Abstract: A light detector is provided to include a light receiving array having a plurality of light receivers respectively outputting pulse signals upon incidence of photons. A delay setting value is set which is used to adjust a time interval from when the pulse signals are output from the light receiving array to when a response number, which is a specified number of the light receivers outputting the pulse signals, is acquired.

Abstract: In an apparatus, each of light receiving elements outputs an intensity signal based on a corresponding intensity of return light from a measurement space. The return light includes reflected light reflected based on reflection of the measurement light by a target object. An identifying unit identifies a light receiving area in the light detection region as a function of the intensity signals of the respective light receiving elements. The light receiving area is based on specified light receiving elements in the plurality of light receiving elements. The specified light receiving elements are arranged to receive the reflected light. A distance measuring unit measures the distance of the target object in accordance with the intensity signals received by the specified light receiving elements.

Abstract: In an apparatus, each of light receiving elements outputs an intensity signal based on a corresponding intensity of return light from a measurement space. The return light includes reflected light reflected based on reflection of the measurement light by a target object. An identifying unit identifies a light receiving area in the light detection region as a function of the intensity signals of the respective light receiving elements. The light receiving area is based on specified light receiving elements in the plurality of light receiving elements. The specified light receiving elements are arranged to receive the reflected light. An estimating unit estimates, based on a geometry of the light receiving area, a state of the apparatus including a state of the optical system.

Abstract: A photodetector includes a light receiving part having a plurality of light receiving elements, and a signal processing part that adds outputs from the light receiving elements and outputs the result. A plurality of measurements are performed while combination of effective light receiving elements among the light receiving elements in the light receiving part is changed. The results of the measurements are subjected to a compressive sensing process to determine an output signal of for each light receiving element or for each group of light receiving elements.

Abstract: A pixel 10 includes a photodiode PD which is provided between a first barrier region 21 forming a first potential barrier B1 and a second barrier region 27 forming a second potential barrier B2, a first floating diffusion region F1 which is provided adjacent to the first barrier region 21, and to which a first electric charge generated in the photodiode PD is transferred, and a second floating diffusion region F2 which is provided adjacent to the second barrier region 27, and into which a second electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion region PD flows, and in which a part of the flowing-in second electric charge is accumulated. The second potential barrier B2 is lower than the first potential barrier B1.

Abstract: At least one cell implementing a sensor array embraces a photoelectric-conversion accumulation element configured to generate and accumulate signal charges, a potential detection circuit configured to detect the signal charges generated by the photoelectric-conversion accumulation element as a potential change, and an amplification circuit configured to amplify the potential change and to transmit to an output-signal line. The photoelectric-conversion accumulation element and the potential detection circuit are connected in series between a first potential terminal and a second potential terminal, and the potential detection circuit has an insulated-gate transistor, which detects the potential change in a weak inversion state, in a period when an optical-communication signal is received.

Abstract: A pixel 10 includes a photodiode PD which is provided between a first barrier region 21 forming a first potential barrier B1 and a second barrier region 27 forming a second potential barrier B2, a first floating diffusion region F1 which is provided adjacent to the first barrier region 21, and to which a first electric charge generated in the photodiode PD is transferred, and a second floating diffusion region F2 which is provided adjacent to the second barrier region 27, and into which a second electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion region PD flows, and in which a part of the flowing-in second electric charge is accumulated. The second potential barrier B2 is lower than the first potential barrier B1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lane-dividing line detection device and has an object of detecting a lane-dividing line with high accuracy by accurately extracting characteristic points of the lane-dividing line while responding flexibly to road surface conditions. According to the present invention, pixel parts where a brightness variation is larger than a predetermined threshold are extracted from an image picked up by a camera that picks up an area ahead of a vehicle as edge points representing the lane-dividing line on a road surface (step 106). Next, candidates for the lane-dividing line drawn on a road are generated based on the extracted edge points (step 108). Then, the predetermined threshold for the brightness variation used to extract the edge points is changed based on the number of the generated candidates for the lane-dividing line (steps 122 through 130).

Abstract: At least one cell implementing a sensor array embraces a photoelectric-conversion accumulation element configured to generate and accumulate signal charges, a potential detection circuit configured to detect the signal charges generated by the photoelectric-conversion accumulation element as a potential change, and an amplification circuit configured to amplify the potential change and to transmit to an output-signal line. The photoelectric-conversion accumulation element and the potential detection circuit are connected in series between a first potential terminal and a second potential terminal, and the potential detection circuit has an insulated-gate transistor, which detects the potential change in a weak inversion state, in a period when an optical-communication signal is received.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lane-dividing line detection device and has an object of detecting a lane-dividing line with high accuracy by accurately extracting characteristic points of the lane-dividing line while responding flexibly to road surface conditions. According to the present invention, pixel parts where a brightness variation is larger than a predetermined threshold are extracted from an image picked up by a camera that picks up an area ahead of a vehicle as edge points representing the lane-dividing line on a road surface (step 106). Next, candidates for the lane-dividing line drawn on a road are generated based on the extracted edge points (step 108). Then, the predetermined threshold for the brightness variation used to extract the edge points is changed based on the number of the generated candidates for the lane-dividing line (steps 122 through 130).