Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein refer to a relatively compact and energy efficient LiDAR system that can be mounted to a windshield on the interior cabin portion of a vehicle. In order to accommodate the relatively compact size of the LiDAR system, multiple moveable components are used to ensure that a desired resolution is captured in the system's field of view.

Abstract: A sensor chip and an electronic device with SPAD pixels each including an avalanche photodiode element. The sensor chip includes a pixel area having an array of pixels, an avalanche photodiode element that amplifies a carrier by a high electric field area provided for the each of the pixels, an inter-pixel separation section that insulates and separates each of the pixels from adjacent pixels, and a wiring in a wiring layer laminated on a surface opposite to a light receiving surface of the semiconductor substrate that covers at least the high electric field area. The pixel array includes a dummy pixel area located near a peripheral edge of the pixel area. A cathode and an anode electric potential of the avalanche photodiode element arranged in the dummy pixel area are the same, or at least one of the cathode and anode electric potential is in a floating state.

Abstract: A rotation detecting device includes a rotation operation part configured to be rotationally operated, a first detector configured to detect a rotation of the rotation operation part and output a first rotation detection signal, a second detector configured to output a second rotation detection signal, with a predetermined phase difference with respect to the first rotation detection signal, a third detector configured to output a third rotation detection signal, with each of a predetermined phase difference with respect to the first rotation detection signal of the first detector and a phase difference with respect to the second rotation detection signal of the second detector, and a controller configured to, based on the first rotation detection signal, the second rotation detection signal, and the third rotation detection signal, perform detection of a failure of the first detector, the second detector, or the third detector.

Abstract: A pixelated sensor comprises a semiconductor substrate chip with a plurality of sensor pixels and a detector chip with a plurality of detector pixels. Each of the sensor pixels is configured as a photodiode and is electrically connected to an input node of one of the detector pixels. The detector pixels are further configured to convert and output the sensor input to an analog to digital converter. The detector chip further comprises first and second macropixels and a plurality of second macropixels, wherein each first macropixel is formed by subset of detector pixels switchably interconnected via a first conducting grid and wherein each second macropixel is formed by a subset of first macropixels switchably interconnected via a second conducting grid.

Abstract: Provided are a single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) pixel structure and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, provided are a SPAD pixel structure and a method of manufacturing the same, including an additional PN junction in a vertical or horizontal direction to increase photon detection efficiency and thus improve the sensitivity in an imaging device.

Abstract: A sensor includes an avalanche photodiode (APD), a first resistor, a second resistor, and a rectification element. The first resistor is connected between a current output terminal of the APD and a first output terminal. The second resistor and the rectification element are connected in series between the current output terminal and a second output terminal. The rectification element is connected between the second resistor and the second output terminal.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for image output responsive to integration time changes for infrared imaging devices. In one example, a system includes an imaging device configured to capture a first image using a first integration time and a second image using a second integration time different from the first integration time. The system further includes a processing circuit configured to determine the second integration time based at least on content of the first image. The processing circuit is further configured to determine a scale factor for the second integration time based on the first integration time and the second integration time. The processing circuit is further configured to scale the second image by the scale factor. Related methods and devices are also provided.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a pixel array section including a plurality of unit pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit, the plurality of unit pixels being arranged in a matrix, a constant current source circuit unit having a constant current source connected to each of vertical signal lines provided in association with column arrangement of the pixel array section; and a control unit configured to control the constant current source circuit unit. The constant current source includes a plurality of transistors. The control unit switches, in a case where the plurality of transistors constituting the constant current source is regarded as one transistor having a gate width and a gate length being equivalent to each other, a ratio between the gate width and the gate length of the plurality of transistors on the basis of illumination in image-capturing environment.

Abstract: A sensing device provided herein includes a first pixel circuit, a readout circuit, a first switch, a second switch, and a first capacitor. The readout circuit is electrically connected to the first pixel circuit. The first switch is electrically connected between the first pixel circuit and the readout circuit. The second switch is electrically connected between the first switch and the readout circuit. The first capacitor includes a first electrode electrically connected to the first switch and the second switch.

Abstract: An imaging element-mounting board includes a board area having a board disposed and a plurality of reinforcement portions disposed around the board area. The plurality of reinforcement portions are independent from each other.

Abstract: A mobile robot includes at least two first reflection parts, each of the at least two first reflection parts having a first reflection surface on a side surface thereof, the first reflection surface being configured to reflect electromagnetic waves. For each of the at least two first reflection parts: a cross-sectional shape obtained by being cut in a first direction perpendicular to a reference axis is symmetrical and continuous with respect to points passing through the reference axis, the first direction being parallel to a top surface of the first reflection part or a bottom surface of the first reflection part; and a reflection surface angle defined by the points passing through the reference axis and both ends of the first reflection surface is 90 degrees or more to 360 degrees or less when the first reflection part is viewed along the reference axis.

Abstract: A light sensing module and an electronic device using the same are provided. The light sensing module includes a substrate, a light sensing unit, a first light-transmissive component and a blocking wall. The light sensing unit is disposed on the substrate to sense an intensity of a working light beam. The first light-transmissive component covers the light sensing unit, and has a first refractive index that is between a refractive index of the light sensing unit and a refractive index of air. The blocking wall is disposed on the substrate, and surrounds the light sensing unit and the first light-transmissive component.

Abstract: An image sensor package includes an image sensor chip on a package substrate, a logic chip on the package substrate and perpendicularly overlapping the image sensor chip, and a memory chip on the package substrate and perpendicularly overlapping the image sensor chip and logic chip. The logic chip processes a pixel signal output from the image sensor chip. The memory chip is electrically connected to the image sensor chip through a conductive wire and stores at least one of the pixel signal from the image sensor chip or a pixel signal processed by the logic chip. The memory chip receives the pixel signal output from the image sensor chip through the conductive wire and receives the pixel signal processed by the logic chip through the image sensor chip and the conductive wire.

Abstract: The structure of an imaging device is simplified. An imaging device capable of imaging without a lens or an image processing method is provided. Image data which is out of focus is sharpened. An image processing method of image data in which a plurality of pixels are arranged is provided. Adjacent two pixels are each divided into a first region showing the same pixel value between the adjacent two pixels and a second region other than the first region, an initial value is supplied to the second region of an endmost pixel of the image data, and the pixel values of the first regions and the second regions of the plurality of arranged pixels are determined inductively and sequentially on the basis of the initial value.

Abstract: In an information compression unit 311, in an image capturing unit 121 (221), among a plurality of pixel output units that receives object light that enters without passing through any of an image capturing lens and a pinhole, pixel outputs of at least two of the pixel output units have incident angle directivity modulated into different incident angle directivity according to an incident angle of the object light. The information compression unit 311 performs compression processing to reduce an amount of data of pixel output information generated by the image capturing unit 121 (221).

Abstract: A pixel circuit of a time-of-flight sensor is disclosed, in the pixel cell in the Mth row and the Nth column, the photoelectric conversion element receives a modulated light wave to generate charges; the first charge storage and transfer circuit, the second charge storage and transfer circuit, the third charge storage and transfer circuit and the fourth charge storage and transfer circuit selectively modulates charges corresponding to four phases of the modulated light wave to generate four integrated charge signals according to four charge modulation signals, and outputs four integrated charge signals according to four control signals; the charge readout circuit outputs a third photoelectric signal and a second photoelectric signal according to the third integrated charge signal and the second integrated charge signal. Thus, the left and right pixel cells which are adjacent to each other share the charge readout circuit, the size of the pixel circuit is reduced.

Abstract: A safety laser scanner for detecting objects in a monitored zone having a light transmitter for transmitting a light beam into the monitored zone; having a light receiver for generating a received signal from the light beam remitted by the objects; having a rotatable deflection unit for a periodic deflection of the light beam to scan the monitored zone in the course of the movement; having an internal reference target that reflects the transmitted light beam within the safety laser scanner to the light receiver to generate a reference signal; and having a control and evaluation unit that is configured to detect objects with reference to the received signal and to check the operability of the safety laser scanner with reference to the reference signal, The control and evaluation unit is here configured to change the sensitivity of the detection in dependence on the reference signal.

Abstract: A method and system for autofocusing an objective lens in a microscope system are disclosed. A decentered aperture is disposed in an optical path between an objective lens and an image plane of an image capturing device and a plurality of reference images are captured. Each reference image is captured when the objective lens is positioned at a corresponding z-position of a plurality of z-positions along an axis of travel of the objective lens and the optical path is at least partially occluded by the decentered aperture. At least one reference image of the plurality of the reference images is associated with a best focus position. The plurality of reference images are analyzed to develop a plurality of pattern locations, wherein each pattern location represents a position of a pattern formed on the image plane when a corresponding reference image was captured. The objective lens is positioned in accordance with the best focus position and the plurality of pattern locations.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus including an imaging unit having a plurality of pixels, the pixels each having: a conversion element converting incident light into photoelectrons; a floating diffusion layer electrically connected to the conversion element and converting the photoelectrons into a voltage signal; a differential amplifier circuit electrically connected to the floating diffusion layer, including an amplifier transistor to which a potential of the floating diffusion layer is input, and amplifying the potential of the floating diffusion layer; a feedback transistor electrically connected to the amplifier transistor and initializing the differential amplifier circuit; a clamp capacitance connected in series between the floating diffusion layer and the amplifier transistor; and a reset transistor connected in parallel between the floating diffusion layer and the clamp capacitance and initializing the potential of the floating diffusion layer.

Abstract: A data output device is provided. The data output device includes a converter circuit configured to generate a conversion signal based on an output signal; a boosting circuit configured to generate a boosting signal based on the output signal; and an output circuit configured to generate the output signal based on an input signal and a feedback signal, the feedback signal being based on the conversion signal and the boosting signal.