Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent a sensitivity difference between pixels. There are disposed plural unit cells each including plural photodiodes with plural transfer MOSFETs arranged respectively corresponding to the plural photodiodes, and a common MOSFET that amplifies and outputs signals read from the plural photodiodes. The unit cell includes reset and selecting MOSFETs. Within the unit cell, each pair of photodiode and corresponding transfer MOSFET has translational symmetry with respect to one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure relate to photoelectric conversion apparatus and imaging system. The photoelectric conversion apparatus has a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns, and each configured to generate a signal by photoelectric conversion, a plurality of holding capacitors arranged correspondingly to the respective columns of the plurality of pixels, and configured to hold signals based on the pixels, a first output line, a second output line, a first switch arranged between the holding capacitor and the first output line, a second switch arranged between the holding capacitor and the second output line, and a column selecting line configured to control the second switch, wherein a wiring structure of a portion at which the column selecting line intersects the first output line is different from a wiring structure of a portion at which the column selecting line intersects the second output line.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an active pixel sensor having a plurality of pixels, each of the pixels having a photodiode formed by a part of a first semiconductor region of a first conductive type and a second semiconductor region of a second conductive type, and a transfer transistor for transferring a charge carrier from the photodiode, includes the steps of preparing a substrate on which the first semiconductor region of the first conductive type is formed, forming a mask to form the second semiconductor region on the substrate, forming the second semiconductor region using the mask, and forming a gate of the transferring transistor after forming the second semiconductor region. The gate of the transferring transistor overlaps the second semiconductor region in a planar view.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a pixel array in which pixels for outputting an analog signal are arranged in a matrix, vertical output lines each of which is connected to pixels in a same column, A/D conversion units, which are individually connected to the vertical output lines, for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and a constant current supply unit for supplying a constant current to the A/D conversion units. Each of the A/D conversion units includes an integration unit for integrating the constant current, a comparison unit for comparing the integrated constant current with the analog signal and outputting a comparison signal, and a digital signal storage unit for storing a digital signal corresponding to the comparison signal. The integration unit includes an input capacitor for receiving the constant current. The comparison unit is connected to the constant current supply unit via the input capacitor.

Abstract: A system can arrange a transport service for a rider. The system can receive, from a first computing device of a first rider, a request for a transport service. The request can include a first pickup location and a first destination location. Based on the first pickup location and the first destination location, the system can determine a plurality of candidate drivers that are each currently assigned to provide a transport service for a respective rider. The system can perform a selection process to select a driver from the plurality of candidate drivers by, for each candidate driver, determining a set of possible travel sequences in which that candidate driver can provide both the transport service for the respective rider and the transport service for the first rider and computing a score for each possible travel sequence.

Abstract: After a signal level of a digital signal is changed in a period in which a plurality of memories is sampling the digital signal, a signal for causing the plurality of memories to hold the digital signal being sampled by the plurality of memories is supplied to the plurality of memories.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus and an imaging system that can suppress high-brightness darkening phenomenon without preventing achievement of high-speed operation. The imaging apparatus includes: pixels each outputting a signal based on photoelectric conversion to each of signal lines; clip units each having a first transistor for clipping the voltage of each of the signal lines; a holding capacitor having a first electrode connected to a control electrode of the first transistor, and having a second electrode; a shift unit configured to supply, to the second electrodes, a plurality of voltages having values different from each other; and a voltage supplying unit provided separately from the shift unit and supplying a first voltage to the second electrodes.

Abstract: During a period in which an electric potential of one node of a holding capacitance shifts from a first electric potential to a second electric potential, the other node of the holding capacitance is in an electrically-floating state.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a ramp signal generator for generating first and second time-changing ramp signals during first and second analog-to-digital conversion periods, respectively; comparators for comparing a reset signal of a pixel with the first ramp signal during the first analog-to-digital conversion period, and comparing a pixel signal with the second ramp signal during the second analog-to-digital conversion period; and memories for storing, as first and second digital data, count values of counting from a start of changing the first and second ramp signals until an inversion of outputs of the comparators, during the first and second analog-to-digital conversion periods, wherein the ramp signal generator supplies a current from a current generator to a first capacitor element by a sampling and holding operation of a switch, and generates the first and second ramp signals based on the same bias voltage held by the first capacitor element.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to prevent a sensitivity difference between pixels. There are disposed plural unit cells each including plural photodiodes with plural transfer MOSFETs arranged respectively corresponding to the plural photodiodes, and a common MOSFET that amplifies and outputs signals read from the plural photodiodes. The unit cell includes reset and selecting MOSFETs. Within the unit cell, each pair of photodiode and corresponding transfer MOSFET has translational symmetry with respect to one another.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of blocks including a plurality of pairs, each of the pairs including a comparator provided correspondingly with a column in the pixel array and a memory provided correspondingly with the comparator, and a block information supply unit configured to supply block information which indicates a location of a block, to the plurality of memories included in the blocks.

Abstract: There are provided a driving method for an image pickup device, a driving method for an imaging system, an image pickup device, and an imaging system, which changes an operation for mixing signals generated by a plurality of pixels in accordance with an amplification factor of a signal processing circuit in the image pickup device or an amplification unit externally provided to the image pickup device.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus, comprising a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed, a plurality of processing units, forming a plurality of groups each including two or more processing units, an output line, a power supply line, a plurality of signal lines corresponding to the plurality of groups and connecting output nodes of the two or more processing units in the corresponding group, a plurality of connecting units provided between the output line and the plurality of signal lines, and a control unit configured to control the plurality of processing units and the plurality of connecting units based on a group including the two or more processing units being to output signals.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus that shortens a time for reading out pixel signals of all pixels and improves the aperture ratio of pixels is provided. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels (3) arranged in a matrix along a plurality of rows and columns, in which each of the pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element and a color filter; a plurality of buffers (2) arranged with each one corresponding to a plurality of pixels; and a plurality of vertical output lines (1) arranged such that two or more of the vertical output lines (1) are arranged correspondingly to one of the columns of the pixels; in which an input node of each of the buffers is connected commonly to a plurality of pixels having color filters of different colors, and output nodes of the plurality of buffers are connected alternately to a plurality of vertical output lines.

Abstract: This invention provides an image pickup device comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, a semiconductor area to which a signal from the photoelectric conversion unit is transferred, a transfer switch for transferring the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit to the semiconductor area, and a read unit for reading out the signal from the semiconductor area, and a drive circuit for outputting a first level at which the transfer switch is set in an OFF state, a second level at which the transfer switch is set in an ON state, and a third level between the first level and the second level, wherein the drive circuit controls to hold the third level for a predetermined time while the transfer switch is changing from the ON state to the OFF state.

Abstract: Provided is an A/D converter including an input terminal, a reference signal line for supplying a reference signal which changes temporally, a comparator, a correction capacitor connected to an inverting input terminal of the comparator; and an output circuit which outputs digital data corresponding to an analog signal input to the input terminal. In a first state in which a total voltage of a first analog signal and an offset voltage of the comparator is held in the correction capacitor, a second analog signal input to the input terminal is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the second analog signal or the total voltage is changed using the reference signal, thereby outputting, from the output circuit, digital data.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes, on one substrate, a pixel driving unit and a signal processing unit that includes a digital circuit configured to execute signal processing. A first voltage and a second voltage different in value from the first voltage are supplied to the digital circuit of the pixel driving unit. A third voltage and a fourth voltage different in value from the third voltage are supplied to the digital circuit of the signal processing unit. A main portion of a first conductor that supplies the first voltage to the digital circuit of the pixel driving unit and a main portion of a second conductor that supplies the third voltage to the digital circuit of the signal processing unit are isolated from each other.

Abstract: A solid state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel array in which pixels having color filters are arrayed in a matrix shape in accordance with a predetermined color arrangement, with each pixel including a plurality of divided pixels having a color filter of the same color; and an adding circuit that performs addition averaging of a plurality of signals output from the divided pixels included in a plurality of pixels having color filters of the same color. Among a plurality of pixels that are an object of the addition averaging, a number of signals output from the respective divided pixels of which the adding circuit performs addition averaging is different for at least one pixel relative to the other pixels.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus including a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and an amplification element for amplifying and outputting a signal generated at the photoelectric conversion element, a load transistor for controlling an electric current flowing at the amplification element, and a potential control element for suppressing potential fluctuation in a first main electrode region of the load transistor which is an output side of the amplification element.

Abstract: Provided is an A/D converter including an input terminal, a reference signal line for supplying a reference signal which changes temporally, a comparator, a correction capacitor connected to an inverting input terminal of the comparator; and an output circuit which outputs digital data corresponding to an analog signal input to the input terminal. In a first state in which a total voltage of a first analog signal and an offset voltage of the comparator is held in the correction capacitor, a second analog signal input to the input terminal is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the second analog signal or the total voltage is changed using the reference signal, thereby outputting, from the output circuit, digital data.