Abstract: An imaging device includes a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels, each including a photoelectric converter, are arranged, including an effective pixel region, an optical black region covered with a light-shielding film, and a dummy pixel region arranged between the effective pixel region and the optical black region. The pixels arranged in at least the effective pixel region and the optical black region among the plurality of the pixels each include an optical waveguide arranged above the photoelectric converter. The pixels including the optical waveguides are arranged between the effective pixel region and the optical black region so as to be spaced apart from each other by at least a one-pixel pitch.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of pixels for focus detection, each of the pixels including a photoelectric converter arranged in a semiconductor substrate, a microlens, and a light blocking portion arranged between the semiconductor substrate and the microlens to cover part of the photoelectric converter. A face in the pixel, which is parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate and on which the light blocking portion is arranged, includes a first opening and a second opening in addition to the light blocking portion. The light blocking portion includes a separator that has a light blocking property and is arranged between the first opening and the second opening. The second opening is larger in area than the first opening, and the light blocking portion is larger in area than the first opening.

Abstract: An optical element module which can adsorb a foreign matter and absorb moisture remaining in the module with use of a simple structure which does not require a complicated production process is provided. An optical element module (101) includes a sealed housing (11, 12) and an optical element 1 mounted in the sealed housing (11, 12), said optical element module (101) further including polyurethane (13) having self-adherence and a desired shape, the polyurethane (13) being fixed inside said optical element module (101) with use of the self-adherence of the polyurethane (13).

Abstract: Realized is a bonding method which makes it possible to cause an angle formed between a front surface of an optical element and an upper end surface of a housing side wall to accurately match a design objective value. The bonding method includes the steps of (a) placing an optical element (12) on a jig (2) so that a front surface (12a) of the optical element (12) is in surface contact with a first flat surface (23a) of the jig'(2); and (b) placing a housing (11) on the jig (2) so that (i) an upper end surface (11a1) of a side wall (11a) of the housing (11) is in surface contact with a second flat surface (21a) of the jig (2) and (ii) a bottom plate (11b) of the housing (11) is in contact with a back surface (12h) of the optical element (12) via an adhesive (15).

Abstract: A pixel portion includes a plurality of first pixel rows and a plurality of second pixel rows each being arranged so as to be adjacent to the first pixel row. Among the first pixel row and the second pixel row arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, during at least a part of a period from an end of the electric charge accumulation period in the second pixel row until an end of an output period in which signals from pixels in the first pixel row are output, electric charges accumulated in photoelectric conversion units of pixels in the second pixel row are reset.

Abstract: Provided is an image pickup apparatus, including a plurality of microlenses, a plurality of image pickup rows being configured to output a signal for generating an image a distance measurement row being configured to output a focus detection signal a plurality of signal processing units, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the plurality of image pickup rows to perform a first operation of reading signals to the plurality of signal processing units; control, before or after the first operation, the distance measurement row to perform a second operation of reading signals to the plurality of signal processing units; control the plurality of signal processing units to be in an operating state in one of the first and second operations; and control a part of the plurality of signal processing units to be in an operation-restricted state in another of the first and second operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a driving method for an image pickup apparatus that appropriately performs both readout of a signal of a reference pixel and mixing of mutual signals output by a plurality of effective pixels, and the present invention also provides an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup system.

Abstract: A semiconductor apparatus, comprising a decoder arranged in a path between a first power supply line and a second power supply line and configured to receive a signal and decode the signal, a switch portion arranged, in series with the decoder, in the path between the first power supply line and the second power supply line, and a control unit configured to set the switch portion in a conductive state so as to cause the decoder to decode the signal after the signal has changed from one of high level and low level to the other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a driving method for an image pickup apparatus that appropriately performs both readout of a signal of a reference pixel and mixing of mutual signals output by a plurality of effective pixels, and the present invention also provides an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup system.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of columns, a plurality of comparators provided correspondingly to the respective columns, a reference signal generation unit configured to supply a reference signal to the plurality of comparators, a counter configured to generate a count signal that includes a plurality of bits in synchronization with a first clock signal, a synchronization unit configured to synchronize the plurality of bits with a second clock signal to generate a synchronized count signal and to output the generated synchronized count signal, and a plurality of memories provided correspondingly to the respective comparators, the memories each being configured to store the synchronized count signal in response to a change in an output of a corresponding one of the comparators.

Abstract: In an image pickup system according to an aspect of the present invention, a pixel portion includes a plurality of first pixel rows controlled by a scanning circuit such that charge accumulation periods are at least partially overlapped with each other and a plurality of second pixel rows controlled by the scanning circuit such that charge accumulation periods are not overlapped with the charge accumulation periods of the first pixel rows, part of the plurality of first pixel rows commonly uses a floating diffusion with a pixel in the second pixel row, another part of the plurality of first pixel rows does not commonly use the floating diffusion with the pixel in the second pixel row, and the signal processing unit performs signal processing without using a signal of the pixel in the first pixel row that commonly uses the floating diffusion with the pixel in the second row.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including amplifier units including: an amplifier having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal; an input capacitor having one terminal to which an output signal from a pixel is input, and another terminal connected to the second input terminal of the amplifier; a feedback switch connected between the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier; and a feedback capacitor connected in parallel with the feedback switch and between the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier, in which a driving current of the amplifier during a first period is smaller than a driving current of the amplifier during a second period in which the amplifier amplifies the output signal from the pixel, and the feedback switch is set to a connection state during the first period.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of pixels for focus detection, each of the pixels including a photoelectric converter arranged in a semiconductor substrate, a microlens, and a light blocking portion arranged between the semiconductor substrate and the microlens to cover part of the photoelectric converter. A face in the pixel, which is parallel to a surface of the semiconductor substrate and on which the light blocking portion is arranged, includes a first opening and a second opening in addition to the light blocking portion. The light blocking portion includes a separator that has a light blocking property and is arranged between the first opening and the second opening. The second opening is larger in area than the first opening, and the light blocking portion is larger in area than the first opening.

Abstract: Provided is an image pickup apparatus, including a plurality of microlenses, a plurality of image pickup rows being configured to output a signal for generating an image a distance measurement row being configured to output a focus detection signal a plurality of signal processing units, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to control the plurality of image pickup rows to perform a first operation of reading signals to the plurality of signal processing units; control, before or after the first operation, the distance measurement row to perform a second operation of reading signals to the plurality of signal processing units; control the plurality of signal processing units to be in an operating state in one of the first and second operations; and control a part of the plurality of signal processing units to be in an operation-restricted state in another of the first and second operations.

Abstract: A pixel portion includes a plurality of first pixel rows and a plurality of second pixel rows each being arranged so as to be adjacent to the first pixel row. Among the first pixel row and the second pixel row arranged so as to be adjacent to each other, during at least a part of a period from an end of the electric charge accumulation period in the second pixel row until an end of an output period in which signals from pixels in the first pixel row are output, electric charges accumulated in photoelectric conversion units of pixels in the second pixel row are reset.

Abstract: Column signal processing units are provided in correspondence with respective columns of a pixel array. The column signal processing unit includes a sample-and-hold unit configured to hold an analog signal output from a pixel, a buffer unit configured to buffer the signal held in the sample-and-hold unit, and an AD conversion unit. The AD conversion unit converts the signal held by the sample-and-hold unit and buffered by the buffer unit into a digital signal.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including amplifier units including: an amplifier having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal; an input capacitor having one terminal to which an output signal from a pixel is input, and another terminal connected to the second input terminal of the amplifier; a feedback switch connected between the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier; and a feedback capacitor connected in parallel with the feedback switch and between the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier, in which a driving current of the amplifier during a first period is smaller than a driving current of the amplifier during a second period in which the amplifier amplifies the output signal from the pixel, and the feedback switch is set to a connection state during the first period.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion region and a surrounding region, and a second substrate including a circuit for processing a signal from the photoelectric conversion region, and overlapping the first substrate. In this case, the circuit for processing a signal from the photoelectric conversion region includes a first circuit and a second circuit with a higher drive frequency than that of the first circuit. In an orthogonal projection, the second circuit is only provided in the photoelectric conversion region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a driving method for an image pickup apparatus that appropriately performs both readout of a signal of a reference pixel and mixing of mutual signals output by a plurality of effective pixels, and the present invention also provides an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup system.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first substrate including a photoelectric conversion region and a surrounding region, and a second substrate including a circuit for processing a signal from the photoelectric conversion region, and overlapping the first substrate. In this case, the circuit for processing a signal from the photoelectric conversion region includes a first circuit and a second circuit with a higher drive frequency than that of the first circuit. In an orthogonal projection, the second circuit is only provided in the photoelectric conversion region.