Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device may operate in a first to third driving modes. In the first driving mode in which a correction value is acquired, an analog-to-digital conversion unit compares a first analog signal with a reference signal to acquire the correction value. In the second driving mode in which a pixel signal is read, a reading condition is set based on a result of comparing the pixel signal with a threshold signal. In the third driving mode, at least one of the first analog signal and the threshold signal is controlled to reduce a difference between a potential of the first analog signal and a potential of the threshold signal.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device may operate in a first to third driving modes. In the first driving mode in which a correction value is acquired, an analog-to-digital conversion unit compares a first analog signal with a reference signal to acquire the correction value. In the second driving mode in which a pixel signal is read, a reading condition is set based on a result of comparing the pixel signal with a threshold signal. In the third driving mode, at least one of the first analog signal and the threshold signal is controlled to reduce a difference between a potential of the first analog signal and a potential of the threshold signal.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a control unit configured to change a voltage of an input node from a first voltage toward a predetermined voltage during a predetermined time period after the voltage of the input node changes to the first voltage and before the voltage of the input node changes to a second voltage. A method of driving the photoelectric conversion apparatus includes controlling changing of the voltage of the input node from the first voltage toward the predetermined voltage during the predetermined time period.

Abstract: A ramp signal output circuit includes a first reference current source transistor to which a current is supplied from a current source, a first line connecting a gate of the first reference current source transistor and a gate of a first current source transistor, a branch point where a second line branches from the first line, a first ramp signal generation unit connected to the first current source transistor, and a second ramp signal generation unit connected to a second current source transistor, wherein the second line is connected to a gate of the second current source transistor.

Abstract: A ramp signal output circuit includes a first reference current source transistor to which a current is supplied from a current source, a first line connecting a gate of the first reference current source transistor and a gate of a first current source transistor, a branch point where a second line branches from the first line, a first ramp signal generation unit connected to the first current source transistor, and a second ramp signal generation unit connected to a second current source transistor, wherein the second line is connected to a gate of the second current source transistor.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, column circuits operate selectively in a first drive mode to output a comparison signal or a second drive mode to acquire a correction value of a first reference signal and a second reference signal, and a selector circuit of a second column circuit selects the same reference signal out of the first reference signal and the second reference signal in the first drive mode and the second drive mode.

Abstract: An image pickup device, comprises: a pixel configured to output a signal based on a light reception amount; and an AD conversion unit. The AD conversion unit includes: an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a signal that is output from the pixel; a comparator circuit including an output node for outputting a comparison result signal generated by using an output signal from the amplifier circuit and a ramp signal; a memory configured to hold a digital value corresponding to the output signal, based on a result of the comparator circuit; a gain switching circuit configured to switch a gain of the amplifier circuit; and a ramp signal switching circuit configured to switch a slope of the ramp signal. The gain switching circuit and the ramp signal switching circuit are electrically connected to the output node.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes a control unit configured to change a voltage of an input node from a first voltage toward a predetermined voltage during a predetermined time period after the voltage of the input node changes to the first voltage and before the voltage of the input node changes to a second voltage. A method of driving the photoelectric conversion apparatus includes controlling changing of the voltage of the input node from the first voltage toward the predetermined voltage during the predetermined time period.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, column circuits operate selectively in a first drive mode to output a comparison signal or a second drive mode to acquire a correction value of a first reference signal and a second reference signal, and a selector circuit of a second column circuit selects the same reference signal out of the first reference signal and the second reference signal in the first drive mode and the second drive mode.

Abstract: An image sensor comprising: a pixel portion that outputs a pixel signal; a setting unit that sets a reference voltage in accordance with a shooting condition; a comparator that compares the reference voltage or one of a plurality of comparison voltages having different slopes which change with time and the pixel signal; a selector that selects one of the plurality of comparison voltages according to a result of the comparison between the reference voltage and the pixel signal by the comparator; and a counter that counts a number of clocks until the selected comparison voltage and the pixel signal become equal while the comparator compares the comparison voltage selected by the selector and the pixel signal.

Abstract: An image pickup device, comprises: a pixel configured to output a signal based on a light reception amount; and an AD conversion unit. The AD conversion unit includes: an amplifier circuit configured to amplify a signal that is output from the pixel; a comparator circuit including an output node for outputting a comparison result signal generated by using an output signal from the amplifier circuit and a ramp signal; a memory configured to hold a digital value corresponding to the output signal, based on a result of the comparator circuit; a gain switching circuit configured to switch a gain of the amplifier circuit; and a ramp signal switching circuit configured to switch a slope of the ramp signal. The gain switching circuit and the ramp signal switching circuit are electrically connected to the output node.

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: An image sensor comprising: a pixel portion that outputs a pixel signal; a setting unit that sets a reference voltage in accordance with a shooting condition; a comparator that compares the reference voltage or one of a plurality of comparison voltages having different slopes which change with time and the pixel signal; a selector that selects one of the plurality of comparison voltages according to a result of the comparison between the reference voltage and the pixel signal by the comparator; and a counter that counts a number of clocks until the selected comparison voltage and the pixel signal become equal while the comparator compares the comparison voltage selected by the selector and the pixel signal.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a plurality of column signal processing circuits provided respectively for the columns of the pixel array, each being configured to receive output signals from the pixels and an analog signal varying with time. The plurality of column signal processing circuits include a first column signal processing circuit and a second column signal processing circuit configured such that each of the first column signal processing circuit and the second column signal processing circuit is configured to be independently switched between a driving state and a power saving state. A signal line for supplying the analog signal to the first column signal processing circuit and a signal line for supplying the analog signal to the second column signal processing circuit are electrically isolated from each other.

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: In an imaging device including a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels is arranged, each of the pixels including first and second photoelectric conversion units, and a micro lens that collects incident light to the first and second photoelectric conversion units, in a first frame period, a first signal based on a signal electric charge generated in the first photoelectric conversion unit and a second signal based on a signal electric charge generated in at least the second photoelectric conversion unit are read out from a plurality of pixels included in a part of the pixel array, and in a second frame period, a third signal based on the signal electric charges generated in the first and the second photoelectric conversion units is read out from a plurality of pixels included in another part of the pixel array.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of current sources each including a first transistor, a first switch, a second transistor connected to a vertical signal line via the first switch, and a second switch. The gate of the first transistor is connected to a common connecting line, and the gate of the second transistor is connected to the common connecting line via the second switch.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element, an accumulation unit accumulating charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element, a reset unit resetting the accumulation unit at a voltage of equal to or more than 4.05 V, and an amplifier transistor amplifying and outputting a signal corresponding to amount of accumulated charges, a vertical output line connected to the pixel, a current source circuit including first to third transistors flowing a constant current through the vertical output line, and a voltage setting circuit respectively setting the gate voltages of the first to third transistors to a first voltage, a second voltage higher than the first voltage, and a third voltage higher than the second voltage and lower than the power supply voltage so as to set the drain-source voltage of each of the first to third transistors to equal to or less than 1.75 V.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a plurality of column signal processing circuits provided respectively for the columns of the pixel array, each being configured to receive output signals from the pixels and an analog signal varying with time. The plurality of column signal processing circuits include a first column signal processing circuit and a second column signal processing circuit configured such that each of the first column signal processing circuit and the second column signal processing circuit is configured to be independently switched between a driving state and a power saving state. A signal line for supplying the analog signal to the first column signal processing circuit and a signal line for supplying the analog signal to the second column signal processing circuit are electrically isolated from each other.

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.