Abstract: An imaging device including: a photoelectric converter that generates signal charge; a charge storage region that stores the signal charge; a first transistor that has a gate coupled to the charge storage region and reads out the signal charge; a second transistor that, has a source and a drain, an output of the first transistor being fed back to one of the source and the drain and being supplied to the charge storage region from the other of the source and the drain; and voltage supply circuitry that supplies voltages varying with time. In a reset operation for discharging the signal charge stored in the charge storage region, the voltage supply circuitry supplies the voltages to a gate of the second. transistor so that the second transistor gradually changes from an OFF state to an ON state.

Abstract: A photodiode that multiplies a charge generated by photoelectric conversion in an avalanche region includes: a p? type semiconductor layer having interfaces; an n+ type semiconductor region located inside the p? type semiconductor layer and in contact with the interface; an n+ type semiconductor region located inside the p? type semiconductor layer and connected to the n+ type semiconductor region; and a p type semiconductor region located between the n+ type semiconductor region and the interface, wherein the n+ type semiconductor region, the n+ type semiconductor region, and the p type semiconductor region each have a higher impurity concentration than the p? type semiconductor layer, the avalanche region is a region between the n+ type semiconductor region and the p type semiconductor region inside the p? type semiconductor layer, and the n+ type semiconductor region has a smaller area than the n+ type semiconductor region in planar view.

Abstract: A flame detection system includes a determiner and an outputter. The determiner is configured to, when image processing performed on image data detects ultraviolet light, determine that a light emitting source is a fire flame. The outputter is configured to output a determination result by the determiner.

Abstract: An imaging system includes: an image sensor sensitive to ultraviolet light and visible light; a lens configured to focus light from a subject onto the image sensor; and an image processor configured to process image signals output from the image sensor. The image processor obtains the difference between image signals A1 and A2 output from the image sensor at times t1 and t2, respectively. If the differential signal A3 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the image processor determines that light from the subject contains the ultraviolet light, and generates an image signal CI based on the differential signal A3.

Abstract: A photodetector includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first main surface and a second main surface; a first semiconductor layer that is of a first conductivity type, and is included in the semiconductor substrate and closer to the first main surface than to the second main surface; a second semiconductor layer that is of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type, and is included in the semiconductor substrate and interposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second main surface; a multiplication region that causes avalanche multiplication to a charge generated in the semiconductor substrate through photoelectric conversion; a circuit region disposed alongside the first semiconductor layer in a direction parallel to the first main surface; at least one isolation transistor disposed in the circuit region; and an isolation region interposed between the first semiconductor layer and the circuit region.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoelectric converter generating signal charge; a charge storage region storing the signal charge; a first transistor having a gate coupled to the charge storage region; a second transistor having a source and a drain; and voltage supply circuitry supplying voltages varying with time. An output of the first transistor is fed back to the second transistor and is supplied to the charge storage region. A reset operation for discharging the signal charge in the charge storage region includes a first reset operation and a second reset operation. In the first reset operation, the second transistor changes from an OFF state to an ON state and then changes to an OFF state. In the second reset operation, the voltage supply circuitry supplies the voltages to a gate of the second transistor so that the second transistor gradually changes from an OFF state to an ON state.

Abstract: A distance measuring method for use in a distance measuring device. The distance measuring device includes: a light source; a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light source, reflected by an object, and returned to the distance measuring device to generate an electric charge; a first capacitor and a second capacitor that store the electric charge; a transfer gate transistor that connects the light-receiving element and the first capacitor; and a reset transistor that connects the first capacitor and a voltage from an external source. The distance measuring method is a method of measuring a distance based on time taken by the light from the light source to return to the distance measuring device after being reflected by the object. The distance measuring method comprising: turning ON the transfer gate transistor; and turning OFF the reset transistor during a period in which the transfer gate transistor is ON.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a photoelectric converter which converts light into signal charges; a charge accumulation region which is electrically connected to the photoelectric converter, and accumulates the signal charges; a transistor having a gate electrode which is electrically connected to the charge accumulation region; and a contact plug which electrically connects the photoelectric converter to the charge accumulation region, is in direct contact with the charge accumulation region, and comprises a semiconductor material.

Abstract: A gas sensor includes: a cell array which includes a plurality of cells disposed in rows and columns; a read-out circuit which reads out signals from the plurality of cells; and a signal processor which processes the signals read out. Each of the plurality of cells includes: a gas molecule detector which is electrically isolated between adjacent ones of the plurality of cells; and an amplifier circuit which is electrically connected to the gas molecule detector.

Abstract: An electronic prepared slide includes: an image sensor that has a light receiving surface and receives, on the light receiving surface, light that has passed through a specimen disposed above the light receiving surface; and a removable nonvolatile transparent film that is disposed on the light receiving surface and seals the light receiving surface.

Abstract: It is an object of the disclosure to provide a novel air secondary battery, air secondary battery system, and vehicle with the mounted air secondary battery system. The air secondary battery of the disclosure comprises, as the negative electrode active material, an oxide that is capable of topotactic insertion and dissociation of oxygen atoms. The air secondary battery system of the disclosure has an air secondary battery and a heat source that supplies heat to the air secondary battery. The vehicle of the disclosure has the air secondary battery system described above mounted in it and uses the electric power provided by the air secondary battery as at least part of its drive power.

Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a spool that strokes to one side in the direction of an axis due to the conduction of current to a coil, a spring that urges the spool to the other side in the axis direction, a control device for controlling the conduction of the current to the coil, a determination unit for determining the start of a foreign substance removing operation by the spool, a command value setting unit for setting a command value for the current conducted to the coil, and a dither current setting unit for setting a dither current superimposed on the command value. When the determination unit determines the start of the foreign substance removing operation, the dither current setting unit changes an oscillation frequency of the dither current to an oscillation frequency lower than the frequency at the current point in time, and the command value setting unit periodically increases and reduces the command value on which the changed oscillation frequency is superimposed.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a photoelectric converter which converts light into signal charges; a charge accumulation region which is electrically connected to the photoelectric converter, and accumulates the signal charges; a transistor having a gate electrode which is electrically connected to the charge accumulation region; and a contact plug which electrically connects the photoelectric converter to the charge accumulation region, is in direct contact with the charge accumulation region, and comprises a semiconductor material.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a first electrode formed above a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion film formed on the first electrode and for converting light into signal charges; a second electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion film; a charge accumulation region electrically connected to the first electrode and for accumulating the signal charges converted from the light by the photoelectric conversion film; a reset gate electrode for resetting the charge accumulation region; an amplification transistor for amplifying the signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulation region; and a contact plug in direct contact with the charge accumulation region, comprising a semiconductor material, and for electrically connecting to each other the first electrode and the charge accumulation region.

Abstract: An imaging system includes: an image sensor sensitive to ultraviolet light and visible light; a lens configured to focus light from a subject onto the image sensor; and an image processor configured to process image signals output from the image sensor. The image processor obtains the difference between image signals A1 and A2 output from the image sensor at times t1 and t2, respectively. If the differential signal A3 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the image processor determines that light from the subject contains the ultraviolet light, and generates an image signal CI based on the differential signal A3.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a semiconductor substrate that includes a first impurity region having n-type conductivity; a photoelectric converter that is electrically connected to the first impurity region and that converts light into charges; a capacitor that includes a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being electrically connected to the first impurity region; and a voltage supply circuit electrically connected to the second terminal. The voltage supply circuit is configured to generate a first voltage and a second voltage different from the first voltage. The first impurity region accumulates positive charges generated by the photoelectric converter.

Abstract: A pressure control valve includes a spool that strokes to one side in the direction of an axis due to the conduction of current to a coil, a spring that urges the spool to the other side in the axis direction, a control device for controlling the conduction of the current to the coil, a determination unit for determining the start of a foreign substance removing operation by the spool, a command value setting unit for setting a command value for the current conducted to the coil, and a dither current setting unit for setting a dither current superimposed on the command value. When the determination unit determines the start of the foreign substance removing operation, the dither current setting unit changes an oscillation frequency of the dither current to an oscillation frequency lower than the frequency at the current point in time, and the command value setting unit periodically increases and reduces the command value on which the changed oscillation frequency is superimposed.

Abstract: A socket includes a first base member that includes a module mount unit allowing a module including an imaging device and an object to be placed thereon and an electric connector that electrically connects the imaging device to an external apparatus, a second base member having an opening, and an engagement unit that causes the first base member to be engaged with the second base member under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first and second base members. When the first base member is engaged with the second base member by the engagement unit under a condition that the module placed on the module mount unit is sandwiched by the first base member and the second base member, the electric connector is electrically connected to the imaging device, and the object receives illumination light from a light source through the opening.

Abstract: An imaging device includes a photoelectric converter generating signal charge; a charge storage region storing the signal charge; a first transistor having a gate coupled to the charge storage region; a second transistor having a source and a drain; and voltage supply circuity supplying voltages varying with time. An output of the first transistor is fed back to the second transistor and is supplied to the charge storage region. A reset operation for discharging the signal charge in the charge storage region includes a first reset operation and a second reset operation. In the first reset operation, the second transistor changes from an OFF state to an ON state and then changes to an OFF state. In the second reset operation, the voltage supply circuity supplies the voltages to a gate of the second transistor so that the second transistor gradually changes from an OFF state to an ON state.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus has: a signal readout circuit including a charge storage region connected to a photoelectric conversion region, and a reset transistor connected at one of source and drain to the charge storage region; and a negative feedback circuit that feeds back an output of the signal readout circuit in a negative feedback manner to the other of the source and drain of the reset transistor. A reset operation for discharging a charge stored in the charge storage region includes a first period in which the negative feedback circuit is OFF and a second period which occurs after the first period and in which the negative feedback circuit is ON. In the first period, the reset transistor changes from OFF to ON and then to OFF. In the second period, such a reset transistor control voltage is applied that makes the reset transistor to gradually change to ON.