Abstract: An image sensor chip and a sensing method thereof are provided. The image sensor chip includes a pixel array. The pixel array includes a plurality of pixel units, and each of the pixel units includes a light sensing circuit, a reset switch and an output circuit. The reset switch is coupled to a first terminal of the light sensing circuit. The reset switch resets the light sensing circuit during reset period. The output circuit is coupled to the first terminal of the light sensing circuit. The output circuit of the pixel unit outputs difference information corresponding to the difference between the first sensing result of the light sensing circuit in a first frame period and the second sensing result of the light sensing circuit in a second frame period after the first frame period to a corresponding one of a plurality of readout lines of the pixel array.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes first and anterior comparators and first and second posterior comparators. The first anterior comparator generates a first anterior comparison signal based on a first pixel signal and a ramp signal. The first posterior comparator performs a first comparison that compares the first anterior comparison signal with a first reference signal under a first comparison precondition and generates a first posterior comparison signal corresponding to a result of the first comparison. The second anterior comparator generates a second anterior comparison signal based on a second pixel signal and the ramp signal. The second posterior comparator performs a second comparison that compares the second anterior comparison signal with a second reference signal under a second comparison precondition different from the first comparison precondition. The second posterior comparator generates a second posterior comparison signal corresponding to a result of the second comparison.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an image sensor pixel array having pixels. Each pixel includes a continuous active region having a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion. A photodiode, a reset transistor, a drive transistor, and a select transistor are formed in and over the first portion. The photodiode and the reset transistor define a floating diffusion region therebetween. A switch transistor is formed in and over the second portion and includes a first source/drain region and a second source/drain region. The first source/drain region is included in the floating diffusion region. The second source/drain region interfaces a doped region formed in the second region. The pixel also includes a gate structure disposed directly over the doped region. By controlling the switch transistor, the pixel may operate in a high conversion gain mode or a low conversion gain mode to accommodate different illumination or exposure conditions.

Abstract: A pixel array includes pixel cells, each including photodiodes. A source follower is coupled to generate an image signal in response image charge generated by the photodiodes. A first row select transistor is coupled to the source follower to output the image signal of the pixel cell. Pixel cells are organized into columns including a first column and a second column. The first row select transistors of the pixel cells of the first and second columns of pixel cells are coupled to first and second column bitlines, respectively. The pixel cells of the second column of pixel cells further include a second row select transistor coupled to the source follower to output the respective image signal to the first column bitline.

Abstract: Visual content is captured by an image capture device during a capture duration. The image capture devices experiences motion during the capture duration. The intentionality of the motion of the image capture device is determined based on angular acceleration of the image capture device during the capture duration. A punchout of the visual content is determined based on the intentionality of the motion of the image capture device. The punchout of the visual content is used to generate stabilized visual content.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus includes a supporting member, a movable member supported by the supporting member movably with respect to the supporting member, a controller configured to control a movement of the movable member, a first flexible printed circuit board configured to electrically connect the movable member and the controller, and a first radio wave absorber having a sheet shape that overlays the first flexible printed circuit board and that is partially fixed to the first flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract: An imaging system for generating a high dynamic range (HDR) image includes a pixel array that includes first pixels and second pixels, a driver circuit configured to control the first pixels based on a first exposure time and control the second pixels based on a second exposure time, an output circuit configured to output first pixel values of the first pixels and second pixel values of the second pixels from the pixel array, and a processing device configured to generate the HDR image based on a first Bayer image and a second Bayer image, where the first Bayer image is generated based on the first pixel values and the second Bayer image is generated based on the second pixel values and third pixel values of the first Bayer image. The quantity of pixels of the first pixels may be greater than the quantity of pixels of the second pixels.

Abstract: An electronic device, according to various embodiments, comprises: one or more image sensors; a first processor electrically connected to at least one of the one or more sensors via a first interface and including a first functional processing circuit and a second functional processing circuit capable of processing first output information of the first functional processing circuit; a second processor electrically connected to at least one of the one or more image sensors via a second interface; a third interface for connecting the first functional processing circuit and the second processor to transfer the first output information of the first functional processing circuit to the second processor; and a fourth interface for connecting the second functional processing circuit and the second processor to transfer second output information of the second processor to the second functional processing circuit. Various other embodiments are possible.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a pixel with a photosensitive region accommodated within a semiconductor substrate and a MOS capacitive element with a conducting electrode electrically isolated by a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer forms an interface with both the photosensitive region and the semiconductor substrate, the interface of the dielectric layer including charge traps. A control circuit biases the electrode of the MOS capacitive element with a charge pumping signal designed to generate an alternation of successive inversion regimes and accumulation regimes in the photosensitive region. The charge pumping signal produces recombinations of photogenerated charges in the charge traps of the interface of the dielectric layer and the generation of a substrate current to empty recombined photogenerated charges.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a reference coordinate selection unit configured to select reference coordinates of two points from a focus frame area set by a setting unit, and determines arrangement intervals of focus frames based on coordinates on image data before correction corresponding to the coordinates selected by the reference coordinate selection unit and a number of focus frames.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus that enables to quickly capture an image from which a predetermined reflected light component is removed with desired sensitivity. A polarizing filter two-dimensionally arranges a plurality of sets each of which includes polarizing filter elements having different polarization directions. A first image sensor has pixels that respectively correspond to polarizing filter elements of the polarizing filter. A polarization calculation unit detects a polarized component of light that enters into a region in which one set of polarizing filter elements are arranged based on signals output from pixels in the region of the first image sensor for each region. A correction unit corrects a pixel signal output from a pixel of a second image sensor corresponding to the region based on a calculation result by the polarization calculation unit for each pixel of the second image sensor.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, architectures, and methods for amplifying the time difference between events detected on a focal plane array, allowing greater resolution than that afforded by a reference clock are herein disclosed.

Abstract: The image-capturing apparatus (100) includes an image sensor (14), a focus detector (42) performing focus detection using output from the image sensor; and a controller (50) configured to cause the focus detector to perform the focus detection and configured to control emission of a light emitter for illuminating an object and movement of a focus element for focusing. The controller selectively performs: a first focus detection process that causes the focus detector to perform the focus detection with the focus element being stopped while causing the light emitter to intermittently emit light; and a second focus detection process that causes the focus detector to perform the focus detection with the focus element being moved while causing the light emitter to intermittently emit the light.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes a first photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into charge, a second photoelectric conversion unit configured to convert light into charge, and a comparison unit. The comparison unit includes a first transistor and a second transistor. The first transistor receives a signal that is based on the charge converted by the first photoelectric conversion unit. The second transistor receives a signal that is based on the charge converted by the second photoelectric conversion unit.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes first to fourth pixel columns. Each of the first to fourth pixel columns includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a predetermined direction. Each of the plurality of pixels arranged in the first to fourth pixel columns includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to receive light of a wavelength region and generate a signal charge. Each of the plurality of pixels arranged in the first to fourth pixel columns further includes a circuit configured to convert the signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element into a voltage signal. Directions of reading the voltage signals from the first pixel column and the second pixel column are different from directions of reading the voltage signals from the third pixel column and the fourth pixel column.

Abstract: A focus driving control unit 34 of a control unit 30 performs speed priority driving control in which a focus lens is driven to a focusing position in a driving pattern selected in advance by a user, for example, in a case in which a defocus amount of a ranging area is greater than a driving control determination threshold set in advance. In addition, the focus driving control unit 34 performs subject priority driving control in which a focus lens movement amount by which the focus lens is located at the focusing position in accordance with the defocus amount of the ranging area is set and the focus lens is driven in a case in which the defocus amount is equal to or less than the driving control determination threshold. The focus lens is driven to the focusing position in the driving pattern selected by the user. Thereafter, a focusing state can be maintained. Accordingly, it is possible to easily perform an auto-focus operation with the high degree of freedom.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, wherein the plurality of pixels output focus detection signals based on light flux that has passed through an imaging optical system, a shifting unit that shifts an incident position of the light flux on the image sensor; and a focus detection unit that performs focus detection using the focus detection signals. The shifting unit shifts the incident position by a predetermined distance which is equal to or less than a distance between the pixels of the image sensor corresponding to the focus detection signals during a charge accumulation period in the image sensor for acquiring the focus detection signals.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a control apparatus, a control method, and a program for giving a sense of imaging to a user. There are provided a processing unit that processes data based on pixel signals output from a plurality of pixels, and a display control unit that causes a display unit to display an image based on the data processed by the processing unit as a through image. The display unit displays a mark indicating a recording process in response to an instruction of recording the data together with the through image displayed on the display unit. The mark is displayed at each of four corners of the display unit. Alternatively, the mark is displayed near a frame of autofocus. The present technology is applicable to an imaging device.

Abstract: An event-based sensor includes a photoarray and a processing circuit. The photoarray includes an array of cells. Each cell includes a photosensor generating a sensor signal dependent on an intensity of light casted on the cell, and an intensity monitoring circuit outputting an ON signal when the light intensity is increasing and an OFF signal when the light intensity is decreasing. The processing circuit is configured to generate an event in response to the ON and OFF signals, filter out the events caused by flickering light, and pass the events caused by motion.

Abstract: A method includes capturing a first image of an object at a first time using a camera and assigning shade values to a plurality of pixels in a portion of the first image. The object includes a light portion and a dark portion that is darker than the light portion. The method further includes identifying a first mode value of the shade values corresponding to the light portion of the object in the first image, and identifying a second mode value of the shade values corresponding to the dark portion of the object in the first image. The method further includes determining a difference between the first and second mode values, and determining a contrast of the first image based on the difference.