal and the second signal to a first electric potential and to a second electric potential with using an output resulting from reset operation onto the output signal line from a second pixel different from the first pixel and connected to the same one output signal line as the first pixel. | 08-20-2009 |
20090213255 | Solid-state imaging device and electronic camera - A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional array, a scanning circuit that selects a specific pixel among the pixels by selecting a pixel row and a pixel column and a signal output circuit that outputs a signal from the pixel selected by the scanning circuit. The plurality of pixels include a plurality of first focus detection pixels and a plurality of second focus detection pixels. The first focus detection pixels and the second focus detection pixels are disposed within a single row or a single column. The scanning circuit selects a plurality of first or second focus detection pixels disposed within the single row or column at once. The signal output circuit combines signals from the plurality of first or second focus detection pixels selected by the scanning circuit and outputs a resulting composite signal. | 08-27-2009 |
20090213256 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA - Disclosed is a solid-state imaging device which includes a group of elements, the group including at least color photoelectric conversion elements configured to convert light signals in first, second, and third wavelength ranges to electric signals, respectively, a white photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light signals in the wavelength range including the entire visible light range and a portion of the infrared light range to electric signals, and a light-shielded diode element configured to be shielded from light. A unit is formed by including the white photoelectric conversion element and the light-shielded diode element for one color photoelectric conversion element, and within the unit, the white photoelectric conversion element is electrically connected with the light-shielded diode element by way of an overflow path. A camera provided with the solid-state imaging device is also disclosed. | 08-27-2009 |
20090213257 | IMAGE SENSOR - Provided is an image sensor that may reduce the number of external terminals for downsizing of a chip, generate a write signal (RE) of a Y address with one pulse, and employ an external circuit having the same configuration as that of the conventional example. The image sensor uses an X-Y address scanning system in a pixel element matrix, and includes: a register latch that sets a Y address for selection of a row according to a write signal; a Y address register that decodes a Y address data from the register latch to output a Y address signal for selection of the row in the pixel element matrix; and an X address control unit that generates an X address signal for selection of a column. The register latch brings the Y address register into a disenable state so as to cause the Y address register not to output the Y address signal at timing at which the write signal is input to the Y address register, and brings the Y address register into an enable state so as to cause the Y address register to output the Y address signal at timing at which the input of the write signal is completed and the Y address data is written into the Y address register. | 08-27-2009 |
20090219423 | Solid-state imaging device, electronic camera - A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional array that individually output analog pixel signals corresponding to amounts of light received thereat, a vertical scanning circuit that selects a pixel row, vertical signal lines each installed in correspondence to a pixel column, through which the pixel signals output from pixels belonging to the row selected by the vertical scanning circuit are transmitted, a horizontal scanning circuit that selects a plurality of pixel columns simultaneously, a composition circuit that combines pixel signals corresponding to the columns selected simultaneously by the horizontal scanning circuit, among the pixel signals output to the vertical signal lines, a first conversion circuit that converts the analog composite pixel signal generated at the composition circuit to a digital signal and a horizontal signal line through which the pixel signal digitized at the first conversion circuit is transmitted. | 09-03-2009 |
20090219424 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus comprising on a single semiconductor substrate: a pixel array; a vertical scanning unit; a horizontal scanning unit; a counter which starts a counting operation to count the number of the clocks before a start of the first period, and stops the counting operation before a start of the second period during the first period; and a generation unit which generates a first control signal for causing the vertical scanning unit to drive a pixel, the generation unit including a signal generation unit which generates a second control signal in accordance with the counted value output from the counter, and a delay unit which delays the second control signal to generate the first control signal and output the first control signal to the vertical scanning unit. | 09-03-2009 |
20090231479 | Image Sensor ADC and CDS per Column - A solid state imager converts analog pixel values to digital form on an arrayed per-column basis. A counter is coupled to an N-bit DAC to produce an analog ramp that varies corresponding to the contents of the counter. A ripple counter is associated with each respective column. A clock or a source of counts at a predetermined sequence supplies clock signals or counts to the counter elements. Column comparators gate the counter elements when the analog ramp equals the pixel value. The counter contents feed a video output bus to produce the digital video signal. Additional black-level readout counters elements can create and store a black level digital value that is subtracted from the pixel value to reduce fixed pattern noise. The counters may employ two's complement arithmetic. An additional array of buffer counter/latches can be employed. Ripple counters can be configured as counters to capture the digital video level, and then as shift registers to clock out the video levels to an output bus. The clock pulses or counts for the DAC counter and for the ripple counters can be at the same or different rates. | 09-17-2009 |
20090244342 | Random Access Decoder - A random access decoder comprising a plurality of decoder circuit elements, each decoder circuit element having a unique electronic address and a binary data output, means for applying an input signal to each of the decoder circuit element and where each decoder circuit element places data on its binary data output only when the unique electronic address of a particular decoder circuit element matches the applied input signal and wherein the unique electronic address of each of the plurality of decoder circuit elements is electronically loaded into each of the decoder circuit elements. In one embodiment, each decoder circuit element comprises equivalent components electrically connected in the same arrangement. | 10-01-2009 |
20090244343 | ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE DETECTING ELEMENT - The present invention is to provide an electromagnetic wave detecting element that can suppress the trapping of charges in a semiconductor layer. Plural lower electrodes, which collect charges generated in the semiconductor layer, are each provided to cover at least a portion in a length direction and the entire region in a width direction of a scan line adjacent thereto, and the lower electrodes are disposed at positions at which the scan lines are provided. | 10-01-2009 |
20090251578 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - In an image pickup device with A/D converters at each column signal line, improvements in the A/D conversion speed and accuracy in image sensors having A/D converters are achieved. In an image pickup device wherein sensing elements are arranged in a matrix and A/D converters are arranged for each column signal line, the A/D converter first retains in its memory unit as an initial value an electric signal corresponding to the signal of the sensing element which is an analog signal, then initiates charge or discharge of the memory unit at a rate corresponding to the size of an input fixed signal, measures the time period from either the charge start time or the discharge start time until the memory unit electric signal becomes equal to the reference signal, and then recognizes the measured time period as a digital value. | 10-08-2009 |
20090256938 | 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. | 10-15-2009 |
20090256939 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - Solid-state imaging apparatus comprises: a plurality of A/D converters converting the analog electric signal from the pixel into a digital signal to output the digital signal from an output terminal of the A/D converter; a plurality of register circuits holding the digital signal; and a connecting unit for connecting the output terminal of the A/D converter arranged correspondingly to one column to the input terminal of the register circuit arranged correspondingly to another column, or for connecting an output terminal of the register circuit arranged correspondingly to one column to the input terminal of the register circuits arranged correspondingly to another column. | 10-15-2009 |
20090268071 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH SCALER AND IMAGE SCALING METHOD THEREOF - An image sensor is wieldy used in many fields, including medical field and security device. Specifically, the image sensor is most widely used in digital camera and mobile phone. The digital camera and the mobile phone requires capture image of higher resolution and higher quality. However, a preview size of the mobile phone or digital camera requires a small size because of a display limitation. Therefore, a function of reducing an image size or magnifying a specific portion of the picture is essential in the image sensor. Accordingly, there is provided an image sensor with a scaler. The image sensor with the scaler can arbitrarily adjust a size of an image without any additional scaling chip. | 10-29-2009 |
20090273696 | IMAGE SENSORS AND METHODS WITH ANTIBLOOMING CHANNELS AND TWO SIDE DRIVING OF CONTROL SIGNALS - An image sensor of various embodiments includes a pixel array. The pixel array includes a pixel having a photodiode and a transfer gate. The pixel array in various embodiments further includes an antiblooming channel extending from the photodiode to either (i) a pixel output area, or (ii) a drain of a source follower transistor. A method of some embodiments includes (i) driving from a first row driver one or more control signals over one or more control lines to one or more pixels, and (ii) driving from a second row driver the one or more control signals over the one or more control lines to the one or more pixels. | 11-05-2009 |
20090273697 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes an A/D conversion circuit in each column, wherein a connecting unit is provided for connecting a register circuit in a certain column to a register circuit in another column, and an operation is performed for holding, in register circuits through the connecting unit, digital signals obtained by performing A/D conversions of analog electric signals at different timings in one horizontal synchronizing period. | 11-05-2009 |
20090278968 | SOLID STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE DRIVING METHOD AND CAMERA - A solid state imaging apparatus includes a solid state imaging device and a control circuit for performing control such that a first clock signal applied to transfer signal charges for a time period from after a preceding signal charge has been read out from a light sensing unit to when the preceding signal charge is transferred to a horizontal transfer unit and a second clock signal applied for a time period from after the preceding signal charge has been transferred to the horizontal transfer unit to when a succeeding signal charge is read out from the light sensing unit have almost the same amplitude and a high level potential of the first clock signal is set higher than that of the second clock signal. | 11-12-2009 |
20090284632 | DRIVING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises a pixel portion including a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel including a photoelectric conversion portion, an accumulation portion for accumulating the charge, a first transfer portion connecting the photoelectric conversion portion to the accumulation portion, a second transfer portion connecting the accumulation portion to a floating diffusion portion, and a third transfer portion connecting the photoelectric conversion portion to a power source, and wherein, from a state where no potential barrier is formed in the second transfer portion, a potential barrier is formed in the second transfer portion under a condition that a potential barrier is formed in the first transfer portion and no potential barrier is formed in the third transfer portion, and then a potential barrier is formed in the third transfer portion, thereby the operation of accumulating charges in the pixels is started. | 11-19-2009 |
20090290055 | ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE DETECTION ELEMENT - The present invention provides an electromagnetic wave detection element that can raise the speed of image read-out. Scan lines are each disposed to plural pixel lines for each of the pixel lines in a row direction of plural pixels disposed in a matrix array, and switches each TFT switch provided to respective pixels in the plural pixel lines by the respective scan lines. Plural signal lines are each disposed to each of the pixel lines in the column direction of the matrix array. In each of the pixel lines in the column direction, the respective signal line is connected to a different TFT switch from the TFT switches that are connected to the same respective scan line, and the charge accumulated in storage capacitors is read out through each of the signal lines according to the state of the TFT switches. | 11-26-2009 |
20090290056 | IMAGE PICK-UP DEVICE - A image pick-up device includes a pseudo signal generating circuit which generates a pseudo video signal, a pseudo signal reading circuit which reads and outputs the pseudo signal from the pseudo signal generating circuit, and a level control circuit which controls the level of a signal outputted by the pseudo signal generating circuit or read into a pseudo signal reader. The image pick-up device can detect the property difference in signal lines. | 11-26-2009 |
20090295962 | IMAGE SENSOR HAVING DIFFERING WAVELENGTH FILTERS - An image sensor includes filters formed over a portion of an array of photosensitive elements in a predetermined pattern. The pattern can be such that the exposure of a matrix (such as a 2-by-2 square of pixels) to light (such as blue light) is improved, while maintaining acceptable capability to capture light across the entire spectrum. The pattern can be such that two blue filters, one red, and one green filter is used by a 2-by-2 square matrix of pixels. The pattern can also include cyan, yellow, and magenta (CYM) filters. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295963 | METHOD AND APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR COLLECTING DIGITAL IMAGE DATA FROM MICROSCOPE MEDIA-BASED SPECIMENS - A digital image collection system and method includes an area scan camera that scans a region to obtain digital image data therefrom, the area scan camera having an optical scan axis. A specimen mounting unit receives a specimen that is mounted on a top surface thereof, for enabling the specimen to be scanned by the area scan camera. The top surface of the specimen mounting unit is slanted at an angle with respect to the area scan camera such that the optical scan axis is oblique to the top surface of the specimen mounting unit. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295964 | Image sensor and image-capturing device - An image sensor includes: a plurality of imaging pixels; and a plurality of focus detection pixels constituted with a micro-lens and a photoelectric conversion element that receives a focus detection light flux transmitted through a photographic optical system and executes photoelectric conversion. The photoelectric conversion element in each of the focus detection pixels includes a light-receiving area where the focus detection light flux is received; light-receiving area images corresponding to each of the focus detection pixels are each formed as the light-receiving area is projected via the micro-lens onto a pupil plane of the photographic optical system; and a positional relationship of the micro-lens and the light-receiving area is determined in correspondence to an image height so that the light-receiving area images corresponding to all the focus detection pixels are superimposed on one another on the pupil plane. | 12-03-2009 |
20090303364 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises first accumulation units, of which number is n, holding a digital value of n-bits output from a counter, second accumulation units, of which number is n, holding the digital value of n-bits transferred from the first accumulation units, of which number is n, and an A/D converter writing the digital value of n-bits from the counter based on an image signal generated by pixels into the first accumulation units, of which number is n, wherein correspondingly to each column of the pixels, the first accumulation unit of m-th bit (1≦m≦n) and the second accumulation unit of m-th bit (1≦m≦n) are arranged and paired, and the pairs of which number is n are arranged in a direction along the column of pixels. | 12-10-2009 |
20090303365 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a matrix and converting light into electric carriers; a transfer gate for transferring the electric carriers generated by the conversion to a floating node; a first transistor for amplifying a signal based on a voltage of the floating node and for outputting the amplified signal to a column signal line; and a second transistor for resetting the voltage of the floating node, wherein the solid-state imaging apparatus includes a transfer unit for combining signals from the column signal lines, based on the voltage of the floating nodes after the reset of the floating nodes by the second transistor, wherein outputting a signal based on the combined signals from the column signal lines based on the voltage of the floating nodes, for detecting a flicker of an imaging light source. | 12-10-2009 |
20090310002 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A frequency converting unit | 12-17-2009 |
20100020215 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION DEVICE - A decrease in a light receiving sensitivity at a peripheral portion of an image capturing area is suppressed, thereby obtaining a solid-state image capturing device with an excellent luminance shading characteristic. In a solid-state image capturing device in which an image capturing area | 01-28-2010 |
20100033611 | Pixel array of three-dimensional image sensor - Provided is a pixel array of a three-dimensional image sensor. The pixel array includes unit pixel patterns each including a color pixel and a distance-measuring pixel arranged in an array form. The unit pixel patterns are arranged in such a way that a group of distance-measuring pixels are disposed adjacent to each other. | 02-11-2010 |
20100039544 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD - In recent years, the performance of CMOS and CCD image sensors has dramatically improved, and to utilize the improved performance of these sensors, processing circuitry is provided here. This processing circuitry employs a adjustable gain that varies depending on the intensity of the signal from the image sensor so as to reduce noise, reduce area used, and reduce power consumption. | 02-18-2010 |
20100053398 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - The present invention provides a imaging apparatus including a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels including: a photoelectric conversion unit; a charge accumulating unit; an amplifying unit, and a transfer electrode, wherein the solid-state imaging apparatus includes a light shielding portion covering the charge accumulating unit, and a connecting unit for electrically connecting the control electrode and the light shielding portion, and wherein the light shielding portion of the pixel in one row is electrically connected to the other light shielding portions of the other pixels in the same row and adjacent to the pixel in the one row, and is electrically insulated from other light shielding portions of pixels in rows different from the one row. | 03-04-2010 |
20100066880 | MICROCHIP AND METHOD FOR CELL SORTING - [Problems] To provide a microchip for cell sorting to obtain the desired cell from a number of cells quickly and accurately by combining the advantages from both methods using the optical tweezer and the liquid supply to the micro channel. | 03-18-2010 |
20100066881 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - An image sensing device comprises a readout unit, an output amplifier, and a horizontal scanning unit, wherein the horizontal scanning unit scans a plurality of column signal holding circuits in a plurality of holding blocks in the readout unit in a direction along a row, in each holding block, a first operation in which the signal held in a first holding unit is transferred to a second holding unit via a transfer switch is performed, and subsequently, a second operation in which the signal held in the second holding unit is transferred to the output amplifier, and a third operation in which a signal output from a pixel is read out to the first holding unit are performed in parallel, and the second operation and the first operation are performed in parallel between different holding blocks in the plurality of holding blocks. | 03-18-2010 |
20100079643 | Active Pixel Sensor With Reduced Fixed Pattern Noise - An image sensor includes pixels each of which is designed to transfer charge, accumulated in a photoactive region of the pixel during a first period, through a second active region of the pixel to a power supply node, and to transfer charge, accumulated in the photoactive region during a second period, through the second active region to a sense node in the pixel. Passing charge through the second active region prior to transferring it either to the power supply node or the sense node can help reduce fixed pattern noise. The image sensor can be operated in snap-shot mode. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079644 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING FLASH EMISSION - An imaging apparatus includes: flash driving means for driving a flash during a set preliminary emission period and a set main emission period; and an image sensor constituted by a plurality of photoelectric converting elements which are arranged in a matrix and capable of being accessed randomly. The charge accumulation initiation timing and the charge accumulation cessation timing of the photoelectric converting elements line are controlled line by line or pixel by pixel. The imaging apparatus forms images employing pixel signals output from the photoelectric converting elements, and determines main regions within the images. The preliminary emission period is set such that charge accumulation in photoelectric converting elements corresponding to pixels that constitute the main region is initiated prior to the preliminary emission period and ceased after the preliminary emission period. The flash driving means drives the flash during the set preliminary emission period. | 04-01-2010 |
20100079645 | CMOS IMAGER AND SYSTEM WITH SELECTIVELY SILICIDED GATES - The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for selectively providing a silicide coating over the transistor gates of a CMOS imager to improve the speed of the transistor gates. The method further includes an apparatus and method for forming a self aligned photo shield over the CMOS imager. | 04-01-2010 |
20100085456 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE-PICKUP SENSOR AND DEVICE - A solid-state image-pickup sensor comprises a plurality of vertical scan circuits, a plurality of horizontal scan circuits, a pixel section including pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array and performing photoelectric conversion, each of the pixels being connected to one of the plurality of vertical scan circuits and connected to the plurality of horizontal scan circuits, and a selection unit for controlling each of the horizontal scan circuits to independently select and output photoelectrically converted signals read from plural ones of the pixels arrayed in the horizontal direction. | 04-08-2010 |
20100091161 | Solid-state image sensor and imaging apparatus equipped with solid-state image sensor - A solid-state image sensor executing photoelectric conversion for a subject image includes: a plurality of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional pattern and each equipped with a photoelectric conversion unit that generates and stores an electrical charge, wherein: the plurality of pixels are each one of a first pixel and a second pixel; the plurality of pixels are divided into a plurality of pixel blocks; the pixel blocks each include m×n pixels with m pixels and n pixels among the plurality of pixels set respectively along a columnar direction and along a row direction; at least one of the pixels in each pixel block is the first pixel; color filters assuming a single color are disposed at first pixels belonging to a common pixel block; and at least one pixel in at least one pixel block among the plurality of pixel blocks is the second pixel. | 04-15-2010 |
20100097509 | PIXEL FOR BOOSTING PIXEL RESET VOLTAGE - A pixel cell in which a capacitance is coupled between a storage node and a row select transistor. The pixel cell utilizes a readout timing sequence between operation of a reset transistor and a row select transistor to boost a reset voltage. | 04-22-2010 |
20100103300 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGING - The systems and methods described herein relate to high resolution imaging. In particular, the systems include two or more lens assemblies for imaging a particular scene. Each lens assembly has image sensors disposed behind the lens assembly to image only a portion of the scene viewable through the lens assembly. Image sensors behind different lens assemblies image different portions of the scene. When the imaged portions from all the sensors are combined, a high resolution image of the scene is formed. Thus, multiple sensors can be combined to generate a high resolution image without prospective mismatching, and without the shortcomings associated with the border regions and packaging of the individual sensors, such as image gaps. | 04-29-2010 |
20100110250 | POWER SAVINGS WITH MULTIPLE READOUT CIRCUITS - An imager with a switch circuit located between, and connected to, the pixel array and associated readout chains. In one embodiment the switch is located within the column sample and hold circuitry; in another embodiment the switch is located between the column sample and hold circuitry and the readout chains. The switch circuit ensures that signals from the column sample and hold circuitry are directed to enabled readout chains, which allows selective enabling/disabling of readout chains. By disabling readout chains, the imager's power consumption is reduced. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110251 | IMAGE SENSOR - The invention relates to an image sensor, in particular to a CMOS image sensor, for electronic cameras, having a plurality of light-sensitive pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein the pixels of a respective column are divided into a first pixel group and a second pixel group, wherein, in each column, the pixels of the respective first pixel group are coupled to a common first column amplifier via a common first column line and the pixels of the respective pixel group are coupled to a common second column amplifier via a common second column line. The division of the pixels into the first pixel group and second pixel group is different for different columns. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110252 | PHYSICAL QUANTITY DETECTING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME - In a solid state imaging device to be included in an imaging device such as a digital camera, a ramp run-up AD conversion circuit for AD converting a pixel signal is provided corresponding to one or a plurality of pixel columns. A column counter provided in each ramp run-up AD conversion circuit holds an upper bit, and a clock signal is supplied to one or plural latches for holding a lower bit. Thus, fast and accurate AD conversion can be realized while suppressing increase of clock frequency. | 05-06-2010 |
20100110253 | PHYSICAL QUANTITY DETECTING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE PHYSICAL QUANTITY DETECTING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A physical quantity detecting device includes: a pixel array that has pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix, each converting a physical quantity supplied from the outside into an electric signal; a driving circuit that scans, as read rows, N rows of pixels (N is an integer equal to or larger than 3) in the pixel array at the same time and reads out signals corresponding to the pixels in the read rows; and M signal processing circuit groups (105-06-2010 | |
20100118171 | Solid-State Image Pickup Device - There is provided a solid-state imaging device in which images can be read at high speed. Since an n-th processing circuit (e.g. PU | 05-13-2010 |
20100118172 | IMAGE SENSORS HAVING GRATINGS FOR COLOR SEPARATION - An image sensor includes an array of pixels comprising a plurality of kernels that repeat periodically and each kernel includes n photosensitive regions for collecting charge in response to light, n is equal to or greater than 2; and a transparent layer spanning the photosensitive regions having n optical paths, at least two of which are different, wherein each optical path directs light of a predetermined spectral band into specific photosensitive regions. | 05-13-2010 |
20100118173 | Method and apparatus for controlling charge transfer in CMOS sensors with an implant by the transfer gate - An improved CMOS sensor integrated circuit is disclosed, along with methods of making the circuit and computer readable description' s of the circuit. | 05-13-2010 |
20100118174 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - A method for driving an image pickup device in which a predetermined voltage which is between a power source voltage and a reference voltage is generated, a voltage of an output signal line to the predetermined voltage is set, and a reset voltage from a pixel circuit is output to the output signal line | 05-13-2010 |
20100134671 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - In a solid state imaging device according to the present application, a sampling hold part samples and holds, in accordance with sampling control signals φTVN, φTVS, a dark signal and a light signal of each of vertical signal lines provided to correspond to each column of pixels, and supplies the signals being held to horizontal signal lines in accordance with a horizontal scanning signal. During predetermined intervals T | 06-03-2010 |
20100141819 | Imaging Array with Non-Linear Light Response - An imaging array and method for capturing an image utilizing the same are disclosed. The imaging array includes an array of pixel sensors in which each pixel includes a dual-ported photodiode or photogate and a charge conversion circuit. The charge conversion circuit generates a voltage signal that is a function of a charge on the dual-ported photodiode. The controller applies a potential that varies over the exposure to the second gates in the dual-ported photodiodes, each second port passing charge stored in the photodiode connected to the second port when a potential in the photodiode exceeds the applied potential. The potential is chosen such that charge flows through the second gates of pixel sensors that are exposed to light intensities greater than a first threshold intensity during the exposure. | 06-10-2010 |
20100141820 | IMAGE SENSOR HAVING CUT-OFF CORNERS, WITH A MULTIPLEXER BETWEEN TWO ADJACENT ROWS OF PIXELS - The invention relates to matrix image sensors. It applies most particularly to intraoral dental radiology sensors. The invention provides a sensor architecture comprising a column decoder controlling select conductors of a column, and a row decoder controlling select conductors of a row. The pixels of a column are connected to a signal conductor that extends along the column and goes toward an analog multiplexer extending within the pixel matrix between two rows of pixels of the matrix. The multiplexer is controlled via the column select conductors coming from the decoder and it transmits the signal from a signal conductor of a selected column to an output conductor extending parallel to the rows. A signal sampling circuit common to all the columns is connected at the end of the output conductor of the multiplexer. An increase in matrix area is achieved by in practice losing only a single image row. | 06-10-2010 |
20100149393 | INCREASING THE RESOLUTION OF COLOR SUB-PIXEL ARRAYS - Increasing the resolution of digital imagers is disclosed by sampling an image using diagonally oriented color sub-pixel arrays, and creating missing pixels from the sampled image data. A first method maps the diagonal color imager pixels to every other orthogonal display pixel. The missing display pixels can be computed by interpolating data from adjacent color imager pixels, and averaging color information from neighboring display pixels. This averaging can be done either by weighting the surrounding pixels equally, or by applying weights to the surrounding pixels based on intensity information. A second method utilizes the captured color imager sub-pixel data instead of interpolation. Missing color pixels for orthogonal displays can be obtained directly from the sub-pixel arrays formed between the row color pixels in the imager. | 06-17-2010 |
20100165163 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device comprises a pixel array, a reading unit, a pixel signal addition unit, and a display unit. A plurality of pixels including a first pixel and a second pixel are arranged in two dimensions in the pixel array. The first and second pixels have a photoelectric conversion elements and output pixel signals according to the quantities of incident light to the photoelectric conversion elements. The reading unit reads a first pixel signal from the first pixel and reads a second pixel signal from the second pixel. The pixel signal addition unit adds the first pixel signal read from the first pixel with a plurality of different timings and adds the second pixel signal read from the second pixel with a plurality of different timings. The display unit displays the first pixel signal added by the pixel signal addition unit and the second pixel signal added by the pixel signal addition unit sequentially with different timings. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165164 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE-PICKUP DEVICE, CAMERA SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING SAME - A negative electrode for a secondary battery includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer provided in the negative electrode current collector and which is alloyed with the negative electrode current collector at least at a part of an boundary face between it and the negative electrode current collector, wherein the negative electrode current collector has a first surface on which the negative electrode active material layer is formed and a second surface on which the negative electrode active material layer is not formed, the negative electrode having a portion in which the second surfaces of the negative electrode current collector are opposed to each other. | 07-01-2010 |
20100177227 | IMAGE SENSOR - The invention relates to an image sensor for electronic cameras, comprising a plurality of light-sensitive pixels for the generation of signals proportional to exposure and at least one read-out circuit coupled to the pixels and having a first section and a second section disposed downstream of the first section in a signal read-out direction, wherein the first section and the second section of the read-out circuit are each connected to at least one bond pad provided for the supply of an operating voltage and/or to at least one bond pad provided for the supply of a reference potential. At least some of the bond pads provided for the supply of the operating voltage and/or of the reference potential to the read-out circuit are arranged between the first section and the second sections of the read-out circuit. | 07-15-2010 |
20100182472 | IMAGING DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND CAMERA - An imaging device includes: a pixel section having a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in a matrix form; and a signal processing section that processes an output signal read from the pixel section. The pixel section includes a first output signal line, at least one first color pixel circuit connected to the first output signal line, a second output signal line, and at least one second color pixel circuit adjacent to the first color pixel circuit in a row direction thereof and connected to the second output signal line. The signal processing section includes a first signal processing circuit, a second signal processing circuit, a selection circuit, a first current source, a second current source, a current source selection circuit, a first connection node, and a second connection node. | 07-22-2010 |
20100188540 | 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. | 07-29-2010 |
20100188541 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - A solid-state image capturing device includes: a pixel array unit including plural pixels each converting light selectively incident through a mechanical shutter into charges to be stored in a storage portion and having an overflow path through which charges exceeding a saturation charge amount are discharged; and a driving unit starting an exposure by simultaneously resetting all pixels of the pixel array unit, maintaining the overflow path in an opened state during the exposure period, and closing the overflow path during a period while signals are read from the pixels after ending the exposure by closing the mechanical shutter. | 07-29-2010 |
20100188542 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSOR CHIP - An imaging device includes a pixel array that includes a plurality of pixels, a data read circuit that sequentially reads the data of a given line from the pixel array, a plurality of column analog-digital converters that perform analog-digital conversion on the data from the data read circuit, and a control signal generating circuit that generates a control signal to control the analog-digital conversion. | 07-29-2010 |
20100194948 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, DRIVING METHOD OF THE SAME, AND CAMERA INCLUDING THE SAME - The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes: pixel units arranged two-dimensionally in rows and columns; signal holding units each holding an analog signal outputted from one of the pixel units in a corresponding one of the columns; and column AD circuits each converting, into a digital signal, the analog signal held by a corresponding one of said signal holding units. The signal holding units and the column AD circuits are respectively provided for the columns of the pixel units. Each of the signal holding units includes: a switching element connected to a column signal line through which the analog signal outputted from the one of the pixel units is transmitted; and a capacitor element holding the analog signal and being connected to the column signal line through the switching element. | 08-05-2010 |
20100194949 | A/D CONVERSION CIRCUIT, SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - There are provided an A/D conversion circuit in which a counter is made to be capable of performing counting at both edges of a clock, up/down count values can be switched while the up/down count values are held, and the duty of the counting operation is difficult to be distorted even with the both-edge counting, a solid-state image sensor, and a camera system. An ADC | 08-05-2010 |
20100194950 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - In a rear surface incidence type CMOS image sensor having a wiring layer | 08-05-2010 |
20100208113 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid state imaging device | 08-19-2010 |
20100214462 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME - A frame rate is improved in accordance with the number of times pixels are summed without increasing an operating frequency of a column scanning circuit, when pixel summation is performed between columns. According to the invention, a row scanner selectively controls unit pixels of a pixel array unit on a row-by-row basis. A column-by-column AD converter is provided in each of columns in the pixel array unit and converts an analog signal of each of the pixels in the rows selected by the row scanner into a digital signal. A column-by-column summer is provided in each of the columns and sums the digital signal of each of the pixels in the rows selected by the row scanner on a column-by-column basis. An input-output selector is provided between the column-by-column AD converters and the column-by-column summers, and selects the column-by-column AD converter of any arbitrary column as an input destination, while selecting the column-by-column summer of any arbitrary column as an output destination. A column scanner serially outputs summation results of the column-by-column summers by scanning columns. A controller controls the timing of the operations of the row scanner, the column-by-column AD converters, the input-output selector and the column-by-column summers. | 08-26-2010 |
20100214463 | SOLID STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - In a solid-state imaging apparatus, during a horizontal scanning period, a pixel signal is written in a first holding unit, while a horizontal scanning circuit outputs, to the horizontal common output line, the other pixel signal held by a second holding unit. And, a transition time of an edge of a sampling pulse during the horizontal scanning period is set longer than a transition time of an edge of the sampling pulse during a time period other than the horizontal scanning period. | 08-26-2010 |
20100231768 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - There is provided a solid-state image pickup device including ADCs that can be arranged in a limited space. The potential of a pixel signal outputted through a vertical readout line is held at a node. A plurality of capacitors are capacitively coupled to the node at which the pixel signal is held. The potential of the node is decreased in a stepwise manner by sequentially switching the voltages of the counter electrodes of the capacitors by the control of transistors. A comparator compares the potential of the node with the potential of the dark state of the pixel, and determines the upper bits of a digital value when the potential of the node becomes lower than the potential of the dark state. Following this, the conversion of the lower bits of the digital value is started. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the configuration of each ADC and arrange each ADC in a limited space. | 09-16-2010 |
20100245643 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP ELEMENT AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A pixel driving portion | 09-30-2010 |
20100265374 | A/D converter, solid-state imaging device and camera system - An A/D converter includes: plural comparators to which reference voltages as ramp waves different from each other are supplied, which are configured to compare the supplied reference voltages with an analog input signal; and plural latches arranged so as to correspond to the plural comparators, which are configured to count comparison time of the corresponding comparators, to stop counting when an outputs of the comparator is inverted and to store the count value, wherein the plural reference voltages are offset by an arbitrary voltage at the same time point. | 10-21-2010 |
20100271519 | Binary conversion circuit and method, AD converter, solid-state imaging device, and camera system - A binary conversion circuit includes: a latch circuit that latches phase information of at least one clock signal when the level of a signal is inverted, the level of the signal being inverted based on its state; at least one conversion circuit that converts the latched phase information of the latch circuit to a pulse train in response to a pulse signal; and a ripple counter section that converts phase information of a clock to a binary code by using the pulse obtained by the conversion of the conversion circuit as a count clock. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271520 | Da converter, solid-state imaging device, and camera system - A DA converter includes: an analog signal output section that generates an output current and a non-output current according to a value of a digital input signal in response to a gain control signal supplied to adjust gain, and that outputs an analog signal produced by current-voltage conversion of the output current and causes the non-output current to flow to a reference potential; a gain control signal generating section that generates a gain current and a non-select current according to a value of a digital gain control signal, and that generates the gain control signal by current-voltage conversion of the gain current and supplies the gain control signal to the analog signal output section; and a correction current generating section that generates, based on the non-select current of the gain control signal generating section, a correction current that complements an amount of current fluctuation due to changes in gain settings in the gain control signal generating section, and that causes the correction current to flow to the reference potential. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271521 | DA CONVERTER, SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A digital-to-analog (DA) converter includes: an analog output section that generates an output current corresponding to a value of a digital signal in response to a bias voltage and outputs an analog signal which is obtained from the output current by current-to-voltage conversion; a current source; a current control section that converts a current from the current source to a voltage signal and outputs the voltage signal as the bias voltage; and a sample and hold circuit section that samples and holds the bias voltage from the current control section and supplies the held bias voltage to the analog output section. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271522 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - The present invention provides a solid-state imaging device which is capable of high-speed and high-quality pixel mixture. The solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels; a row selecting circuit; a plurality of column signal lines each of which is provided to a corresponding one of columns of pixels, is connected to pixels of the corresponding column, and transfers the signals outputted from the connected pixels; a pixel current source which (i) is provided to a corresponding one of the column signal lines, (ii) is connected to the corresponding column signal line, and (iii) supplies to the connected column signal line a current when the signal is outputted from the selected pixel to the connected column signal line; and a control unit which changes the number of rows of pixels being simultaneously selected by the row selecting circuit, and values of the current supplied by the pixel current source. | 10-28-2010 |
20100271523 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE AND CAMERA - A solid-state image capturing device according to the present invention includes: pixel units arranged in rows and columns for outputting pixel signals corresponding to the amount of received light; and a first and a second vertical signal lines which are provided in each column of the pixel units and transmit the pixel signals. The pixel units in each of the columns are connected to the first and second vertical signal lines such that plural pixel signals of the same color are distributed among the plural vertical signal lines. The pixel signals of the same color in each of the columns may be evenly distributed among the vertical signal lines. | 10-28-2010 |
20100289934 | IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD - An imaging device is capable of on-chip processing data output by a series of pixels | 11-18-2010 |
20100302423 | FOUR-CHANNEL COLOR FILTER ARRAY PATTERN - An image sensor for capturing a color image comprising a two dimensional array of light-sensitive pixels including panchromatic pixels and color pixels having at least two different color responses, the pixels being arranged in a repeating pattern having a square minimal repeating unit having at least three rows and three columns, the color pixels being arranged along one of the diagonals of the minimal repeating unit, and all other pixels being panchromatic pixels. | 12-02-2010 |
20100309357 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INCLUDING THE DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes: a unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion section, an impurity-diffusion region capable of temporarily accumulating or holding electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion section, and a reset transistor resetting the impurity-diffusion region by a voltage of a voltage-supply line, and having an impurity concentration such that at least the reset transistor side of the impurity-diffusion region becomes a depletion state; and a drive circuit changing the voltage of the voltage-supply line from a first voltage lower than a depletion potential of the reset transistor side of the impurity-diffusion region to a second voltage higher than the depletion potential while the reset transistor is on. | 12-09-2010 |
20100328512 | System and Method for a High Dynamic Range Sensitive Sensor Element or Array - A method is disclosed of a heterogeneous image sensor array comprising more than one image sensor structures that are interconnected. The final image sensor array image output for each image sensor structure or pixel is computed using single image sensor structure output data or output data from more than one image sensor structures. The heterogeneous array exhibits complexity, cost, power consumption, device yields and reliability benefits when compared to other image sensor array structures. | 12-30-2010 |
20110007199 | VISION SENSOR FOR MEASURING CONTRASTS AND METHOD FOR MAKING SUCH MEASURE - A digital vision sensor includes a pixel array ( | 01-13-2011 |
20110013065 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD THEREFOR - For inhibiting blooming, a solid-state imaging apparatus comprises a photoelectric conversion unit for generating and accumulating an electric charge according to an incident light; a floating diffusion for accumulating electric charges; a transfer transistor for transferring electric charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the floating diffusion unit; a reset transistor for resetting a voltage according to electric charges accumulated in the floating diffusion unit; and a drive circuit for intermittently applying to a gate of the transfer transistor a pulse having a first potential which is intermediate between a transfer potential for transferring electric charges and a non-transfer potential for disabling transfer of electric charges and applying to a gate of the reset transistor a second potential lower than the potential of the pulse for resetting voltage of the floating diffusion unit and higher than the first potential, during accumulation of electric charges in the photoelectric conversion unit. | 01-20-2011 |
20110019047 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which plural pixels that perform photoelectric conversion are arrayed in a matrix shape; and a pixel-signal readout unit that performs readout of pixel signals from the pixel unit in a unit of plural pixels, the pixel-signal readout unit including an AD conversion unit that performs analog-digital (AD) conversion, wherein the pixel-signal readout unit includes plural comparators that compare a reference signal as a ramp wave and readout analog signal potentials of the pixels in rows in which the comparators are provided, plural counter latches that are arranged to correspond to the plural comparators and capable of counting comparison times of the comparators corresponding thereto, stop the count when outputs of the comparators are inverted, and store values of the count, and an adjusting unit that performs offset adjustment for the reference signal every time the AD conversion is performed. | 01-27-2011 |
20110019048 | SENSOR AND SENSOR SYSTEM FOR A CAMERA - A sensor module has first and second sensor arrays formed on a substrate, with the first and second sensor arrays adapted to share common readout circuitry and shared read out for a pair of sensors on a single array. | 01-27-2011 |
20110025897 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE CONTAINING ELECTRON MULTIPLICATION FUNCTION - A solid state imaging device with an electron multiplying function includes an imaging region VR formed of a plurality of vertical shift registers, a horizontal shift register HR that transfers electrons from the imaging region VR, a multiplication register EM that multiplies the electrons from the horizontal shift register HR, and an electron injecting electrode | 02-03-2011 |
20110058081 | IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD FOR OPERATING THEREOF, AND IMAGE PICK-UP DEVICE HAVING THE SAME - The image sensor includes a plurality of column lines, a plurality of active road circuits and a selection circuit. The plurality of column lines are each connected to a corresponding one of a plurality of pixels. The plurality of active road circuits are each connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of column lines. The selection circuit is configured to enable a portion of the plurality of active road circuits based on a plurality of column selection signals. | 03-10-2011 |
20110069213 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR DRIVING SAME AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid state imaging device including: a pixel portion having a plurality of pixels arrayed two-dimensionally and including an effective pixel portion and a dummy pixel portion; a timing generator for generating address information for reading signals of pixels of the pixel portion and timing signals for reading; a column decoder; a column selection circuit for generating transfer signals and reset signals used for control for reading signals of pixels in the column portions of the pixel portion by the plurality of line selection signals output from the column decoder based on the timing signals and selecting column portions of pixels in an effective portion and a dummy portion of the pixel portion; and a transfer circuit for reading signals of corresponding pixels based on the transfer signals and reset signals output from the column selection circuit, then transferring signals of read pixels by the row signal lines. | 03-24-2011 |
20110074994 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, A/D CONVERTER AND A/D CONVERSION METHOD - In a reference signal comparison AD conversion scheme, a reference signal SLP_ADC and each of P and D phases of a pixel signal voltage Vx are compared. A count clock CKcnt | 03-31-2011 |
20110080507 | Solid state imaging device, imaging apparatus, and AD conversion method - A solid state imaging device includes: an AD conversion section having one comparison section, which receives a reference signal from a reference signal generator that generates the reference signal whose level gradually changes and which compares the reference signal with an analog signal to be processed, and one counting section, which receives a count clock for AD conversion and performs a count operation on the basis of a comparison result of the comparison section, for each of M signal lines to which the signal is supplied and that acquires the signal on the basis of output data of the counting section; an operation period control section controlling an operation period of the counting section on the basis of the comparison result; and a control section performing control regarding which of the signals, which are supplied through the M signal lines, is to be processed and which one of m levels of the signals to be processed is to be processed and controlling the processing order. | 04-07-2011 |
20110080508 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - In a solid-state image pickup device, it is difficult to match an optimum incidence angle corresponding to an image height of a pixel array region with light incidence characteristics of a camera lens, thereby causing image quality deterioration due to sensitivity shading. Respective microlenses are disposed in a two-dimensional manner, i.e., in a row and a column directions. In particular, the microlenses are disposed such that each side of a disposition region where the microlenses are disposed has a concave curve with respect to a line connecting adjacent vertexes of the disposition region. In other words, a distance A | 04-07-2011 |
20110080509 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME - A solid-state imaging device according to an implementation of the present invention is a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix, and each of the unit pixels includes a photodiode which performs photoelectric conversion on light so as to convert the light into an electric signal, a top lens which collects incident light, and an intralayer lens which collects, to the photodiode, the incident light collected by the top lens, and a centroid of the photodiode is displaced from a center of the unit pixel into a first direction, the top lens is formed into an asymmetric shape so as to have a centroid displaced from the center of the unit pixel into the first direction, and the intralayer lens is formed to have a centroid displaced from the center of the unit pixel into the first direction. | 04-07-2011 |
20110085066 | Solid-State Image Sensor and Drive Method for the Same - A burst reading memory section ( | 04-14-2011 |
20110096218 | NANOWIRE PHOTODIODES - A photodiode includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a nanowire comprising a semiconductor core and a semiconductor shell. The nanowire has a first end and a second end, the first end being in electrical contact with the first electrode and the second end being in contact with the second electrode. | 04-28-2011 |
20110102655 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND REFERENCE POSITION DETECTION METHOD - An image pickup apparatus includes: a photoelectric transduction portion to transduce an optical image of a subject formed on an image plane through a lens to output an image signal; a movement portion provided between the photoelectric transduction portion and a base to move the photoelectric transduction portion relative to the base; an illumination portion placed at a predetermined position from the base to emit light onto the image plane of the photoelectric transduction portion in a state in which a shutter is closed to block light entering from the lens; a light-blocking portion placed at a predetermined position from the base to interrupt part of light from the illumination portion at between the illumination portion and the image plane; an adjustment image obtaining portion to obtain an image signal output by the photoelectric transduction portion as a result of photoelectric transduction, in a state in which the illumination portion emits light; and a relative position detection portion to detect a relative position of the photoelectric transduction portion with respect to the base, based on an image of the light-blocking portion that is included in an image based on the obtained image signal. | 05-05-2011 |
20110102656 | Timing adjustment circuit, solid-state image pickup element, and camera system - A timing adjustment circuit includes at least one data line; a phase synchronization circuit that includes a plurality of oscillation delay elements which oscillate an oscillation signal, and that is configured to oscillate the oscillation signal by synchronizing a phase of a feedback clock with a phase of a reference clock; at least one delay circuit that includes a delay element which is disposed on the data line and which is equivalent to one of the plurality of oscillation delay elements, and that is configured to delay data which is to be transmitted on the data line; and a delay adjustment unit configured to adjust an amount of delay of the delay element of the delay circuit in accordance with a signal associated with oscillation of the phase synchronization circuit. | 05-05-2011 |
20110115956 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus which prevents distortion of an image captured using an image pickup element employing an XY reading method and which suppresses degradation of the captured image caused by light leakage to pixel circuits is provided. Transfer transistors and reset transistors in all rows are turned on and photodiodes and FDs are reset before exposure of the photodiodes is started. Then, after a predetermined exposure time has been elapsed, the transfer transistors in all the rows are turned on and signal charges of the photodiodes of all pixels are transmitted to the FDs. When the exposure is terminated, a mechanical shutter is closed so as to block leakage light, and voltages corresponding to the signal charges transmitted from the photodiodes are successively read from the FDs on a row-by-row basis. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115957 | BACKSIDE ILLUMINATED IMAGE SENSOR WITH REDUCED DARK CURRENT - A backside illuminated image sensor comprises a sensor layer implementing a plurality of photosensitive elements of a pixel array, and an oxide layer adjacent a backside surface of the sensor layer. The sensor layer comprises a seed layer and an epitaxial layer formed over the seed layer, with the seed layer having a cross-sectional doping profile in which a designated dopant is substantially confined to a pixel array area of the sensor layer. The doping profile advantageously reduces dark current generated at an interface between the sensor layer and the oxide layer. The image sensor may be implemented in a digital camera or other type of digital imaging device. | 05-19-2011 |
20110122306 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus comprises: a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a row direction and column direction; a selection unit configured to select a row of the pixel array; and a readout unit configured to read out signals from the pixels of the row selected by the selection unit, wherein, when the readout unit reads out signals from the pixels of not all rows but some rows in the pixel array, the selection unit resets the pixels of rows in adjacent regions adjacent to readout rows from which signals are read out, and the pixel array includes rows, in which the pixels are not reset by the selection unit, in regions other than the readout rows and the adjacent regions. | 05-26-2011 |
20110134297 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - An image sensor comprises: a pixel unit array; a driving unit; a second holding block; a first output amplifier; and a second output amplifier, each column of the pixel unit array including a plurality of first pixel units and a plurality of second pixel units, wherein the driving unit drives the pixel unit array to parallel-perform, on each column of the pixel unit array, an operation to transfer signals from the first pixel units to the first holding block via the first vertical output line, and an operation to transfer signals from the second pixel units to the second holding block via the second vertical output line. | 06-09-2011 |
20110149133 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS FOR FINDING IN-FOCUS DIRECTION BASED ON FOCUS SIGNAL AND CONTROL METHOD FOR THE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit including two-dimensionally arranged photoelectric conversion elements, the image pickup unit being configured to perform an photoelectric conversion of an object image formed on an image pickup plane and to output an image signal, a detector configured to detect a focus signal based on the image signal obtained by moving a focus lens, and a controller configured to find an in-focus direction based on the focus signal and to provide a control so that the focus lens can be moved in the in-focus direction. The controller selects one of a plurality of interruption timings that occur in a synchronization signal in moving the focus lens, and starts moving the focus lens with a selected interruption timing. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149134 | SENSOR APPARATUS - The present invention relates to a sensor apparatus having a structure capable of obtaining digital values of signal components with a high accuracy using an A/D conversing circuit with the outputted digital value thereof having a small number of expressive bits. In the sensor apparatus, a voltage value corresponding to the amount of incident light to a photodiode is held by a holding circuit through an integrating circuit and a CDS circuit. Meanwhile, a voltage value corresponding to the amount of incident light to an adjacent photodiode is held by another holding circuit through an integrating circuit and a CDS circuit. The voltage values held by the respective different holding circuits are inputted to a subtracting circuit through different paths. The subtracting circuit outputs a voltage value corresponding to the difference between the two inputted voltage values. In an A/D converting section, the difference voltage outputted from the subtracting circuit is converted into a digital value. | 06-23-2011 |
20110149135 | IMAGING ELEMENT AND IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging sensor has a pixel array in which pixels are disposed in a two-dimensional matrix state, a sampling part, a shutter control part, and a clipping circuit. A vertical signal line is coupled to the plurality of pixels disposed in a column direction, and to which a pixel signal is input from the pixels. The sampling part is coupled to the vertical signal line, and to which the pixel signal output to the vertical signal line is input. The shutter control part makes the pixel array to perform a global shutter operation. The clipping circuit is provided at an input side of the sampling part, and clips an electric potential of the vertical signal line to a first clip level before the pixel signal is input from the pixels to the vertical signal line when the shutter control part performs the global shutter operation. As a result, it is possible to stably operate the sampling part even when a global electronic shutter is enabled by a control of a read operation from the pixels. | 06-23-2011 |
20110157442 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A row scanner selects an arbitrary row in an pixel array unit. Per-column AD converters separately convert voltage signals respectively outputted from a column of a plurality of unit pixels in the selected arbitrary row into digital signals. A column scanner sequentially outputs the digital signals by a column-scanning operation thereof. An AD conversion result adjuster judges whether or not the digital signals reach a predetermined judgment value or the status equivalent to the digital signals reaching the predetermined judgment value is generated, and fixes the digital signals to digital pixel values set in accordance with the predetermined judgment value when a result of the judgment is positive. | 06-30-2011 |
20110157443 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - An image sensing apparatus is provided, which is provided with a plurality of image sensing elements each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion sections and an adding circuit adapted to add signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion sections to obtain a one-pixel signal, wherein the adding circuit adds the signals such that the one-pixel signals obtained by the addition are arranged at equal intervals in an area extending over the plurality of Image sensing elements. | 06-30-2011 |
20110164160 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - An A/D conversion unit ( | 07-07-2011 |
20110169990 | CURRENT GENERATION CIRCUIT, AND SINGLE-SLOPE ADC AND CAMERA USING THE SAME - A linear relationship is established between a gain control signal and an amplification factor (value in dB). Described is a current generation circuit including a first current output section which outputs a first current, a second current output section which outputs a second current proportional to the first current, and a variable-current control section which generates a third current proportional to the first current, divides the third current into a fourth current and a fifth current according to a first control signal, and outputs the fourth and the fifth currents. The current generation circuit outputs a sum of the first and the fourth currents as a reference current, and a sum of the second and the fifth currents as an output current. | 07-14-2011 |
20110176044 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD THEREOF - A solid-state imaging device and the like are provided. The solid-state imaging device includes a light-collecting element capable of efficiently collecting incident light by improving reproducibility of refractive index distribution at the borders of pixels. Each of the pixels includes: a light-collecting element; a color filter; a light-blocking layer; a light-receiving element; a substrate; and a planarization film. The light-collecting element has a concentric structure and has a film thickness which forms a two-tiered structure. The concentric structure is curved out to define a concentric pattern and the surrounding medium is air. Further, an air gap is provided between adjacent light-collecting elements. The air gap extends to an upper surface of the light-blocking layer and has a gap width approximately equal to a wavelength of incident light. | 07-21-2011 |
20110187907 | Duty correction circuit, delay locked loop circuit, column a/d converter, solid-state imaging device and camera system - A duty correction circuit includes: a C-element including a first input and a second input; and an inverter connected to the second input of the C-element, wherein the C-element obtains an output of a logic “1” when both inputs are the logic “1”, obtains an output of a logic “0” when both inputs are the logic “0”, and maintains the output to a previous state in other conditions, and complementary clocks having a phase difference of an approximately half cycle are inputted to the first input of the C-element and the inverter respectively. | 08-04-2011 |
20110194006 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a storage, first and second common lines, a first block line that is disposed between the storage and the first common line and receives a signal from an odd-numbered column, a second block line that is disposed between the storage and the second common line and receives a signal from an even-numbered column, first switches for controlling connections between the storage and the first block line, second switches for controlling connections between the storage and the second block line, first control lines for the first switches, second control lines for the second switches, a first lead line for transmitting a signal from the first block line to the first common line, a second lead line for transmitting a signal from the second block line to the second common line, and a scanning unit for supplying pulses to the first and second control lines. | 08-11-2011 |
20110211102 | LENS ARRAY - A lens array includes: a substrate in which a plurality of through holes are formed; and a plurality of lenses provided in the substrate by filling the plurality of through holes respectively. A protrusion portion that is opaque to an incident light is provided in the through hole as an aperture, which cuts off a light incident on parts except an opening portion. And, the protrusion portion extends from an inner wall of the through hole toward an optical axis of the lens in one planar surface, which is perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens buried in the through hole, to constitute the opening portion around the optical axis. | 09-01-2011 |
20110242383 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - Provided is a solid-state image pickup device that includes: a pixel portion having a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a two-dimensional array and generate pixel signals; a readout row counter that generates row addresses for reading the pixel portion; a first reset row counter that generates a row address for resetting a first field of the pixel portion; a second reset row counter that generates a row address for resetting a second field of the pixel portion; a selector that selects one of the row addresses generated by the readout row counter, the first reset row counter, and the second reset row counter; and pixel driving units that respectively select two rows: an odd-numbered row and a neighboring even-numbered row of the pixel portion corresponding to the selected row address. | 10-06-2011 |
20110254986 | ANALOG-DIGITAL CONVERTER, IMAGE SENSOR SYSTEM AND CAMERA DEVICE - An analog-digital converter includes n comparators arranged in a first direction with a predetermined cell pitch and corresponding respectively to n input voltages, each comparator comparing a voltage value of a reference signal whose voltage value increases or decreases over time with an input voltage corresponding to the comparator. Each of the n comparators includes differential transistors to which the reference signal and the input voltage are given respectively. A differential transistor is formed by p unit transistors connected in series whose gates are given the reference signal, and another differential transistor is formed by p unit transistors connected in series whose gates are given the input voltage. | 10-20-2011 |
20110273602 | Optical Device and Signal Processor | 11-10-2011 |
20110279721 | IMAGER ARRAY INTERFACES - Architectures for imager arrays configured for use in array cameras in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of focal planes, where each focal plane comprises a two dimensional arrangement of pixels having at least two pixels in each dimension and each focal plane is contained within a region of the imager array that does not contain pixels from another focal plane, control circuitry configured to control the capture of image information by the pixels within the focal planes, where the control circuitry is configured so that the capture of image information by the pixels in at least two of the focal planes is separately controllable, sampling circuitry configured to convert pixel outputs into digital pixel data, and output interface circuitry configured to transmit pixel data via an output interface. | 11-17-2011 |
20110285888 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE - An image device is provided. The image device includes a photoelectric conversion film current detector, an offset current source, an integrator, and a sampling unit. The photoelectric conversion film current detector is coupled to the photoelectric conversion film through a capacitor and detects photoelectric conversion film current that flows as holes generated in the photoelectric conversion film combine with electrons supplied from the electron supply source array to the photoelectric conversion film. The offset current source generates an offset current and superimposes the offset current on the photoelectric conversion film current. The integrator performs time-integration of the photoelectric conversion film current on which the offset current has been superimposed to generate an integration signal. The sampling unit samples the integration signal in each of respective pixel periods of the pixel regions, in which electrons are supplied to the pixel regions, to generate an image signal. | 11-24-2011 |
20110310280 | Image pickup apparatus - An image pickup element has a plurality of pixels which are arranged two-dimensionally. The plurality of pixels form at least two pixel sets having a first pixel set and a second pixel set. An exit pupil is assumed, and four divided areas which are separated by two straight lines which are mutually orthogonal in a plane which is orthogonal to an optical axis thereof, are set in the exit pupil. Pixels in the first pixel set are arranged to receive a light beam from a first pupil area for which, a center of gravity of area is in one of the four divided areas. For the optical axis, a center of gravity of area of a second pupil area is in a divided area which is symmetrical to a divided area in which the center of gravity of the first pupil area lies. Pixels in the second pixel set are arranged to receive a light beam having a center of gravity of area in the second pupil area. A signal from the first pixel set and a signal from the second pixel set are compared in at least one of directions of the two straight lines, and defocus information is acquired. | 12-22-2011 |
20110310281 | IMAGE CAPTURE UNIT AND METHODS - Methods of forming a lens array block comprising a plurality of lens barrels are provided, including depositing lens barrel material by electrolysis and etching lens barrels from a block of material. Also provided are means of assembling image capturing units or arrays of image capturing units. | 12-22-2011 |
20110317053 | IMAGING DEVICE, SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT, IMAGE GENERATION METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An image capture device includes: an array of pixels | 12-29-2011 |
20110317054 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM, AND CONTROL METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR THE SAME - An imaging apparatus | 12-29-2011 |
20120008031 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus has a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a plurality of column signal lines are arranged, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes a photoelectric converter including a first well formed in a semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type, and an impurity region arranged in the first well and having a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, and an in-pixel readout circuit which outputs, to the column signal line, a signal corresponding to charges generated in the photoelectric converter, the in-pixel readout circuit including a circuit element arranged in a second well having the first conductivity type, and wherein the first well and the second well are isolated by a semiconductor region having the second conductivity type. | 01-12-2012 |
20120013779 | Multispectral imaging for quantitative contrast of functional and structural layers inside optically dense media such as tissue - A method for the evaluation of target media parameters in the visible and near infrared is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a light source, an illuminator/collector, optional illumination wavelength selector, an optional light gating processor, an imager, detected wavelength selector, controller, analyzer and a display unit. The apparatus illuminates an in situ sample of the target media in the visible through near infrared spectral region using multiple wavelengths and gated light. The sample absorbs some of the light while a large portion of the light is diffusely scattered within the sample. Scattering disperses the light in all directions. A fraction of the deeply penetrating scattered light exits the sample and may be detected in an imaging fashion using wavelength selection and an optical imaging system. The method extends the dynamic range of the optical imager by extracting additional information from the detected light that is used to provide reconstructed contrast of smaller concentrations of chromophores. The light detected from tissue contains unique spectral information related to various components of the tissue. Using a reiterative calibration method, the acquired spectra and images are analyzed and displayed in near real time in such a manner as to characterize functional and structural information of the target tissue. | 01-19-2012 |
20120026372 | Image pickup apparatus - An image pickup apparatus in which, a taking lens is installable or fixed, includes
| 02-02-2012 |
20120026373 | WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE CMOS IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor with a pixel array that includes at least one pixel. The sensor may also include a circuit that is connected to the pixel and provides a final image pixel value that is a function of a sampled reset output signal generated from the pixel. The final image pixel value is set to a reserved value if the sampled reset output signal exceeds a threshold. The final image may be a function of first, second and/or third images and a field that provides information on whether the final image includes a first exposure rate, a second exposure rate and/or a third exposure rate. | 02-02-2012 |
20120033119 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device having a backside illuminated structure, includes: a pixel region in which pixels each having a photoelectric conversion portion and a plurality of pixel transistors are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix; an element isolation region isolating the pixels which is provided in the pixel region and which includes a semiconductor layer provided in a trench by an epitaxial growth; and a light receiving surface at a rear surface side of a semiconductor substrate which is opposite to a multilayer wiring layer. | 02-09-2012 |
20120033120 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC CAMERA - An object of the present invention is to provide a highly-accurate AF without adding a mechanism of the camera or increasing the power consumption. A solid-state imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion units configured to convert incident light into electronic signals, the photoelectric conversion units being arranged in a two dimensional array, the photoelectric conversion units including a plurality of first photoelectric conversion units and a plurality of second photoelectric conversion units; a plurality of first microlenses each of which is disposed to cover a corresponding one of said first photoelectric conversion units; and a second microlens disposed to cover the second photoelectric conversion units, in which at least two of the second photoelectric conversion units are located at respective positions which are offset from an optical axis of the second microlens, in mutually different directions. | 02-09-2012 |
20120038808 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels, a plurality of vertical signal lines, a plurality of sample hold sections, a horizontal output section, and a horizontal scanning circuit. The horizontal output section is made up of a plurality of first horizontal signal lines connected to at least two or more vertical signal lines, and second horizontal signal lines connected to the plurality of first horizontal signal lines via the selection switches. The horizontal scanning circuit controls so that at least two of the plurality of selection switches are turned on and the pixel signal is output to the second horizontal signal lines when the pixel signal held in the sample hold sections is output to the horizontal signal lines. | 02-16-2012 |
20120057059 | SINGLE PHOTON COUNTING IMAGE SENSOR AND METHOD - A single photon counting image sensor and method is provided. In one aspect, the method of an image sensor includes counting through a counter circuit a number of photons detected through a photodiode when a light is incident on the photodiode. The method also includes storing in a memory circuit a time a count of the number of photons take to match a reference count of the number of photons. In another aspect, an image sensor device includes a pixel circuit. The image sensor device also includes a photodiode circuit of the pixel circuit to detect photons when a light is incident on the photodiode circuit. The image sensor device further includes a counter circuit of the pixel circuit coupled to the photodiode circuit to count a number of photons detected when a light is incident on the avalanche photo diode. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057060 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE - In order to stably detect a flicker under an illumination of a fluorescent lamp with an XY-addressed-scanning type image sensor used and to cancel the flicker, the present invention provides an image sensing device, wherein a video signal in any area on an imaging plane is first integrated per frame period, then an integrated value in a current frame is sequentially compared with a one-frame previously integrated value, next whether a variation pattern of the integrated value matches one of flicker patterns when the flicker occurs is determined, then an existence of the flicker is determined when an identical flicker pattern is seen more than two consecutive times. | 03-08-2012 |
20120062775 | Power gate circuit, solid-state imaging device, and camera system - A power gate circuit includes: a power gate switch connected at least between a reference potential terminal of a circuit to be power-gated and a reference potential or between a power supply terminal of the circuit to be power-gated and a power supply; a capacity connected to a gate of the power gate switch; a pulse generating section supplying a pulse signal to the gate of the power gate switch according to a control signal; and a power gate control section outputting the control signal to the pulse generating section to supply the pulse signal to the gate of the power gate switch when the power gate switch is turned on and accumulating electrical charges in the capacity to control a gate potential of the power gate switch such that the potential gradually approaches a potential at which the power gate switch is turned on. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062776 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, in a pixel array unit, pixels that accumulate photoelectrically converted charges are arranged in a matrix shape. A vertical signal line transmits a signal read out from the pixels in the vertical direction. An acceleration circuit shifts the potential of the vertical signal line in advance before a signal is read out from the pixels. The acceleration control circuit controls timing for shifting the potential of the vertical signal line in advance. The timing control circuit generates a control signal for controlling the acceleration control circuit. | 03-15-2012 |
20120062777 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid state imaging device including: a pixel region that is formed on a light incidence side of a substrate and to which a plurality of pixels that include photoelectric conversion units is arranged; a peripheral circuit unit that is formed in a lower portion in the substrate depth direction of the pixel region and that includes an active element; and a light shielding member that is formed between the pixel region and the peripheral circuit unit and that shields the incidence of light, emitted from an active element, to the photoelectric conversion unit. | 03-15-2012 |
20120075513 | MICROGRID IMAGING POLARIMETERS WITH FREQUENCY DOMAIN RECONSTRUCTION - A polarization camera includes a microlement polarizer that is situated in proximity to a focal plane array. The microlement polarizer is selectively scanned with respect to an optical image direct to the focal plane array, and an image processor stores a set of images associated with the scanning. Based on the stored images, a polarization image can be produced and displayed. A periodic microelement polarizer modulates the individual images of the set, and these images can be processed by filtering in the spatial frequency domain to isolate contributions associated with one or a combination of Stokes parameters. After filtering, Stokes parameter based images can be obtained by demodulating and inverse Fourier transforming the filtered frequency domain data. | 03-29-2012 |
20120081587 | Image Sensor - An image sensor includes an objective lens arranged on an optical axis; a substrate including a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices; and a micro lens layer including a plurality of micro lenses corresponding to each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion devices, respectively, wherein the plurality of micro lenses includes a central micro lens corresponding to a central portion of the objective lens, and an edge micro lens corresponding to an edge portion of the objective lens, and the plurality of micro lenses are configured such that focal lengths of the micro lenses increase from the central micro lens toward the edge micro lens. | 04-05-2012 |
20120092538 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, DRIVING CONTROL METHOD, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device and an imaging apparatus are provided. The solid-state imaging device performs an AD conversion in a column parallel for an analog pixel signal outputted from each of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional matrix shape. The solid-state imaging device includes: an AD conversion unit including a plurality of pixel signal accumulating units; a first switching unit for disconnecting parallel connection of a second pixel signal accumulating unit other than a first pixel signal accumulating unit which is one of the plurality of pixel signal accumulating units; and a second switching unit for connecting the second pixel signal accumulating unit to a pixel signal line of a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in a row direction, when parallel connection of the second pixel signal accumulating unit is disconnected by the first switching unit. | 04-19-2012 |
20120092539 | Image Pickup Apparatus - An inflection point variation correction unit | 04-19-2012 |
20120105696 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, MANUFACTURING METHODS THEREOF, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes an imaging element and a logic element. The imaging element includes a first semiconductor substrate, a first wiring layer, and a first metal layer, in which a pixel region which is a light sensing surface is formed. The logic element includes a second semiconductor substrate, a second wiring layer, and a second metal layer, in which a signal processing circuit that processes a pixel signal obtained at the pixel region is formed. The logic element is laminated to the imaging element so that the first metal layer and the second metal layer are bonded to each other, and the first metal layer and the second metal layer are formed on a region excluding a region in which a penetrating electrode layer penetrating a bonding surface of the imaging element and the logic element is formed. | 05-03-2012 |
20120105697 | ARRANGEMENT OF CIRCUITS IN PIXELS, EACH CIRCUIT SHARED BY A PLURALITY OF PIXELS, IN IMAGE SENSING APPRATUS - In an image sensing apparatus having a plurality of unit cells, each including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements and a common circuit shared by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, arranged in either one or two dimensions, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at a predetermined interval. | 05-03-2012 |
20120120293 | Solid-state imaging device and electronic equipment - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit in which a plurality of pixels converting physical quantities into electric signals are arranged in a two-dimensional shape, a vertical signal line for reading signals from the pixels, and column circuits arranged corresponding to columns of the pixel unit and collecting the signals from the vertical signal line at the inside of the pixel unit. | 05-17-2012 |
20120133811 | Pixel for correlated double sampling with global shutter - A method of scanning pixels, each pixel including a photodiode and a sense node formed in the substrate, including a transfer gate coupled between the photodiode and the sense node, and including a memory gate coupled between the photodiode and the transfer gate. The method switches a control signal, connected to a memory gate electrode of all pixels, alternately between a first voltage and a second voltage that is intermediate between the first voltage and a substrate voltage. The first voltage transfers all photo charge in each photodiode into the respective memory gate. The second voltage both (1) holds all photo charge already transferred into the memory gate and (2) blocks further transfer of photo charges into each memory gate. The method further includes reading out photo charge from the memory gate on a row-by-row basis while the control signal is at the second voltage. | 05-31-2012 |
20120147238 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging device including: image generation pixels generating signals for image generation; and phase difference detection pixels generating signals for focus alignment determination by phase difference detection is disclosed. The first lines where the image generation pixels are arranged in a specific direction and second lines where the phase difference detection pixels are arranged in the specific direction are alternately arranged in a direction perpendicular to the specific direction. The image generation pixels and the phase difference detection pixels are alternately arranged so that the image generation pixels constituting the first line and the phase difference detection pixels constituting the second line adjacent to the first line overlap by portions thereof in the perpendicular direction. | 06-14-2012 |
20120154653 | SUSPENDING COLUMN ADDRESSING IN IMAGE SENSORS - An image sensor includes a two-dimensional array of pixels having multiple column outputs and an output circuit connected to each column output. Each output circuit is configured to operate concurrent sample and read operations. A timing generator outputs a column address sequence that is received by a column decoder that is electrically connected to each output circuit. The timing generator suspends the output of the column address sequence during a sample operation and resumes the output of the column address sequence at the end of the sample operation. | 06-21-2012 |
20120154654 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF - An image pickup apparatus and a method thereof are provided. The apparatus includes a sensor array and an ADC array. The sensor array includes M×N sensor blocks SB(i,j). The sensor block includes P×Q image sensing elements Se(x,y). The ADC array is located at another side of the illuminated side of the sensor array. The ADC array includes M×N ADCs ADC(i,j). The ADC(i,j) coupled to the sensor block SB(i,j) obtains the image data Data(x,y) from the image sensing element Se(x,y) of the sensor block SB(i,j). The ADC(i,j) evaluates the gain G(x,y) based on the position of the image sensing element Se(x,y). The compensated image data Datacom(x,y) can be outputted and Datacom(x,y)=Data(x,y)×G(x,y). The image pickup apparatus could improve the optical shading problem. | 06-21-2012 |
20120169909 | IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM WITH ON-CHIP TEST MODE FOR COLUMN ADCS - An image processing system includes a pixel array including a plurality of regular pixel columns and at least one test pixel column, a plurality of column analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) configured to correspond to the regular pixel columns and convert analog input signals into digital signals, and a switching block configured to provide output signals of the regular pixel columns to input ends of the corresponding column ADCs in a normal mode, and provide in common an output signal of the test pixel column to the input ends of the column ADCs in a test mode, wherein the test pixel column generates signals having a minute voltage different from one row to another row. | 07-05-2012 |
20120169910 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE - In one embodiment of the present invention, an image capture device includes an image sensor | 07-05-2012 |
20120188429 | Sensing Pixel Arrays and Sensing Devices Using the Same - A sensing pixel array is provided and includes a plurality of pixels disposed in an array. Each pixel operates during an exposure period and a readout period and generates a readout signal. Each pixel includes a sensing unit and a sampling unit. The sensing unit senses light to generate a sensing signal during the exposure period. The sampling unit samples the sensing signal to generate a sensing output signal which serves as the readout signal during the readout period. During the exposure period, the sampling unit acts as a memory unit for storing an input signal and outputting an accessed output signal which serves as the readout signal. | 07-26-2012 |
20120194719 | IMAGE SENSOR UNITS WITH STACKED IMAGE SENSORS AND IMAGE PROCESSORS - An image sensor unit has stacked imager and processor integrated circuits. The imager may have an image sensor pixel array on its front surface. Processor die may be mounted back-to-back with respective imagers on a wafer. A photodefinable dielectric film may cover the rear surface of the wafer. Metal traces in the photodefinable dielectric and through-silicon vias in each imager may be used to interconnect the processing circuitry on the front surface of a processor to the image sensor pixel array on the front surface of the imager. Openings may be formed in the photo definable dielectric to allow solder balls to form electrical connections with the metal traces. A cavity may be formed in a photo definable dielectric layer or an imager to accommodate the processor. The processor may also be mounted in a cavity in a separate silicon standoff structure before attaching the standoff structure to the imager. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194720 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR BINNING PIXELS - An imager may be configured to perform pixel binning on captured images. Pixel binning may be performed by forming groups of pixels and combining sampled values from the pixels in each group. The sampled values from the pixels may be combined by assigning weights to each pixel, scaling the sampled values by the corresponding weights, and summing the scaled values. The groups of pixels and pixel weights may be selected to produce binned images with even spatial distribution. The pixel binning operation may be performed by processing circuitry that receives captured image data from the imager. The pixel binning operation may also be separated into a horizontal binning step and a vertical binning step that are performed by image readout circuitry during image readout. During the horizontal binning step, pixels of a particular row may be combined. During the vertical binning step, pixel rows may be combined. | 08-02-2012 |
20120194721 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor having multiple segmental pixels each including multiple photoelectric conversion units arranged two-dimensionally for receiving light beams that have passed through different pupil regions, the photoelectric conversion units being divided for each segmental pixel in a first or second pupil-division direction for addition reading; a determination unit configured to determine an edge direction of an image for each divided area of the image sensor; a decision unit configured to, based on the determined edge direction, decide for each divided area either the first or second pupil-division direction; a reading control unit configured to perform addition reading of the segmental pixels by dividing the photoelectric conversion units in the first or second pupil-division direction decided, and to control the image sensor such that pairs of image signals are outputted; and a focus adjusting unit configured to carry out phase difference focus adjustments. | 08-02-2012 |
20120200754 | Image Noise Reducing Systems And Methods Thereof - At least one example embodiment provides for a noise reducing system for an image sensor having a pixel array, the noise reducing system includes a pattern matcher configured to receive a first pixel value of a first pixel in the pixel array and output a reduced noise pixel value of the first pixel based on a comparison of a pixel value pattern including the first pixel value and at least another pixel value pattern in the pixel array. | 08-09-2012 |
20120200755 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - Solid-state image sensing elements p and q arranged on an image sensor at a higher density than other solid-state image sensing elements are configured so that the focus error amount due to the axial chromatic aberration of an imaging lens between the solid-state image sensing elements p and q is equal to or larger than an amount corresponding to the depth of focus in a maximum aperture. Also, the imaging lens has a f-number which allows the focus error amount to fall within the range between the two ends of the depth of focus. | 08-09-2012 |
20120218451 | IMAGING PIXELS WITH DUMMY TRANSISTORS THAT REDUCE RESET CHARGE INJECTION - An imaging system may include imaging pixels. Each imaging pixel may include a reset transistor and a dummy transistor coupled to a floating diffusion storage node. When reset signals control are deasserted, capacitive coupling between the gate terminal of the reset transistor and the source-drain terminals of the reset transistor may lead to reset charge injection. The dummy transistor may have both of its source-drain terminals shorted together and shorted to the floating diffusion region. Dummy control signals, which may be provided by separate dummy control lines or may be provided using row-select signals, may be asserted on the dummy transistors at approximately the same time that the reset signals are deasserted. With arrangements of this type, the dummy control signals may inject an approximately equal and opposite charge onto the floating diffusion region, thereby reducing the reset charge injection caused by deasserting the reset control signals. | 08-30-2012 |
20120236190 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA MODULE - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array and an infrared light eliminating portion. The pixel array has a plurality of pixel cells arranged as being array-shaped. The pixel array detects a signal level of each color light as being shared for each pixel cell. The infrared light eliminating portion eliminates infrared light from light proceeding toward a photoelectric conversion element. The infrared light eliminating portion is arranged for each pixel cell. The infrared light eliminating portion has selection wavelength being set in accordance with color light to be a detection target of the pixel cell. | 09-20-2012 |
20120249850 | A/D CONVERTER AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - In an A/D converter, a ramp unit generates a reference signal that increases or decreases over time. A comparison unit starts a comparison process of comparing an analog signal to the reference signal at a timing related to input of the analog signal and ends the comparison process at a timing at which the reference signal satisfies a predetermined condition with respect to the analog signal. A VCO includes a plurality of delay units having the same configuration and starts a transition process at a timing related to the start of the comparison process. A count unit counts a clock from the VCO. A low-order latch unit latches a low-order logic state, which is a logic state of the plurality of delay units, at a first timing related to the end of the comparison process. A high-order latch unit latches a high-order logic state. | 10-04-2012 |
20120257092 | PIXEL, PIXEL ARRAY, IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE IMAGE SENSOR - Disclosed are a pixel, a pixel array, an image sensor including the pixel array and a method for operating the image sensor. The pixel includes a photo-electro conversion unit; a capacitor for storing charges converted by the photo-electro conversion unit; an output switching device for outputting an electric potential of the capacitor; and a removal unit for removing a part of the charges converted by the photo-electro conversion unit. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257093 | PIXEL, PIXEL ARRAY, IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE IMAGE SENSOR - Disclosed are a pixel, a pixel array, an image sensor including the pixel array and a method for operating the image sensor. The pixel includes a photo-electro conversion unit; a first capacitor for storing a first quantity of charges of the photo-electro conversion unit; a second capacitor for storing a second quantity of charges of the photo-electro conversion unit; and an output unit to output the first and second quantities of the charges. | 10-11-2012 |
20120257094 | IMAGING DEVICES OPERABLE WITH MULTIPLE ASPECT RATIOS - Imaging devices including a novel imaging system wherein a 2-dimensional pixel array has a diagonal dimension larger than the diameter measurement of the image circle, thereby being capable of handling rectangular images with multiple aspect ratios. These new imaging devices can be used in various electronic imaging apparatus with or without a lens system. | 10-11-2012 |
20120262614 | MISSING CODE REDISTRIBUTION IN PIPELINE ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER - A stage of pipeline analog to digital converter (ADC) includes a multiplying digital to analog converter (MDAC) and a sub-analog to digital converter (sub-ADC). The sub-ADC includes a comparator and a random offset controller. The comparator is coupled to compare a first analog signal received by the stage with a reference signal. The random offset controller is coupled to the comparator to apply a random offset to an input of the comparator to randomly distribute errors by the sub-ADC in a digital output of the pipeline ADC. | 10-18-2012 |
20120268634 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image sensor comprising a plurality of image sensing pixel groups is provided. Each of the image sensing pixel groups has a plurality of first pixels each having photoelectric conversion portions arrayed in first and second directions for first and second numbers of divisions, respectively, and a plurality of second pixels each having photoelectric conversion portions arrayed in the first and second directions for third and fourth numbers of divisions, respectively. The photoelectric conversion portions comprising the first pixel and the second pixel have a function of photoelectrically converting a plurality of images formed by divided light fluxes of a light flux from an imaging optical system and outputting a focus detection signal for phase difference detection. The first and third numbers of division are coprime natural numbers, and the second and fourth numbers of divisions are coprime natural numbers. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268635 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND COLOR CONTAMINATION CORRECTION METHOD - An imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device which is provided with plural pixels arranged in two-dimensional array form on a photodetecting surface of a semiconductor substrate, pixels on even-numbered rows are shifted from pixels on odd-numbered rows by a half pixel pitch, color-filters are Bayer-arranged over the respective pixels of the odd-numbered rows, and color-filters are Bayer-arranged over the respective pixels of the even-numbered rows; and an imaging device driving section for reading shot image signals of the pixels of the odd-numbered rows and shot image signals of the pixels of the even-numbered rows divisionally in separate frames. A color contamination correction is performed on a shot image signal of a pixel of attention using shot image signals of plural pixels around the pixel of attention among shot image signals, read out divisionally, of the pixels of one of the odd-numbered rows. | 10-25-2012 |
20120268636 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS - In a solid-state image sensing apparatus of an addressing method, a clock-conversion part generates a high-speed clock signal having a frequency two times or more the frequency of a low-speed clock signal. A signal processing part receives 10-bit pixel data through a horizontal signal line, performs predetermined signal processing, and passes parallel-format data to a switching part. The switching part selects each one bit of the parallel-format 10-bit data in a predetermined sequence to output from an output terminal using the high-speed clock signal from the clock-conversion part as a switching command, thus converts the parallel-format data into serial-format data, and passes it to an output buffer. The output buffer externally outputs differential output of normal video data and inverted video data individually from output terminals. Accordingly, the problems in power consumption, noises, and unnecessary radiation are solved, and higher-speed output is achieved. | 10-25-2012 |
20120274822 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CAPTURING HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGES USING MULTI-FRAME INTERLACED EXPOSURE IMAGES - An imager includes an array of pixels arranged in rows and a control circuit for sequentially capturing first and second image frames from the array of pixels. The control circuit is configured to sequentially capture first and second pairs of adjacent rows of pixels during first and second exposure times, respectively, when capturing the first image frame. The control circuit is also configured to sequentially capture first and second pairs of adjacent rows of pixels during second and first exposure times, respectively, when capturing the second image frame. The first exposure times during the first and second frames are of similar duration; and the second exposure times during the first and second frames are of similar duration. The control circuit is configured to detect motion of an object upon combining the first and second image frames and, then, correct for the motion of the object. | 11-01-2012 |
20120274823 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device includes a pixel array in which pixels each including a photoelectric conversion part generating and storing a signal charge in accordance with incident light are disposed in a two-dimensional matrix state, and a vertical scanning circuit performing a reset of the photoelectric conversion part by each selected row, and performing a reading of a signal of the pixel by each selected row. During a read period performing the reading, the vertical scanning circuit performs the reset for the photoelectric conversion part at an arbitrary row of which reading ends in accordance with a change of the number of rows to which the resets for the photoelectric conversion parts before exposure are performed to make the number of rows to which the resets of the photoelectric conversion parts are performed constant within the read period of each row. | 11-01-2012 |
20120281126 | DIGITAL INTEGRATION SENSOR - Multiple scans of a digital integration image sensor are combined to form an output image. The sensor scans or portions thereof may be positionally-shifted relative to one another, and may be acquired in uniform or non-uniform exposure intervals. Selected pixels within at least one of the scans may be excluded from the combination. The scans may also be non-uniformly weighted prior to being combined, with the scan weighting profile corresponding to the scan order. | 11-08-2012 |
20120300104 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image sensor comprises a first imaging pixel and a second imaging pixel each of which detects an object image formed by a photographing optical system and generates a recording image. Each of the first imaging pixel and the second imaging pixel comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion units segmented in a first direction, the plurality of photoelectric conversion units have an ability of photoelectrically converting images formed by split light beams out of a light beam from the photographing optical system and outputting focus detection signals to be used to detect a phase difference. A base-line length of photoelectric conversion units to be used to detect the phase difference included in the first imaging pixel is longer than that of photoelectric conversion units to be used to detect the phase difference included in the second imaging pixel. | 11-29-2012 |
20120300105 | EXPOSING PIXEL GROUPS IN PRODUCING DIGITAL IMAGES - An imaging system and method for producing a digital image from pixel signals captured by a pixel array is disclosed. First pixel signals, generated during a first exposure period, are read out from a first group of pixels of the pixel array. The first group of pixels is reset after reading out the first pixel signals. | 11-29-2012 |
20120307119 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section in which a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion element are arranged in a matrix; a pixel driving section that drives the pixels in a row unit so as to read out a pixel signal from the pixel section; a column processing section that performs a column process, synchronized with a first clock of a first frequency previously selected, on the pixel signal read out by driving of the pixel driving section; and a rate conversion control section that performs a rate conversion control of data processed in the column processing section in accordance with rate conversion information. The rate conversion control section includes a first rate converter, a second rate converter, a data rate conversion section, and a data output section. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307120 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array with unit pixels each having a photoelectric conversion device arranged in a matrix. Column signal lines are wired with respect to one column in the pixel arrangement and pixels are regularly connected to the column signal lines in accordance with rows in which pixels are positioned. A pixel signal reading unit has a column processing unit that reads pixel signals in units of plural pixels from the pixel array and performs column processing to read signals on a column basis, wherein the pixel signal reading unit includes a column input unit which can connect one or plural column signal lines arranged at a corresponding column to an input of one column processing unit through plural capacitors connected in parallel The column input unit has switches which can change a connection state between capacitors and column signal lines corresponding to the column. | 12-06-2012 |
20120307121 | Image Acquisition Using Oversampled One-Bit Poisson Statistics - In an image sensor pixels in an array of binary pixels are sampled with a first oversampling factor during a first frame interval, and then sampled with a second oversampling factor during a second frame interval, the second oversampling factor exceeding the first oversampling factor. | 12-06-2012 |
20120314110 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - Because a conventionally known imaging apparatus includes a buffer element for each signal processing circuit, the number of buffer elements increases in proportion to the number of signal processing circuits. The delayed supply of a drive signal within a group of a plurality of signal processing circuits may require the operation timing margin to be set longer. In other words, the operational speed is hard to increase. First buffer circuits connected in series and second buffer circuits connected in parallel with the first buffer circuits are provided, and one second buffer circuit supplies a drive signal to a plurality of signal processing units. | 12-13-2012 |
20120314111 | IMAGING DEVICE AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A row scanning unit activates a synchronous curtain shutter mode in which pixel reset scan is performed and exposure of the imaging area is started by the pixel reset scan and is ended by light shielding by a mechanical curtain shutter, the pixel reset scan meaning that scan on a row-by-row basis is performed on pixel reset in which the photodiodes are reset by turning on the transfer transistors and a corresponding reset transistor, wherein in the mechanical curtain synchronous shutter mode, the pixel reset scan according to the traveling characteristics of the mechanical curtain shutter is performed, and the pixel reset scan includes performing a pixel reset operation simultaneously on the unit cells of different rows. | 12-13-2012 |
20120327281 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD THEREFOR - An electronic apparatus includes: a pixel array section in which pixels including photoelectric conversion sections that generate signal charges corresponding to amounts of light, charge accumulation sections that receive the signal charges from the corresponding photoelectric conversion sections and that are shared thereby, and pixel transistors that read out the signal charges generated by the corresponding photoelectric conversion sections and that are shared thereby are two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix; a solid-state image capture device including a scanner that can drive the pixels so that exposure periods of all of the pixels are simultaneously started, that can drive the pixels so that the exposure periods of all of the pixels are simultaneously ended, and that sequentially selects and scans the pixels in readout periods; and a mechanical shutter that determines an end of the exposure periods for still-image shooting. | 12-27-2012 |
20130002916 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - An image sensing device comprises: a pixel array that is arrayed such that pixels that output signals to column signal lines constitute a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and in which the plurality of pixels are connected to each of the plurality of column signal lines; a plurality of readout units that read out signals from the pixel array via the plurality of column signal lines, each of the plurality of readout units including an input transistor that receives a signal that has been read out via the column signal line; and a first load transistor that supplies an electric current to the input transistor, and a plurality of first bias supply units that supply mutually different bias voltages to gates of the first load transistors at least in readout units of the plurality of readout units and arranged adjacent to each other. | 01-03-2013 |
20130002917 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state image capturing apparatus including: a pixel array unit including two-dimensionally arranged pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor that transfers charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit, and a charge discharging transistor that selectively discharges the charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit; and a driving unit that performs driving for reading signals from each pixel of the pixel array unit, and drives the charge discharging transistor by using a signal for the driving. | 01-03-2013 |
20130016262 | IMAGER EXPOSURE CONTROLAANM MAJEWICZ; PETER I.AACI BoiseAAST IDAACO USAAGP MAJEWICZ; PETER I. Boise ID USAANM MELIN; JENNIFER L.AACI BoiseAAST IDAACO USAAGP MELIN; JENNIFER L. Boise ID US - One example discloses a method for producing an image of a scene. An ambient image of the scene illuminated only by ambient light is captured. A percentage of pixels in the calibration image having a digital count greater than a threshold digital count is determined. A first image capture technique is performed if a percentage of pixels in the ambient image having a digital count greater than a threshold digital count is above a threshold percentage. A second image capture technique is performed if the percentage of pixels in the ambient image having a digital count greater than a threshold digital count is not above the threshold percentage. | 01-17-2013 |
20130016263 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS USING THE SAMEAANM Sato; MamoruAACI KanagawaAACO JPAAGP Sato; Mamoru Kanagawa JPAANM Sakakibara; MasakiAACI KanagawaAACO JPAAGP Sakakibara; Masaki Kanagawa JP - Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including: a photoelectric conversion portion generating signal electric charges corresponding to a quantity of light; a pixel array block having pixels, each of the pixels including three or more electric charge accumulating portions having a first electric charge accumulating portion, a second electric charge accumulating portion, and a third electric charge accumulating portion, and plural pixel transistors; a scanning block carrying out scanning in such a way that accumulation periods of time for the signal electric charges become simultaneous for all of the pixels, and scanning reading-out of the low illuminance signal and the high illuminance signal; and an arithmetic operation processing portion acquiring a false signal accumulated in the third electric charge accumulating portion before the reading-out of the low illuminance signal, and correcting the low illuminance signal and the high illuminance signal by using the false signal. | 01-17-2013 |
20130021510 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS CAPABLE OF CHANGING OPERATION CONDITION OF IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR - An image pickup apparatus capable of ensuring a dynamic range suitable for an image shooting condition and capable of reducing noise. The image pickup apparatus includes an image sensing device having floating diffusion units that are provided corresponding to pixels and that convert electrical charges accumulated in the pixels into voltage signals, which are output as pixel signals from pixel amplifiers. At that time, according to an image shooting condition, at least parts of connection switches corresponding to the floating diffusion units are sequentially turned on or all the connection switches are turned off, whereby the connection switches are connected to or disconnected from connection lines to thereby change capacity components connected to pixel amplifiers. This contributes to dynamic range expansion or noise reduction. | 01-24-2013 |
20130027595 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND AD-CONVERSION OUTPUT BIT COUNT CONTROL METHOD - Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel array section having pixels laid out two-dimensionally to form a matrix to serve as pixels each used for detecting a physical quantity; an AD conversion section, which stands for an Analog to Digital conversion section, configured to carry out an AD conversion process on an analog pixel signal read out from the pixel array section; and a control section configured to control the AD conversion section on the basis of register values stored in a register, wherein in accordance with a clock frequency used for processing the pixel signal, the control section sets output bit count information expressed by one of the register values to serve as information used for setting an output bit count for the AD conversion process. | 01-31-2013 |
20130027596 | COLOR IMAGING USING TIME-MULTIPLEXED LIGHT SOURCES AND MONOCHROME IMAGE SENSORS WITH MULTI-STORAGE-NODE PIXELS - Electronic devices may include monochrome image sensors having multi-storage-node image sensor pixels. A multi-storage-node image pixel may be synchronized with artificial light sources of different colors and may include a floating diffusion region and multiple storage regions. The image pixels may be sequentially exposed to each light color and may store charge associated with each color in each of the different storage regions. After exposure, the stored charge may be transferred to the floating diffusion region and subsequently read out using readout circuitry. The image pixel may have one set of storage gates that can perform both storage and transfer functions. Alternatively, the image pixel may have a first set of transfer gates for transferring charge to the storage regions and a second set of transfer gates for transferring charge from the storage regions to the floating diffusion region. | 01-31-2013 |
20130033631 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE - There is provided a solid-state imaging device including pixels configured to convert an electromagnetic wave into charge and output a signal corresponding a charge amount; and a pixel unit in which the pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, and a configuration of a part for converting the electromagnetic wave into the charge is the same in adjacent pixels, but a relation between the charge amount and a signal amount is allowed to differ between the adjacent pixels. | 02-07-2013 |
20130038768 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - A solid-state image pickup device includes pixels diagonally arranged, each including a photoelectric conversion unit and a plurality of transistors and wiring extending in the vertical and horizontal directions which is diagonally arranged around the photoelectric conversion unit in each of the pixels so that at least one portion of the wiring is arranged along at least one side of the photoelectric conversion unit. | 02-14-2013 |
20130044248 | Integrated Circuit and Sensor for Imaging - New sensors and different embodiments of multi-channel integrated circuit are provided. The new high energy and spatial resolution sensors use both solid state and scintillator detectors. Each channel of the readout chip employs low noise charge sensitive preamplifier(s) at its input followed by other circuitry. The different embodiments of the sensors and the integrated circuit are designed to produce high energy and/or spatial resolution two-dimensional and three-dimensional imaging for widely different applications. Some of these applications may require fast data acquisition, some others may need ultra high energy resolution, and a separate portion may require very high contrast. The embodiments described herein addresses all these issues and also other issues that may be useful in two and three dimensional medical and industrial imaging. The applications of the new sensors and integrated circuits addresses a broad range of applications such as medical and industrial imaging, NDE and NDI, security, baggage scanning, astrophysics, nuclear physics and medicine. | 02-21-2013 |
20130057742 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally in a matrix, a reference signal generating circuit adapted to generate a ramp signal, a counter circuit adapted to perform a counting operation according to output of the ramp signal, comparators arranged on a column by column basis and adapted to compare signals read out of the pixels with the ramp signal, and memories arranged on a column by column basis and adapted to store digital data, wherein if output of the comparator is not changed during an AD conversion period, digital data of a predetermined value is stored in the memory. The solid-state imaging apparatus implements overflow handling using a simplified circuit configuration. | 03-07-2013 |
20130057743 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern; and a pixel signal read-out unit including an AD conversion unit performing AD conversion of a pixel signal read out from the pixel unit, wherein each pixel included in the pixel unit includes division pixels divided into regions in which photosensitivity levels or electric charge accumulating amounts are different from one another, wherein the pixel signal reading unit includes a normal read-out mode and a multiple read-out mode, and wherein the AD conversion unit acquires a pixel signal of one pixel by adding the division pixel signals read out in accordance with the read-out mode while performing AD conversion for the division pixel signals. | 03-07-2013 |
20130063638 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND EVALUATION VALUE GENERATING DEVICE - An image pickup device may include an image capturing unit that includes a solid-state image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix form, the image capturing unit sequentially outputting a plurality of image capturing signals each of which corresponds to one of a plurality of pixel signals output from the solid-state image pickup device, and an evaluation value generating unit to which the plurality of image capturing signals output from the image capturing unit are sequentially input, the evaluation value generating unit generating an evaluation value based on the input image capturing signals. The evaluation value generating unit may include a horizontal decimation unit, a vertical decimation unit, a vertical evaluation value generating unit, and a horizontal evaluation value generating unit. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063639 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM USING THE SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus that outputs digital signals at high speed. A solid-state imaging apparatus is provided that includes plural analog-to-digital converters that convert analog signals obtained by photoelectric conversion into digital signals, plural digital memories that store the digital signals converted by the analog-to-digital converters, plural block digital output lines that are provided to correspond to blocks of the plural digital memories and to which the digital signals stored in the plural digital memories included in the blocks are output, a common digital output line that outputs the digital signals output from the plural block digital output lines, buffer circuits that buffer the digital signals output from the block digital output lines, and block selecting units that can switch the block digital output lines electrically connected to the common digital output line. | 03-14-2013 |
20130063640 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device | 03-14-2013 |
20130070137 | IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH CONFORMAL IMAGE BUFFERS - Imaging systems may be provided with image sensors for capturing images. An image sensor may include storage and processing circuitry having a conformal image buffer to be used in performing various types of image transformations on captured input images. The storage and processing circuitry may perform the image transformations, in part, by storing a portion of a captured input image in the conformal image buffer. A conformal image buffer may include a buffer for storing input image pixel values specific to various types of image transformations and memory for storing a pixel buffer lookup table. The pixel buffer lookup table may be used by the storage and processing circuitry to determine which input image pixel values should be stored in the conformal image buffer for each type of image transformation and to provide random read access to the stored input image pixel values in the conformal image buffer. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070138 | Number Of Pixels In Detector Arrays Using Compressive Sensing - A method and apparatus using the techniques of compressive sensing, which has so far been applied mostly to improving a single-pixel detector into an effectively N-pixel detector, for improving a P-pixel detector array into an effectively P×N-pixel detector array. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070139 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECT CAPABILITIES - Electronic devices may include image sensors having configurable image sensor pixel interconnections. Image sensors may include image sensor pixels coupled to analog circuitry via configurable interconnect circuitry. The analog circuitry may include many analog circuit blocks. The analog circuit blocks may control and read out signals from associated image sensor pixels. The configurable interconnect circuitry may be controlled to reroute the connections between the analog circuit blocks and specific groups of image sensor pixels. Digital circuitry may be coupled to the analog circuitry via configurable interconnect circuitry. The digital circuitry may include digital circuit blocks. There may be significantly more image pixels controlled by a small number of analog circuit blocks, which are in turn controlled by a smaller number of digital circuit blocks. The image sensor pixel array, the configurable interconnect circuitry, the analog circuitry, and the digital circuitry may be vertically stacked. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070140 | IMAGE SENSORS WITH MULTIPLE LENSES OF VARYING POLARIZATIONS - An electronic device may have a camera module. The camera module may include a camera sensor divided into two or more regions. The various regions of the camera sensor may include lenses that filter different polarizations of incident light. As one example, a first half of the camera sensor may include a lens that passes unpolarized light to the first half of the camera sensor, while a second half of the camera sensor may include a lens that passes light of a particular polarization to the second half of the camera sensor. If desired, the camera sensor may include microlenses over individual image sensing pixels. Some of the microlenses may select for particular polarizations of incident light. The electronic device may include a component that emits structured or polarized light and the camera sensor may have lenses that are mapped to the light emitted by the component. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070141 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device comprising a plurality of unit pixels each comprising (a) a photoelectric conversion element operative to generate a charge in response to incident light, (b) a first storage element in which the charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element is stored and (c) a second storage element in which a charge based on the charge stored in the first storage element is stored, wherein, for each pixel, the second storage element is located at an opposite side of a light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion element. | 03-21-2013 |
20130083226 | MULTIPLE IMAGE HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING FROM A SINGLE SENSOR ARRAY - A single array of image sensors is used to obtain a plurality of different images at different levels of admitted exposure light from a common source level of exposure light. More particularly, first and second matrices of light-admitting elements are deployed in a single camera and disposed relative to focal lens light in front of corresponding first and second matrices of light-sensitive image sensors that are arrayed in a singular focal plane array in the camera and react equally to equal levels of color image information. The respective matrices of light-admitting elements transmit color image information from exposed focal lens light at different levels of brightness to their corresponding matrices of light-sensitive image sensors, wherein first and second images are acquired at the respective different levels of brightness from the respective matrices of the image sensors, and pixel data from the images combined to produce an HDR image. | 04-04-2013 |
20130088627 | ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER, PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A photoelectric conversion device includes a counter circuit configured to count a first clock signal to output a count signal thereof, a second clock signal generation unit configured to generate a second clock signal based on the first clock signal, and a clock synchronization unit configured to output a count start signal in synchronization with the second clock signal, wherein the counter circuit performs a counting operation in response to the count start signal synchronized with the second clock signal. | 04-11-2013 |
20130093933 | ELECTRIC CAMERA - An electric camera includes an image sensing device with a light receiving surface having N vertically arranged pixels and an arbitrary number of pixels arranged horizontally, N being equal to or more than three times the number of effective scanning lines M of a display screen of a television system, a driver to drive the image sensing device to vertically mix or cull signal charges accumulated in individual pixels of K pixels to produce, during a vertical effective scanning period of the television system, a number of lines of output signals which corresponds to 1/K the number of vertically arranged pixels N of the image sensing device, K being an integer equal to or less than an integral part of a quotient of N divided by M, and a signal processing unit having a function of generating image signals by using the output signals of the image sensing device. | 04-18-2013 |
20130100328 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device simultaneously completes pixel reset operation on all of pixels included in a unit cell when performing pixel reset scanning in a curtain shutter synchronous mode. The pixel reset operation is processing in which a photodiode corresponding to one of transfer transistors is reset. The pixel reset scanning is processing in which the pixel reset operation is performed on a row basis. The curtain shutter synchronous mode is a mode in which exposure of an imaging region to incident light is started by the pixel reset scanning and ended by blocking the incident light by a mechanical curtain shutter provided on an optical path of the incident light. | 04-25-2013 |
20130107093 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, AND SIGNAL READOUT METHOD | 05-02-2013 |
20130107094 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME | 05-02-2013 |
20130107095 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE | 05-02-2013 |
20130113967 | APPARATUS COMPRISING IMAGE SENSOR ARRAY HAVING GLOBAL SHUTTER SHARED BY A PLURALITY OF PIXELS - There is set forth herein in one embodiment an image sensor array including a global shutter shared by first and second pixels. The global shutter can include a charge storage area having an associated shield for reducing charge build up on the charge storage area attributable to incident light rays. There is set forth herein in one embodiment an imaging apparatus having one or more configuration. The one or more configuration can include one or more of a configuration wherein a frame read out from an image sensor array has unbinned pixel values, a configuration wherein a frame read out from an image sensor array has binned pixel values corresponding to an M×N, M>=2, N>=2 arrangement of pixel values, and a configuration wherein a frame read out from an image sensor array has binned pixel values corresponding to a 1×N, N>=2 arrangement of pixel values. | 05-09-2013 |
20130113968 | OPTICAL ISOLATION OF OPTICALLY BLACK PIXELS IN IMAGE SENSORS - Optical isolation is provided for optically black pixels in image sensors. Image sensors, such as backside illumination (BSI) image sensors, may have an active pixel array and an array having optically black pixels. Isolation structures such as a metal wall may be formed in a dielectric stack between an active pixel array and optically black pixels. Patterned shallow trench isolation regions or polysilicon regions may be formed in a substrate between an active pixel array and optically black pixels. An absorption region such as a germanium-doped absorption region may be formed in a substrate between an active pixel array and optically black pixels. Optical isolation and absorption regions may be formed in a ring surrounding an active pixel array. | 05-09-2013 |
20130128086 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device has a sensor chip and a signal processing chip. The sensor chip includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a 2-dimensional matrix and a data output terminal group made up of a plurality of data output terminals which output analog signals of pixels for each pixel column of the pixel array. The signal processing chip includes a data input terminal group electrically coupled to the data output terminal group, a plurality of A/D converters which convert analog signals of pixels received by the data input terminal group into digital signals for each pixel column of the pixel array, and a control unit which controls operation of the plurality of A/D converters. | 05-23-2013 |
20130141619 | IMAGE SENSORS AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICES INCLUDING THE SAME - An image sensor may include a photodiode configured to convert an optical signal into photogenerated charge, a sensing node adjacent to the photodiode and configured to sense the photogenerated charge, a read-out circuit configured to convert the photogenerated charge into an electrical signal and to output the electrical signal through an output line, and/or at least one capacitor formed between the sensing node and a conversion gain control line. The conversion gain control line corresponding to the at least one capacitor may be selectively connected to a ground line or the output line based on at least one control signal. | 06-06-2013 |
20130141620 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, AND SIGNAL READING METHOD - A solid-state image pickup device in which a first substrate and a second substrate including circuit elements forming pixels and disposed therein are electrically connected by a connection unit, may include an averaging circuit that averages signals accumulated in signal accumulation circuits respectively included in the two or more pixels that are pixels included in the same group and are averaging targets, and an output circuit that outputs the averaged signals from the pixels. The pixels may be classified into a plurality of groups and each group may include the plurality of pixels. The pixels may include photoelectric conversion elements disposed in the first substrate, and the signal accumulation circuits that are disposed in the second substrate and accumulate signals that are generated by the photoelectric conversion elements and are input via the connection unit. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147997 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE, DRIVE METHOD THEREFOR, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state image capture device includes unit pixels including transfer gates that transfer charges to diffusion layers, the charges being obtained by photoelectric conversion performed by photoelectric converting sections; signal lines to which signals output from the unit pixels are read out: current sources connected to the signal lines; and a driver that electrically cuts off connections between the unit pixels and the signal lines and the signal lines and the current sources in a transfer period of the transfer gates. | 06-13-2013 |
20130147998 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND FOCUS DETECTION METHOD - An image capturing apparatus performs focus detection based on a pair of image signals obtained from an image sensor including pixels each having a pair of photoelectric conversion units capable of outputting the pair of image signals obtained by independently receiving a pair of light beams that have passed through different exit pupil regions of an imaging optical system. In the focus detection, an f-number of the imaging optical system is acquired, the pair of image signals undergo filtering using a first filter formed from an summation filter when the f-number is less than a predetermined threshold, or using a second filter formed from the summation filter and a differential filter when the f-number is not less than the threshold, and focus detection is performed by a phase difference method based on the pair of filtered image signals. | 06-13-2013 |
20130155302 | DIGITAL IMAGE SENSOR - A digital imaging sensor includes an array of pixels. A subset of the pixels in the array has reduced photosensitivity in comparison to other pixels in said array. A controller operates to control an integration time of the array of pixels such that a first integration time of the subset of pixels is longer than a second integration time of the other pixels in the array. Such an image sensor is particularly useful for sensing light sources that are not illuminated continuously. | 06-20-2013 |
20130155303 | METHOD OF CAPTURING AN IMAGE WITH AN IMAGE SENSOR - A method may include a cycle of reading a current pixel including connecting the capacitive node of the pixel to a capacitive node of a previous pixel already read, connecting the capacitive node of the current pixel and the capacitive node of a previous pixel to an output line, reading a first voltage of the capacitive node of the pixel through the output line, transferring charges from the accumulation node to the capacitive node of the pixel, reading a second voltage of the capacitive node of the pixel through the output line, and disconnecting the capacitive node from the capacitive node of a previous pixel, and a cycle of reading a next pixel. This cycle may include accumulating charges in the accumulation node of the next pixel while the capacitive node of the current pixel is connected to a capacitive node of a previous pixel. | 06-20-2013 |
20130155304 | IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system comprises an image sensing apparatus including a pixel array, a row selection unit, and a readout unit; and a supply unit including a plurality of A/D converting units, and a transfer unit. The supply unit supplies a power supply voltage to an A/D converting unit which, of the plurality of A/D converting units, receives signals from the pixels in the pixel array by means of the transfer unit, and does not supply a power supply voltage to an A/D converting unit which, of the plurality of A/D converting units, receives no signals from the pixels in the pixel array by means of the transfer unit, in a 1-line period. The readout unit A/D-converts the signals from the pixels in the pixel array using the A/D converting unit supplied with the power supply voltage by the supply unit, and outputs a digital image signal. | 06-20-2013 |
20130176470 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus having a pixel array is provided. The apparatus includes one or more ground lines and one or more power supply lines for supplying power to the pixels. Each of the pixels includes an photoelectric conversion element and an A/D converter for converting an analog signal corresponding to a charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element into a digital signal. At least one of the plurality of pixels includes at least a portion of a capacitance element having a first electrode connected to one of the one or more power supply lines, and a second electrode connected to one of the one or more ground lines. | 07-11-2013 |
20130182162 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND CAMERA - A solid-state image sensor having a pixel region and a peripheral circuit region, includes wiring lines arranged in the pixel region and the peripheral circuit region, dummy patterns arranged in the peripheral circuit region, and a planarizing layer arranged on the wiring lines and containing a resin. The wiring lines in the peripheral circuit region include a plurality of electrically conductive patterns. The dummy patterns are arranged between the plurality of electrically conductive patterns. The dummy patterns are electrically insulated from the wiring lines. | 07-18-2013 |
20130182163 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR - A solid-state image sensor comprising a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein the pixel array includes a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer arranged above the first wiring layer, the first wiring layer includes first column signal lines arranged at the respective columns of the pixel array, and the second wiring layer includes second column signal lines arranged at the respective columns of the pixel array. | 07-18-2013 |
20130182164 | COMPARATOR IMPLEMENTATION FOR PROCESSING SIGNALS OUTPUT FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor includes an analog-to-digital converter receiving a pixel signal output. The converter includes a first inverting amplifier circuit having an input and an output, the first inverting amplifier circuit including a first bias circuit having a control node and configured to source current for first inverting amplifier circuit operation. The converter further includes a second inverting amplifier circuit having an input and an output, the second inverting amplifier circuit including a second bias circuit having a control node and configured to source current for second inverting amplifier circuit operation. The output of the first inverting amplifier circuit is coupled to the input of the second inverting amplifier circuit. A positive feedback circuit couples the output of the second inverting amplifier circuit to the control node of the first bias circuit. | 07-18-2013 |
20130201374 | CAMERA FOR RECORDING AERIAL IMAGES FROM AIRCRAFT - A camera, more particularly for recording aerial images from aircraft, comprising a lens and at least one digital, areal image sensor fixed on a carrier element and having a predetermined pixel size, which image sensor has a curvature, more particularly caused by the fixing on the carrier element within a specific tolerance range. The lens at least partly brings about optical compensation of the curvature of the digital areal image sensor. | 08-08-2013 |
20130208159 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD - An image pickup element having a pixel array of a plurality of pixels, with first and second areas: generates a correction data based on the image signal read from the first area; stores the generated correction data in addresses of a memory corresponding to horizontal positions of the read pixels in the first area; reads the correction data from the addresses of the memory corresponding to a horizontal range set in the second area, and corrects the image signal read from the range set in the second area, using the read correction data; and updates the correction data stored in a predetermined range of addresses in the memory, based on the image signal read from a horizontal range in the first area corresponding to the predetermined range of addresses, and irrespective of the range set in the second area. | 08-15-2013 |
20130208160 | A/D CONVERSION CIRCUIT AND SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - An A/D conversion circuit may include: a delay circuit that includes a plurality of delay units having a first pulse input terminal, a pulse output terminal, and an analog signal input terminal, wherein each first pulse input terminal of the plurality of delay units is connected to one of the pulse output terminals corresponding to the plurality of delay units, and a pulse output signal input to the first pulse input terminal is delayed in accordance with an analog signal input to the analog signal input terminal and output from the pulse output terminal, and one of the plurality of delay units has a second pulse input terminal to which a pulse signal is input from outside; a state variation detection circuit; and an encoding signal latch circuit. | 08-15-2013 |
20130215306 | METHOD FOR DRIVING PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE - After accumulating electric charges in pixels in first, second, and third rows, signals are output from the pixels in the first and second rows in a first frame, and thereafter, after accumulating electric charges in the pixels in the first row without accumulating electric charges in the pixels in the second and third rows, signals are output from the pixels in the first and third rows in a second frame following the first frame. Furthermore, the photoelectric conversion units of the pixels in the second and third rows are reset by the resetting units included in the pixels in the second and third rows in the first frame. | 08-22-2013 |
20130215307 | CDS CIRCUIT, IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE INCLUDING THE IMAGE SENSOR - A correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit includes a correction circuit configured to receive an input pixel signal through a first node via a column line, correct the input pixel signal, and output the corrected pixel signal through a second node; and a comparator including first and second input terminals, the first input terminal being connected to the second node and being configured to receive the corrected pixel signal, and the second input terminal configured to receive a ramp signal, the comparator being configured to compare the corrected pixel signal with the ramp signal and output a comparison signal indicating a result of the comparing, wherein the correction circuit includes, a first capacitor connected between the first and second nodes, and one or more metal lines disposed adjacent to the first capacitor, and wherein at least one other capacitor is formed by the first capacitor and the metal line. | 08-22-2013 |
20130222660 | IMAGE PICKUP UNIT AND IMAGE PICKUP DISPLAY SYSTEM - An image pickup unit includes: an image pickup section including a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric converter device and a field-effect transistor; and a driving section reading out a signal charge with use of the transistor, the signal charge being accumulated in each of the plurality of pixels. The driving section turns off the transistor by applying an off-voltage to the transistor, the off-voltage being set in consideration of an off-leakage current between a source and a drain of the transistor. | 08-29-2013 |
20130222661 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS, FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a first line sensor unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a first direction, a second line sensor unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a second direction, and a third line sensor unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a third direction. Each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion portion and a transistor. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the third direction is not perpendicular to the first and the second directions. A channel of the transistor is provided in the first direction or the second direction. | 08-29-2013 |
20130229558 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a timing signal generation unit, a plurality of sensor units arranged in a matrix pattern and configured to perform photoelectric conversion of light received on an image pickup surface to accumulate signal charges, a vertical transfer unit provided for each vertical column of the sensor units and configured to transfer the signal charges in a plurality of divided fields in a vertical direction in an image pickup area in a plurality of horizontal blanking periods, a horizontal transfer unit configured to perform a horizontal transfer of the signal charges to the vertical transfer unit along with the horizontal blanking period, and a vertical and horizontal shift control unit configured to control a timing at which the vertical transfer unit transfers the signal charges to the horizontal transfer unit for each vertical column of the sensor units on the basis of the timing signal. | 09-05-2013 |
20130229559 | REDUNDANCY IN COLUMN PARALLEL OR ROW ARCHITECTURES - A column circuitry architecture for an imager includes redundant column or row circuits. The column or row circuitry includes a number of redundant column or row circuits. Each column or row circuit include circuitry for controllably coupling the column or row circuit to one of plural signal lines from an array of pixels. A control mechanism is used to select a configuration of plural column or row circuits in the column or row circuitry. In this manner, some column or row circuits are decoupled from the pixel in favor of other column or row circuits. The decoupled column or row circuits may include defective or noisy circuits. | 09-05-2013 |
20130235238 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM - Provided is an image processing apparatus including a binning unit configured to calculate, based on, as a binning area, an area including two or more adjacent pixels in a unit area including m pixels in a lateral direction and n pixels in a perpendicular direction on an image sensor, a sum of output values of the pixels in the binning area as an addition output value for each of m×n binning areas that are different to each other; and a calculation unit configured to calculate a pixel value of each pixel in the binning area based on m×n addition output values obtained for the unit area. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235239 | POWER SAVING TECHNIQUES FOR IMAGE SENSORS - Power saving techniques are provided for processing circuitry on image sensors. Processing circuitry may include one or more processing blocks. The processing blocks may receive pixel data in the form of lines separated by blanking time. To reduce power consumption, each processing block may have a clock that is enabled when processing data and disabled during blanking time. The processing blocks may have respective clocks that are enabled and disabled at different times. Timing control circuitry may provide a clock enable signal to a first processing block. Each processing block may receive a clock enable signal and output a time-shifted clock enable signal for a subsequent processing block. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235240 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND DRIVING METHOD OF IMAGING DEVICE - Each of pixels in an imaging device includes a photoelectric converter and a first transistor. A signal based on a charge generated by the photoelectric converter is to be input into the first transistor. The imaging device includes a second transistor arranged at a ratio of one as to the pixels. A reference signal is to be input into the second transistor. The second transistor defines a differential pair together with the first transistor. The imaging device includes a comparator including the first transistor and the second transistor. Each of the pixels includes a selecting unit configured to turn off the first transistor by applying the first voltage to a control node of the first transistor. | 09-12-2013 |
20130235241 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus that shortens a time for reading out pixel signals of all pixels and improves the aperture ratio of pixels is provided. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels ( | 09-12-2013 |
20130242154 | SIGNAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEM, PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A signal apparatus includes a plurality of pairs, each pair of which includes plural digital signal output units configured to output a digital signal, a block wiring to which output terminals of the plural digital signal output units are connected, and a buffer circuit an input terminal of which is connected to the block wiring, in which the output terminal of the buffer circuit included in one of the pairs is connected to the block wiring included in another one of the pairs. | 09-19-2013 |
20130258151 | CMOS Image Sensors Implementing Full Frame Digital Correlated Double Sampling with Global Shutter - An active pixel CMOS image sensor implements full frame digital correlated double sampling (CDS) with global shutter where all the pixels in the image sensor are reset at substantially the same time and all the pixels in the image sensor integrate incident light at substantially the same time and for substantially the same time duration and correlated double sampling cancellation is performed in the digital domain. In one embodiment, the image sensing device includes an array of light sensing elements, a timing and control circuit and analog-to-digital converters. The timing and control circuit is operative to reset the light sensing elements in the array and to control the array of light sensing elements to integrate incident light. The pixel reset values are cancelled from the corresponding light dependent pixel values for each of the light sensing elements to generate correlated double sampling (CDS) corrected digital output pixel values. | 10-03-2013 |
20130278804 | REPARTITIONED DIGITAL PIXEL - An imaging system includes an array of pixel cells and a plurality of digital memory elements disposed physically separate from and coupled to the array of pixel cells. Each of the pixel cells includes a photodetector, an electrical storage device coupled to the photodetector, and quantization circuitry coupled to the electrical storage device. The photodetector is configured to generate a photo-current in response to light impinging thereon. The electrical storage device is configured to accumulate an electrical charge from the photo-current. The quantization circuitry is configured to convert the electrical charge into an analog quantization event signal. Each of the digital memory elements is in electrical communication with at least one of the pixel cells and is configured to store a digital value in response to receiving the analog quantization event signal from the at least one of the pixel cells. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278805 | IMAGING DEVICES OPERABLE WITH MULTIPLE ASPECT RATIOS - Imaging devices including a novel imaging system wherein a 2-dimensional pixel array has a diagonal dimension larger than the diameter measurement of the image circle, thereby being capable of handling rectangular images with multiple aspect ratios. These new imaging devices can be used in various electronic imaging apparatus with or without a lens system. | 10-24-2013 |
20130278806 | Method and Apparatus for High Resolution Photon Detection Based on Extraordinary Optoconductance (EOC) Effects - The inventors disclose a new high performance optical sensor, preferably of nanoscale dimensions, that functions at room temperature based on an extraordinary optoconductance (EOC) phenomenon, and preferably an inverse EOC (I-EOC) phenomenon, in a metal-semiconductor hybrid (MSH) structure having a semiconductor/metal interface. Such a design shows efficient photon sensing not exhibited by bare semiconductors. In experimentation with an exemplary embodiment, ultrahigh spatial resolution 4-point optoconductance measurements using Helium-Neon laser radiation reveal a strikingly large optoconductance property, an observed maximum measurement of 9460% EOC, for a 250 nm device. Such an exemplary EOC device also demonstrates specific detectivity higher than 5.06×10 | 10-24-2013 |
20130286268 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND CAMERA - A solid-state image sensor, comprising an image sensor chip including a pixel region where a plurality of pixels are arranged and a peripheral region arranged around the pixel region, and a fixing portion including a substrate which supports the image sensor chip and a joint portion which joins the substrate to an external base, wherein the peripheral region includes a first portion, and a second portion which is smaller in an amount of generated heat than the first portion, the substrate includes a first side and a second side, the first portion is arranged nearer the first side than the second side, the second portion is arranged nearer the second side than the first side, and the joint portion is arranged on the first side of the substrate. | 10-31-2013 |
20130293753 | IMAGE DATA COMPRESSION USING STACKED-CHIP IMAGE SENSORS - Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels and processing circuitry. The image pixel array may be coupled to the processing circuitry through an array of vertical metal interconnects. The image pixel array may be partitioned into image pixel sub-arrays configured to capture image data at a capture frame rate. The processing circuitry may compress image data associated with each image pixel sub-array in parallel and may output the compressed image data to off-chip image processing circuitry at an output frame rate that is less than the capture frame rate. The processing circuitry may determine respective compression block sizes for each image pixel sub-array with which to compress the associated image data and may determine respective output frame rates for image data from each image pixel sub-array. | 11-07-2013 |
20130293754 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, A/D CONVERTER AND A/D CONVERSION METHOD - In a reference signal comparison AD conversion scheme, a reference signal SLP_ADC and each of P and D phases of a pixel signal voltage V | 11-07-2013 |
20130300906 | IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH PER-COLUMN ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER NON-LINEARITY CORRECTION CAPABILITIES - Electronic devices may include image sensors having image sensor pixels that are coupled to analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). Each ADC may be a sub-ranged ramp ADC that uses a first set of reference voltages to determine a coarse code and a second set of ramping voltages to determine a fine code. In the presence of parasitic capacitances, the reference voltages and the ramp voltages exhibit mismatch that causes the ADC to exhibit non-idealities such as missing codes. Calibration operations may be performed that involve obtaining a first code at a first predetermined input voltage level and obtaining a second code at a second predetermined input voltage level. A code correction value can then be computed based on the first and second codes. The code correction value can be selectively applied to the final ADC code to correct for missing codes. | 11-14-2013 |
20130308025 | IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - There is provided an image processing device including a characteristic estimation portion that, from one of image information obtained from an image sensor and information attached to the image information, estimates a characteristic of the image sensor that is used to generate the image information, and a processing portion that processes the image information in accordance with the characteristic of the image sensor estimated by the characteristic estimation portion. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308026 | REDUCED HEIGHT CAMERA MODULES - Electronic devices may include camera modules. A camera module may include an anamorphic lens and an image sensor having an array of asymmetrical image pixels. The array may be a square array arranged in pixel columns and pixel rows. The square image pixel array may include more pixel columns than pixel rows and may be located completely within the image circle of the anamorphic lens. The asymmetrical image pixels may each have a width that is smaller the height of that image pixel. The asymmetrical image pixels may be rectangular image pixels or diamond-shaped image pixels. The anamorphic lens may project a distorted image onto the array of asymmetrical image pixels. The width of each asymmetrical image pixel may be smaller than the height of that image pixel by an amount that corresponds to the distortion of the image by the anamorphic lens. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308027 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING METADATA IN STACKED-CHIP IMAGING SYSTEMS - Imaging systems may be provided with stacked-chip image sensors. A stacked-chip image sensor may include a vertical chip stack that includes an array of image pixels, analog control circuitry and storage and processing circuitry. The control circuitry or the processing circuitry may include metadata generation circuitry and image data output control circuitry that control the processing of blocks of image data from blocks of image pixels in the image pixel array. The metadata generation circuitry may generate metadata for a current image block and provide the generated metadata to the image data output control circuitry. The image data output control circuitry may output image blocks that have been flagged for readout, flagged for enhanced image processing, or otherwise flagged for transmission in the generated metadata. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308028 | OFFSET INJECTION IN AN ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER - An electronic device may have one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The ADCs may be used in digitizing signals from an image sensor. In order to ensure that input signals received by an ADC are not clipped, the input signals may be positively or negatively offset by a desired amount. Offsetting the input signals may ensure that the offset input signals wall within the acceptable input range of the ADCs. Offset injection may be accomplished using capacitors that are also used for analog-to-digital conversion. As an example, the ADC may be a successive approximation-type ADC that uses capacitors in a binary search for the digital value most accurately representing an input analog value. The capacitors of the ADC may be used for the successive approximation process and for offset injection. The offset injection may be digitally canceled out following digitization of the input analog signal. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308029 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PIXEL CONTROL SIGNAL VERIFICATION - Imaging systems may be provided with image sensors having an array of image pixels coupled to row control circuitry and verification circuitry. The row control circuitry may provide row control signals to the image pixels for capturing image data. The verification circuitry may receive the row control signals through the array of image pixels. The verification circuitry may identify predetermined ranges of acceptable row control signal magnitudes based on the type of row control signal and the mode of operation of the image sensor. The verification circuitry may be configured to compare row control signal magnitudes to the predetermined acceptable ranges. If the row control signal magnitudes are outside of one or more of the predetermined ranges, circuitry in the imaging system may be shut off and/or a fault signal such as an audible or visible failure alert signal may be produced for an operator of imaging system. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308030 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - Charges accumulated in pixels contained in one or a plurality of readout object rows that form a partial region of a photodetecting region are selectively read out in each of the L times (L is an integer not less than 2) of imaging frames, and in each of the L times of imaging frames, resetting of charges accumulated in pixels contained in only a part of non-readout object rows is performed, as well as, resetting is performed at least once in a period of the L times of imaging frames for each of the two or more non-readout object rows. Accordingly, a control method for a solid-state imaging element capable of reducing the time required per one imaging frame and reducing load on the peripheral circuit when selectively reading out charges accumulated in pixels in a partial region of the photodetecting region is realized. | 11-21-2013 |
20130314573 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - In a solid-state imaging apparatus in which a first substrate formed on a first semiconductor wafer and a second substrate formed on a second semiconductor wafer are bonded via a connection portion configured to electrically connect the first and second substrates, the first substrate includes a first pixel region in which a plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements partially transmit incident light and are arranged in a two-dimensional shape. The second substrate includes a second pixel region in which a plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a two-dimensional shape in at least a partial region of a region corresponding to the first pixel region. The first photoelectric conversion elements generate imaging signals, and the second photoelectric conversion elements generate signals to be used in imaging preparation. | 11-28-2013 |
20130314574 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - A solid-state imaging device includes: pixels arrayed two-dimensionally; pixel common circuits arrayed in a matrix, each shared by adjacent pixels of a certain number among the pixels; column common circuits, each provided for one of columns of the pixel common circuits, and shared by pixel common circuits belonging to a same column; column signal lines each provided for one of the columns of the pixel common circuits; and reset signal lines each provided for one of the columns of the pixel common circuits, in which an electric signal from each of the pixels is detected by a corresponding one of the pixel common circuits and read by a corresponding one of the column common circuits, and the electric signal detected by the corresponding one of the pixel common circuits is reset by a feedback path including one column signal line, one column common circuit, and one reset signal lines. | 11-28-2013 |
20130321683 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An image pickup apparatus, a method for driving the image pickup apparatus, an image pickup system, and a method for driving the image pickup system output a digital signal based on a difference between signals output from a plurality of pixels and a digital signal based on the sum of the signals output from the pixels. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321684 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - Provided are an image pickup device, a method of driving the image pickup device, and an image pickup system, in which timings of starting operations in a plurality of comparison units to which power supply voltage is applied through a common line are controlled to be different. | 12-05-2013 |
20130329104 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit composed of pixels including photoelectric conversion elements which are arranged in a matrix, and a pixel drive unit configured to perform a row selection operation of simultaneously selecting plural rows when a row is selected in accordance with an address signal for the respective pixels in the pixel array unit in a read period where signals are read out from the pixels. | 12-12-2013 |
20130335607 | CONTROL CIRCUIT, CONTROL METHOD OF CONTROL CIRCUIT, AND IMAGING DEVICE - To be provided is a control circuit including a horizontal synchronization clock counting unit that counts the number of clock cycles of a horizontal synchronization clock signal for instructing a timing of starting scanning pixels in a horizontal direction of a pixel group arranged in a two-dimensional lattice shape, so as to be used as a horizontal synchronization clock count value, a high frequency clock counting unit that counts the number of clock cycles of a high frequency clock signal with a higher frequency than the horizontal synchronization clock signal, so as to be used as a high frequency clock count value, and a timing determination unit that determines timings of starting and ending exposure for the pixels on the basis of the horizontal synchronization clock count value and the high frequency clock count value. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335608 | IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - In a first operation mode, signals are read from pixels including ranging pixels in a pixel array and ranging and image generation are performed based on the read signals. In a second operation mode, signals are read from the pixels excluding the ranging pixels and exposure is controlled based on the read signals. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335609 | A/D CONVERTER, SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND DRIVING METHOD OF THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - The present technology relates to an A/D converter, a solid-state image pickup device and a method of driving the same, and an electronic apparatus which are capable of reducing power consumption while reducing a circuit size. A comparator compares a reference voltage with an input voltage, the reference voltage having a ramp waveform whose voltage value varies with time, a lower-bit storage element holds a count value in a predetermined count pattern, based on an output signal from the comparator, a Gray code binary conversion circuit converts the count value in the count pattern held by the lower-bit storage element into binary data, and a storing operation control circuit supplies a pulse signal corresponding to the binary data obtained by conversion in the Gray code binary conversion circuit to a lower-bit U/D CNT. The present technology is applicable to, for example, an image sensor storing a count value in a storage element with use of a Gray code or a phase shift code as a clock signal. | 12-19-2013 |
20140016008 | Wide Dynamic Range Imaging Sensor And Method - A system and method for sensing an optical input having a wide dynamic range includes providing a semiconductor material extending along a reference axis away from an optical input surface and having more than one substantially planar photodetecting regions disposed therein at different respective depths. The substantially planar photodetecting regions are configured to be overlapping and at least partially transverse to the reference axis, such that more than one of the regions absorb the optical input received through the optical input surface. Each of the photodetecting regions has an associated responsivity representative of the absorption of the incident optical signal. Preferably, the responsivity of each of the photodetecting regions is different for each of the photodetecting regions. A wide dynamic range sensor signal is produced by combining electrical output signals obtained from each of the more than one photodetecting regions. | 01-16-2014 |
20140016009 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD OF DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - One exemplary embodiment is a method of driving an image pickup apparatus including a plurality of photoelectric conversion units. A driving method of the present exemplary embodiment includes a generating step of generating electric charges in the photoelectric conversion unit during a period from a first time to a second time; and a transferring step of transferring electric charges generated in the generating step of generating into at least two electric charge reception units in parallel. Then, electric charges transferred from different photoelectric conversion units are added in at least one electric charge reception unit. | 01-16-2014 |
20140022429 | ANTI-ECLIPSE CIRCUITRY WITH TRACKING OF FLOATING DIFFUSION RESET LEVEL - An anti-eclipse circuit for an imager is formed from pixel circuitry over the same semiconductor substrate as the imaging pixels. More specifically, two adjacent pixel circuits are modified to form an amplifier. One input of the amplifier is adapted to receive a reset signal from one of the pixel circuits while another input is adapted to be set at a predetermined offset voltage from the output of the amplifier. The amplifier is preferably a unity gain amplifier, so that the output of the amplifier set to a voltage level equal to the predetermined offset from the voltage level of the reset signal. Accordingly, the anti-eclipse circuit outputs a reference voltage at predetermined level from the reset voltage of a pixel and does not need to be calibrated for fabrication related variances in reset voltages. | 01-23-2014 |
20140036122 | AD CONVERSION CIRCUIT AND SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - An AD conversion circuit may include: a reference signal generation unit; a comparison unit; a clock generation unit; a latch unit; a counting unit; and an encoding unit including a detection circuit and an encoding circuit, the detection circuit performing a first detection operation of detecting logic states of n lower phase signals in a signal group that a plurality of lower phase signals latched in the latch unit are arranged in the same order as those of the signal group when the plurality of lower phase signals output from the clock generation unit are arranged to be the signal group the detection circuit outputting a state detection signal when the logic state of the n lower phase signals is detected to be a predetermined logic state in the first detection operation, the encoding circuit performing encoding based on the state detection signal output from the detection circuit. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036123 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD FOR A SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section that has at least one pixel with a photoelectric conversion unit and a charge detection unit. A driving section is configured to read out a signal of the pixel, a first portion of said signal being based on signal charge, a second portion of said signal being based on a reset potential. A signal processing section is configured to read out the first portion of the signal as a reference voltage, with the reference voltage being adjusted to cause the first and second portions of the signal to be within an input voltage range. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036124 | RAMP-SIGNAL GENERATOR CIRCUIT, AND IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - The ramp-signal generator circuit includes a reference voltage generator that changes the voltage of a reference signal Vr to a comparator setting voltage VR for compensating for a voltage difference between a reference signal Vr and an analog input signal (Vs | 02-06-2014 |
20140055654 | BACKSIDE ILLUMINATED IMAGE SENSORS WITH STACKED DIES - An image sensor unit may have a backside-illuminated imager and an image co-processor stacked together. The image co-processor may be mounted in a cavity in a permanent carrier. The permanent carrier may include fluid channels that allow cooling fluid to flow past the image co-process and past the imager, thereby removing excess heat generated by the image sensor unit during operation. | 02-27-2014 |
20140063306 | Subpixel Resolution by Interpolation of Crosstalk from Adjacent Pixels - A pixel interconnect circuit that can be added to a focal plane array, which enables subpixel location capability (subpixel sensing) for an imaged point source and facilitates very high frame rate operation. The pixel interconnect is typically added as a circuit component within the readout integrated circuit. The interconnect function can be turned on or off, allowing for flexible operation. It allows for the use of very low pixel count arrays, such as 128×128 pixels, to achieve the positional accuracy of multi-megapixel arrays. In turn, these small arrays can be clocked at very fast frame rates for enhanced threat and fast event detection. Existing systems can be upgraded by adding the pixel interconnect, which will greatly improve tracking and position accuracy without increasing data processing requirements. By modifying the focal plane while leaving other components unchanged, the pixel interconnect provides an economical upgrade for older threat warning and tactical sensor systems. | 03-06-2014 |
20140063307 | CAMERA MODULE WITH SEALING GLUE - An exemplary camera module includes a substrate, a holler lens holder, an image sensor, a cover glass, a passive element, and glue. The hollow lens holder is positioned on the substrate and includes an internal annular plate spaced from the substrate. The image sensor is positioned on the substrate and including a central active area. The cover glass is positioned between the image sensor and the annular plate. The active area is exposed through a center of the cover glass and via the annular plate. The passive element positioned on the substrate, within the lens holder. The glue is applied between the cover glass and the annular plate to seal a passage formed between the cover glass and the annular plate, thereby preventing particles detaching from the passive element from migrating to the center of the cover glass. | 03-06-2014 |
20140071320 | IMAGING DEVICE, RANGING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging device includes a first imaging area having a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels arranged therein and a second imaging area having a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of third pixels arranged therein. Each of the first pixels, each of the second pixels and each of the third pixels receive a light flux from first, second and third pupil areas, respectively, of the exit pupil of an optical system and operate for photoelectric conversion. The second and third pupil areas are decentered to opposite directions to each other relative to the center of gravity of the exit pupil. The first and second imaging areas are displaced to opposite directions as corresponding to the decentered directions of the second and third pupil areas relative to a position on the imaging device where the optical axis of the optical system passes. | 03-13-2014 |
20140078364 | IMAGE SENSORS WITH COLUMN FAILURE CORRECTION CIRCUITRY - Electronic devices may include image sensors having image pixel arrays with image pixels arranged in pixel rows and pixel columns. Each pixel column may be coupled to column readout circuitry through column randomizing circuitry. The column readout circuitry may include a column circuit associated with each pixel column and at least one reserve column circuit. The column randomizing circuitry may randomize the distribution of image signals from the pixel columns to the column readout circuitry. The column randomizing circuitry may distribute the randomized image signals from at least one of the pixel columns to a reserve column circuit when any of the column circuits associated with the pixel columns has failed. The column randomizing circuitry may include an output column line for each column circuit and first and second transistors coupled in parallel to each output column line. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078365 | COLUMN-BASED HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGING SYSTEMS - Electronic devices may have camera modules that include an image sensor and processing circuitry. An image sensor may include a pixel array having pixel rows and pixel columns. The image pixels in a pixel row may include long-integration pixels and short-integration pixels. Row control signal lines for each pixel row may include a row-select control line, a reset control line, and two transfer control lines or may include a row-select control line, two reset control lines, and a transfer control line. Row control circuitry may be used to operate the pixel array to capture a column-interleaved image with short-exposure pixel values and long-exposure pixel values interleaved in a column-based pattern. The column-interleaved image may be used to form an interpolated short-exposure image and an interpolated long-exposure image from which a column-based interleaved high-dynamic-range image is generated. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078366 | IMAGING SYSTEMS WITH IMAGE PIXELS HAVING VARYING LIGHT COLLECTING AREAS - An image sensor may have an array of image sensor pixels having varying light collecting areas. The light collecting area of each image pixel may vary with respect to other image pixels due to varied microlens sizes and varied color filter element sizes throughout the array. The light collecting area may vary within unit pixel cells and the variability of the light collecting areas of pixels within each pixel cell may depend on the location of the pixel cell in the pixel array. Each unit pixel cell may include at least one clear pixel having a light collecting area that is smaller than the light collecting areas of other single color pixels in the unit pixel cell. | 03-20-2014 |
20140092288 | Multispectral imaging for quantitative contrast of functional and structural features of layers inside optically dense media such as tissue - A method for evaluation of target media parameters using visible through near infrared light is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a light source, illuminator/collector, optional illumination wavelength selector, optional light gating processor, imager, detected wavelength selector, controller, analyzer and display unit. The apparatus illuminates an in situ target. The sample absorbs some light while a large fraction of the light is diffusely scattered within the sample and some light exits the sample and may be detected in an imaging fashion using wavelength selection and an optical imaging system. The method extends the dynamic range of the optical imager by extracting additional information from the detected light that is used to provide reconstructed contrast of smaller concentrations of chromophore. Using a reiterative calibration method, acquired spectra and images are analyzed and displayed in near real time in such a manner as to characterize functional and structural information of the target tissue | 04-03-2014 |
20140098270 | BACK-ILLUMINATED SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING ELEMENT, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND IMAGING DEVICE - In a back-illuminated solid-state image sensing element, the areas of the front surface sides of individual pixels are the same as one another, regardless of the colors of light components dispersed by filters and entering the individual pixels, and the areas of the rear surface sides of pixels which a dispersed red light component enters are larger than the areas of the rear surface sides of pixels which a green or blue light component enters. | 04-10-2014 |
20140098271 | AD CONVERSION CIRCUIT AND SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - An AD conversion circuit may include: a reference signal generation unit generating a reference signal increasing or decreasing with passage of time; a comparison unit including a first comparison circuit and a second comparison circuit comparing an analog signal to be subjected to an AD conversion with the reference signal; a clock generation unit including a delay circuit in which a plurality of delay units are connected to one another, and outputting a first lower phase signal and a second lower phase signal based on clock signals output from each of the plurality of delay units; a latch unit including a first latch circuit latching a logical state of the first lower phase signal and a second latch circuit latching a logical state of the second lower phase signal; and a counting unit performing counting based on the second lower phase signal output from the clock generation unit. | 04-10-2014 |
20140104472 | IMAGE SENSORS, IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEMS INCLUDING SAME, AND METHODS OF OPERATING THE SAME - A method of operating an image sensor includes: generating a pixel signal according to intensity of incident light; and generating a digital pixel signal based on a comparison between the pixel signal and at least one reference current. Accordingly, a current output from a 1T pixel in the image sensor is sensed such that the influence of noise is reduced and a pixel signal is sensed more precisely. | 04-17-2014 |
20140111675 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND CAMERA MODULE - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a high dynamic range (HDR) synthesizing unit. The HDR synthesizing unit synthesizes a first image signal from a first pixel and a second image signal from a second pixel. The first pixel is a pixel to which a first exposure time is applied. The second pixel is a pixel to which a second exposure time is applied. The second exposure time is shorter than the first exposure time. The first and second horizontal lines form a periodic array. The first horizontal line is a horizontal line formed by the first pixels. The second horizontal line is a horizontal line formed by the second pixels. In the periodic array, a combination of the first horizontal lines and the second horizontal lines of the number which is twice the number of first horizontal lines is formed as units. | 04-24-2014 |
20140118589 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND RANGE FINDER USING THE SAME - The invention provides a solid-state image sensor including a pixel having a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions and at least one waveguide arranged closer to a side of light incidence than the photoelectric conversion portions, wherein the waveguide has a core member and a cladding member formed of a medium having a refractive index lower than that of the core member, and wherein a layer formed of a medium having a refractive index lower than that of the core member of the waveguide is provided between the photoelectric conversion portions and the waveguide. | 05-01-2014 |
20140118590 | IMAGE SENSOR, PRODUCTION METHOD THEREFOR, AND INSPECTION APPARATUS | 05-01-2014 |
20140125854 | 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. | 05-08-2014 |
20140132811 | HYPERSPECTRAL IMAGING SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMAGING A REMOTE OBJECT - A hyperspectral imaging system and a method are described herein for providing a hyperspectral image of an area of a remote object (e.g., scene of interest). In one aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable disk (which has at least one spiral slit formed therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. In another aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable disk (which has multiple straight slits formed therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. In yet another aspect, the hyperspectral imaging system includes at least one optic, a rotatable drum (which has a plurality of slits formed on the outer surface thereof and a fold mirror located therein), a spectrometer, a two-dimensional image sensor, and a controller. | 05-15-2014 |
20140132812 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME AND CAMERA - An image sensor includes a semiconductor layer having first and second faces, and a wiring structure arranged on a side of the first face, wherein photoelectric converters are arranged in the semiconductor layer and light is incident on the second face. The wiring structure includes reflection portions having reflection regions and arranged for at least some of the photoelectric converters, absorbing portions arranged around the reflection regions, an insulator portion arranged to surround the absorbing portions, and an interlayer insulating film arranged between the first face and a group of the reflection portions, the light absorbing portions, and the insulator portion, and a reflectance of the light absorbing portions is smaller than a reflectance of the reflection regions, and a light transmittance of the light absorbing portions is smaller than a light transmittance of the insulator portion. | 05-15-2014 |
20140146210 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICES AND METHODS USING SINGLE SLOPE ADC WITH ADJUSTABLE SLOPE RAMP SIGNAL - A solid state imaging device includes a pixel array comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion devices and an analog to digital conversion (ADC) circuit configured to convert an image signal received from the pixel array to a digital signal responsive to a ramp signal and a gain setting. The solid state imaging device further includes a ramp signal generator circuit configured to generate the ramp signal with a slope that varies responsive to a control signal and a dark level offset compensation circuit configured to generate the control signal responsive to the gain setting and a dark level measurement. | 05-29-2014 |
20140168490 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND IMAGING METHOD - An imaging apparatus of the present invention includes: a lens optical system including a lens and a stop; an imaging device including at least a plurality of first pixels and a plurality of second pixels on which light having passed through the lens optical system is incident; and an arrayed optical device arranged between the lens optical system and the imaging device, wherein: the lens optical system includes, in a plane vertical to an optical axis, a first area that transmits therethrough light of a first wavelength band and a second area that transmits therethrough light of a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band; and the arrayed optical device makes light having passed through the first area incident on the plurality of first pixels and light having passed through the second area incident on the plurality of second pixels. | 06-19-2014 |
20140192243 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An image pickup device with a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels includes: a photoelectric conversion section formed in a semiconductor substrate; and a metallic member formed between the semiconductor substrate and a wiring layer provided in a layer on the semiconductor substrate, a part of the metallic member being configured to serve as a light-shielding member that blocks a part of light to be incident on the photoelectric conversion section. | 07-10-2014 |
20140204256 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, AND CAMERA MODULE - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes an output level determining unit, a random number data generating unit, and an output selecting unit. The output level determining unit performs a level determination of a digital output signal by comparing a level of the digital output signal with a threshold value. The random number data generating unit generates random number data by random number processing on the level of the digital output signal. The output selecting unit selects any of: the digital output signal subjected to an addition of the random number data, and the digital output signal not subjected to the addition of the random number data corresponding to a result of the level determination. | 07-24-2014 |
20140211054 | CAMERA MODULE - Disclosed herein is a camera module capable of selectively using according to a mode by disposing an imaging sensor and a recognition sensor within a view angle of a lens, the camera module including: a sensor die including a silicon substrate and a sensor implemented on the silicon substrate; and a lens barrel hermetically holding the sensor die and including at least one lens, wherein the silicon substrate includes an imaging sensor and a recognition sensor implemented adjacent to each other so as to be included within a view angle of the lens. | 07-31-2014 |
20140211055 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT, A/D CONVERTER AND A/D CONVERSION METHOD - In a reference signal comparison AD conversion scheme, a reference signal SLP_ADC and each of P and D phases of a pixel signal voltage Vx are compared. A count clock CKcnt | 07-31-2014 |
20140218577 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA MODULE - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array and AD converting unit. In the AD converting unit, a plurality of AD converts are arranged in a horizontal direction. The pixel is configured by a small pixel group. The small pixel group is formed of a plurality of small pixels. The plurality of small pixels read out the signal charges. The small pixel group includes two or more small pixels having different optical sensitivities. The solid-state imaging device includes N AD converting units. N is the number of small pixel groups which are arranged in a vertical direction at every small pixel. N is an integer of 2 or higher. | 08-07-2014 |
20140232914 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS CAPABLE OF REALIZING IMAGE PICKUP WITH WIDE DYNAMIC RANGE AND AT HIGH FRAME RATE, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - A solid-state image pickup apparatus which is capable of enlarging dynamic range and taking images at high frame rate. The solid-state image pickup apparatus has a pixel unit having first pixels with a first sensitivity to the light and second pixels with a second sensitivity lower than the first sensitivity, and the first pixels and the second pixels being alternately arranged in a row direction. Pixel signals are read out from the first pixels as first pixel signals, and analog-to-digital conversion of the first pixel signals is performed to obtain first digital signals. Pixel signals are read out from the second pixels as second pixel signals, and analog-to-digital conversion of the second pixel signals is performed to obtain second digital signals. The first digital signals and the second digital signals are output as image data. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232915 | ELECTRIC CAMERA - An electric camera includes an image sensing device with a light receiving surface having N vertically arranged pixels and an arbitrary number of pixels arranged horizontally, N being equal to or more than three times the number of effective scanning lines M of a display screen of a television system, a driver to drive the image sensing device to vertically mix or cull signal charges accumulated in individual pixels of K pixels to produce, during a vertical effective scanning period of the television system, a number of lines of output signals which corresponds to 1/K the number of vertically arranged pixels N of the image sensing device, K being an integer equal to or less than an integral part of a quotient of N divided by M, and a signal processing unit having a function of generating image signals by using the output signals of the image sensing device. | 08-21-2014 |
20140232916 | SEMICONDUCTOR APPARATUS, SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS, AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A semiconductor apparatus, a solid-state image sensing apparatus, and a camera system capable of reducing interference between signals transmitted through adjacent via holes, preventing an increase in the number of the via holes, reducing the area of a chip having sensors thereon and the number of mounting steps thereof. A first chip and a second chip are bonded together to form a laminated structure, a wiring between the first chip and the second chip being connected through via holes, the first chip transmitting signals obtained by time-discretizing analog signals generated by respective sensors to the second chip through the corresponding via holes, the second chip having a function of sampling the signals transmitted from the first chip through the via holes at a timing different from a timing at which the signals are sampled by the first chip and a function of quantizing the sampled signals to obtain digital signals. | 08-21-2014 |
20140240565 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - Solid-state imaging devices and electronic apparatuses are provided. More particularly, a solid-state imaging device that includes first and second substrates are provided. The first and second substrates are stacked on top of one another. The first substrate includes a pixel array and a peripheral circuit. The second substrate also includes a peripheral circuit. The device can be configured such that all resistors are formed in the second substrate, with no resistors being formed in the first substrate. Alternatively, the device can be configured such that all capacitors are formed in the second substrate, with no capacitors being formed in the first substrate. As yet another alternative, the second substrate can be configured such that it contains all resistors and capacitors of the peripheral circuits, with no resistors or capacitors being formed in the peripheral circuit of the first substrate. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240566 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An image sensor includes a first semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface, the first semiconductor chip a including an array of unit pixels configured to capture light corresponding to an image and to generate image signals based on the captured light; and a second semiconductor chip having a first surface and a second surface, the second semiconductor chip including first peripheral circuits configured to control the array of pixels and receive the generated image signals, the first peripheral circuits including a vertical scanning circuit, a horizontal scanning circuit, and a signal read-out circuit, the first semiconductor chip being stacked on the second semiconductor chip, the first semiconductor chip not being smaller than the second semiconductor chip. | 08-28-2014 |
20140240567 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - To provide an apparatus that generates an RGB pattern data from an image pickup signal by an image pickup element having an RGBW pattern and a method. An edge detection unit analyzes an output signal of the image pickup signal of the RGBW pattern to obtain edge information corresponding to the respective pixels, and a texture detection unit generates texture information. Furthermore, a parameter calculation unit executes an interpolation processing in which an applied pixel position is changed in accordance with an edge direction of a transform target pixel to generate parameters equivalent to an interpolation pixel value. In a blend processing unit, the parameters generated by the parameter calculation unit, the edge information, and the texture information are input, in accordance with the edge information and the texture information corresponding to the transform pixel, a blend ratio of the parameters calculated by the parameter calculation unit is changed, the blend processing is executed, and a transform pixel value is decided. | 08-28-2014 |
20140267855 | HYBRID IMAGE SENSOR - A method for performing correlated double sampling for a sensor, such as an image sensor. The method includes collecting a first charge corresponding to a first parameter, transferring the first charge to a first storage component, transferring the first charge from the first storage component to a second storage component, resetting the first storage component, transferring the first charge from the second storage component to the first storage component, and reading the first storage component to determine the first charge. The method may be implemented in electronic devices including image sensors. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267856 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE SENSOR SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A high dynamic range imager system is provided that includes an imager having a pixel array, and memory in communication with the pixel array, the memory comprising a plurality of memory cells, wherein the number of memory cells is approximately the number of whole row-times of exposures between the first conditional reset and row readout. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267857 | CAMERA SYSTEM, VIDEO PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CAMERA APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a camera system including, a camera apparatus having, an image sensor, a correction section, a first transmission processing section, and a synchronization processing section, and a video processing apparatus having a second transmission processing section and a conversion section, wherein the video processing apparatus outputs the video data obtained by the conversion by the conversion section. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267858 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: an imaging region; a peripheral circuit region; photodiodes arranged in rows and columns in the imaging region; output circuits in the imaging region for outputting, to the outside of the imaging region, pixel signals corresponding to electric charges photoelectrically converted in the photodiodes; a read circuit in the peripheral circuit region for reading the pixel signals from the imaging region; and signal lines extending in a column direction to connect output circuits to the read circuit. One pixel cell includes two photodiodes adjacent in a row direction and an output circuit. An output circuit in a first pixel cell is adjacent, in the row direction, to a second pixel cell adjacent to the first pixel cell in the column direction and shifting from the first pixel cell by one column of the photodiodes in the row direction. | 09-18-2014 |
20140285696 | MICROLENS ARRAY RECOGNITION PROCESSOR - A processor for determining whether or not a first position of an image sensor corresponding to a pixel of an image sensor is included in areas of the image sensor corresponding to microlenses of the image sensor includes a cache configured to store one or more second positions of the image sensor corresponding to centers of the microlenses, each of the second positions being included in one or more of multiple regions defining an entire region of the image sensor, and a first controller configured to cause one or more of the second positions to be stored in the cache. Whether or not the first position is included in the areas corresponding to the microlenses is determined based on the second positions stored in the cache. | 09-25-2014 |
20140300788 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING SENSOR, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND CAMERA - A solid-state imaging sensor which has a first face and a second face, and includes an image sensing region and an electrode region, comprising a first portion including an insulating member and a wiring pattern, a second portion including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions in the image sensing region, and a third portion including a plurality of microlenses in the image sensing region, wherein an opening is formed on the side of the first face in the electrode region so as to expose the wiring pattern, and the sensor includes a first film covering the plurality of microlenses, and a second film covering a side face of the opening and exposing part of the wiring pattern in the electrode region, with covering the first film in the image sensing region. | 10-09-2014 |
20140313382 | IMAGE SENSOR FOR COMPENSATING COLUMN MISMATCH AND METHOD OF PROCESSING IMAGE USING THE SAME - An image sensor includes a pixel array, a column signal processor, and a column mismatch compensator. The pixel array outputs a pixel signal from each column line during a pixel measuring time, and outputs a reference signal during a reference measuring time. The column signal processor performs correlated double sampling (CDS) on the reference signal to generate a reference CDS signal, and performs CDS on the pixel signal to generate a pixel CDS signal. The column mismatch compensator compensates the pixel CDS signal based on the reference CDS signal. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313383 | IMAGE SENSOR AND COMPUTING SYSTEM HAVING THE SAME - An image sensor includes a photoelectric conversion unit, a signal generation unit, and a feedback unit. The photoelectric conversion unit is formed above a substrate and detects incident light to generate photo-charges based on a drive voltage. The signal generation unit is formed on the substrate and generates an analog signal based on the photo-charges. The feedback unit generates the drive voltage based on an amount of the photo-charges generated from the photoelectric conversion unit. The image sensor may perform a wide dynamic range (WDR) function. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313384 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME, AND CAMERA - A method for manufacturing a solid-state image sensor having a pixel region, a peripheral circuit region, and an intermediate region interposed between the pixel region and the peripheral circuit region, includes forming a high melting point metal compound in active regions of the peripheral circuit region and the intermediate region, forming an etch stop film on the high melting point metal compound formed in the active regions of the peripheral circuit region and the intermediate region, forming an interlayer insulating film on the etch stop film, and forming, by using the etch stop film, a contact plug to contact the high melting point metal compound in the active region of the peripheral circuit region. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313385 | IMAGING ELEMENT, CONTROL METHOD, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - The present disclosure relates to an imaging element, a control method, and an imaging apparatus that enable an image of a higher image quality to be obtained. | 10-23-2014 |
20140320714 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND DRIVING METHOD FOR IMAGING APPARATUS - A pixel array has a plurality of output units arranged in matrix form and a plurality of A/D conversion units corresponds to the output units. Each of the output units outputs an electric signal based on incident electromagnetic waves. Each of the A/D conversion units converts the electric signal input from the corresponding output unit to a digital signal. A plurality of storage units corresponds to columns of the output units. Each of the storage units holds the corresponding digital signal. A first signal line is configured to supply a driving bias to at least one of the output units and the A/D conversion units. A second signal line is configured to transmit the digital signal from the A/D conversion units to the storage units. The output units are provided between the first signal line and the second signal line. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320715 | Imaging Systems And Methods Using Square Image Sensor For Flexible Image Orientation - An imaging system for generating flexibly oriented electronic images includes an image sensor having a square pixel array, imaging optics for forming an optical image on at least a portion of the square pixel array, wherein the portion is within an image circle of the imaging optics and includes at least two rectangular sub-portions differing from each other in aspect ratio and/or orientation, and a processing module capable of generating an electronic image from each of the at least two rectangular sub-portions. An imaging method for generating electronic images of flexible orientation, using a square image sensor pixel array, includes forming an optical image on at least a portion of the square image sensor pixel array, selecting, according to a desired orientation, a rectangular sub-portion of the at least a portion of the square image sensor pixel array, and generating a final electronic image from the sub-portion. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320716 | Analog-To-Digital Conversion For Image Sensor With Non-Destructive Read Pixel - Methods and systems for analog-to-digital conversion applicable to an image sensor, such as a CMOS image sensor, in which pixels can be readout non-destructively, and wherein a non-destructive pixel read may be used to provide a coarse analog-to-digital conversion such that information can be stored, and the stored information is then applied in a fine analog-to-digital conversion during a subsequent actual pixel read. | 10-30-2014 |
20140327800 | ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - To obtain accurate digital data while using a successive approximation system when performing analog-to-digital conversion processing in a plurality of steps, an AD converter includes: a signal generation unit that generates a ramp voltage based on a count signal; a signal conversion unit including a circuit that holds an input signal voltage, a successive approximation capacitance group that outputs bias voltages according to a connection combination of capacitances having different capacitance values, and a unit that compares one of the ramp voltage and the bias voltage with the signal voltage; and a control unit generating a digital signal of the signal voltage based on a comparison result of the bias voltage and the comparison result of the ramp voltage while acquiring data for calibration of the capacitance group based on the connection combination and the ramp voltage. | 11-06-2014 |
20140333812 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE - A photoelectric conversion device has pixels arranged in two dimensions. The pixels have a photoelectric conversion unit and a signal reading out unit that reads out a signal generated in the photoelectric conversion unit. The photoelectric conversion device includes first and second pixel groups, and first and second connection sections. Each of the first and second pixel groups has pixels arranged in a predetermined direction. The first connection section electrically connects output nodes of the pixels included in the first pixel group to one another. The second connection section electrically connects output nodes of the pixels included in the second pixel group to one another. The number of output nodes which are electrically connected to one another by the first connection section is different from the number of output nodes which are electrically connected to one another by the second connection section. | 11-13-2014 |
20140333813 | CORRELATED DOUBLE SAMPLING CIRCUIT, METHOD THEREOF AND DEVICES HAVING THE SAME - A CDS circuit includes first capacitors; second capacitors; and a switch arrangement which, in response to a switch control signal, connects the first capacitors in series between a pixel signal output node and a ground to compress the pixel signal and connects the second capacitors in series between a ramp signal output node and the ground to compress the ramp signal, or connects the first capacitors in parallel between the pixel signal output node and a first input node of the comparator and connects the second capacitors in parallel between the ramp signal output node and a second input node of the comparator. | 11-13-2014 |
20140340551 | COUNTING DEVICE FOR REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN BINNING MODE AND METHOD THEREFOR - A counting device includes a control unit sutable for generating a control signal including a first control signal and a second control signal, a first operation unit suitable for performing a logic operation for pixel signals of a pixel array and a control signal, wherein pixel signals of used column in the pixel array are transferred by using the first control signal, and pixel signals of unused column in the pixel array are blocked by using the second control signal during a binning mode operation, a second operation unit suitable for performing a logic operation for a counter clock and an output signal of the first operation unit, and a counting unit suitable for counting an output signal of the second operation unit. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340552 | Image Sensor - An image sensor includes a pixel unit and a pixel readout circuit. The pixel unit includes an image pixel array including a plurality of image pixel columns, respectively; a first reference pixel array including a plurality of first reference pixel columns; and a bias circuit, coupled to the image pixel columns for generating a plurality of column sensing signals, coupled to the first reference pixel columns for generating a plurality of first reference signals, and further for generating a first average reference voltage signal according to the plurality of first reference signals. The pixel readout circuit generates a plurality of reset values and a plurality of sampling values according to the column sensing signals and the first average reference voltage signal, wherein the plurality of reference pixel rows is less than the plurality of image pixel rows. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340553 | HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE IMAGE SENSOR WITH FULL RESOLUTION RECOVERY - A method of reading pixel data from a pixel array includes exposing each one of a plurality of regions of pixels a respective exposure time. Pixel data is read from the plurality of regions of pixels. The pixel data is interpolated from a first one of the plurality of regions of pixels to determine the pixel data of the regions of pixels other than the first one of the plurality of regions of pixels to generate a first image having the first exposure time. The pixel data is interpolated from the second one of the plurality of regions of pixels to determine the pixel data of the regions of pixels other than the second one of the plurality of regions to generate a second image having the second exposure time. The images are combined to produce a high dynamic range image. | 11-20-2014 |
20140340554 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - An image capturing apparatus including an image sensor including a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a row direction and a column direction, and readout unit for reading out pixel signals from the plurality of pixels, setting unit for setting an imaging condition and control unit for selecting one of a readout mode between thinning readout mode in which the pixel signals are read out from the plurality of pixels while thinning out the plurality of pixels and a mixing readout mode in which the pixel signals of the plurality of pixels are mixed and readout according to the imaging condition set by the setting unit. | 11-20-2014 |
20140354864 | DRIVING METHOD FOR IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - There is provided an imaging apparatus including an A/D converting unit, wherein reset periods for a plurality of pixels are differentiated. | 12-04-2014 |
20140362265 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate including a light receiving surface which is divided according to pixels arranged in a matrix shape and is formed with a photoelectric converting section; an electrochromic film which is formed on the semiconductor substrate on a light incident path corresponding to the photoelectric converting section, in a portion of pixels selected from the pixels, and has light transmittance changing from a first transmittance to a second transmittance according to voltage applied thereto; a lower electrode which is formed below the electrochromic film; and an upper electrode which is formed above the electrochromic film. | 12-11-2014 |
20140362266 | IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND TIMING CONTROL CIRCUIT - An image-capturing device includes image-capturing section, an image-data-generation section, and an image capture control section. The image-capturing section is for capturing an image of a subject and starting generating of image-capture data corresponding to a single frame in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal, The image-data-generation section is for carrying out processing for generating image data showing an image of the subject, on the basis of the image-capture data. The image capture control section is for varying, at a minimum, either a number of pulses of subsignals generated a plurality of times within a period of one cycle of the vertical synchronization signal, or the cycle for generating the vertical synchronization signal. | 12-11-2014 |
20140362267 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, FABRICATION METHOD FOR A SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device, including: a first substrate including a first electrode, and a first insulating film configured from a diffusion preventing material for the first electrode and covering a periphery of the first electrode, the first electrode and the first insulating film cooperating with each other to configure a bonding face; and a second substrate bonded to and provided on the first substrate and including a second electrode joined to the first electrode, and a second insulating film configured from a diffusion preventing material for the second electrode and covering a periphery of the second electrode, the second electrode and the second insulating film cooperating with each other to configure a bonding face to the first substrate. | 12-11-2014 |
20140368708 | IMAGE SENSOR, IMAGE SIGNAL PROCESSOR AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - An image sensor is provided which includes a plurality of operation blocks configured to provide an image signal in response to an incident light, and a power supply block configured to supply a power to one or more operation blocks of the plurality of operation blocks based on a selected operation mode or operation interval. The operation mode is one of at least a first mode and a second mode, and a resolution of the image signal generated in the second mode is lower than that generated in the first mode. | 12-18-2014 |
20140368709 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC SYSTEM INCLUDING THE DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes: a unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion section, an impurity-diffusion region capable of temporarily accumulating or holding electric charges generated by the photoelectric conversion section, and a reset transistor resetting the impurity-diffusion region by a voltage of a voltage-supply line, and having an impurity concentration such that at least the reset transistor side of the impurity-diffusion region becomes a depletion state; and a drive circuit changing the voltage of the voltage-supply line from a first voltage lower than a depletion potential of the reset transistor side of the impurity-diffusion region to a second voltage higher than the depletion potential while the reset transistor is on. | 12-18-2014 |
20140375856 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus has a plurality of optical systems arranged two-dimensionally and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which are two-dimensionally arranged for each of the plurality of optical systems and are used to photoelectrically convert an image from each optical system, and inter-frame prediction encodes a plurality of image frames each having a different parallax, which are formed by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. | 12-25-2014 |
20140375857 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes: an R pixel provided with an R filter for transmitting red-color light; a B pixel provided with a B filter for transmitting blue-color light; an S1 pixel which is provided with an S1 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in a visible light region and has a sensitivity higher than that of the R pixel; and an S2 pixel which is provided with an S2 filter with a visible light transmittance independent of wavelengths in the visible light region and lower than the visible light transmittance of the S1 filter and has a sensitivity lower than the sensitivity of the S1 pixel. | 12-25-2014 |
20150009378 | IMAGE SENSORS WITH PIXEL ARRAY SUB-SAMPLING CAPABILITIES - An image sensor may include an array of image pixels arranged according to a predetermined pattern. A 3-by-3 pixel sub-sampling method is provided that supports a high-speed sub-resolution video mode. The 3-by-3 sub-sampling method may involve organizing the image pixel array into groups, each of which contains a 3-by-3 array of nine pixels. Image pixels at the four corners of each group may be sampled and combined to form a final output. Final outputs produced from each group may form a sub-sampled array that is used by the sub-resolution video mode. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009379 | IMAGERS WITH IMPROVED ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CIRCUITRY - An imager may include an array of pixels. The pixel array may be arranged in rows and columns. Each pixel of the pixel array may include a photodiode that is coupled to a floating diffusion region by a transfer gate. A source-follower transistor may be coupled between the floating diffusion region and a pixel output node. The imager may include ramp circuitry that provides a ramp signal to the floating diffusion region. A capacitor interposed between the ramp circuitry and the floating diffusion region may be used in conveying the ramp signal to the floating diffusion region. The pixel may be coupled to a comparator that is implemented using separate circuitry or may include portions of the pixel. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009380 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION SYSTEM - In a photoelectric conversion apparatus, a signal generation circuit includes an amplification unit which generates a reference signal and which is configured the same as amplification units included in pixel output circuits, and a signal based on a reference signal is supplied to input nodes of a plurality of signal processing circuits or input nodes of a plurality of signal output circuits. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009381 | SCANNING CIRCUIT, PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - A scanning circuit includes a first shift register including a plurality of registers and being operable to specify a register where scanning is skipped among the plurality of registers, and a second shift register adapted to transmit skip information for specifying the register to be skipped. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009382 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array with unit pixels each having a photoelectric conversion device arranged in a matrix. Column signal lines are wired with respect to one column in the pixel arrangement and pixels are regularly connected to the column signal lines in accordance with rows in which pixels are positioned. A pixel signal reading unit has a column processing unit that reads pixel signals in units of plural pixels from the pixel array and performs column processing to read signals on a column basis, wherein the pixel signal reading unit includes a column input unit which can connect one or plural column signal lines arranged at a corresponding column to an input of one column processing unit through plural capacitors connected in parallel The column input unit has switches which can change a connection state between capacitors and column signal lines corresponding to the column. | 01-08-2015 |
20150009383 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging apparatus includes: an optical lens; light receiving units each reading a photoelectric conversion signal; microlenses each placed for every two or more of the adjacent light receiving units; a signal generating unit generating (i) a full-addition signal by adding all of the photoelectric conversion signals obtained in a predetermined frame by the two or more adjacent light receiving units, (ii) a partial addition signal by adding the photoelectric conversion signals obtained by at least one but not all of the two or more adjacent light receiving units, and (iii) non-addition independent signals that are the photoelectric conversion signals of one of the light receiving units; a phase difference detecting unit detecting a focal point from the partial addition signal and the non-addition independent signals; and a camera YC processing unit generating a main image from the full-addition signal. | 01-08-2015 |
20150015754 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SOLID-STATE IMAGING METHOD, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array and a pixel value correcting unit. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixels, the plurality of pixels each having one of a different exposure time and a different exposure sensitivity and being disposed according to a predetermined rule. The pixel value correcting unit is configured to correct, among pixel values obtained from the plurality of pixels in the pixel array, a pixel value of a pixel of the plurality of pixels that applies to a preset condition, by using a pixel value of another pixel of the plurality of pixels. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015755 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING SENSOR, RANGING DEVICE, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging sensor provided with a plurality of pixels which convert an object image formed by an imaging optical system into an electrical signal, at least a part of the pixels being ranging pixels in which a first and a second photoelectric conversion unit are provided in alignment in a first direction, and in more than half of the ranging pixels in one of peripheral region of the solid-state sensor, the capacitance of the first photoelectric conversion unit being greater than the capacitance of the second photoelectric conversion unit; and in more than half of the ranging pixels in the other of peripheral region of the solid-state sensor, the capacitance of the second photoelectric conversion unit being greater than the capacitance of the first photoelectric conversion unit. | 01-15-2015 |
20150015756 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - In an image pickup apparatus using an image pickup element including a plurality of photoelectric conversion means sharing a microlens, the number of pixels to be read is switched between the case of normal photographing and the case of live view driving. In the case of live view driving, only pixels positioned near the center of the optical axis of the microlens, the number of which is smaller than that in the case of normal photographing, are read. The image pickup apparatus realizes both normal photographing capable of acquiring an image in which the depth of field is small and which can be refocused, and live view photographing capable of displaying an image with a large depth of field and the high frame rate, thereby allowing the framing of the photographed image to be confirmed. | 01-15-2015 |
20150029370 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, in a pixel array section, pixels that accumulate photoelectrically-converted charges are arranged in a matrix shape. An exposure-period control section controls an exposure period of the pixels for each of fields and controls readout timing such that interlace readout is performed from the pixel array section. A charge-discharging control section performs discharge control for charges accumulated in the pixels in a non-exposure period of the pixels. | 01-29-2015 |
20150036033 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, in a pixel array unit, pixels configured to accumulate photoelectrically-converted charges are arranged in a matrix shape. A binning control unit performs control to lump together several pixels among the pixels between different lines of the pixel array unit. A frame-read control unit thins out and reads the lines to vary thinning positions of the lines lumped together by the binning control unit among two or more frames. A reconfiguration processing unit combines the two or more frames, in which the thinning positions are different, to thereby configure one frame. | 02-05-2015 |
20150036034 | IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An imaging device ( | 02-05-2015 |
20150042858 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, there is provided a solid-state imaging device including a pixel array. In the pixel array, a plurality of pixels are arrayed. The plurality of pixels include an imaging pixel and a focus-detecting pixel. The focus-detecting pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion part, a first diffraction grating, and a second diffraction grating. The first diffraction grating is arranged above the first photoelectric conversion part. The second diffraction grating is arranged between the first photoelectric conversion part and the first diffraction grating. | 02-12-2015 |
20150054997 | IMAGE SENSORS HAVING PIXEL ARRAYS WITH NON-UNIFORM PIXEL SIZES - An image sensor having an array of pixels and a silicon substrate may be provided. In one embodiment, the array of pixels may have pixels of equal charge storage capacity but with varying sizes and thus varying sensitivities. For example, a first pixel may have a larger charge-generating volume than a second pixel. In another suitable embodiment, the charge storage capacity of the image sensor pixels may be varied while the charge-generating volume remains the same. These configurations are achieved by placing a p+ type doped layer in the silicon substrate close to and parallel to the surface of the array. The p+ type doped layer may include a plurality of openings to allow photo-generated carriers to flow from the silicon bulk to the charge storage wells located near the surface of the substrate. | 02-26-2015 |
20150062396 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, there is provided a solid-state imaging device in which vertical signal lines VL | 03-05-2015 |
20150062397 | IMAGE SENSOR FOR SUPPLYING A DIFFERENT VOLTAGE TO PIXELS BASED ON ILLUMINATION CHANGE, OPERATION METHOD THEREOF, AND DEVICE HAVING AN IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a row driver configured to control an operation of each of the plurality of pixels, a voltage supply line connected to a reset transistor included in each of the plurality of pixels, and a voltage supply circuit which detects a signal from the voltage supply line and supplies one of a first voltage and a second voltage to the voltage supply line based on the signal from the voltage supply line. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062398 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SHIFTABLE COLUMN CIRCUITRY OF IMAGER PIXEL ARRAYS - This is generally directed to systems and methods for providing shiftable column circuitry for a pixel array of an imaging system. Columns of a pixel array can be switchably coupled (e.g., through multiplexers) to their default column circuitry as well as coupled to one or more instances of a neighboring column's column circuitry. In response to an instance of default column circuitry being identified as defective, its corresponding column may “shift” and choose to couple to the neighboring column circuitry. Similarly, all following columns may also shift and couple to a neighboring column circuitry. In some embodiments, the defective column circuitry can be identified during wafer testing and identifying information (e.g., an address) of the defective column circuitry stored in memory. The identifying information may then be accessed from memory and, during an image signal readout phase, used to suitably shift the columns to avoid the defective column circuitry. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062399 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus, comprises an imaging optical system; a birefringent optical unit configured to separate a ray into an ordinary ray and an extraordinary ray; a light selection unit constituted by an ordinary ray selection element and an extraordinary ray selection element; an image sensor constituted by a first pixel group that receives an extraordinary ray, and a second pixel group that receives an ordinary ray; an image generation unit configured to generate an ordinary ray image based on signals acquired from pixels belonging to the first pixel group, and generate an extraordinary ray image based on signals acquired from pixels belonging to the second pixel group; and an image processing unit configured to calculate a subject distance, using the ordinary ray image and the extraordinary ray image. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062400 | SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS - An imaging element | 03-05-2015 |
20150070547 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR READING IMAGE DATA FROM AN IMAGE SENSOR - A method of reading image data from an image sensor includes accumulating image charges in photosensitive elements of an array of pixel cells. The accumulated image charges are transferred to corresponding transistors in multi-phase transfer channels that are coupled to corresponding columns of the pixel array. Multi-phase transfer signals are generated. Each set of the multi-phase transfer signals includes a plurality of control signals that are out-of-phase with one another and are coupled to control respective transistors in the multi-phase transfer channels. The accumulated image charges from a first variable number of pixel cells of a selected column are output in response to the multi-phase transfer signals. The accumulated image charges from a second variable number of pixel cells of another selected column are output in response to the multi-phase transfer signals. | 03-12-2015 |
20150070548 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image sensor comprising a plurality of image sensing pixel groups is provided. Each of the image sensing pixel groups has a plurality of first pixels each having photoelectric conversion portions arrayed in first and second directions for first and second numbers of divisions, respectively, and a plurality of second pixels each having photoelectric conversion portions arrayed in the first and second directions for third and fourth numbers of divisions, respectively. The photoelectric conversion portions comprising the first pixel and the second pixel have a function of photoelectrically converting a plurality of images formed by divided light fluxes of a light flux from an imaging optical system and outputting a focus detection signal for phase difference detection. The first and third numbers of division are coprime natural numbers, and the second and fourth numbers of divisions are coprime natural numbers. | 03-12-2015 |
20150070549 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device including pixels, each pixel having a reset transistor, a selection transistor, an amplification transistor, and a photoelectric conversion unit. The photoelectric conversion unit has a photoelectric conversion film which performs photoelectric conversion, a pixel electrode formed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion film that faces the semiconductor substrate, and a transparent electrode formed on the surface of the photoelectric conversion film that is opposite to the pixel electrode, and the amplitude of a row reset signal applied to the gate of the reset transistor is smaller than at least one of (a) the maximum voltage applied to the drain of the amplification transistor, (b) the maximum voltage applied to the gate of the selection transistor, (c) the power source voltage applied to an inverting amplifier, and (d) the maximum voltage applied to a transparent electrode. | 03-12-2015 |
20150077608 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit, a column ADC circuit, and a timing control circuit. The pixel array unit includes pixels that stores photoelectrically converted charges, and that are arranged in a matrix. The column ADC circuit calculates an AD conversion value of a pixel signal read from the pixel for each column based on a comparison result between the pixel signal and a reference voltage. The timing control circuit controls a distribution of an output timing of the comparison result between the columns. | 03-19-2015 |
20150092096 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section and a signal processing section. The pixel array section is configured to include a plurality of arranged rectangular pixels, each of which has different sizes in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a plurality of adjacent ones of which are combined to form a square pixel having the same size in the vertical and horizontal directions. The signal processing section is configured to perform a process of outputting, as a single signal, a plurality of signals read out from the combined plurality of rectangular pixels. | 04-02-2015 |
20150103220 | CALIBRATION IN MULTIPLE SLOPE COLUMN PARALLEL ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERSION FOR IMAGE SENSORS - An apparatus includes analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion circuitry coupled to a pixel array. The A/D conversion circuitry includes a voltage ramp generator and a set of column A/D conversion circuits. The voltage ramp generator generates a single slope voltage ramp in a first state and a multiple slope voltage ramp in a second state. The set of column A/D conversion circuits is coupled with the voltage ramp generator. The apparatus further includes calibration circuitry coupled with the set of column A/D conversion circuits and operable to determine digital calibration data to adjust digital image data. The calibration circuitry provides analog calibration data that spans a calibration range to the set of column A/D conversion circuits instead of the analog image data from the pixel array being provided to the set of column A/D conversion circuits. | 04-16-2015 |
20150109504 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, AND CAMERA - An image capturing apparatus includes a solid-state image sensor, a support member for the sensor, and electrically conductive members. The conductive members are electrically connected to the sensor, attached to support member, and arranged in a direction along one side of the sensor. The sensor is configured to receive a power supply voltage via a first conductive member, receive a ground voltage via a second conductive member, and transmit a signal via a third conductive member. The first and second conductive members are located on one side in the direction with respect to the third conductive member. The conductive members do not include a conductive member configured to supply a power supply voltage or a ground voltage to the sensor on the other side of the direction with respect to the third conductive member. | 04-23-2015 |
20150109505 | IMAGE SENSOR, IMAGE SENSING DEVICE, CAMERA, AND METHOD OF DRIVING IMAGE SENSING DEVICE - An image sensor includes a semiconductor chip and a package covering the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip includes a pixel portion including a plurality of pixels, a memory, a readout unit configured to write, in the memory, a signal corresponding to a signal from the pixel portion, an output unit configured to output an image signal corresponding to the signal written in the memory, a control unit configured to output a control signal to an output pin of the package via an output pad of the semiconductor chip, and a pad to which a power supply voltage is supplied from outside the semiconductor chip. The control signal is a signal indicating a period during which the signal corresponding to the signal from the pixel portion is written in the memory of the readout unit. | 04-23-2015 |
20150116562 | COMPACT SPACER IN MULTI-LENS ARRAY MODULE - An apparatus includes an image sensor partitioned into N image sensor regions. The image sensor is attached to a circuit board. A lens array having including N lenses is disposed proximate to the image sensor. Each one of the N lenses is arranged to focus a single image onto a respective one of the N image sensor regions. A spacer structure is stacked between to the lens array and the circuit board to separate the lens array from the image sensor, wherein the spacer structure surrounds a perimeter around all of the N image sensor regions and N lenses such that none of the spacer structure is disposed between any of the N lenses and N image sensor regions of the image sensor. | 04-30-2015 |
20150116563 | Adaptive Sensing of a Programmable Modulator System - A technique to collect measurements that are adapted to a signal/scene of interest is presented. The measurements are correlations with patterns that serve as modulating waveforms. The patterns correspond respectively to rows of a sensing matrix. The method uses a sensing matrix whose rows are partitioned into blocks. Each block corresponds to a distinct feature or salient property of the scene. For each block, the method collects a number of measurements of the signal/scene based on selected rows of the block, and generates one or more associated statistics for the block based on said measurements. The statistics for the blocks are then analyzed (e.g., sorted) to determine the most important blocks. Subsequent measurements of the signal/scene may be based on rows from those most important blocks. The original measurements and/or the subsequent measurements may then be used in an algorithm to reconstruct the signal/scene. | 04-30-2015 |
20150124136 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - Because a conventionally known imaging apparatus includes a buffer element for each signal processing circuit, the number of buffer elements increases in proportion to the number of signal processing circuits. The delayed supply of a drive signal within a group of a plurality of signal processing circuits may require the operation timing margin to be set longer. In other words, the operational speed is hard to increase. First buffer circuits connected in series and second buffer circuits connected in parallel with the first buffer circuits are provided, and one second buffer circuit supplies a drive signal to a plurality of signal processing units. | 05-07-2015 |
20150138412 | IMAGE SENSORS AND SYSTEMS WITH AN IMPROVED RESOLUTION - A device, comprising a plurality of pixel arrays. Two or more pixel arrays are stacked in overlapping fashion and rotated. Optionally, one or more of the pixel arrays are shifted with respect to others. As a result, the horizontal and vertical Nyquist spatial sampling frequency limits are increased, thus permitting an increase in image resolution, for example in terms of line pairs that can be resolved, without reducing the pixel size. Certain stacked pixel pattern arrangement can also be read out as Bayer color pattern for processing by traditional Bayer image signal processors. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138413 | AD CONVERSION CIRCUIT AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, in an AD conversion circuit of a single slope type, a counter is configured to count number of clocks, in a state where a potential level of a first slope voltage and a potential level of a second slope voltage concurrently change, until an output signal of either one of a first comparator and a second comparator is inverted. A reference counter is configured to constantly output a full count value. A generation circuit is configured to generate and output a digital value corresponding to a count value of the counter when an output signal of the first comparator is inverted, and to generate and output a digital value corresponding to a value obtained by subtracting a count value of the counter from the full count value of the reference counter when an output signal of the second comparator is inverted. | 05-21-2015 |
20150138414 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD FOR A SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section that has at least one pixel with a photoelectric conversion unit and a charge detection unit. A driving section is configured to read out a signal of the pixel, a first portion of said signal being based on signal charge, a second portion of said signal being based on a reset potential. A signal processing section is configured to read out the first portion of the signal as a reference voltage, with the reference voltage being adjusted to cause the first and second portions of the signal to be within an input voltage range. | 05-21-2015 |
20150146062 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes a first chip and a second chip. The first chip includes a pixel array in which a plurality of photodiodes corresponding to each pixel of a captured image is disposed in a two-dimensional array shape. Each photodiode generates a pixel signal corresponding to a signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion of the photodiode. The first chip is stacked on the second chip that includes a memory storing the pixel signals generated from the first chip, where the memory is located outside a projection region formed by projecting the pixel array and in a thickness direction of the first chip. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146063 | IMAGE SENSOR, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, AND CELLULAR PHONE - An image sensor in which a first chip and a second chip are stacked comprises: a pixel unit; output lines each configured to output a pixel signal from the pixel unit; and an analog-digital converter provided for each of the output lines. The analog-digital converter comprises a plurality of sets of the following configuration: reference signal generation units configured to generate a reference signal, a comparison unit configured to compare a signal level of a pixel signal output to one of the output lines with a signal level of the reference signal, a counter configured to count until the signal level of the pixel signal coincides with the signal level of the reference signal compared by the comparison unit. The pixel unit is arranged in the first chip and the analog-digital converter is arranged in the second chip. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146064 | IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - An image processing apparatus includes: a target position selecting unit to select a pixel position on an input image, as a target position; a candidate line setting unit to set two or more sets of candidate lines including a pixel with a value, in the vicinity of the target position; a weighted-value calculating unit to calculate a weighted value that corresponds to a degree of expectation that the target position and the pixel position on the candidate line are on the same pattern; a direction classifying unit to selectively determine a set of candidate lines that are close to a direction of a pattern of the target position in accordance with the weighted value of each pixel on the candidate lines; and a first interpolated-value calculating unit to calculate a pixel value of the target position in accordance with the weighted value of each pixel on the candidate lines. | 05-28-2015 |
20150146065 | IMAGE SENSOR AND METHOD OF DRIVING IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor includes a pixel array. The image sensor may include a photoelectric conversion device generating electric charges according to photoelectric conversion in each of a plurality of pixels, a shutter of each of the plurality of pixels controlling movements of the generated electric charges according to a drive signal, a driving line connecting the shutters of all of the plurality of pixels of the pixel array, through which the drive signal is transmitted, and a plurality of driving buffers applying the drive signal to the driving line. | 05-28-2015 |
20150303232 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND DRIVING METHOD OF THE PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE - A photoelectric conversion device has a pixel area including an effective pixel row and a reference pixel row, the reference pixel row containing a plurality of reference pixel pairs, each pair composed of a first reference pixel and a second reference pixel arranged adjacent to each other. The first and second reference pixels output reference signals having different signal levels and independent of the quantity of incident light. | 10-22-2015 |
20150304580 | SENSING DEVICES - A sensing device is provided. The sensing device includes a plurality of pixel groups and a readout circuit. The pixel groups are arranged on a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns to form a pixel array. The pixel groups include a first pixel group and a second pixel group which are arranged on the different rows and the same column. The readout circuit is coupled to the pixel groups. When the first pixel group is triggered to perform a readout operation to generate a first sensing signal, the second pixel group performs a coupling operation to generate a reference signal. The readout circuit performs a subtraction operation based on the first sensing signal and the reference signal to generate a first readout data corresponding to the readout operation of the first pixel group. | 10-22-2015 |
20150304586 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS - An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in matrix, each pixel including a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions, and analog/digital converters configured to convert analog signals from pixels into digital signals provided by column. The analog/digital converter performs a first operation of converting an analog signal corresponding to the reset level into a digital signal, a second operation of converting analog signals obtained from some portions of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions into digital signals, and a third operation of converting analog signals obtained from all the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions into digital signals. | 10-22-2015 |
20150309223 | MASKED PIXEL ARRAYS - An optical sensor includes an array of pixels configured to convert photons into electrons for forming an image or to measure spectral content without forming an image. A filter assembly is operatively associated with the array of pixels for passing predetermined bandwidths of photons to the array of pixels. A mask is operatively associated with the array of pixels and the filter assembly. The mask includes a plurality of apertures each for limiting photons passing through the filter assembly to a respective pixel in the array of pixels. | 10-29-2015 |
20150311243 | PIXEL ARRAY OF AN IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE SENSOR - A pixel array of an image sensor includes a substrate, a chromatic pixel including a first photodiode formed in the substrate and a color filter formed over the first photodiode, and an achromatic pixel including a second photodiode formed in the substrate, the second photodiode having a nano pillar pattern at a surface region of the substrate. | 10-29-2015 |
20150312479 | Image Sensor Having a Uniform Digital Power Signature - An image sensor and a method of operating an image sensor to achieve a substantially uniform power signature. An array of pixels may be scanned using analog sensing circuitry to obtain an analog sensor output. The scanning is performed over a first time interval. The analog sensor output is converted to a digital data output using digital logic circuitry. The converting occurs over a second time interval that is subsequent to the first time interval and may be substantially the same duration as the first time interval. While the array of pixels are being scanned, the digital logic circuitry is operated over the first time interval and substantially coincides with the scanning of the array of pixels. | 10-29-2015 |
20150312500 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE, SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR AND CAMERA SYSTEM - The present invention relates to a semiconductor device, a solid-state image sensor and a camera system capable of reducing the influence of noise at a connection between chips without a special circuit for communication and reducing the cost as a result. The semiconductor device includes: a first chip | 10-29-2015 |
20150312537 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH SCALED FILTER ARRAY AND IN-PIXEL BINNING - Embodiments of an apparatus including a pixel array including a plurality of individual pixels grouped into pixel kernels having two or more individual pixels, wherein each pixel kernel includes a floating diffusion electrically coupled to all individual pixels in the kernel. A color filter array (CFA) is positioned over and optically coupled to the pixel array, the CFA comprising a plurality of tiled minimal repeating units, each including a plurality of scaled filters having a photoresponse selected from among two or more different photoresponses. Individual pixels within each pixel kernel are optically coupled to a scaled filter. Circuitry and logic coupled to the pixel array cause the apparatus to operate in a first mode wherein signals from a subset of individual pixels are individually transferred to their floating diffusion and read, resulting in a high-resolution, low-sensitivity sub-image and a second mode wherein signals from individual pixels in every pixel kernel are binned into the kernel's floating diffusion and read, resulting in a low-resolution, high-sensitivity image. | 10-29-2015 |
20150319381 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including: a pixel array including: a first, a second, and a third non-effective pixel rows each including a non-effective pixel configured to output a signal that is independent of an amount of incident light; and a second pixel region having effective pixel rows each including an aperture pixel configured to output a signal that is dependent on an amount of incident light; and a mixing portion configured to: mix a signal output from the non-effective pixel in the first non-effective pixel row and a signal output from the non-effective pixel in the second non-effective pixel row; mix the signal output from the non-effective pixel in the first non-effective pixel row and a signal output from the non-effective pixel in the third non-effective pixel row; and mix signals together, which are output from the aperture pixels in the effective pixel rows. | 11-05-2015 |
20150319386 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH FLOATING DIFFUSION INTERCONNECT CAPACITOR - An image sensor includes a pixel circuit that includes a light sensing element and a charge storage node formed in a substrate, an output element having a control electrode formed in an electrode layer above the substrate, the output element generating an output signal corresponding to charge generated by the light sensing element and held by the charge storage node, and a local metal interconnect that electrically connects the charge storage node to the control electrode. Control wirings that control operations of the pixel circuit are formed in wiring layers that are located above the electrode layer. The metal interconnect is formed in a layer that is located above the electrode layer and below a lowest one of the wiring layers such that a given one of the control wirings overlaps the metal interconnect so as to form a parallel plate capacitor in a region of overlap. | 11-05-2015 |
20150326806 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - The present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device that can reduce the power consumption in outputting a low-resolution image, a method of driving the solid-state imaging device, and an electronic apparatus. | 11-12-2015 |
20150341579 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR - A solid-state image sensor comprising a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a matrix having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, wherein the pixel array includes a first wiring layer and a second wiring layer arranged above the first wiring layer, the first wiring layer includes first column signal lines arranged at the respective columns of the pixel array, and the second wiring layer includes second column signal lines arranged at the respective columns of the pixel array. | 11-26-2015 |
20150350575 | PIXEL BINNING IN AN IMAGE SENSOR - Pixel binning is performed by summing charge from some pixels positioned diagonally in a pixel array. Pixel signals output from pixels positioned diagonally in the pixel array may be combined on the output lines. A signal representing summed charge produces a binned 2×1 cluster. A signal representing combined voltage signals produces a binned 2×1 cluster. A signal representing summed charge and a signal representing combined pixel signals can be combined digitally to produce a binned 2×2 pixel. Orthogonal binning may be performed on other pixels in the pixel array by summing charge on respective common sense regions and then then combining the voltage signals that represent the summed charge on respective output lines. | 12-03-2015 |
20150350581 | METHOD FOR READING AN IMAGING DEVICE - A method for reading an imaging device intended for capturing images in a detector including a large number of photosensitive points called pixels organized into a matrix. The pixels of the same column are linked to a column conductor enabling the successive reading of the photosignals acquired by the pixels of the column, the method consisting for each of the pixels in carrying out a correlated double sampling read phase, the read phase comprising an operation of resetting the pixel followed by two read operations, the first without the photosignal, and the second with the photosignal. Three steps are concatenated in succession for the pixels of the same column:
| 12-03-2015 |
20150350582 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR OPERATING IMAGE SENSOR PIXELS HAVING DIFFERENT SENSITIVITIES AND SHARED CHARGE STORAGE REGIONS - An image sensor may have control circuitry and an array of pixels having corresponding photodiodes. The pixels may be arranged into groups. Photodiodes in each of the groups may share a common charge storage region. Each photodiode has an associated sensitivity provided by a corresponding color filter element. The control circuitry may perform multiple charge transfer operations to transfer charge accumulated in high sensitivity photodiodes in the group to the shared charge storage region, may readout image signals corresponding to the transferred charge, and may combine the image signals to generate final image signals for the photodiodes. The control circuitry may transfer charge accumulated in low sensitivity photodiodes in the group to the shared charge storage region after the image signals generated by the high sensitivity photodiodes have been read out, thereby increasing the maximum signal to noise ratio of the low sensitivity photodiodes without causing charge blooming. | 12-03-2015 |
20150358565 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING SENSOR, RANGING DEVICE, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging sensor provided with a plurality of pixels which convert an object image formed by an imaging optical system into an electrical signal, at least a part of the pixels being ranging pixels in which a first and a second photoelectric conversion unit are provided in alignment in a first direction, and in more than half of the ranging pixels in one of peripheral region of the solid-state sensor, the capacitance of the first photoelectric conversion unit being greater than the capacitance of the second photoelectric conversion unit; and in more than half of the ranging pixels in the other of peripheral region of the solid-state sensor, the capacitance of the second photoelectric conversion unit being greater than the capacitance of the first photoelectric conversion unit. | 12-10-2015 |
20150365615 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD FOR THE SAME, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device, including, a pixel array unit, first driving means, second driving means, and third driving means. | 12-17-2015 |
20150365617 | IMAGE SENSORS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING AN IMAGE SENSOR - According to various embodiments, an image sensor may be provided. The image sensor may include: a plurality of pixel cells, each pixel cell configured to convert incident light to an electric signal indicating the intensity of the incident light; a pixel determination circuit configured to determine a pixel cell of the plurality of pixel cells based on light incident to the plurality of pixel cells; and an output circuit configured to output the electrical signal of the determined cell. | 12-17-2015 |
20150373290 | Image Sensor Architecture with Power Saving Readout - Pixels within an image sensor pixel array are sampled by corresponding conditional read circuitry. A zero pixel value is outputted for each pixel associated with a sample less than a conversion threshold, and a saturated pixel value is outputted for each pixel associated with a sample greater than or equal to a saturation threshold. Samples greater than or equal to the conversion threshold and less than the saturation threshold are converted by an ADC, and a converted pixel value is output for each associated above threshold pixel. The ADC (along with any corresponding amplifiers) are powered on for a variable period depending on the number of pixels needing conversion during the conversion of such samples during a read period, and are powered off for the remainder of the read period. | 12-24-2015 |
20150381914 | ACTIVE PIXEL SENSOR IMAGING SYSTEM - An active pixel sensor imaging system is disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes a plurality of active pixel sensor circuits arranged into an array of rows and columns. Each active pixel sensor is connected to a supply line and a column line, and operable to generate a voltage output through the column line corresponding to a detected light intensity. The system includes a current sensing circuit, located external to the plurality of active pixel sensor circuits and connected to the supply line. The current sensing circuit is implemented as a current minor for sensing a current through an active pixel sensor circuit readout transistor. The system includes a feedback circuit, located external to the plurality of active pixel sensor circuits and connected to the column line, to a current generator and to the current sensing circuit. The feedback circuit is implemented as a classAB current minor configured for controlled quiescent current. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381915 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF, AND IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device comprises a plurality of pixel blocks arranged in a matrix, each of the pixel blocks including a plurality of pixels that generate a charge in response to input light; a control unit including a vertical scanning unit and a horizontal scanning unit; and a plurality of analog-to-digital converters, each of the analog-to-digital converters disposed corresponding to pixel blocks. The control unit is configured to sequentially scan the pixels at a timing so that adjacent pixels which are located on a boundary of adjacent pixel blocks are scanned simultaneously. | 12-31-2015 |
20150381917 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array section and a signal processing section. The pixel array section is configured to include a plurality of arranged rectangular pixels, each of which has different sizes in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a plurality of adjacent ones of which are combined to form a square pixel having the same size in the vertical and horizontal directions. The signal processing section is configured to perform a process of outputting, as a single signal, a plurality of signals read out from the combined plurality of rectangular pixels. | 12-31-2015 |
20160004923 | OPTICAL DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHODS - An optical object detection apparatus and associated methods. The apparatus may comprise a lens (e.g., fixed-focal length wide aperture lens) and an image sensor. The fixed focal length of the lens may correspond to a depth of field area in front of the lens. When an object enters the depth of field area (e.g., sue to a relative motion between the object and the lens) the object representation on the image sensor plane may be in-focus. Objects outside the depth of field area may be out of focus. In-focus representations of objects may be characterized by a greater contrast parameter compared to out of focus representations. One or more images provided by the detection apparatus may be analyzed in order to determine useful information (e.g., an image contrast parameter) of a given image. Based on the image contrast meeting one or more criteria, a detection indication may be produced. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006452 | ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER, METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME, IMAGE SENSOR, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND BATTERY MONITORING SYSTEM - Provided is an A/D converter including: a first integrator integrating a signal obtained by adding a first feedback signal and a third feedback signal to an analog input signal, to generate a first output signal; a first quantizer converting the first output signal into a first digital signal; a first D/A converter converting the first digital signal into a first analog signal; a second integrator integrating a signal obtained by adding the first analog signal and a second feedback signal to the first output signal, to generate a second output signal; a second quantizer converting the second output signal into a second digital signal; and a second D/A converter converting the second digital signal into a second analog signal, wherein the first feedback signal is the first analog signal, the second feedback signal is the second analog signal, and the third feedback signal is the second analog signal. | 01-07-2016 |
20160006968 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - Provided is an imaging apparatus and an imaging system that can suppress high-brightness darkening phenomenon without preventing achievement of high-speed operation. The imaging apparatus includes: pixels each outputting a signal based on photoelectric conversion to each of signal lines; clip units each having a first transistor for clipping the voltage of each of the signal lines; a holding capacitor having a first electrode connected to a control electrode of the first transistor, and having a second electrode; a shift unit configured to supply, to the second electrodes, a plurality of voltages having values different from each other; and a voltage supplying unit provided separately from the shift unit and supplying a first voltage to the second electrodes. | 01-07-2016 |
20160021320 | IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in two dimensions, wherein at least one pixel among the pixels includes: a photoelectric conversion layer formed in a substrate; a color filter layer formed over the photoelectric conversion layer; a first shading layer formed in the same plane as the color filter layer and defining a first light transmitting region; and a second shading layer formed between the photoelectric conversion layer and the first shading layer and defining a second light transmitting region. | 01-21-2016 |
20160037103 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE PICK-UP APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - An image sensor includes phase difference detection pixels including first group pixels each having a first shield region deviated at one side and second group pixels each having a second shield region deviated at the other side, and image detection pixels arranged in a lattice pattern together with the phase difference detection pixels. The phase difference detection pixels include a first pixel group configured such that an area of the first shield region is equal to that of the second shield region, a second pixel group configured such that the area of the first shield region is equal to or greater than that of the second shield region, and a third pixel group configured such that the area of the first shield region is equal to or less than that of the second shield region. | 02-04-2016 |
20160050376 | Image sensor with sub-wavelength resolution - Disclosed are the architecture solutions and signal processing methods, allowing manufacturing, calibration and operation of the image sensor with sub-wavelength size and spacing of the pixels for sub-wavelength and diffractive imaging, and subwavelength contact microscopy, microfluidics and other related applications. | 02-18-2016 |
20160057366 | ASYNCHRONOUS READOUT ARRAY - An imaging device is disclosed, the device comprising a pixelated array of semiconductor detector elements, in which each detecting element is electrically connected to an integrated circuit, the integrated circuit comprising a passive signal path and an active signal path. The active path provides consecutive frame imaging and the active path detects the location of transient events. The device further comprising a readout decoder block, the readout decoder block controlling operation of the passive paths. Additionally the device comprises of an address arbitration control block, the address arbitration control block controlling operation of the active paths, wherein the address arbitration control block readout of the active paths is independent of readout of the passive paths. | 02-25-2016 |
20160057370 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit, a reference signal generation unit including current sources, and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion units. The A/D conversion units include comparators and counters. Each of the A/D conversion units includes at least one of the comparators and at least one of the counters which are lined up in a column direction of the pixel unit. The current sources are lined up in a row direction of the pixel unit, and face the comparators of the A/D conversion units in the column direction of the pixel unit. The comparators of the A/D conversion units are arranged between the current sources and the counters of the A/D conversion units. | 02-25-2016 |
20160061594 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MEASURING AND CORRECTING TILT ANGLE OF LENS - A system and a method of measuring and correcting an angle of tilt of a lens are provided. A resolution of the lens is measured using a test chart, and it is selected whether or not a tilt of the lens is corrected depending on whether or not the measured resolution of the lens is equal to or greater than a preset value. Whereby, productivity of a camera module may be improved. | 03-03-2016 |
20160064430 | IMAGE SENSOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - An image sensor includes a semiconductor layer, a plurality of light sensing regions, a first pixel isolation layer, a light shielding layer, and a wiring layer. The semiconductor layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The plurality of light sensing regions is formed in the semiconductor layer. The first pixel isolation layer is disposed between adjacent light sensing regions from among the plurality of light sensing regions. The first pixel isolation layer is buried in an isolation trench formed between the first surface and the second surface. The light shielding layer is formed on the second surface of the semiconductor layer and on some of the adjacent light sensing regions. The wiring layer is formed on the first surface of the semiconductor layer. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065870 | IMAGE SENSOR HAVING DEPTH DETECTION PIXELS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING DEPTH DATA WITH THE IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor includes: a plurality of pixels that include a plurality of color detection pixels and a plurality of depth detection pixels, wherein the plurality of pixels are arranged in two dimensions; and a photoelectric conversion layer formed to correspond to the plurality of the pixels, wherein each of the plurality of the color detection pixels comprises: a first light condensing layer disposed over the photoelectric conversion layer; and a band pass filter layer interposed between the photoelectric conversion layer and the first light condensing layer, and wherein each of the plurality of the depth detection pixels comprises: a second light condensing layer disposed over the photoelectric conversion layer and having a greater size than a size of the first light condensing layer. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065874 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND IMAGE SENSOR - An image capturing apparatus, comprising: a pixel portion comprising a first pixel region and a second pixel region; an output unit configured to output a result of adding region information indicating the first pixel region and the second pixel region to image data obtained from the pixel portion; and a signal processing unit configured to correct pixel data of the first pixel region using pixel data of the second pixel region for image data read out from the pixel portion, wherein the signal processing unit extracts pixel data of the first pixel region and pixel data of the second pixel region of the image data using the region information added to the image data received from the output unit. | 03-03-2016 |
20160065876 | IMAGING DEVICE - An imaging device has a sensor chip and a signal processing chip. The sensor chip includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a 2-dimensional matrix and a data output terminal group made up of a plurality of data output terminals which output analog signals of pixels for each pixel column of the pixel array. The signal processing chip includes a data input terminal group electrically coupled to the data output terminal group, a plurality of A/D converters which convert analog signals of pixels received by the data input terminal group into digital signals for each pixel column of the pixel array, and a control unit which controls operation of the plurality of A/D converters. | 03-03-2016 |
20160080670 | EVENT-BASED DOWN SAMPLING - A method of event-based down sampling includes receiving multiple sensor events corresponding to addresses and time stamps. The method further includes spatially down sampling the addresses based on the time stamps and the addresses. The method may also include updating a pixel value for each of the multiple sensor events based on the down sampling. | 03-17-2016 |
20160080674 | Method and control unit for operating an image sensor - A method for operating an image sensor, which has pixels arranged in rows and columns, includes the read-out, in which pixels of a first subarea of the image sensor are read out to obtain a first item of subimage information using a first parameter set, and in which pixels of at least one second subarea of the image sensor are read out to obtain a second item of subimage information using a second parameter set, which is different from the first parameter set. | 03-17-2016 |
20160088244 | SWITCHING CIRCUIT, SAMPLE AND HOLD CIRCUIT, AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A switching circuit comprising: a semiconductor layer including a source region, a drain region, and a channel region; a gate electrode disposed to be opposite to the channel region; a source wiring formed of a first material having higher conductivity than the semiconductor layer; a drain wiring formed of a second material having higher conductivity than the semiconductor layer; and a decoupling wiring formed of a third material having higher conductivity than the semiconductor layer, wherein the source region and the drain region are in a conductive state in a first period according to a voltage of the gate electrode, and the source region and the drain region are in a non-conductive state in a second period different from the first period, and wherein a voltage of the decoupling wiring is constant in at least a partial period of the second period. | 03-24-2016 |
20160091946 | CONFIGURABLE HARDWARE FOR COMPUTING COMPUTER VISION FEATURES - Techniques describe apparatus and method for generating computed results based on sensor readings for detecting features, such as edges, corners etc. The sensor apparatus may include a sensor element array that includes a plurality of sensor elements. The sensor elements may be arranged in a 2-dimensional array, such as columns and rows. The sensor elements may be capable of generating sensor reading based on environmental conditions. The sensor apparatus may include a dedicated computer vision (CV) computation hardware in in-pixel circuitry, peripheral circuitry or dedicated microprocessor coupled to the sensor element array and configured to receive output from one or more of sensor elements. The dedicated CV computation hardware may include configurable blocks for detecting features using CV operations, wherein the configurable blocks may be configured to switch between multiple CV operations, such as linear binary pattern (LBP) and/or histogram of signed gradient (HSG) computer vision operations. | 03-31-2016 |
20160094795 | IMAGE PICKUP CIRCUIT - An image pickup circuit including a plurality of circuit blocks. Each of the plurality of circuit blocks includes a plurality of comparing elements, a single counter, and a plurality of storage units. Each of the comparing elements compares a pixel signal supplied through a vertical signal line connected to vertically aligned pixels in a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, and a slope signal whose voltage is changed from an initial voltage at a constant slope. The counter counts an elapsed time since a voltage of the slope signal starts to change from the initial voltage. Each of the storage units stores a count value obtained by the counter in accordance with a comparison result of the comparator, the count value corresponding to an elapsed time until the voltage of the slope signal is changed from the initial voltage to a voltage coinciding with the pixel signal. | 03-31-2016 |
20160119522 | IMAGE SENSOR SIMULTANEOUSLY GENERATING IMAGE PROXIMITY SIGNAL - An image sensor for simultaneously obtaining an image and a proximity is provided. The image sensor includes a proximity signal generating circuit configured to generate a proximity signal of a target based on a pixel signal of a pixel array. The proximity signal generating circuit generates the proximity signal based on an average of pixel signals output from a plurality of pixels included in the pixel array. | 04-28-2016 |
20160150168 | IMAGE SENSOR HAVING VERTICAL TRANSFER GATE AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE HAVING THE SAME - An image sensor may include: a photoelectric conversion element; a transfer gate formed over the photoelectric conversion element; a plurality of active pillars electrically coupled to the photoelectric conversion element by penetrating the transfer gate; a reset transistor coupled to the plurality of active pillars; and a source follower transistor having a gate electrically coupled to one or more active pillars among the plurality of active pillars. | 05-26-2016 |
20160150171 | READ-OUT CIRCUITRY FOR AN IMAGE SENSOR - An array of image sensing elements is arranged in rows and columns. A readout circuit for each column includes a circuit configured to receive a column select signal. A memory stores data indicative of a voltage of an image sensing element which is being read. An analog to digital conversion circuit provides an output to the memory to control the storing of data. The output is dependent on the voltage of the image sensing element. Power control circuitry operates to disable, at least partially, the analog to digital conversion circuit when the column has not been selected. | 05-26-2016 |
20160156834 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CAPTURING LIGHTFIELD IMAGE | 06-02-2016 |
20160156864 | IMAGE SENSOR AND DRIVING METHOD THEREFOR | 06-02-2016 |
20160156865 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, DRIVING METHOD FOR THE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND INSPECTION METHOD FOR THE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
20160156866 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM USING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
20160156867 | IMAGE SENSOR, IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, FOCUS DETECTION APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD OF IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS | 06-02-2016 |
20160156869 | IMAGING ELEMENT, IMAGING APPARATUS, ITS CONTROL METHOD, AND CONTROL PROGRAM | 06-02-2016 |
20160165166 | IMAGE SENSOR FOR IMPROVING NONLINEARITY OF ROW CODE REGION, AND DEVICE INCLUDING THE SAME - An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a pixel configured to generate a reset signal and an image signal, a comparator configured to compare the reset signal with a reference signal and generate a first comparison signal, a counter configured to generate a first count value corresponding to the reset signal based on a clock signal and the first comparison signal, and a reference signal generator configured to generate the reference signal which changes between a first level corresponding to a maximum reset count value of the counter and a second level corresponding to a minimum reset count value of the counter during a reset signal period. | 06-09-2016 |
20160173796 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS | 06-16-2016 |
20160173800 | IMAGE SENSOR FOR PERFORMING COUPLING-FREE READOUT, AND DEVICE HAVING THE SAME | 06-16-2016 |
20160173803 | SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE | 06-16-2016 |
20160178749 | IMAGE SENSOR AND LIGHT SOURCE DRIVER INTEGRATED IN A SAME SEMICONDUCTOR PACKAGE | 06-23-2016 |
20160181314 | PHYSICAL LAYOUT AND STRUCTURE OF RGBZ PIXEL CELL UNIT FOR RGBZ IMAGE SENSOR | 06-23-2016 |
20160182846 | MONOLITHICALLY INTEGRATED RGB PIXEL ARRAY AND Z PIXEL ARRAY | 06-23-2016 |
20160182847 | IMAGE SENSOR HAVING AN EXTENDED DYNAMIC RANGE UPPER LIMIT | 06-23-2016 |
20160191833 | IMAGING ELEMENT, IMAGING DEVICE AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - An imaging element according to embodiments may comprise a plurality of photoreceivers ( | 06-30-2016 |
20160198109 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF, AND STORAGE MEDIUM | 07-07-2016 |
20160198112 | ANALOG-DIGITAL CONVERTER, SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS FOR INCREASED RESOLUTION OF AN IMAGE | 07-07-2016 |
20160255294 | IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS | 09-01-2016 |
20160255295 | IMAGE SENSOR WITH ELECTRON MULTIPLICATION AND GROUPED READOUT OF PIXELS | 09-01-2016 |
20160381310 | IMAGE SENSORS WITH VOLTAGE-BIASED TRENCH ISOLATION STRUCTURES - An image sensor with an array of image sensor pixels is provided. Each pixel may include a photodiode, a storage diode, and associated circuitry formed in a semiconductor substrate. Buried light shields may be formed on the substrate to prevent regions between two adjacent photodiodes from being exposed to incoming light. In one embodiment, a shallow trench isolation (STI) structure may be formed between the photodiode and the storage diode, and a conductive layer formed from optically absorptive material may be constructed at the bottom of the STI structure. A via may be formed through the STI structure to help bias the conductive layer using a ground or negative voltage. In another embodiment, an isolation ring structure may be formed at the base of the buried light shields. The isolation ring structure may be formed from optically absorptive material and can optionally be biased using a ground or negative voltage. | 12-29-2016 |
20160381313 | Image Sensor and Imaging Apparatus - An image sensor is provided, the image sensor including: an imaging unit that has a first imaging region and a second imaging region, and outputs: a first pixel signal generated according to light incident on the first imaging region; and a second pixel signal generated according to light incident on the second imaging region; a first ramp generating unit that generates a first ramp signal; a second ramp generating unit that generates a second ramp signal; a first signal converting unit that converts the first pixel signal into a first digital image signal based on a result of comparison between the first pixel signal and the first ramp signal; and a second signal converting unit that converts the second pixel signal into a second digital image signal based on a result of comparison between the second pixel signal and the second ramp signal. | 12-29-2016 |
20190148428 | SIGNAL PROCESSING CIRCUIT AND SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE INCLUDING THE SIGNAL PROCESSING CIRCUIT | 05-16-2019 |
20190149750 | HIGH FRAME RATE MOTION FIELD ESTIMATION FOR LIGHT FIELD SENSOR, METHOD, CORRESPONDING COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, COMPUTER READABLE CARRIER MEDIUM AND DEVICE | 05-16-2019 |
20220137267 | IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING COLOR SEPARATING LENS ARRAY AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS INCLUDING THE IMAGE SENSOR - Provided is an image sensor including a color separating lens array. The image sensor includes: a sensor substrate including a first pixel configured to sense light of a first wavelength and a second pixel configured to sense light of a second wavelength; a transparent spacer layer on the sensor substrate; and a color separating lens array on the spacer layer, wherein the color separating lens array condenses the light of the first wavelength toward the first pixel, and includes a first lens layer on the spacer layer, a second lens layer on the first lens layer, and an etch prevention layer between the first lens layer and the second lens layer. | 05-05-2022 |