Abstract: In a ranging device, a controlling unit alternatively switches orders in time series of a first pulse-transfer-signal and a second pulse-transfer-signal per frame term and outputs the first and second pulse-transfer-signals. Furthermore, an arithmetic unit arithmetizes a distance to an object based on total quantities of charges of signal charges, in two frame term consecutive in the time series, accumulated in a first charge-accumulating region and a second charge-accumulating region in accordance with the first and second pulse-transfer-signals having an identical phase.

Abstract: In any three of three range sensors consecutively aligned in a one-dimensional direction, first signal charge-accumulating regions are adjacent to each other in the one-dimensional direction in the range sensor positioned in a center of the three range sensors and the range sensor positioned closer to one side of the one-dimensional direction than the range sensor positioned in the center of the three range sensors, and the first signal charge-accumulating region and the second signal charge-accumulating region are adjacent to each other in the one-dimensional direction in the range sensor positioned in the center of the three range sensors and the range sensor positioned closer to an another side of the one-dimensional direction than the range sensor positioned in the center of the three range sensors.

Abstract: The processing unit causes a light source unit to emit modulated light in one or more emission periods in a plurality of charge transfer cycles within a frame period from connection of an accumulating region to a reset potential to next connection of the accumulating region to the reset potential by controlling a reset switch, and increases the number of emission periods per charge transfer cycle within one frame period. The processing unit obtains, from a sensor unit, a plurality of read values corresponding to a charge amount accumulated in the accumulating region at an alternate point with the plurality of charge transfer cycles, in each of a plurality of read cycles corresponding to each of the plurality of charge transfer cycles. The processing unit calculates the distance based on the plurality of obtained read values.

Abstract: A ranging method uses a light source and a range sensor. The range sensor includes a charge-generating area and first and second charge-accumulating areas. Charges generated in the charge-generating area are transferred to the first charge-accumulating area during a first period so as to be accumulated in the first charge-accumulating area and the second charge-accumulating area during a second period so as to be accumulated in the second charge-accumulating area. A distance d to an object OJ is arithmetized based on a quantity of charges accumulated in the first charge-accumulating area and a quantity of charges accumulated in the second charge-accumulating area. When pulse light is emitted from the light source, the pulse light whose light-intensity stable period within the emission period of the pulse light is set in advance to be longer than each of the first and second periods is emitted from the light source.

Abstract: In any three of three range sensors consecutively aligned in a one-dimensional direction, first signal charge-accumulating regions are adjacent to each other in the one-dimensional direction in the range sensor positioned in a center of the three range sensors and the range sensor positioned closer to one side of the one-dimensional direction than the range sensor positioned in the center of the three range sensors, and the first signal charge-accumulating region and the second signal charge-accumulating region are adjacent to each other in the one-dimensional direction in the range sensor positioned in the center of the three range sensors and the range sensor positioned closer to an another side of the one-dimensional direction than the range sensor positioned in the center of the three range sensors.

Abstract: A distance sensor includes: a light receiving area including a first longer side and a second longer side; a photo gate electrode arranged on the light receiving area; a plurality of signal charge collection regions along the first longer side; a plurality of signal charge collection regions along the second longer side; a plurality of transfer electrodes along the first longer side provided with charge transfer signals having mutually-differing phases; a plurality of transfer electrodes along the second longer side provided with the charge transfer signals having mutually-differing phases; and a potential adjusting means positioned between the first and second longer sides and raises potential of an area extending in a direction in which the first and second longer sides extend to be higher than potential of side areas of the first and second longer sides.

Abstract: In accordance with an irradiation position of pulsed light, a selecting unit outputs a first transfer signal to a first transfer electrodes and outputs a second transfer signal to a second transfer electrodes, to allow signal charges to flow into first and second signal charge-collecting regions of a pixel corresponding to the irradiation position, and outputs a third transfer signal to a third transfer electrodes to allow unnecessary charges to flow into an unnecessary charge-discharging regions of a pixel other than the pixel corresponding to the irradiation position. An arithmetic unit reads out signals corresponding to respective quantities of signal charges collected in the first and second signal charge-collecting regions of the pixel selected by the selecting unit, and calculates a distance to an object based on a ratio between a quantity of signal charges collected in the first signal charge-collecting regions and a quantity of signal charges collected in the second signal charge-collecting regions.

Abstract: In a ranging device, a controlling unit alternatively switches orders in time series of a first pulse-transfer-signal and a second pulse-transfer-signal per frame term and outputs the first and second pulse-transfer-signals. Furthermore, an arithmetic unit arithmetizes a distance to an object based on total quantities of charges of signal charges, in two frame term consecutive in the time series, accumulated in a first charge-accumulating region and a second charge-accumulating region in accordance with the first and second pulse-transfer-signals having an identical phase.

Abstract: In a range image sensor, a plurality of range sensors are disposed in a one-dimensional direction. The plurality of range sensors include a photogate electrode, first and second signal charge accumulating regions disposed on one side of the photogate electrode, third and fourth signal charge accumulating regions disposed on the other side, first transfer electrodes for making charge flow into the first and fourth signal charge accumulating regions in response to a first transfer signal, and second transfer electrodes for making charge flow into the second and third signal charge accumulating regions in response to a second transfer signal.

Abstract: In a distance measurement device of an embodiment, a light source emits modulation light in a first charge transfer cycle, and emission of the modulation light of the light source is stopped in a second charge transfer cycle. In each of the first and second charge transfer cycles, the charges generated in a photosensitive region are distributed to a first accumulation region and a second accumulation region. A first value is obtained based on readout values corresponding to amounts of accumulated charges of the first accumulation region. A second value is obtained based on readout values corresponding to amounts of accumulated charges of the second accumulation region. A distance is calculated based on the first value and the second value.

Abstract: A distance sensor includes: a light receiving area including a first longer side and a second longer side; a photo gate electrode arranged on the light receiving area; a plurality of signal charge collection regions along the first longer side; a plurality of signal charge collection regions along the second longer side; a plurality of transfer electrodes along the first longer side provided with charge transfer signals having mutually-differing phases; a plurality of transfer electrodes along the second longer side provided with the charge transfer signals having mutually-differing phases; and a potential adjusting means positioned between the first and second longer sides and raises potential of an area extending in a direction in which the first and second longer sides extend to be higher than potential of side areas of the first and second longer sides.

Abstract: A charge generating region is arranged within a region of a polygonal pixel region excluding a corner portion thereof. A signal charge collecting region is arranged at a center portion of the pixel region on the inside of the charge generating region so as to be surrounded by the charge generating region. A photogate electrode is arranged on the charge generating region. A transfer electrode is arranged between the signal charge collecting region and the charge generating region. A semiconductor region has a portion located at the corner portion of the pixel region and the remaining portion located on the outside of the pixel region, and has a conductivity type opposite to that of the signal charge collecting region and an impurity concentration higher than that of surroundings thereof. A readout circuit is arranged in the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A range sensor includes a charge generating region, a signal charge collecting region, an unnecessary charge collecting region, a photogate electrode, a transfer electrode, and an unnecessary charge collecting gate electrode. Outer peripheries of the charge generating region extend to sides of a polygonal pixel region except for corner portions thereof. The signal charge collecting region is disposed at a center portion of the pixel region and inside the charge generating region so as to be surrounded by the charge generating region. The unnecessary charge collecting region is disposed in the corner portion of the pixel region and outside the charge generating region. The photogate electrode is disposed on the charge generating region. The transfer electrode is disposed between the signal charge collecting region and the charge generating region. The unnecessary charge collecting gate electrode is disposed between the unnecessary charge collecting region and the charge generating region.

Abstract: A signal charge collecting region is disposed inside a charge generating region so as to be surrounded by the charge generating region, and collects signal charges from the charge generating region. An unnecessary charge collecting region is disposed outside the charge generating region so as to surround the charge generating region, and collects unnecessary charges from the charge generating region. A transfer electrode is disposed between the signal charge collecting region and the charge generating region, and causes the signal charges from the charge generating region to flow into the signal charge collecting region in response to an input signal. An unnecessary charge collecting gate electrode is disposed between the unnecessary charge collecting region and the charge generating region, and causes the unnecessary charges from the charge generating region to flow into the unnecessary charge collecting region in response to an input signal.

Abstract: In a distance measurement device of an embodiment, a light source emits modulation light in a first charge transfer cycle, and emission of the modulation light of the light source is stopped in a second charge transfer cycle. In each of the first and second charge transfer cycles, the charges generated in a photosensitive region are distributed to a first accumulation region and a second accumulation region. A first value is obtained based on readout values corresponding to amounts of accumulated charges of the first accumulation region. A second value is obtained based on readout values corresponding to amounts of accumulated charges of the second accumulation region. A distance is calculated based on the first value and the second value.

Abstract: A charge generating region is arranged within a region of a polygonal pixel region excluding a corner portion thereof. A signal charge collecting region is arranged at a center portion of the pixel region on the inside of the charge generating region so as to be surrounded by the charge generating region. A photogate electrode is arranged on the charge generating region. A transfer electrode is arranged between the signal charge collecting region and the charge generating region. A semiconductor region has a portion located at the corner portion of the pixel region and the remaining portion located on the outside of the pixel region, and has a conductivity type opposite to that of the signal charge collecting region and an impurity concentration higher than that of surroundings thereof. A readout circuit is arranged in the semiconductor region.

Abstract: A range sensor includes a charge generating region, a signal charge collecting region, an unnecessary charge collecting region, a photogate electrode, a transfer electrode, and an unnecessary charge collecting gate electrode. Outer peripheries of the charge generating region extend to sides of a polygonal pixel region except for corner portions thereof. The signal charge collecting region is disposed at a center portion of the pixel region and inside the charge generating region so as to be surrounded by the charge generating region. The unnecessary charge collecting region is disposed in the corner portion of the pixel region and outside the charge generating region. The photogate electrode is disposed on the charge generating region. The transfer electrode is disposed between the signal charge collecting region and the charge generating region. The unnecessary charge collecting gate electrode is disposed between the unnecessary charge collecting region and the charge generating region.