Abstract: A photoelectric sensor device has a two-dimensional arrangement of a multiplicity of unit structures each including a pixel. The sensor device includes a circuit for simultaneously designating a plurality of pixel blocks of any desired sizes at any desired positions on the two dimensional arrangement of unit structures, each pixel block being composed of pixels which are to be actually used. The sensor device also includes a monitor output circuit for outputting, for each of the pixel blocks, at least one monitor output as the representative of the amounts of charges accumulated in the pixels in each of the pixel blocks. The sensor device further includes a circuit which executes the control of accumulation of charges and the control of outputting of the image signals on each of the pixel blocks independently of other pixel blocks. Disclosed also is a focus detection system using the sensor device.

Abstract: This invention relates to a focus detecting apparatus using an area sensor as an AF sensor, and particularly provides a focus detecting apparatus in which when any area in a scene is designated and the focus state in that area is to be detected, the output from an area on the sensor corresponding to the designated area of the scene is read and processed on the basis of the information of an area on the area sensor corresponding to the designated area of the scene pre-memorized In a memory circuit.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprising a photoelectric conversion cell, as an individual pixel, comprises a first transistor having a control electrode region consisting of a semiconductor of one conduction type, and first and second main electrode regions consisting of a semiconductor of opposite conduction type of the one conduction type, for outputting a signal from the first main electrode region based on carriers transferred to the control electrode region, a carrier storage region provided adjacent the first transistor, consisting of a semiconductor of the one conduction type for storing carriers generated by light energy being received, and a second transistor, with the carrier storage region and the control electrode region of the transistor as the source and drain regions, for transferring carriers stored in the carrier storage region to the control electrode region of the transistor.

Abstract: A photoelectric sensor device has a two-dimensional arrangement of a multiplicity of unit structures each including a pixel. The sensor device includes a circuit for simultaneously designating a plurality of pixel blocks of any desired sizes at any desired positions on the two dimensional arrangement of unit structures, each pixel block being composed of pixels which are to be actually used. The sensor device also includes a monitor output circuit for outputting, for each of the pixel blocks, at least one monitor output as the representative of the amounts of charges accumulated in the pixels in each of the pixel blocks. The sensor device further includes a circuit which executes the control of accumulation of charges and the control of outputting of the image signals on each of the pixel blocks independently of other pixel blocks. Disclosed also is a focus detection system using the sensor device.

Abstract: A photoelectric converting apparatus having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements which can accumulate charges which were photoelectrically converted comprises: at least one of a maximum value detection circuit to detect an accumulation signal of the photoelectric conversion element into which the strongest light enters and a minimum value detection circuit to detect an accumulation signal of the photoelectric conversion element into which the weakest light enters; and a reading circuit to read out the signal(s) which is/are obtained from the maximum value detection circuit or/and the minimum value detection circuit through the same reading system as that of the accumulation signals of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A focus detecting system is provided with a non-destructive type photoelectric conversion element array, an A/D converter for converting the analog output of the photoelectric conversion element array into a corresponding digital value, and a focus-detecting arithmetic circuit for performing arithmetic operations upon the distance to an object on the basis of the digital value output from the A/D converter. In the focus detecting system, when a predetermined initial integration period elapses after the storage of the electric charge has been started, a sequence of in-focus-state detecting operations comprising the steps of effecting non-destructive readout of the output of the photoelectric conversion element array, performing A/D conversion of the readout output and performing arithmetic operations for focus detection is repeatedly executed so that focus detection is effected.