Abstract: When a level of a signal output from a pixel is higher than a comparison level, the signal output from the pixel is converted into a digital signal during a first period by using a first reference signal. If the level of the signal output from the pixel is lower than the comparison level, the signal output from the pixel is converted into a digital signal during a second period that is longer than the first period by using a second reference signal.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and a method of driving the same that can generate a digital data of a high resolution pixel signal are provided. The imaging apparatus includes: a pixel (10-1) for generating a signal by photoelectric conversion; a comparing circuit (30-1) for comparing a signal based on the pixel with a time-dependent reference signal; a counter circuit (40-1) performing a counting operating until an inversion of a magnitude relation between the signal based on the pixel and the time-dependent reference signal; and a selecting circuit (30-2) for setting a time-dependent change rate of the reference signal, according to a signal level of the signal based on the pixel.

Abstract: Provided is a sewing machine including: a cylinder unit 3 configured to support two materials Fi and Fo having annular edges by being inserted therethrough while they are stacked, with one being located on the inner wheel side and the other being located on the outer wheel side; a stitch plate 12 configured to support the material Fi on the inner wheel side supported by the cylinder unit 3 by abutting it from below; a material presser 13 configured to press the material Fo on the outer wheel side supported by the cylinder unit 3 above the stitch plate 12; and a material sandwiching unit 41 provided on the near side of the stitch plate 12 and the material presser 13 and configured to sandwich, from above and below, the two materials Fi and Fo stacked, with the material Fi on the inner wheel side being located on the lower side and the material Fo on the outer wheel side being located on the upper side.

Abstract: A DC-to-DC converter includes an input terminal connected to a DC power source. An output terminal is connected to a load. A reactor is disposed between the input terminal and the output terminal. A blocking diode is connected in series to the reactor. A switching element has one end connected between the reactor and the blocking diode. A boost chopper circuit boosts an input voltage to generate an output voltage. A first reactor is disposed between the input terminal and the one end. A first capacitor is disposed between the first reactor and the switching element and connected in series to the first reactor. A first diode includes an anode terminal and a cathode terminal. The anode terminal is connected to a connection portion of the first reactor and the first capacitor. The cathode terminal is connected to the output terminal.

Abstract: In a first sensitivity level, an AD converter performs AD conversion selectively using, in accordance with the level of the analog signal, any one of a first reference signal and a second reference signal that have mutually different slopes, and in a second sensitivity level that is different from the first sensitivity level, the AD converter performs AD conversion only using a third reference signal.

Abstract: An output control unit configured to set an amplitude of a signal output to a signal line to be smaller as compared with a case where an amplification unit outputs a signal on the basis of a potential of the input node or put the amplification unit into a non-operating state is provided.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises: a pixel generating a photoelectric conversion signal; a comparator configured to compare a base signal based on the pixel at a reset state with a time-changing first reference signal, and for comparing an effective signal based on the pixel at a non-reset state with a time-changing second reference signal, wherein the second reference signal has a larger time-changing ratio than that of the second reference signal; a counter configured to count a first count value until an inversion of a magnitude relation between the base signal and the first reference signal, and configured to count a second count value until an inversion of a magnitude relation between the effective signal and the second reference signal; a correcting unit configured to correct a difference of resolutions of the first and second count values, and configured to correct a difference between the first and second count values corrected.

Abstract: In a first sensitivity level, an AD converter performs AD conversion selectively using, in accordance with the level of the analog signal, any one of a first reference signal and a second reference signal that have mutually different slopes, and in a second sensitivity level that is different from the first sensitivity level, the AD converter performs AD conversion only using a third reference signal.

Abstract: An output control unit configured to set an amplitude of a signal output to a signal line to be smaller as compared with a case where an amplification unit outputs a signal on the basis of a potential of the input node or put the amplification unit into a non-operating state is provided.

Abstract: In a state that a plurality of capacitances are connected between input and output nodes of an amplifier, a short circuit is established between the input and output nodes of the amplifier. In a state that at least one of the capacitances is isolated from the input and output nodes of the amplifier, the plurality of capacitances are connected to the input and output nodes of the amplifier, in a case that an output from the amplifier is larger than a threshold.

Abstract: When a level of a signal output from a pixel is higher than a comparison level, the signal output from the pixel is converted into a digital signal during a first period by using a first reference signal. If the level of the signal output from the pixel is lower than the comparison level, the signal output from the pixel is converted into a digital signal during a second period that is longer than the first period by using a second reference signal.

Abstract: A time at which a potential magnitude relationship between a first electrode and a second electrode is changed from a first relationship to a second relationship in a part of the plurality of pixels and a time at which a potential magnitude relationship between the first electrode and the second electrode is changed from the second relationship to the first relationship in the other part of the plurality of pixels overlap each other.

Abstract: When a level of a signal output from a pixel is higher than a comparison level, the signal output from the pixel is converted into a digital signal during a first period by using a first reference signal. If the level of the signal output from the pixel is lower than the comparison level, the signal output from the pixel is converted into a digital signal during a second period that is longer than the first period by using a second reference signal.

Abstract: A method for preventing seam ravel of multi-thread chain stitches is provided. After normal sewing is terminated with a looper set in a forward movement state, a state in which a needle thread loop caught by the looper is subjected to position-holding at a position closer to a forward movement end of the looper than a descent position of a needle is maintained until the needle descends through the needle thread loop caught by the looper. Thereafter, the position-holding of the needle thread loop is released to permit a sewing action for at least one stitch, thereby allowing the needle thread loop to be self-looped with a needle thread held by the needle. This surely strongly prevents the seam ravel of multi-thread chain stitches formed by the single needle, irrespective of the dimension of tension applied to the needle thread and the looper thread.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises: a pixel generating a photoelectric conversion signal; a comparator configured to compare a base signal based on the pixel at a reset state with a time-changing first reference signal, and for comparing an effective signal based on the pixel at a non-reset state with a time-changing second reference signal, wherein the second reference signal has a larger time-changing ratio than that of the second reference signal; a counter configured to count a first count value until an inversion of a magnitude relation between the base signal and the first reference signal, and configured to count a second count value until an inversion of a magnitude relation between the effective signal and the second reference signal; a correcting unit configured to correct a difference of resolutions of the first and second count values, and configured to correct a difference between the first and second count values corrected.

Abstract: A cylinder internal pressure sensor configured to be subjected to heat of combustion inside a combustion chamber and a pressure inside the combustion chamber, and including: a housing; a diaphragm joined to one end of the housing and being configured to deflect according to the pressure inside the combustion chamber; a sensor element housed inside the housing, being coupled to the diaphragm; and being configured to change a signal to be output according to a temperature inside the combustion chamber and the pressure inside the combustion chamber; a heating element configured to heat the sensor element; and a control unit configured to control the amount of heat generated by the heating element such that the temperature of the sensor element becomes higher than a first predetermined temperature that is the temperature of the sensor element when subjected to the heat of combustion is provided.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and a method of driving the same that can generate a digital data of a high resolution pixel signal are provided. The imaging apparatus includes: a pixel (10-1) for generating a signal by photoelectric conversion; a comparing circuit (30-1) for comparing a signal based on the pixel with a time-dependent reference signal; a counter circuit (40-1) performing a counting operating until an inversion of a magnitude relation between the signal based on the pixel and the time-dependent reference signal; and a selecting circuit (30-2) for setting a time-dependent change rate of the reference signal, according to a signal level of the signal based on the pixel.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a pixel region, each of the plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion element including a first electrode provided above a substrate, a second electrode provided above the first electrode and a photoelectric conversion layer provided between the first electrode and the second electrode, an interconnection layer provided between the substrate and the first electrode, the interconnection layer including a first conductive member extending in a first direction, and a second conductive member arranged at a level lower than the first conductive member and extending in a second direction intersecting the first direction, a first contact portion provided in the pixel region, the first contact portion electrically connecting the second electrode and the first conductive member, and a second contact portion electrically connecting the first conductive member and the second conductive member.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus, driving method of the imaging apparatus, and an imaging system, are provided, wherein pixels output at least two image signals with different viable signal ranges, and the pixel signal with a larger signal range is converted to a digital signal during a first period, and the pixel signal with a smaller signal range is converted to a digital signal during a second period shorter than the first period.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus and a method of driving the same that can generate a digital data of a high resolution pixel signal are provided. The imaging apparatus includes: a pixel (10-1) for generating a signal by photoelectric conversion; a comparing circuit (30-1) for comparing a signal based on the pixel with a time-dependent reference signal; a counter circuit (40-1) performing a counting operating until an inversion of a magnitude relation between the signal based on the pixel and the time-dependent reference signal; and a selecting circuit (30-2) for setting a time-dependent change rate of the reference signal, according to a signal level of the signal based on the pixel.