Abstract: A device stores in ROM white spot addresses, white spot levels, an OB level median, sensitivity, and time-in-second under dark shooting, a temperature coefficient correcting the white spot level according to the temperature under normal shooting, a sensitivity coefficient for the sensitivity-based correction, and a time-in-second coefficient for the exposure time-in-second-based correction. A temperature difference during shooting a subject is obtained according to the difference between OB level median during normal shooting and that during dark shooting. A correction value for the white spot level due to temperature is obtained from temperature difference and temperature coefficient, and similarly, correction value due to sensitivity is obtained from sensitivity difference and sensitivity coefficient, and correction value due to time-in-second is obtained from time-in-second difference and time-in-second coefficient for correction.

Abstract: A device stores in ROM white spot addresses, white spot levels, an OB level median, sensitivity, and time-in-second under dark shooting, a temperature coefficient correcting the white spot level according to the temperature under normal shooting, a sensitivity coefficient for the sensitivity-based correction, and a time-in-second coefficient for the exposure time-in-second-based correction. A temperature difference during shooting a subject is obtained according to the difference between OB level median during normal shooting and that during dark shooting. A correction value for the white spot level due to temperature is obtained from temperature difference and temperature coefficient, and similarly, correction value due to sensitivity is obtained from sensitivity difference and sensitivity coefficient, and correction value due to time-in-second is obtained from time-in-second difference and time-in-second coefficient for correction.

Abstract: A black level correcting device includes: an A/D converting section converting a result of subtracting a feedback signal from an input pixel signal into a pixel value to be output; and a feedback controlling section generating the feedback signal and having a holding section, a feedback gain adjusting section, etc. The holding section clamps a maintaining level to the level of the feedback signal while pixel signals of OB pixels are output, and maintains and outputs the maintaining level while pixel signals of valid pixels are output. The feedback gain adjusting section multiplies the feedback signal by clamp accelerating gain in synchronization with starting readout of the pixel signals from the OB pixels. Accordingly, clamp time of the holding section is shortened, enabling stabilization of the maintaining level at a convergence level before starting readout of the pixel signals from the valid pixels. Consequently, a sag can be reduced.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device which can reliably correct dark current components that locally occur in an imaging sensor, such as those caused by an FDA. The imaging device includes: a storage unit which pre-stores information representing a relation between one of dark current components and an output signal of an optical black pixel arranged in a predetermined optical black area on an imaging sensor, the dark current components being superimposed on pixel signals of effective pixels, respectively, arranged in a predetermined effective pixel area on the imaging sensor; a dark current obtaining unit which obtains dark current components based on both the information stored in the storage unit and output signal of the optical black pixel; and a correcting unit which corrects the dark current components obtained by the dark current obtaining unit according to the pixel signals.

Abstract: A device stores in ROM white spot addresses, white spot levels, an OB level median, sensitivity, and time-in-second under dark shooting, a temperature coefficient correcting the white spot level according to the temperature under normal shooting, a sensitivity coefficient for the sensitivity-based correction, and a time-in-second coefficient for the exposure time-in-second-based correction. A temperature difference during shooting a subject is obtained according to the difference between OB level median during normal shooting and that during dark shooting. A correction value for the white spot level due to temperature is obtained from temperature difference and temperature coefficient, and similarly, correction value due to sensitivity is obtained from sensitivity difference and sensitivity coefficient, and correction value due to time-in-second is obtained from time-in-second difference and time-in-second coefficient for correction.

Abstract: A black level correcting device includes: an A/D converting section converting a result of subtracting a feedback signal from an input pixel signal into a pixel value to be output; and a feedback controlling section generating the feedback signal and having a holding section, a feedback gain adjusting section, etc. The holding section clamps a maintaining level to the level of the feedback signal while pixel signals of OB pixels are output, and maintains and outputs the maintaining level while pixel signals of valid pixels are output. The feedback gain adjusting section multiplies the feedback signal by clamp accelerating gain in synchronization with starting readout of the pixel signals from the OB pixels. Accordingly, clamp time of the holding section is shortened, enabling stabilization of the maintaining level at a convergence level before starting readout of the pixel signals from the valid pixels. Consequently, a sag can be reduced.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device which can reliably correct dark current components that locally occur in an imaging sensor, such as those caused by an FDA. The imaging device includes: a storage unit which pre-stores information representing a relation between one of dark current components and an output signal of an optical black pixel arranged in a predetermined optical black area on an imaging sensor, the dark current components being superimposed on pixel signals of effective pixels, respectively, arranged in a predetermined effective pixel area on the imaging sensor; a dark current obtaining unit which obtains dark current components based on both the information stored in the storage unit and output signal of the optical black pixel; and a correcting unit which corrects the dark current components obtained by the dark current obtaining unit according to the pixel signals.