Abstract: An imager and a method for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of light incident on imager pixels during their exposure to light. Real-time or present pixel signals, which are indicative of present illumination on the pixels, are compared to a reference signal during the exposure. Adjustments, if necessary, are made to programmable parameters such as gain and/or exposure time to automatically control the imager's exposure to the light. In a preferred exemplary embodiment, only a selected number of pixels are monitored for exposure control as opposed to monitoring the entire pixel array.

Abstract: An image sensor driving unit, comprising a signal generator and a controller, is provided. The charge-transfer channel transfers the signal charges at a speed according to the frequency of a transfer signal. The signal generator transmits the first discharge signal and the second discharge signal to the image sensor. The first and second discharge signals are the transfer signals for the charge-transfer channel to carry out rapid discharge. The frequency of the second discharge signal is greater than that of the first discharge signal. The controller orders the signal generator to generate the first discharge signal during an overlap period when a driving period is at least partially overlapped with a discharge period. The controller orders the signal generator to generate the second discharge signal when the driving period is not overlapping with the discharge period.

Abstract: A signal reading method successively outputs a read signal by scanning a voltage value of an integrating capacitor in an image sensor in which a plurality of sensor parts are arranged in a two-dimensional array made up of rows and columns and each sensor part includes the integrating capacitor accumulating a charge obtained by integrating a photocurrent output from a sensor. A first integration of the photocurrent using the integrating capacitor and a first sampling and holding using a sample and hold capacitor are performed in a first time interval, during a time of one frame made up of the first through third time intervals. A second integration of the photocurrent using the integrating capacitor is performed in the second time interval, and processes in the first and second time intervals are performed in common with respect to all of the sensor parts simultaneously. A vertical scan is started by selecting the row in an order starting from a first row.

Abstract: An image sensor driving unit, comprising a first controller, a second controller and a third controller, is provided. The image sensor driving unit drives an image sensor to carry out the capture of an image. The capture is carried out by ordering pixels to generate signal charges and the charge-transfer channel to transfer the signal charges. The first controller orders the image sensor to carry out a rapid discharge operation before the charge-transfer channel transfers the signal charges. The second controller controls the first controller to order the image sensor to carry out the rapid discharge operation when light is made incident for capture after the first capture with the image sensor operating in continuous photographing mode. The third controller decreases the discharge number for capture after the first capture.

Abstract: An image photographing apparatus and method, and more particularly, an image photographing apparatus and method that may divide each unit sensor of an image sensor into a high-sensitivity sensor and a low-sensitivity sensor and sense an incident optical signal using the high-sensitivity sensor and the low-sensitivity sensor. The image photographing apparatus may include a light reception unit receiving an optical signal, a sensor unit sensing the optical signal, which is incident to a pixel region, using a plurality of sensors with different sensitivity and converting the sensed optical signal into a plurality of electrical signals, and a signal extraction unit extracting the quantity of accumulated electric charge for the optical signal, which was sensed by each of the sensors, with reference to each of the electrical signals.

Abstract: An image sensor for an electronic imaging device includes an array of pixel detectors. Each pixel detector includes a photosensor (2) that is constructed and arranged to detect incident light and provide a signal that represents a time integral of the detected light intensity. A signal generator device (4) is constructed and arranged to generate a reference signal that varies according to a predetermined function. A comparator (6) has a first input (18) connected to receive the photosensor signal, a second input (20) connected to receive the reference signal, and an output (22) for providing a capture signal. The comparator (6) is constructed and arranged to generate a capture signal at a time determined by comparing the photosensor signal and the reference signal. A read out device (10) is constructed and arranged to capture a read out signal upon receiving the capture signal. The read out signal represents a logarithm of the integrated detected light intensity.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a pixel array, and an analog to digital converter for converting a voltage signal read from the pixel array from analog to digital form, wherein the analog to digital converter includes a counter counting a first clock signal for a period depending on a voltage value of the voltage signal, and wherein a least significant bit of a count value of the counter is determined based on an exclusive OR of outputs of two 1-bit counters operating at a frequency of the first clock signal.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes first-group pixels 41, second-group pixels 42 skipped during thinning drive, and a scanning section 13. The scanning section 13 drives each of the first-group pixels 41 to perform read operation of outputting the output signal and initializing the amount of the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a first level, and also drives each of the second-group pixels 42 to perform discharge operation of initializing the amount of the signal charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element to a second level that is higher than the first level and lower than a saturation signal level of the photoelectric conversion element 12.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup pixel unit in which a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element and a field-effect transistor are arranged on a semiconductor substrate so that a light-receiving surface is disposed at a first surface side of the semiconductor substrate; a peripheral circuit unit provided at a periphery of the image pickup pixel unit of the semiconductor substrate; and a multilayered wiring layer in which a plurality of wiring layers for driving the field-effect transistor of the image pickup pixel unit are laminated at a second surface side of the semiconductor substrate, wherein a wiring in each of the wiring layers constituting the multilayered wiring layer is disposed so that a coverage of the wiring located at least in the image pickup pixel unit of the semiconductor substrate reaches 100%, viewed from the second surface side.

Abstract: Circuits and methods of generating control signals for transistors in a pixel row of a pixel array are disclosed. The circuits include a transfer transistor control signal row driver that includes a plurality of output branches and a reset transistor control signal row driver that includes a plurality of output branches. The row drivers output positive boosted control signals to selected pixel rows during a photosensor-to-floating diffusion region charge transfer phase and during a floating diffusion region reset phase and to unselected pixel rows during an initial part of an integration phase. The row drivers output positive non-boosted control signals to unselected non-integrating pixel rows.

Abstract: A pixel structure comprises a photo-sensitive element for generating charge in response to incident light. A first transfer gate is connected between the photo-sensitive element and a first charge conversion element. A second transfer gate is connected between the photo-sensitive element and a second charge conversion element. An output stage outputs a first value related to charge at the first charge conversion element and outputs a second value related to charge at the second charge conversion element. A controller controls operation of the pixel structures and causes a pixel structure.

Abstract: An object is to provide a solid-state imaging device or a semiconductor display device with which a high-quality image can be taken. By performing operation using a global shutter method, a potential for controlling charge accumulation operation can be shared by all pixels. In addition, a first photosensor group includes a plurality of photosensors connected to a wiring supplied with an output signal, and a second photosensor group includes a plurality of photosensors connected to another wiring supplied with the output signal. A wiring for supplying a potential or a signal for controlling charge accumulation operation to the first photosensor group is connected to a wiring for supplying the potential or signal to the second photosensor group.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A image-sensing device includes an array of light-sensing pixels arranged in rows, a readout circuit, and a control logic coupled to the rows of pixels. Each of the pixels has a respective conversion gain that changes to a respective second value from a respective first value within a settling time when a control signal is applied to the pixel. The readout circuit is coupled to the array of pixels and samples the rows of pixels once in an array sampling process. The control logic applies the control signal to the pixels of at least one row after sampling of the pixels in at least one other row of the array has begun but at least the settling time before the at least one row is sampled.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging includes a comparing circuit, an inverting circuit, and a masking circuit, and performs column parallel AD conversion processing of analog pixel signals outputted from a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix form. The comparing circuit outputs a difference signal obtained by comparing each of the pixel signals outputted from the pixels with a reference signal having a ramp waveform. The inverting circuit inverts a logic of the difference signal outputted from the comparing circuit. The masking circuit masks an output of an output signal of the inverting circuit to a circuit in a subsequent stage during an input offset canceling period in which the comparing circuit is canceling an input offset between the pixel signal and the reference signal.

Abstract: The solid-state image sensor of the present invention includes: multiple different types of pixel groups, which exhibit mutually different sensitivity properties that vary from one group to another according to wavelengths of incoming light, wherein each pixel has a photoelectric converter for outputting a pixel signal that changes with the intensity of the light received, and a reading circuit, which reads the pixel signal from each of the multiple types of pixel groups and which outputs an image signal representing an image that is associated with the type of a pixel group. The reading circuit outputs the image signal with the frame frequency changed according to the type of the pixel group.

Abstract: A method obtains a read-out signal of a pixel having at least a photosensitive element with a charge storage node. The method includes the steps of acquiring charge carriers, converted from impinging radiation on the photosensitive element, on the charge storage node, applying during the integration period at least one reset pulse, resetting incompletely the charge carriers acquired at the moment of applying the reset pulse, to obtain at least one linear response region for the pixel, and driving the pixel in weak inversion after the last incomplete reset pulse of the integration period so as to obtain a logarithmic response part. A corresponding pixel is also described.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a reference-signal generating unit that generates plural kinds of reference signals for converting an analog pixel signal into digital data, a reference-signal selecting unit that selects any one of the plural kinds of reference signals, a comparing unit that compares the pixel signal and the selected reference signal, and a count unit that performs count processing in parallel with comparison processing in the comparing unit and stores a count value at a point when the comparison processing is completed. The count unit decides digital data of the pixel signal in a 1 LSB step by storing a count value at a point when the comparison processing is completed for any one of the plural kinds of reference signals and correcting the stored count value on the basis of results of the comparison processing for respective remaining reference signals of the plural kinds of reference signals.

Abstract: An image sensor system with an image sensor that generates a first image and a second image. The first and second images are transmitted to a processor in a time overlapping manner. By way of example, the images may be transferred to the processor in an interleaving manner or provided on separate dedicated busses.

Abstract: Automatic exposure adjusting device considers the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Each pixel is characterized according to its most significant bits. After the pixels are characterized, the number of pixels in any particular group is counted. That counting is compared with thresholds which set whether the image is over exposed, under exposed, and can optionally also determine if the image is seriously over exposed or seriously under exposed. Adjustment of the exposure is carried out to bring the image to a more desired state.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a solid state imaging element that includes a plurality of pixels; and a driving unit; wherein each pixel includes: a photoelectric converting element includes a pair of electrodes stacked above a semiconductor substrate and a photoelectric converting layer arranged between the electrodes; a connecting portion that is arranged in the semiconductor substrate; a potential barrier portion; a first charge accumulating portion; and a signal output circuit, and wherein the driving unit executes such a same potential driving that the connecting portion and the potential barrier portion are set to have a same potential by varying the potential of the potential barrier portion.

Abstract: Automatic exposure adjusting device considers the image on a pixel-by-pixel basis. Each pixel is characterized according to its most significant bits. After the pixels are characterized, the number of pixels in any particular group is counted. That counting is compared with thresholds which set whether the image is over exposed, under exposed, and can optionally also determine if the image is seriously over exposed or seriously under exposed. Adjustment of the exposure is carried out to bring the image to a more desired state.

Abstract: A photometric device includes a storage-type photometric sensor, a first control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon an average value of an output of the photometric sensor, a second control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon a maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor, and an accumulation control means that controls the second control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor on which the accumulation control is performed by the first control means exceeds a saturation output level of the photometric sensor, and controls the first control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor does not exceed the saturation output level of the photometric sensor.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the pixel driving circuit causes the amplifying transistor to form a source follower circuit without applying a bias voltage to the vertical signal line and connects the FD to the power source. Thereafter, the pixel driving circuit separates the current source from the vertical signal line to cancel the source follower circuit, applies a bias voltage to the vertical signal line so that the voltage of the FD is raised when the brightness of the subject is higher than the reference value, and the voltage of the FD is lowered when the brightness of the subject is lower than the reference value, and turns on the read transistor. The pixel driving circuit turns off the read transistor, and then connects the current source to the vertical signal line, and causes the amplifying transistor to form the source follower circuit.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit capable of selectively executing an imaging operation in a normal imaging mode that outputs a normal exposure image signal in a unit period and an imaging operation in a combined imaging mode that outputs a long-time-exposure image signal and a short-time-exposure image signal, a pre-processing unit that performs gain processing on the normal exposure image signal, or the signals, a signal processing unit that, by combining the image signals, generates a combined image signal, and a control unit that performs control in which, by switching a reference gain setting value in the gain processing in the pre-processing unit in accordance with the normal or combined imaging mode, when the imaging unit is in the combined imaging mode, the reference gain setting value is set to be greater than the reference gain setting value when the imaging unit is in the normal imaging mode.

Abstract: A piecewise linear processing device applies different amplification rates according to a general environment and a low luminance environment where much noise exists. The piecewise linear processing device includes a knee point storing unit configured to store a user's default setting value and low luminance setting value; a luminance detecting unit configured to detect a noisy environment to output a current luminance information signal and a maximum luminance information signal; an adaptive knee point supply unit configured to receive the default setting value, the low luminance setting value, the current luminance information signal, and the maximum luminance information signal to supply a adjusted adaptive knee point according to a degree of noise; and a piecewise linear processing unit configured to apply a section amplification rate to an input data on the basis of a region corresponding to the adaptive knee point.

Abstract: According to the present invention, as a structure of a pixel section (10), in each of columns from a first to a m-th column, a plurality of pixel signals outputted from a plurality of pixels arranged in a column direction are transmitted, respectively, to a plurality of output signal lines (15l to 15n) different from each other. Then, a read control and are set control are simultaneously executed on the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: A CCD Device of the type for providing charge gain by impact ionisation has a multiplication register. Gain provided by a subset of the elements of the multiplication register are independently controllable from other elements in the register. This enables the register to be used in one setting with the same gain applied to all elements and a different setting with a subset of elements arranged to provide a different gain. By comparing the two signals, the gain provided by each element and the register as a whole may be derived.

Abstract: Both of a high speed AF using contrast control and a high precision AF using a color temperature sensor are achieved. A focus detection device has: a first sensor which outputs a signal for a focus detection by detecting a phase difference; and a second sensor having a plurality of pixels whose spectral sensitivities are different. Accumulation start timing of the first sensor and that of the second sensor are different. The first sensor controls an accumulation time period and a read-out gain based on a difference between the maximum and minimum values of an accumulation signal. The accumulation of the second sensor is finished in a timing when the accumulation of the first sensor is finished.

Abstract: A photosensitive pixel includes a photosensor and an externally loadable flag. The photosensor outputs a signal indicative of an intensity of incident light. The externally loadable flag indicates the pixel reset state, and is preferably stored in an in-pixel memory. Pixel reset logic resets the photosensor in accordance with the reset state and an externally applied reset signal.

Abstract: A photometric device includes a storage-type photometric sensor, a first control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon an average value of an output of the photometric sensor, a second control means that performs accumulation control on the photometric sensor based upon a maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor, and an accumulation control means that controls the second control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor on which the accumulation control is performed by the first control means exceeds a saturation output level of the photometric sensor, and controls the first control means to perform next accumulation control, if the maximum value of the output of the photometric sensor does not exceed the saturation output level of the photometric sensor.

Abstract: To provide a solid-state imaging apparatus which is capable of preventing electric charge from being injected from a semiconductor substrate while electric charge is being accumulated into photodiodes. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device and a driving pulse control unit. The solid-state imaging device includes: a semiconductor substrate, photodiodes which are two-dimensionally formed on the semiconductor substrate, and vertical Charge-coupled devices (CCDs) having at least one arranged read-out gate and non-read-out gate for each of the photodiodes, the read-out gate being for reading out accumulated electric charge from the associated photodiode, and the non-read-out gate being not for reading out accumulated electric charge from the associated photodiode.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An image capture method in a digital image sensor implements a continuous sampling technique with a massively parallel thermometer-code analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) technique to generate pixel data having an intrinsic to an ultra-high dynamic range. In one embodiment, the method includes, after an initial exposure period, sampling pixel intensity values at the pixel elements of an image sensor at multiple sampling intervals within a snapshot of a scene; providing an analog reference voltage corresponding to a decrementing digital count value; and comparing the pixel intensity values to the analog reference voltage at each of the multiple sampling intervals. If the pixel intensity value of a first pixel element is less than the analog reference voltage at a first exposure time, an output signal having a first value is generated and the digital count value is recorded as pixel data associated with the first pixel element.

Abstract: The solid image pickup device of the present invention comprises a photoelectric conversion part, a charge-voltage conversion part for converting electric charges from the photoelectric conversion part to voltage signals, a signal amplifier for amplifying the voltage signals generated in the charge-voltage conversion part, charge transfer means for transferring photo-electric charges from the photoelectric conversion part to the charge-voltage conversion part, and means for applying a certain voltage to a charge-voltage conversion part, wherein at least two readout operations for reading out the photo-electric charges accumulated during a period of accumulating photo-electric charges in the photoelectric conversion part via a signal amplifier.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a light receiving section (LRS) comprising pixels. The LRS is divided into division regions; a charge transferring section (CTS) transferring charges accumulated in the LRS; an accumulation control electrode provided between the LRS and the CTS transfers charge accumulated in the LRS to the CTS responsive to an accumulation control signal; a monitoring sensor group comprising monitoring sensors respectively provided for the division regions, outputting sensor outputs of the monitoring sensors corresponding to charges amounts of the division regions; a charge detecting circuit outputting a charge detection signal indicating that a predetermined charge quantity is accumulated in at least one of the division regions, based on the sensor outputs from the monitoring sensor group; and a signal control circuit outputting the accumulation control signal in response to the charge detection signal.

Abstract: A multi-step exposure method using an electronic shutter and a photography apparatus using the same are provided. The photography apparatus includes an image sensor, and a control unit which divides an area of the image into a first area and a second area using brightness information of the acquired image, and controls so that a first row group and a second row group of the second area have different exposure times. As a result, an image with a wider dynamic range is provided.

Abstract: A circuit for processing an analog signal having a time sequence of discrete signal levels, each of which lies in a time interval and represents an information-bearing segment of the interval while the rest of the time interval is a non-information-bearing segment, comprises a transistor in emitter-follower or source-follower configuration, a high emitter or source resistance or, instead, a high-ohm constant current source, and a device for applying a voltage supply, as well as a switch which is connected between the emitter and a reference potential to prevent a current from flowing via the high-ohm resistance or the high-ohm voltage source for charge reversal of an output capacitance of the circuit in one direction, whereas for charge reversal in the other direction the dynamic current boosting effect of the transistor is exploited. This results in a fast emitter-follower or source-follower circuit which is particularly suitable as the output stage for image sensors.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a solid-state image pickup device including a pixel array unit including unit pixels. Each unit pixel includes a photoelectric converter, column signal lines and a number of analog-digital converting units. The unit pixels are selectively controlled in units of rows. Analog signals output from the unit pixels in a row selected by the selective control though the column signal lines are converted to digital signals via the analog-digital converting units. The digital signals are added among a number of unit pixels via the analog-digital converting units. The added digital signals from the analog-digital converting units are read. Each unit pixel in the pixel array unit is selectively controlled in units of arbitrary rows, the analog-distal converting units being operable to performing the converting in a (a) normal-frame-rate mode and a (b) high-frame-rate mode in response to control signals.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor includes mixed analog and digital signal integration on the same substrate. The analog part of the array forms the active pixel sensor, and the digital part of the array does digital integration of the signal.

Abstract: A live-view optical system A is, in an image capture apparatus capable of obtaining an image of an object in a moving picture mode by reflecting an optical image formed on a focusing plate D from a part of a reflective surface F of a penta-dach mirror B and by re-forming the optical image on a live-view imaging device H, positioned between an opening G of the penta-dach mirror and the live-view imaging device, and re-forms light reflected from the part of the reflective surface on the live-view imaging device, wherein a position of an entrance pupil K satisfies the following conditional expression (1). 0.

Abstract: A pixel and image sensor formed in accordance with the present invention has two modes of operation: a normal mode and a low light mode. The present invention switches from a normal to a low light mode based upon the amount of illumination on the image sensor. Once the level of illumination is determined, a decision is made by comparing the level of illumination to a threshold whether to operate in normal mode or low light mode. In low light mode, the reset transistor (for a 3T pixel) or the transfer transistor (for a 4T pixel) is biased positive.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a reflection timing control signal output unit, a data holding unit, and a collective-reflection processing unit. The reflection timing control signal output unit outputs a reflection timing control signal for controlling a timing of outputting operation setting data. The data holding unit latches the operation setting data inputted from outside and outputs the operation setting data. The collective-reflection processing unit collectively latches the operation setting data in synchronism with the reflection timing control signal, and outputs the latched operation setting data to a driving section.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image sensor for cameras which includes a plurality of pixels arranged in lines and columns. The pixels each include a light-sensitive detector element to generate electrical charge from incident light, a transfer gate, a readout node which is charge-coupled to the detector element via the transfer gate, a converter circuit to generate a measurement signal which is proportional to a charge present in the readout node, and a reset device to reset a charge present in the readout node to a reference value. The image sensor furthermore includes a control device for the control of the transfer gate and of the of the reset device of the respective pixel. The control device is configured such that the charge generated during a single exposure procedure in the respective detector element is transferred from the detector element to the readout node in a plurality of portions. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the reading out of an image sensor.

Abstract: A solid-state image capturing apparatus is provided, and, in a pixel of a 3TR structure, the solid-state image capturing apparatus increases the reset electric potential of the signal charge accumulation section upon a reset operation so that an electric potential difference between the signal voltage and the reset voltage upon transferring of a signal charge is sufficiently secured, a complete transferring of the signal charge is easily performed from the photoelectric conversion element to the signal charge accumulation section, and a stable condition is provided.

Abstract: A CCD image sensor comprises photosensitive elements arranged in rows and columns, vertical CCDs each having vertical shift elements associated with respective ones of the photosensitive elements of a corresponding one of the columns, and a horizontal CCD comprising horizontal shift elements. The image sensor further comprises a transition region arranged between the vertical CCDs and the horizontal CCD. The transition region is configured to separate each of a plurality of signal channels provided by respective ones of the vertical CCDs into first and second parallel signal channels and to controllably direct selected ones of the parallel signal channels to the horizontal shift elements of the horizontal CCD in accordance with a designated readout sequence.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes: an image capturing unit configured to generate a long-exposure image signal and a short-exposure image signal on the basis of light transmitted from a subject and output the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal as image capturing signals; a signal processing unit configured to generate a combined image signal by combining the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal, the combined image signal having a dynamic range that is relatively wider than that of at least any one of the long-exposure image signal and the short-exposure image signal; a detection unit configured to generate luminance information of the combined image signal; and a control unit configured to perform automatic exposure control for the short-exposure image signal using the luminance information in an exposure setting mode in which exposure control is performed in accordance with a user's setting.

Abstract: A photosensitive apparatus, such as a scanner used in a digital copier, includes a plurality of photosensor chips. Each photosensor chip comprises a first set of photosensors, and a control portion for accepting an external integration signal, the signal causing an integration time for the set of photosensors. A signal adjustor is associated with the control portion, and effectively alters the external integration signal to cause the control portion to cause a modified integration time for the first set of photosensors. The system enables adjustments of integration times among chips within an apparatus sharing a common control line.

Abstract: A focus detecting device includes a focus detecting optical system which forms a plurality of object images. A photoelectric conversion element array includes a plurality of pixels and subjects each of the plural object images formed by the focus detecting optical system to photoelectric conversion. An electric charge transfer path transfers an electric charge obtained by the photoelectric conversion subjected by the photoelectric conversion element array. A focus detecting section performs focus detection with respect to a plurality of focus areas on the basis of a signal associated with an electric charge transferred by the electric charge transfer path. A plurality of effective pixel regions corresponding to the plural focus areas are arranged in the arrangement direction of the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element array, and ineffective pixel regions are arranged between the plural effective pixel regions.

Abstract: A multiple-field sensor for a scanner suitable for scanning a document. The scanner includes a multiple-field sensor, an average accumulator, and a block of memory. The multiple-field sensor has a plurality of sensing lines for each color channel. Each sensing line picks up a portion of image signal from the document during scanning. The sensing lines scan the same portion of the document to produce corresponding image signals. The average accumulator averages the image signals obtained from the sensing lines of the same color channel to produce an average image signal. The block of memory is used as a storage area for image signals in general and the average image signal in particular.