Abstract: A readout circuit for an image sensor having a pixel array with at least one pixel group, in particular pixel column, with a plurality of pixels connected to a group bus comprises a group input for connecting to the group bus and a signal output for connecting to an input of an ADC. The readout circuit further comprises a first and a second reference terminal for receiving a first and a second reference voltage. A sampling bank comprises at least two sample-and-hold elements connected in parallel between the group input and an output of the sampling bank and further comprises a bypass switch connected in parallel to the sample-and-hold elements. A charge store is connected between the output of the sampling bank and the signal output. A first charge switch is connected between the first reference terminal and the signal output, and a second charge switch is connected between the second reference terminal and the output of the sampling bank.

Abstract: An imaging device includes multiple pixels, a first analog-to-digital (AD) converter and a second AD converter that receive analog signals read from the pixels and output digital signals the analog signals, a first frame memory, and an image processor. The analog signals include a reset signal representing a reset level and a pixel signal representing an image of a subject. The first frame memory temporarily stores a first digital signal that is one of the digital signals, corresponding to the reset signal, output from the first AD converter and the second AD converter. The image processor outputs a difference between the first digital signal stored on the first frame memory and a second digital signal that is another one of the digital signals, corresponding to the pixel signal on pixels from which the reset signal is read, output from the first AD converter and the second AD converter.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus acquires pixel signals for each predetermined-size partial region of an imaging plane and for detecting a region among the regions of the imaging plane in which a subject image has changed, the number of acquired pixel signals being less than the number of pixels included in the partial region, and controls to perform image capturing in response to detection of the region in which the subject image has changed, and to output a captured image based the pixel signals. The imaging apparatus acquires pixel signals from each partial region of the imaging plane by, when pixel signals are to be acquired from a first partial region of the imaging plane, acquiring pixel signals from a second partial region that is adjacent to the first partial region and partially overlapped with the first partial region.

Abstract: An image sensor and a camera are provided. The image sensor includes: a demodulation clock generation circuit configured to generate first to fourth demodulation clock signals respectively having first to fourth phases; a demodulation phase selection circuit configured to generate first to fourth pre-demodulation signals based on the first to fourth demodulation clock signals and a random number that changes for each of a plurality of packets; a delay circuit configured to generate a first delay signals, second delay signals, third delay signals and fourth delay signals by delaying the first to fourth pre-demodulation signals by a plurality of delay phases; and a phase mixer configured to generate first to fourth demodulation signals of which phases are changed based on an address that changes for each of the plurality of packets. The first to fourth phases have a phase difference of 90° from each other.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a light source operated by an optical control signal generated using a first reference signal having a first frequency and a second reference signal, having a second frequency different from the first frequency, a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels including a pixel circuit outputting a pixel signal corresponding to the electrical charge of a photodiode, and a logic circuit configured to generate raw data to generate a depth image, using the pixel signal. The plurality of pixels include first pixels and second pixels, and the logic circuit inputs a first photo control signal, having the first frequency, to the pixel circuit connected to a photodiode in each of the first pixels, and inputs a second photo control signal, having the second frequency, to the pixel circuit connected to a photodiode in each of the second pixels.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a pixel, an amplifier circuit, a voltage output circuit, and a setting circuit. The setting circuit sets the signal level of a predetermined signal used to acquire a correction value in accordance with an amplification factor set by an amplifier circuit.

Abstract: Imaging methods and imagers for image capture devices. Still images are captured by gathering ambient light data using an ambient light sensor of the image capture device, selecting a frame rate for the imager corresponding to the gathered ambient light data, determining optimal image capture parameters for the imager by executing an auto exposure algorithm with a processor using the selected frame rate as an initialization parameter for the auto exposure algorithm, and capturing a still image with the imager after execution of the auto exposure algorithm using the selected frame rate.

Abstract: An image sensor including an ADC circuit receiving pixel data to be supplied in parallel from the a pixel array, outputting a reference signal in accordance with a digital code, comparing the reference signal and the pixel data, and outputting the digital code at which the reference signal and the pixel data have a predetermined relation, the ADC circuit including a ramp-signal generating circuit outputting a ramp signal having a gradient with respect to change of the digital code, the gradient being different between when the digital code is in a first range and when the digital code is in a second range different from the first range and an attenuator receiving the ramp signal to be supplied and outputting the reference signal having a gradient being the same between when the digital code is in the first range and when the digital code is in the second range.

Abstract: An imager comprises an image sensor that has a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, wherein each pixel comprises a light-sensitive detector element for generating electric charge from light incident during an exposure, and a reset device to reset charge present in the pixel to a reference value. The imager has a control device that is configured to couple a respective pixel to the associated column line in order to successively output a reference voltage signal, which corresponds to the reference value, and an image voltage signal, which corresponds to the electric charge generated, at the associated column line. The imager has a first analog-to-digital converter and a second analog-to-digital converter. The control device is configured to apply the reference voltage signal to a signal input of the first analog-to-digital converter and to simultaneously apply the image voltage signal to a signal input of the second analog-to-digital converter.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion reading part of a pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element for storing therein, in a storing period, charges generated by the photoelectric conversion, a transfer element for transferring, in a transfer period following the storing period, the charges stored in the photoelectric conversion element, an output node to which the charges stored in the photoelectric conversion element are transferred through the transfer element, a reset element for resetting, in a reset period, the output node to a predetermined potential, an output buffer part for converting the charges in the output node into a voltage signal at a level determined by the amount of the charges and outputting the voltage signal as the pixel signal, and an output voltage control part for controlling an output signal level of the pixel signal from the output buffer part to a controlled level determined by the operational state.

Abstract: An image sensor chip and a sensing method thereof are disclosed. The image sensor chip includes pixel units. Each pixel unit includes a reset switch, a sampling switch, a light sensing element, a capacitor, and an output circuit. The sampling switch is coupled between the reset switch and the light sensing element. The capacitor is coupled between the sampling switch and the output circuit. The output circuit outputs difference information corresponding to a difference between a plurality of sensing results of the light sensing element in different frame periods to a corresponding readout line. The sampling switch has an ON-time length during an exposure period and an OFF-time length during a readout and clean-up period. A ratio of the ON-time length to the OFF-time length is related to a ratio of a capacitance of the light sensing element to a capacitance of the capacitor.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image sensor pixels. Each pixel in the array may be a global shutter pixel having a first charge storage node configured to capture scenery information and a second charge storage node configured to capture background information generated as a result of parasitic light and dark noise signals. The first and/or second charge storage nodes may each be provided with an overflow charge storage to provide high dynamic range (HDR) functionality. The background information may be subtracted from the scenery information to cancel out the desired background signal contribution and to obtain an HDR signal with high global shutter efficiency. The charge storage nodes may be implemented as storage diode or storage gate devices. The pixels may be backside illuminated pixels with optical diffracting structures and multiple microlenses formed at the backside to distribute light equally between the two charge storage nodes.

Abstract: Provided are an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program capable of reducing a processing load of convolution processing in a convolutional neural network (CNN). An information processing device (1) according to the present disclosure includes a setting unit (51) and a control unit (52). The setting unit (51) sets exposure time of each of imaging pixels in an imaging unit (2), which includes a plurality of imaging pixels arrayed two-dimensionally, to exposure time corresponding to a convolution coefficient of a first layer of a CNN. The control unit (52) causes transfer of signal charges from imaging pixels, which have been exposed, to a floating diffusion (FD), thereby performing convolution processing.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus of the present disclosure includes: a plurality of pixel blocks that each includes a plurality of light-receiving pixels including color filters of mutually the same color, the plurality of light-receiving pixels being divided into a plurality of pixel pairs each including two light-receiving pixels; and a plurality of lenses provided at respective positions corresponding to the plurality of pixel pairs.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter for an image sensor comprises a counter circuit to generate a respective counter bit in response to a counter state of the counter circuit, and a storage circuit for storing a respective storage state in response the respective counter bit. The converter further comprises a comparator circuit for generating a level of a comparison signal, and a synchronization circuit to generate a write control signal for controlling the storing of the respective storage state in the respective storage cell. The counter circuit is configured to change the counter state, when a first edge of a cycle of the clock signal is applied to the counter circuit, and to generate the write control signal, when a second edge of the cycle of the clock signal being subsequent to the first edge of the cycle of the clock signal is applied to the synchronization circuit.

Abstract: A dual-aperture zoom digital camera operable in both still and video modes. The camera includes Wide and Tele imaging sections with respective lens/sensor combinations and image signal processors and a camera controller operatively coupled to the Wide and Tele imaging sections. The Wide and Tele imaging sections provide respective image data. The controller is configured to output, in a zoom-in operation between a lower zoom factor (ZF) value and a higher ZF value, a zoom video output image that includes only Wide image data or only Tele image data, depending on whether a no-switching criterion is fulfilled or not.

Abstract: A pixel array includes a plurality of pixel groups. Each of the plurality of pixel groups includes a plurality of subpixels arranged in an M×N matrix, where M is a natural number equal to or greater than 2, and N is a natural number equal to or greater than 2, as well as a plurality of color pixels configured to sense pieces of light having different wavelength bands. Each of the plurality of color pixels includes a same number of phase detection pixels.

Abstract: In an embodiment a pixel arrangement includes at least one photodiode configured to convert electromagnetic radiation into a respective charge signal, a transfer gate between the photodiode and a capacitance for transferring the respective charge signal to the capacitance, a reset gate electrically coupled to the capacitance, the reset gate configured to reset the capacitance, an amplifier electrically connected to the capacitance and configured to generate, based on the respective charge signal and on a sensitivity mode, a respective amplified signal being a low sensitivity signal or a high sensitivity signal, respectively, wherein the low sensitivity signal and the high sensitivity signal are based on a common noise level, a first capacitor configured to store the high sensitivity signal, a second capacitor configured to store the low sensitivity signal, a first switch between an output terminal of the amplifier and the first capacitor and a second switch between the output terminal of the amplifier and the

Abstract: An image sensor including: first and second capacitors; a first transistor between a photodiode and a floating diffusion node, and receiving a transfer signal; a second transistor between a first power terminal and the floating diffusion node and receiving a reset signal; a third transistor between a second power terminal and a first node and having a gate connected to the floating diffusion node; a fourth transistor between the first node and a column line and receiving a precharge signal; a fifth transistor between the first capacitor and a feedback node and receiving a first sampling signal; a sixth transistor between the second capacitor and feedback node and receiving a second sampling signal; a seventh transistor between the first node and feedback node and receiving a first switch signal; and an eighth transistor between the floating diffusion and feedback nodes and receiving a second switch signal.

Abstract: A method includes providing a body, an actuator coupled to the body, a stage coupled to the actuator, an image sensor coupled to the stage, a first staring focal plane array that is located at a first location, and a second staring focal plane array that is located at a second location that is offset from the first location in two dimensions. The method also includes determining a velocity of the body, causing the actuator to backscan the stage in one or more directions at a drive velocity corresponding to the velocity of the body, causing the first staring focal plane array to capture a first strip of images of a target, and causing the second staring focal plane array to capture a second strip of images of the target. The second strip of images is offset from the first strip of images in the two dimensions.