Abstract: An imaging element comprises a first communication interface that is incorporated in the imaging element and outputs first image data based on image data obtained by imaging a subject to an external processor, a memory that is incorporated in the imaging element and stores the image data, and a second communication interface that is incorporated in the imaging element and outputs second image data based on the image data stored in the memory to the external processor, in which an output method of the first communication interface and an output method of the second communication interface are different.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method (100) is described. The method includes accessing (102) data from a sequence of images of a subject illuminated with ambient light and illumination having a sinusoidal intensity modulation in time. An imaging device is used to obtain the sequence of images and is configured such that a different spatial intensity modulation pattern is apparent in consecutive images of the sequence. The method further includes determining (104), based on a set of measured pixel intensity values in each of the sequence of images, a set of revised pixel intensity values for generating a revised image of the subject such that a reduced level of ambient lighting is apparent in the revised image compared with the level of ambient lighting apparent in at least one of the sequence of images.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a light emitter, a pixel section, and a signal processor which calculates distance information of a subject. The pixel section includes a photoelectric converter, first and second read-out gates, and a plurality of charge accumulators including a first charge accumulator and a second charge accumulator. The first read-out gate is activated in a first period and deactivated in a second period. The second read-out gate is activated in the first period and the second period. The signal processor calculates the distance information based on a total amount of signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulators in the first period and the second period and a difference between an amount of signal charges accumulated in the second charge accumulator in the first period and the second period and an amount of the signal charge accumulated in the first charge accumulator in the first period.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first pad portion that is connected to a voltage supply line in an aperture pixel region, and to which a reference voltage from outside of the semiconductor substrate is supplied; and a second pad portion that is connected to the voltage supply line in the light-shielded pixel region, and to which the reference voltage from outside of the semiconductor substrate is supplied, the second pad portion being separated from the first pad portion.

Abstract: There is provided a pixel circuit for performing analog operation including a photodiode, a first temporal circuit, a second temporal circuit and an operation circuit. Within a first interval, the photodiode detects first light energy to be stored in the first temporal circuit. Within a second interval, the photodiode detects second light energy to be stored in the second temporal circuit. Within an operation interval, the first temporal circuit outputs a first detection signal having a first pulse width according to the first light energy and outputs a second detection signal having a second pulse width according to the second light energy for being calculated by the operation circuit.

Abstract: An image sensor including: a pixel array including pixels each pixel including a photoelectric conversion element, a transmission transistor to transmit photocharges generated by the photoelectric conversion element to a floating diffusion node, and a reset transistor to reset the floating diffusion node based on a pixel power voltage; and a row driver to control the pixels, wherein the row driver includes a transmission control signal generator to provide a transmission control signal to the transmission transistor, wherein the transmission control signal generator includes: a first transistor to which a first voltage is applied; a second transistor connected to the first transistor; a third transistor to which a second voltage is applied, the second voltage being higher than the first voltage; and a fourth transistor connected to the third transistor, wherein an ON resistance of the second transistor is different from an ON resistance of the first transistor.

Abstract: A device for recording filterable content tagged to a location or object and available when a user is notified, they are proximate to relevant filterable content curated according to an augmented estate. The filterable content preferably includes a location, a product or a service purchase fact, a coupon, an advertisement, a promotional offer, a public transportation advisement, a travel advisement, a review, a moment proximity alert, a monetary amount, a map of locations where moments were created by a specific user, a time certification, a resume, a biography, a headshot, a moment “like” notification, a riddle, a challenge, textual material, an audio file, a video file, or a multimedia file.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a photodiode including an anode and a cathode, a switch connected to a node of one of the anode and the cathode and to a power supply line via which a driving voltage is supplied, and functioning to switch a resistance value between the node and the power supply line, and a generation unit configured to generate a pulse signal for controlling switching of the switch. The apparatus is operable in one of two modes including a first mode and a second mode, the second mode being usable in a lower luminance condition than a luminance condition in the first mode. In an exposure period for acquiring one frame of signals, the number of pulse signals in the second mode is smaller than in the first mode.

Abstract: An optical sensor including: a substrate; a circuit element layer disposed on the substrate and including a circuit element; and a photoelectric element layer including a photoelectric element, a self-assembled monolayer, and a bias electrode connected to the photoelectric element, wherein the photoelectric element is connected to the circuit element, and wherein the self-assembled monolayer is disposed on the photoelectric element.

Abstract: It is intended to improve reading speed of pixel signals in a solid-state imaging element provided with an ADC. A plurality of pixels are arrayed in a pixel block. A drive circuit drives the pixel block to output a plurality of pixel signals at the same time. A comparator successively selects the plurality of pixel signals and compares the selected pixel signals and a predetermined reference signal. A control section generates a control signal for updating the predetermined reference signal on the basis of comparison results of the comparator. A reference signal update section updates the predetermined reference signal according to the control signal.

Abstract: There is provided an imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion unit that includes a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a second electrode, in which the photoelectric conversion unit further includes a charge storage electrode that has an opposite region opposite to the first electrode via an insulating layer, and a transfer control electrode that is opposite to the first electrode and the charge storage electrode via the insulating layer, and the photoelectric conversion layer is disposed above at least the charge storage electrode via the insulating layer.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a substrate. An array of photodiodes is disposed in the substrate. A plurality of spacers is arranged in a spacer pattern. At least one spacer of the plurality of spacers has an aspect ratio of 18:1 or greater. A buffer layer is disposed between the substrate and the spacer pattern. An array of color filters is disposed in the spacer pattern.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a display, a camera, and a processing device. The processing device is configured to determine whether (i) a user's face or eyes are within the camera's field of view or (ii) a gaze of the user is directed towards the display. The processing device is also configured, in response to determining that (i) the user's face or eyes are not within the camera's field of view or (ii) the gaze of the user is not directed towards the display, to modify a user interface button presented on the display. The user interface button may represent a shutter button configured to cause the camera or another camera of the electronic device to capture one or more images.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device adapted to encrypt data is described. The solid-state imaging device may include a sensor die comprising an array of imaging pixels formed on a first side of the sensor die and first wiring layers formed on a second side of the sensor die, wherein at least one of the imaging pixels is configured to generate specific signals; a logic die comprising second wiring layers formed on a first side of the logic die; and an encryption processor on the logic die configured to generate encrypted data using the specific signals. The first side of the logic die may be mounted adjacent to the second side of the sensor die and the first wiring layers electrically connect to the second wiring layers, wherein the at least one of the imaging pixels, the encryption processor, and a connecting conductor in which the specific signals pass through from the at least one of the imaging pixels to the encryption processor are located interior to the solid-state imaging device.

Abstract: A camera module and array camera module with circuit board unit and photosensitive unit and manufacturing method thereof is provided. The array camera module comprises two or more camera lenses and a circuit unit. The circuit unit comprises a circuit board portion for electrically connecting two or more photosensitive sensors of the array camera module, and a conjoined encapsulation portion integrally encapsulated on the circuit board portion. The camera lenses are respectively arranged along the photosensitive paths of the photosensitive sensors.

Abstract: A pixel circuit for background light suppression includes: a 2-tap pixel circuit including first and second pixel capacitors, first and second storage switches, and first and second transfer switches; an in-pixel sigma delta circuit including a plurality of switching switches and a storage capacitor for storing charge transferred from the first and second pixel capacitors; an adaptive sigma delta controller configured to determine switching states of the plurality of switching switches according to a first state of the first pixel capacitor, or a second state of the second pixel capacitor, or both; and a chopping controller configured to instruct the storage switches and the transfer switches of the 2-tap pixel circuit to be selectively switched according to an output of the adaptive sigma delta controller.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element and an electronic device are provided. A pixel at least includes a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion, an FD unit to which charge generated in the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, and an amplification transistor that has a gate electrode to which the FD unit is connected. A reference signal is input to a MOS transistor. The reference signal is referred to when AD conversion is performed on a pixel signal according to an amount of light received by the pixel. Then, a shared structure is employed in which a predetermined number of pixels share an AD converter that includes a differential pair including the MOS transistor and the amplification transistor. Each of the pixels is provided with a selection transistor that is used to select a pixel for which AD conversion is performed on the pixel signal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imager to capture a subject image via an optical system including a focus lens to generate image data for each first frame period; a recorder to intermittently record image data for each frame captured by the imager in a second frame period; a focusing driver to adjust a focus lens position; and a controller to perform image processing for scaling an image indicated by the image data based on the focus lens position. The focusing driver repeats moving and stopping the focus lens alternately. When image processing of the scaling is performed on image data to be recorded by the recorder, the controller adjusts a timing at which the focusing driver starts movement of the focus lens to a timing at which a thinned-out frame is captured, and scales an image indicated by image data that is a frame at stopping of the focus lens.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes a pixel and an image processing unit. The pixel has a common transistor, a charge accumulation unit, and a power supply. The common transistor has a first terminal and a second terminal. The common transistor maintains a voltage of the first terminal at a predetermined voltage with a voltage applied from the power supply and outputs a voltage corresponding to a change in a voltage of the charge accumulation unit from the second terminal, based on a condition that an element voltage is a ground voltage. The common transistor outputs a voltage corresponding to a change in a voltage of the charge accumulation unit from the first terminal, based on the element voltage is higher than the ground voltage. The image processing unit generates a luminance image according to a change in the voltage output from the second terminal of the common transistor.

Abstract: A pixel includes: a detection node; a first normally on transistor connected between the detection node and a rail for applying a first potential; and a second transistor whose gate is connected to the detection node. An image sensor includes a plurality of the pixels and a control circuit configured to apply, during for a phase of initializing the detection node, the first potential to the gate of the first transistor.