Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090135110 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT - A display apparatus includes: an image display unit including plural electro-optic elements and plural pixel drive circuits, which elements and circuits being arranged two-dimensionally in row and column directions; a first power supplying line for supplying first potential to the image display unit; plural data lines severally connected to columns of the image display unit for supplying data signals to the pixel circuits; plural scanning lines crossing the data lines; a data line drive circuit for driving the data lines; and a scanning line drive circuit for driving the scanning lines, wherein second potential is supplied to the scanning line drive circuit through a second power supplying line and the display apparatus is provided with elements severally for shifting potential of the scanning lines to first potential of the first electric power supplying line when the second potential is lower than the first potential. | 05-28-2009 |
20090289966 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND DRIVE METHOD THEREOF - A display apparatus for driving light emitting elements to emit light at a timing shifted according to the order of scanning lines, is arranged to control the light emission intensity of the light emitting element in accordance with an image signal and include a drive unit for driving the light emitting elements of the respective scanning lines in a light emission pattern including a first impulse operation period light emission pattern and a second impulse operation period light emission pattern. | 11-26-2009 |
20100295978 | 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 ( | 11-25-2010 |
20130026343 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of matrix pixels, a reference signal generator for generating a ramp signal, a counter for performing counting according to the ramp signal output, and an AD converter, arranged for each pixel column, for performing AD conversion by comparing a pixel signal from the pixel with the ramp signal. Further, the AD converter includes a comparator to which the pixel signal and the reference signal are input, a storage for storing the AD conversion result, and an slope converter, between the output terminal of the reference signal generator and the input terminal of the comparator, for changing a gradient of the ramp signal, so that the noise overlaid on the ramp signal changes depending on the gradient of the ramp signal. Thus, it is possible to prevent generation of a horizontal-line noise in the ramp signal. | 01-31-2013 |
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 |
20130062503 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a ramp signal generator for generating first and second time-changing ramp signals during first and second analog-to-digital conversion periods, respectively; comparators for comparing a reset signal of a pixel with the first ramp signal during the first analog-to-digital conversion period, and comparing a pixel signal with the second ramp signal during the second analog-to-digital conversion period; and memories for storing, as first and second digital data, count values of counting from a start of changing the first and second ramp signals until an inversion of outputs of the comparators, during the first and second analog-to-digital conversion periods, wherein the ramp signal generator supplies a current from a current generator to a first capacitor element by a sampling and holding operation of a switch, and generates the first and second ramp signals based on the same bias voltage held by the first capacitor element. | 03-14-2013 |
20130068930 | A/D CONVERTER AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - Provided is an A/D converter including an input terminal, a reference signal line for supplying a reference signal which changes temporally, a comparator, a correction capacitor connected to an inverting input terminal of the comparator; and an output circuit which outputs digital data corresponding to an analog signal input to the input terminal. In a first state in which a total voltage of a first analog signal and an offset voltage of the comparator is held in the correction capacitor, a second analog signal input to the input terminal is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the second analog signal or the total voltage is changed using the reference signal, thereby outputting, from the output circuit, digital data. | 03-21-2013 |
20130070136 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, A/D CONVERTER, AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - In an A/D converter, a first analog signal which is input to an input terminal in a state in which the input terminal and a reference voltage line are connected via a first capacitor is converted into digital data when a reference signal is supplied to the reference signal line in a state in which the reference signal line and a first input terminal of a comparator are connected via the first capacitor. A second analog signal which is input to the input terminal in a state in which the input terminal and the reference voltage line are connected via a second capacitor is converted into digital data when the reference signal is supplied to the reference signal line in a state in which the reference signal line and the first input terminal of the comparator are connected via the second capacitor. | 03-21-2013 |
20130087685 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix and configured to generate a signal by photoelectric conversion, a plurality of pixel output lines connected to each column of the unit pixels, a plurality of column amplifiers configured to amplify a signal of the pixel output lines, and a driving circuit configured to generate a control signal of the column amplifiers. Each of the column amplifiers includes first and second input terminals, an output terminal, an input capacitance between the first and second input terminals, and a first switch between the second input and output terminals. The driving circuit is configured to generate the control signal so as to make a period for switching the first switch from a conductive state to a non-conductive state longer than a period for switching the first switch from the non-conductive state to the conductive state. | 04-11-2013 |
20130087686 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix, and configured to generate signals by photoelectric conversion; a plurality of read-out circuits disposed on each column of the plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix pattern, and configured to read out the signals from the plurality of pixels; a plurality of comparison units configured to compare the signals output from the plurality of read-out circuits with a reference signal whose level changes with time; a counter configured to count a clock signal after the level of the reference signal starts a change; a storage unit configured, when a magnitude relationship between the signals output from the plurality of the read-out circuits and the reference signal is reversed; and a reset unit configured to reset the count value stored in the storage unit. | 04-11-2013 |
20130087687 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS - A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes, on one substrate, a pixel driving unit and a signal processing unit that includes a digital circuit configured to execute signal processing. A first voltage and a second voltage different in value from the first voltage are supplied to the digital circuit of the pixel driving unit. A third voltage and a fourth voltage different in value from the third voltage are supplied to the digital circuit of the signal processing unit. A main portion of a first conductor that supplies the first voltage to the digital circuit of the pixel driving unit and a main portion of a second conductor that supplies the third voltage to the digital circuit of the signal processing unit are isolated from each other. | 04-11-2013 |
20130087688 | RAMP SIGNAL OUTPUT CIRCUIT, ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERSION CIRCUIT, IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD FOR DRIVING RAMP SIGNAL OUTPUT CIRCUIT, METHOD FOR DRIVING ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERSION CIRCUIT, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING DEVICE - A circuit configured to output a ramp signal having a potential varying depending on time includes a voltage supply unit configured to supply a plurality of voltages having different amplitudes, a current supply unit, an integration circuit configured to output the ramp signal, and a capacitive element. The voltage supply unit is connected to one terminal of the capacitive element. The integration circuit and the current supply unit are connected to another terminal of the capacitive element. | 04-11-2013 |
20130088292 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a signal from pixel; and a reference signal generating circuit configured to generate a ramp signal, wherein feedback capacitor elements having the same structure are electrically connected to a capacitive feedback type amplifier of the amplifier circuit and to a capacitive feedback type amplifier of the reference signal generating circuit respectively, and a connecting configuration between an amplifier of the amplifier circuit and the feedback capacitor element and a connecting configuration between an amplifier of the reference signal generating circuit and the feedback capacitor element are the same. | 04-11-2013 |
20130088625 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix; a plurality of amplifier circuits each arranged correspondingly to each of columns of the pixels, for amplifying a signal from the pixel; and a current source transistor whose source is supplied with a power source voltage and which supplies the amplifier circuit with a bias current. When the current source transistor is operating in the saturation region, the gate voltage of the current source transistor that is supplied from the bias line is sampled and held. The gate voltage of the current source transistor with respect to the power source voltage is controlled to the sampled voltage, thereby suppressing variation. This suppression can, in turn, suppress occurrence of line noise and a lateral smear due to difference of drop in voltage of a power source line concerning a column circuit on each row. | 04-11-2013 |
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 |
20130088628 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of readout circuits provided in each column of the plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, configured to read out for each column a signal of the plurality of pixels, a plurality of comparison units configured to compare a signal output from the plurality of readout circuits with a reference signal whose level changes with time, a counter configured to perform a count operation from when the level of the reference signal starts to change, first and second buffers each configured to buffer a count value of the counter, and a plurality of storing units connected to the plurality of comparison units, configured to store a count value of the counter when a magnitude relation between a signal output from the plurality of the readout circuits and the reference signal is inverted. | 04-11-2013 |
20130089320 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION SYSTEM - A system includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix; a reference signal generating unit for generating a ramp signal; A/D converters each arranged correspondingly to each of columns to A/D-convert a signal from the pixel; a counter that performs a count operation according to an output of the ramp signal, and supplies the count signal through the count signal line to the A/D converter; and a counter test circuit that is provided independently from the A/D converter, and tests the counter, based on a matching of the expected value of the count signal with the count signal supplied through the count signal line from the counter. This configuration allows the count signal to be checked concurrently with imaging of an object. | 04-11-2013 |
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 |
20140043511 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of first unit pixels configured to generate a signal by a photoelectric conversion; a first output line connected to the plurality of first unit pixels; and a first amplifier configured to amplify a signal from the first output line, wherein the first amplifier includes an operational amplifier ( | 02-13-2014 |
20140092286 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE TESTING METHOD, AND IMAGING SYSTEM MANUFACTURING METHOD - A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of blocks including a plurality of pairs, each of the pairs including a comparator provided correspondingly with a column in the pixel array and a memory provided correspondingly with the comparator, and a block information supply unit configured to supply block information which indicates a location of a block, to the plurality of memories included in the blocks. | 04-03-2014 |
20140098272 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns, a plurality of comparators provided correspondingly to the respective columns, a reference signal generation unit configured to supply a reference signal to the plurality of comparators, a counter configured to generate a count signal that includes a plurality of bits in synchronization with a first clock signal, a synchronization unit configured to synchronize the plurality of bits with a second clock signal to generate a synchronized count signal and to output the generated synchronized count signal, and a plurality of memories provided correspondingly to the respective comparators, the memories each being configured to store the synchronized count signal in response to a change in an output of a corresponding one of the comparators. | 04-10-2014 |
20150036032 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - Column signal processing units are provided in correspondence with respective columns of a pixel array. The column signal processing unit includes a sample-and-hold unit configured to hold an analog signal output from a pixel, a buffer unit configured to buffer the signal held in the sample-and-hold unit, and an AD conversion unit. The AD conversion unit converts the signal held by the sample-and-hold unit and buffered by the buffer unit into a digital signal. | 02-05-2015 |
20150042856 | IMAGING APPARATUS - An imaging apparatus includes: a pixel configured to generate a signal through photoelectric conversion; a comparator configured to compare a signal generated by the pixel with a first reference signal that changes with time; and a control unit configured to change a change rate of the first reference signal with respect to time according to a comparison result of the comparator. | 02-12-2015 |