Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a generation circuit and a controller. The generation circuit generates an image signal according to an intensity of light being input. The controller controls the generation circuit to generate a dark-time image signal equivalent to an image signal generated by the generation circuit without exposure to external light.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device having plural photoelectric conversion pixels includes an imaging unit, a position identifying unit, an interpolation determining unit, and an interpolation processing unit. The imaging unit generates image data for each of plural colors based on light received in the photoelectric conversion pixels. The position identifying unit detects in the photoelectric conversion pixels a defective pixel outputting an electrical signal at an abnormal level, and stores position information of the defective pixel. The interpolation deter mining unit determines, based on respective pixel values of peripheral pixels peripheral to the defective pixel, whether to perform an interpolation process on the defective pixel. The interpolation processing unit performs the interpolation process on the defective pixel when the interpolation determining unit determines to perform the interpolation process on the defective pixel.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixel units configured to each include a plurality of light receiving elements performing photoelectric conversion; a plurality of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters configured to be provided to each of the pixel units for sequentially converting an analog signal obtained by photoelectric conversion performed by the light receiving elements to a digital signal; a plurality of first holding units configured to be provided to each of the pixel units for sequentially holding a digital signal obtained by conversion performed by the A/D converters; and a plurality of second holding units configured to receive and hold a digital signal held by the first holding units in a period when the A/D converters do not convert an analog signal to a digital signal.

Abstract: A photoelectric transducer includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in one direction for each of colors of light to be received, and configured such that light is converted into an electrical signal in each of the plurality of pixels; a parallel processor configured to perform parallel processing on a plurality of electrical signals obtained through conversion in the pixels in synchronization with a spread-spectrum clock for each of pixel groups, each of the pixel groups including a predetermined number of pixels; and a corrector configured to correct an offset level of each of the plurality of electrical signals having undergone the parallel processing performed by the parallel processor, using one of values, each of the values being common within one of the pixel groups.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in one direction for each color of received light, and an analog-digital (AD) convertor that performs analog-digital conversion for each pixel group configured by a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements selected from the photoelectric conversion elements. The AD converter is disposed in a position adjacent to each of the photoelectric conversion elements configuring the pixel group.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a signal output circuit, a controller, and a corrector. The signal output circuit outputs a signal according to a physical quantity being input. The controller controls the signal output circuit. The corrector corrects a signal to be corrected. The signal to be corrected is output from the signal output circuit. The signal output circuit selectively performs one of first operation of outputting a characteristic signal that indicates characteristics of the signal output circuit and second operation of outputting a pseudo signal that is generated spuriously, according to control of the controller. The corrector corrects the signal to be corrected based on one of the characteristic signal and the pseudo signal output from the signal output circuit.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a first adjuster, a second adjuster, and a digitizer. The first adjuster coarsely adjusts an output range of a signal input to the first adjuster to output a first signal. The second adjuster adjusts an output range of a signal more finely than the first adjuster adjusts to output a second signal. The digitizer digitizes the first signal or the second signal to output a digital signal. The digital signal has an output range of a signal that is finely adjusted with the second adjuster after being coarsely adjusted with the first adjuster.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element comprises: a plurality of photodetectors that perform photoelectric conversion per pixel to output an analog image signal, and that are arranged on a straight line; and wirings that are formed on a wiring layer, and that are enabled to be used as at least one of a signal line used in a peripheral circuit of the photodetector, a power source, and a ground, wherein the photodetector is formed to have a first shaded region and a second shaded region in which light is shaded by the wirings that are positioned on the straight line sandwiching an opening, respectively, when light that has passed through the opening that opens being sandwiched by the wirings positioned on the straight line is incident perpendicularly on a light receiving surface of the photodetector.

Abstract: An imaging sensor includes multiple light-receiving elements, which are for multiple colors, configured to conduct photoelectric conversion and multiple power supply lines configured to supply a power supply voltage from a power supply source to the light-receiving elements. The light-receiving elements of each of the colors are aligned in one direction. Portions extending between the power supply source and the respective light-receiving elements of the multiple power supply lines are substantially identical in shape on at least a per-color basis.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a light receiving element, a buffer unit, a current control circuit, and an elimination circuit. The light receiving element generates electrical charge according to an amount of light received. The buffer unit buffers and outputs a voltage signal according to the electrical charge generated by the light receiving element. When the buffer unit outputs the voltage signal, the current control circuit controls electric current flowing through the buffer unit so as to be a predetermined amount of electric current. The elimination circuit eliminates high-frequency components in a band equal to or higher than a predetermined band from the voltage signal output from the buffer unit.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in one direction for each color of received light, and an analog-digital (AD) convertor that performs analog-digital conversion for each pixel group configured by a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements selected from the photoelectric conversion elements. The AD converter is disposed in a position adjacent to each of the photoelectric conversion elements configuring the pixel group.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes: light receiving elements that convert an optical signal into an electrical signal per pixel; offset fixing units that fix an offset of an output level of each of the light receiving elements to a reference level; analog/digital conversion units that convert signals respectively corresponding to a signal level being converted from an optical signal and output by the light receiving elements and a reset level output independent of an optical signal, into digital signals, according to the reference level; amplifier units that amplify a signal; and correlated double sampling units that perform correlated double sampling per each of the light receiving elements by using a signal based on the reset level and a signal based on the signal level, wherein the amplifier units amplify the signal corresponding to the reset level and the signal corresponding to the signal level before implementing the correlated double sampling.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes a plurality of light-receiving elements, a plurality of pixel circuits, and a plurality of storage units. The light-receiving elements are aligned in a predetermined alignment direction for each color of light to be received, to receive and convert the light into electric charge. The pixel circuits are disposed respectively adjacent to the plurality of light-receiving elements, to convert the electric charge generated by the corresponding light-receiving element into a voltage signal. The storage units are disposed respectively corresponding to the plurality of the pixel circuits, to store therein the voltage signal generated by the corresponding pixel circuit. The storage units are disposed in an adjacent region that is adjacent to a photoelectric conversion region in which the light-receiving elements and the pixel circuits are disposed.

Abstract: A photoelectric transducer includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in one direction for each of colors of light to be received, and configured such that light is converted into an electrical signal in each of the plurality of pixels; a parallel processor configured to perform parallel processing on a plurality of electrical signals obtained through conversion in the pixels in synchronization with a spread-spectrum clock for each of pixel groups, each of the pixel groups including a predetermined number of pixels; and a corrector configured to correct an offset level of each of the plurality of electrical signals having undergone the parallel processing performed by the parallel processor, using one of values, each of the values being common within one of the pixel groups.

Abstract: Multiple photodetectors that photoelectric convert incident light to output a pixel signal; multiple analog/digital (A/D) convertors that A/D convert a plurality of pixel signals that are output by the photodetectors in parallel in a plurality of systems; a retaining unit that retains the pixel signals A/D converted in parallel by the A/D convertors in an aligned manner in one direction, to be arranged in reading order from a first pixel signal to a final pixel signal; and multiple transfer units that transfer the pixel signals arranged and retained by the retaining unit, sequentially from the first pixel signal from a first-pixel-signal retaining position toward a final-pixel signal retaining position of the retaining unit are included.

Abstract: A processing device includes: a control-signal generating unit that generates a control signal by switching a predetermined potential and a second potential that is different from the predetermined potential; multiple processing units that, if a potential of the control signal is the predetermined potential, flow a predetermined current, process and outputs an input signal, and if a potential of the control signal is the second potential, do not flow the predetermined current and do not process a signal; and a control unit that controls the control-signal generating unit such that, in a case of an operating mode in which the processing units process a signal, the control signal is a voltage signal of the predetermined potential, and in a case of a standby mode in which the processing units do not process a signal, the control signal is a voltage signal of the second potential.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a plurality of pixel units configured to each include a plurality of light receiving elements performing photoelectric conversion; a plurality of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters configured to be provided to each of the pixel units for sequentially converting an analog signal obtained by photoelectric conversion performed by the light receiving elements to a digital signal; a plurality of first holding units configured to be provided to each of the pixel units for sequentially holding a digital signal obtained by conversion performed by the A/D converters; and a plurality of second holding units configured to receive and hold a digital signal held by the first holding units in a period when the A/D converters do not convert an analog signal to a digital signal.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of light receiving elements, a plurality of A/D conversion units, and an offset giving unit. The light receiving elements are arrayed in one direction and each convert a light signal into an electrical signal. The A/D conversion units perform A/D conversion on the electrical signals output from the light receiving elements. The offset giving unit gives an offset voltage of a certain level to the electrical signals output from the light receiving elements without flowing a steady current before the electrical signals are input into the A/D conversion units.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element includes: a plurality of AD conversion units that convert respective analog signals representing amounts of charge stored in a plurality of light receiving elements into digital signals in parallel; and a parallel-serial conversion unit that performs parallel-serial conversion on the digital signals into which the analog signals have been converted in parallel by the AD conversion units.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion element comprises: a plurality of photodetectors that perform photoelectric conversion per pixel to output an analog image signal, and that are arranged on a straight line; and wirings that are formed on a wiring layer, and that are enabled to be used as at least one of a signal line used in a peripheral circuit of the photodetector, a power source, and a ground, wherein the photodetector is formed to have a first shaded region and a second shaded region in which light is shaded by the wirings that are positioned on the straight line sandwiching an opening, respectively, when light that has passed through the opening that opens being sandwiched by the wirings positioned on the straight line is incident perpendicularly on a light receiving surface of the photodetector.