Abstract: The present disclosure provides a game server architecture. A gateway server can pull operation data of game servers and write the operation data into a load balancing cluster to balance load of the game servers, avoiding the crash of the game servers due to excessive load of a certain game server. A database cluster uses data identification segments to balance an amount of data by weight. When the amount of data generated by the game servers or a logic server group is too large, the database cluster can be dynamically expanded to meet storage requirements of the larger amount of data. In addition, when data in the database cluster and a consistent-hash-based cache server is accessed, the data is preferentially accessed from the consistent-hash-based cache server, to avoid a problem that each data access is done through the database, which causes a huge pressure on database IO.

Abstract: An image sensor operating in multiple resolution modes including a low resolution mode and a high resolution mode includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel in the plurality of pixels comprises a micro-lens, a first subpixel including a first photodiode, a second subpixel including a second photodiode, and the first subpixel and the second subpixel are adjacently disposed and share a floating diffusion region. The image sensor also includes a row driver providing control signals to the pixel array to control performing of an auto focus (AF) function, such that performing the AF function includes performing the AF function according to pixel units in the high resolution mode and performing the AF function according to pixel group units in the low resolution mode. A resolution corresponding to the low resolution mode is equal to or less than ¼ times a resolution corresponding to the high resolution mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pixel structure and a fabrication method thereof, a display substrate and a display apparatus. The pixel structure includes a plurality of first pixel portions arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and a second pixel portion that spaces the plurality of first pixel portions from each other. Each first pixel portion includes a plurality of first sub-pixels having a same color and arranged around a center of the first pixel portion. The second pixel portion includes a plurality of second sub-pixels. For four first pixel portions in two adjacent rows and two adjacent columns, each of four regions that are centrosymmetric and obtained by connecting centers of the four first pixel portions to each other corresponds to one pixel unit, and each pixel unit includes two first sub-pixels respectively in two first pixel portions and at least one second sub-pixel.

Abstract: A spectral sensing system includes an array of sampling optical elements (e.g. filters) and an array of optical sensors, and a deep learning model used to process output of the optical sensor array. The deep learning model is trained using a training dataset which includes, as training inputs, optical sensor output generated by shining each one of multiple different light waves with known spectra on the sampling optical element array for multiple different times, each time from a known angle of incidence, and as training labels, the known spectra of the multiple light waves. The trained deep learning model can be used to process output of the optical sensor array when light having an unknown spectrum is input on the sampling optical element array from unknown angles, to measure the spectrum of the light. The spectral sensing system can also be used to form a hyperspectral imaging system.

Abstract: Present invention provides a spectrometer including a first unit spectral filter configured to absorb or reflect light in a part of a wavelength band of a light spectrum of an incident target, a second unit spectral filter configured to absorb or reflect light in a wavelength band different from the part of the wavelength band, a first light detector configured to detect a first light spectrum passing through the first unit spectral filter, a second light detector configured to detect a second light spectrum passing through the second unit spectral filter, and a processing unit configured to perform a function of restoring a light spectrum of the target incident from spectra of light detected from the first light detector and the second light detector.

Abstract: Shared-readout pixels conventionally disposed in two or more physical columns of a pixel array are spatially interleaved (merged) within a single physical column to yield a pixel array in which each physical pixel column includes two or more logical columns of shared-readout pixels coupled to respective logical-column output lines.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a sensor panel configured to sense a first incident light, which is incident to the sensor panel subsequent to passing through a display, and configured to at least partially block transmission of light through the sensor panel. The display apparatus further includes a controller configured to selectively control the display to pass the first incident light toward the sensor panel, and configured to control the display to pass light out of the display to display an image. The sensor panel includes a first sensor unit and a second sensor unit configured to sense the incident first light, and the first sensor unit and the second sensor unit include respective unit color filters having different color filters.

Abstract: There is provided an image sensor including at least three pixel transfer control signal lines, on a per line basis, configured to control exposure start and end timings of a pixel in order for exposure timings of a plurality of the pixels constituting one line in a specific direction to have at least three patterns.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix pattern; and a pixel signal read-out unit including an AD conversion unit performing analog-to-digital (AD) conversion of a pixel signal read out from the pixel unit, wherein each pixel included in the pixel unit includes division pixels divided into regions in which photosensitivity levels or electric charge accumulating amounts are different from one another, the pixel signal reading unit includes a normal read-out mode and a multiple read-out mode, and includes a function of changing a configuration of a frame in accordance with a change of the read-out mode, and wherein the AD conversion unit acquires a pixel signal of one pixel by adding the division pixel signals while performing AD conversion for the division pixel signals.

Abstract: An image sensor capable of implementing a global shutter mode and a rolling shutter mode is provided. The image sensor includes a row driver, a pixel array, an analog-to-digital converter, and an output compensating circuit. The row driver performs decoding for a reset operation, a transfer operation and a read operation, and generates control signals. The pixel array, in a rolling shutter mode, performs the transfer operation on a second row group while the read operation for a first row group is performed, and receives an optical signal, converts the optical signal to electrical signal, and outputs the electrical signal as an image signal in response to the control signals.

Abstract: Provided is an imaging apparatus including an imaging section that generates, from a single scene, captured image data including reference image data, first parallax image data having a first parallax in one direction relative to a subject of the reference image data, and second parallax image data having a second parallax in another direction that is opposite the one direction; an adjustment condition acquiring section that acquires an adjustment condition relating to parallax amount adjustment; and an image processing device that processes the reference image data, the first parallax image data, and the second parallax image data, based on the adjustment condition, to generate third parallax image data having a third parallax that is in the one direction and different from the first parallax and fourth parallax image data having a fourth parallax that is in the other direction and different from the second parallax.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus wherein pixels have same color filter in a same row, and have different color filters in different rows; and a color selecting unit selects and outputs, in an order of colors, the signals held by the plurality of holding units, to meet: y=ax+(b/c?d)x, wherein the pixels are arranged at a pitch “x” in a same row direction, and arranged at a pitch “y” in a same column direction, the “a” is a first coefficient equal to or larger than 1, the “b” is a shift of a charge accumulation period of the pixels in one row from a charge accumulation period of the pixels in a row adjacent to the one row, the “c” is a period of outputting the signals from the selecting unit, the signals generated by the plurality of pixels and the “d” is a second coefficient that is equal to or larger than 0 and equal to or less than 0.15.

Abstract: A method to configure an apparatus to apply a plurality of mono colorization filters to a low resolution version of a color image. A contrast value is determined for each application of the mono colorization filters. The mono colorization filter achieving the highest contrast value is applied to a high resolution version of the color image to produce a high contrast monochrome image. The high contrast monochrome image is then printed by the apparatus.

Abstract: The present technique relates to an imaging device and an imaging method, an electronic device, and a program, which are configured to improve an SN ratio by combining addition reading and thin-out reading by signal processing similar to signal processing using thin-out reading. First, as illustrated in the left side of the drawing, G pixel and B pixel, which are sub-colors, of the top row of regions Z1, Z2 are subjected to thin-out reading. Next, for W pixels of the main color arranged in a checkerboard pattern in the regions Z1, Z2, two pixels tied by a straight line in the drawing are subjected to addition reading at the same tone timing. For W pixels of the main color arranged in a checkerboard pattern in regions Z3, Z4, two pixels tied by a straight line in the drawing are also subjected to addition reading at the same tone timing. R and G pixels, which are sub-colors, of the lower stage of the regions Z3, Z4 are read.

Abstract: There is used an XY address type solid-state image pickup element (for example, a MOS type image sensor) in which two rows and two columns are made a unit, and color filters having a color coding of repetition of the unit (repetition of two verticals (two horizontals) are arranged, and when a thinning-out read mode is specified, a clock frequency of a system is changed to 1/9, and on the basis of the changed clock frequency, a pixel is selected every three pixels in both a row direction and a column direction to successively read out a pixel signal.

Abstract: In the color imaging element and the imaging device according to an aspect of the present invention, a basic array pattern is repeatedly placed in a first direction and in a second direction, the basic array pattern includes four or more rectangular patterns each corresponding to 3×2 pixels each composed of a first filter, a color filter array includes therein grating filter lines surrounding the four directions of the rectangular pattern, the color filter array includes therein the first filters each disposed in each line in the first direction, in the second direction, in a third direction, and in a fourth direction, and the basic array pattern includes therein one or more second filters of each color, each disposed in each line in the first direction in the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for imaging an object has an image sensor that comprises a plurality of pixels. The plurality of pixels is matrix-arrayed along vertical and horizontal directions. The apparatus also has an image sensor driver that drives the image sensor, and the image sensor driver is capable of reading image-pixel signals of neighboring pixels among the plurality of pixels while mixing the image-pixel signals. The apparatus also has a pixel addition setting processor that sets the number of pixel addition with respect to at least one of at least one row and at least one column. The pixel addition setting processor sets different numbers of pixel addition to different pixel areas. The image sensor driver reads the image-pixel signals in response to the set number of pixel addition.

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image sensor including a pixel array portion formed from a two-dimensional array of ordinary imaging pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to output an electric signal obtained through photoelectric conversion as a pixel signal, and focus detection pixels for detecting focus. The focus detection pixels include at least a first focus detection pixel and a second focus detection pixel each having a photoelectric conversion unit and configured to transfer and output an electric signal obtained through photoelectric conversion to an output node. The first focus detection pixel and the second focus detection pixel share the output node. The first focus detection pixel includes a first photoelectric conversion unit, and a first transfer gate for reading out an electron generated through photoelectric conversion in the first photoelectric conversion unit to the shared output node.

Abstract: A plurality of kinds of color filters are disposed at each of pixels in accordance with a color array of two rows and two columns at a pixel section of a solid state imaging device. A first signal outputting circuit and a second signal outputting circuit each perform an addition read of electrical signals from the pixels of one/the other color included in a line to be read. An addition controlling circuit shifts sampling positions of the pixels which are added at a time of the addition read by a unit of the color array between the first signal outputting circuit and a second signal outputting circuit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a plurality of Bayer arrays each including 4 pixels sharing a common electrode connected to a vertical signal line wherein: each of the pixels has a pixel electrode connected to a horizontal signal line; and the location of each of the horizontal signal lines and the location of each of the pixel electrodes each connected to one of the horizontal signal lines are determined so that the locations in a neighboring Bayer array are a mirror image of counterpart locations in another Bayer array adjacent to the neighboring Bayer array.

Abstract: A single array of pixels is used to obtain a plurality of different images at different levels of admitted exposure light from a common source level of exposure light. More particularly, first and second matrices of light-admitting elements are deployed in a single camera and disposed relative to focal lens light in front of corresponding first and second matrices of light-sensitive image sensors that are arrayed in a singular focal plane array in the camera and react equally to equal levels of color image information. The respective matrices of light-admitting elements transmit color image information from exposed focal lens light at different levels of brightness to their corresponding matrices of light-sensitive image sensors, wherein first and second images are acquired at the respective different levels of brightness from the respective matrices of the image sensors, and pixel data from the images combined to produce an HDR image.

Abstract: A unit pixel array of an image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of unit pixels, an interlayer insulating layer disposed on a front side of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of color filters disposed on a back side of the semiconductor substrate, a plurality of light path converters, each of the light path converters being disposed adjacent to at least one color filter and having a pair of slanted side edges extending from opposing ends of a horizontal bottom edge, and a plurality of micro lenses disposed on the color filters.

Abstract: An imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion section and a wiring layer. The photoelectric conversion section is configured to photoelectrically convert light incident from a subject. The wiring layer is provided on an opposite side of the subject with respect to the photoelectric conversion section and includes a wire connected to an element that constitutes a pixel including the photoelectric conversion section. The wire includes a plurality of wires extending long in a predetermined direction. The plurality of wires are arranged in a direction almost perpendicular to the predetermined direction in the wiring layer. The wire is provided with a protrusion protruding in a direction different from the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor including a wiring portion which includes a first line, a second line and a control line, in first to third regions arranged sequentially, wherein the first line includes a first pattern in a first layer in the first and second regions and a second pattern in a second layer in the third region, and these patterns are connected each other between the second region and the third region, the second line includes a third pattern in the second layer in the first region and a fourth pattern in the first layer in the second and third regions, the these patterns are connected each other between the first region and the second region, and the control line includes a pattern in the second layer in the second region, intersecting with the first pattern and the fourth pattern.

Abstract: An imaging system may include a camera module with an image sensor having an array of image sensor pixels and one or more lenses that focus light onto the array of image sensor pixels. The array of image sensor pixels may include a corresponding array of color filter elements. The system may include circuitry configured to detect and mitigate flare artifacts in image data captured using the image sensor. Detecting the flare artifacts may include detecting color mismatches in the captured image data and performing edge-detection operations to determine whether the color mismatches are in an edge region of the image data. If the color mismatches are detected in an edge region, no flare-mitigation operations may be performed. If the color mismatches are in a flat region of the captured image, flare-mitigation operations may be performed.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which color filters of a plurality of colors are arrayed with four pixels of vertical 2 pixels×horizontal 2 pixels as a same color unit that receives light of the same color, shared pixel transistors that are commonly used by a plurality of pixels are intensively arranged in one predetermined pixel in a unit of sharing, and a color of the color filter of a pixel where the shared pixel transistors are intensively arranged is a predetermined color among the plurality of colors. The present technology can be applied, for example, to a solid state imaging device such as a back-surface irradiation type CMOS image sensor.

Abstract: In a system and method of reducing noise, an image sensor with a color filter array (CFA) outputs raw data, and a noise reduction device corrects the raw data according to distances between an original current pixel and neighboring same-color pixels in a process mask, thereby generating a new current pixel so as to output corrected raw data. A color interpolation device couples to receive the corrected raw data to result in full-color data.

Abstract: In an image sensor including a first column readout line and a second column readout line provided to each pixel column, a plurality of pixel rows are divided into pixel rows of a first group and pixel rows of a second group, pixels of the pixel rows of the first group output signals to the first column readout line, and pixels of the pixel rows of the second group output signals to the second column readout line. A shortest distance between a conversion region of a first pixel of a pixel row of the first group and the first column readout line to which a signal from the first pixel is output is not more than a shortest distance between the conversion region of the first pixel and the second column readout line to which signals from the pixels belonging to the pixel rows of the second group are output.

Abstract: In a manufacturing method of a solid-state image pickup device according to an embodiment, a transfer gate electrode is formed in a predetermined position on an upper surface of a first conductive semiconductor area, through a gate insulating film. A second conductive charge storage area is formed in an area adjacent to the transfer gate electrode in the first conductive semiconductor area. A sidewall is formed on a side surface of the transfer gate electrode. An insulating film is formed to extend from a circumference surface of the sidewall on a side of the charge storage area to a position partially covering the upper part of the charge storage area. A first conductive charge storage layer is formed in the charge storage area by implanting first conductive impurities from above, into the charge storage area which is partially covered with the insulating film.

Abstract: Imaging devices may include processing circuitry, a lens, and an array of image sensor pixels and reference pixels. The array may receive direct image light and stray light from the lens. The image sensor pixels may include clear color filter elements and the reference pixels may include opaque color filter elements. The opaque color filter elements may block direct image light from being captured by the reference pixels. The image sensor pixels may generate pixel values in response to the direct image light and the stray light whereas the reference pixels may generate reference pixel values in response to the stray light. The processing circuitry may mitigate stray light effects such as local flare and veiling glare within the imaging system by adjusting the pixel values based on the reference pixel values. The imaging system may be calibrated in a calibration system for generating stray light calibration data.

Abstract: It is an imaging element in which pixels which are photoelectric conversion elements are placed at respective square lattice positions, in which, when, in a predetermined region where pixels of the imaging element are placed, a plurality of pairs are arranged in a first line which is any one line among lines and a second line which is parallel to the first line, each pair having pair pixels which are first and second phase difference detection pixels placed adjacent to each other to detect a phase difference among the pixels of the imaging element, the pairs in the first line are placed to be spaced apart from each other by at least two pixels, and the pairs in the second line are placed at positions, which correspond to positions where the pair pixels in the first line are spaced apart from each other.

Abstract: A single-plate color imaging element where the color filter array includes a basic array pattern with first filters corresponding to a first color and second filters corresponding to a second color with contribution ratios for obtaining luminance signals lower than the first color, the basic array pattern is repeatedly arranged in a diagonal grid shape, one or more first filters are arranged in horizontal, vertical, upper right, and lower right directions of the color filter array, one or more second filters corresponding to each color of the second color are arranged in the upper right and lower right directions of the color filter array in the basic array pattern, and a proportion of the number of pixels of the first color corresponding to the first filters is greater than a proportion of the number of pixels of each color of the second color corresponding to the second filters.

Abstract: A color imaging element comprising: first group pixels; second group pixels at positions shifted half; and color filters which are arrayed on each of the first and second group pixels, wherein the color filter array includes a basic array pattern in which first filters corresponding to a first color and second filters corresponding to a second color whose contribution rates for acquiring a brightness signal are lower than a contribution rate of the first color are arrayed, and is formed by repeatedly arranging the basic array pattern, one or more of the first filters are arranged in horizontal, vertical, diagonal upper right and diagonal lower right directions, one or more of the second filters are arranged in the basic array pattern, and a ratio of a number of pixels of the first color is greater than a ratio of a number of pixels of each color of the second color.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a lens array, an image sensor, a display unit, a recording unit configured to record the video data read out from the image sensor, a readout control unit which has a first readout mode of reading out video data of pixels in first regions coinciding with a position relative to each lens and a second readout mode of reading out video data of pixels in second regions, and a control unit configured to perform control, upon reading out video data from the image sensor in the first readout mode, to read out video data from the image sensor in the second readout mode and display a video obtained from the video data read out in the first readout mode, and to record the video data read out in the second readout mode.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an array of pixels. Each pixel has at least one photo-sensitive element. Readout circuitry receives an analog signal from each pixel at a first time and at a second time, between which the analog signal changes. The image sensor further includes associated support circuitry which is a source of time variant noise. The signal level at both first and second times includes pixel noise. Sample and hold circuitry is provided to maintain substantially level at least a proportion of this support circuitry noise time invariant at the sensor output between the first time and the second time.

Abstract: This is generally directed to systems and methods for reduced metal lines and control signals in an imaging system. For example, in some embodiments a pixel cell of an imaging system can operate without a row select transistor, and therefore can operate without a row select metal control line. As another example, in some embodiments a pixel cell can share its reset transistor control line with a transfer transistor control line of another pixel cell. In this manner, an imaging system can be created that averages a single metal line per pixel cell. In some embodiments, operation of such reduced-metal line imaging systems can use modified timing schemes of control signals.

Abstract: An imaging section outputs n pixel signals every pixel row of n×m pixels, and n AD conversion sections, corresponding to n pixel columns of the n×m pixels, convert the n pixel signals to n pixel values. A resolution control section controls the n AD conversion sections so that the AD conversion resolution of the n AD conversion sections become a first resolution, or a second resolution rougher than the first resolution, based on the AD conversion resolution of the n AD conversion sections and the n pixel values.

Abstract: A system and method for driving a solid-state image pickup device including a pixel array unit including unit pixels. Each unit pixel includes a photoelectric converter, column signal lines and a number of analog-digital converting units. The unit pixels are selectively controlled in units of rows. Analog signals output from the unit pixels in a row selected by the selective control though the column signal lines are converted to digital signals via the analog-digital converting units. The digital signals are added among a number of unit pixels via the analog-digital converting units. The added digital signals from the analog-digital converting units are read. Each unit pixel in the pixel array unit is selectively controlled in units of arbitrary rows, the analog-distal converting units being operable to performing the converting in a (a) normal-frame-rate mode and a (b) high-frame-rate mode in response to control signals.

Abstract: The present technology relates to solid-state image sensor and an imaging system which are capable of providing a solid-state image sensor and an imaging system which are capable of realizing a spectroscopic/imaging device for visible/near-infrared light having a high sensitivity and high wavelength resolution, and of achieving two-dimensional spectrum mapping with high spatial resolution.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the parameters of groups of focal planes as focal plane groups in an array camera are described. One embodiment includes a plurality of focal planes, and control circuitry configured to control the capture of image data by the pixels within the focal planes. In addition, the control circuitry includes: a plurality of parameter registers, where a given parameter register is associated with one of the focal planes and contains configuration data for the associated focal plane; and a focal plane group register that contains data identifying focal planes that belong to a focal plane group. Furthermore, the control circuitry is configured to control the imaging parameters of the focal planes in the focal plane groups by mapping instructions that address virtual register addresses to the addresses of the parameter registers associated with focal planes within specific focal plane groups.

Abstract: A color pixel array includes a plurality of micropixels. Each micropixel includes a photosensitive element and a filter element optically aligned with the photosensitive element such that incident light passes through the filter element prior to reaching the photosensitive element. The micropixels are organized into triangular macropixels that each includes multiple micropixels. A perimeter shape of each of the triangular macropixels forms a triangle. The triangular macropixels have a repeating pattern across the color pixel array.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup unit including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements provided correspondingly to each of microlenses arranged two-dimensionally, reads out a first signal through addition from the photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to the microlense, reads out a second signal from one of the photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to the microlense, and sets one of a first and second read-out modes to read signals from the image pickup unit in accordance with a photographing condition, wherein the first and second read-out modes differ in read-out density of the second signal in a read-out area in accordance with one of a thinning-out rate and an addition rate of a area from which the second signal is read out being different as compared to a area from which the first signal is read out.

Abstract: A color filter array of a color imaging device is formed by repeatedly arranging a basic array pattern in which RGB filters are arrayed in an array pattern of 8×12 pixels, in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The basic array pattern is arranged in a matrix manner in the horizontal direction and/or the vertical direction and includes A array to D array having an array pattern of 4×4 pixels. In each of arrays, G filters are arranged in a checkered pattern and the arrangements of G filters have a mirror image relationship between arrays that are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: Correction processing load is reduced even when employing a color filter with a basic array pattern that is large in size. An imaging apparatus divides image data output from an image pickup device into line image data running along a predetermined direction for each line, and when a basic array pattern configuring a color filter has been divided into pattern lines running along the predetermined direction, line correction data that corresponds to the divided line image data is read, the line correction data being configured by plural correction data corresponding to each filter on the pattern line. The read line correction data is used to correct the line image data for each pattern line of the basic array pattern.

Abstract: A sound recording device includes an input unit, a timing detection unit, a section setting unit that sets a first section including a section in which an operation unit operates in a sound signal, a reference signal determination unit that determines, as a first reference signal, the sound signal corresponding to a second section following the first section, a signal detection unit that detects, as a second reference signal, a sound signal with the highest correlation with the first reference signal, an interpolation signal detection unit that detects, as an interpolation signal, a sound signal that follows the second reference signal detected by the signal detection unit in the sound signal and has the same time length as the first section, a signal replacement unit that replaces the sound signal in the first section with the interpolation signal, and a recording unit that records the sound signal replaced by the signal replacement unit.

Abstract: In an image sensor including a first column readout line and a second column readout line provided to each pixel column, a plurality of pixel rows are divided into pixel rows of a first group and pixel rows of a second group, pixels of the pixel rows of the first group output signals to the first column readout line, and pixels of the pixel rows of the second group output signals to the second column readout line. A shortest distance between a conversion region of a first pixel of a pixel row of the first group and the first column readout line to which a signal from the first pixel is output is not more than a shortest distance between the conversion region of the first pixel and the second column readout line to which the signals from the pixels belonging to the pixel rows of the second group are output.

Abstract: A driving method for an image pickup apparatus that includes a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion portion includes performing photoelectric conversion in each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions during a period between first time and second time, generating a plurality of first signals, each being a signal deriving from electric charge generated through the photoelectric conversion in the photoelectric conversion portion, which is a plurality of signals to be generated for each of the plurality of pixels, and generating a plurality of second signals by performing moving average processing on the plurality of first signals.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus includes an image sensor, a determination unit which determines one image capturing mode, a driving unit which drives the image sensor by different driving methods in the respective image capturing modes, and a control unit which controls the operation of the driving unit. The image sensor includes a plurality of two-dimensionally arrayed pixels, a predetermined number of vertical output lines arranged for each array of pixels, and a holding memory which holds pixel signals from pixels on rows. The control unit drives the image sensor in the first power save mode when a horizontal transfer period is not less than twice a vertical transfer period, and drives the image sensor in the second power save mode when the vertical transfer period is not less than twice the horizontal transfer period.

Abstract: In a solid-state image sensor, first and second column readout lines are provided to each pixel column, pixel rows are divided into pixel rows of first and second groups, the first group is divided into subgroups each formed from pixels of an identical color, the second group is divided into subgroups each formed from pixels of an identical color, signals from pixels of the pixel rows of the first group are output to the first column readout lines, and signals from pixels of the pixel rows of the second group are output to the second column readout lines. Pixels of an identical subgroup in an identical pixel column share a conversion region and an amplification element, a given conversion region and another conversion region included in a pixel column identical to a pixel column of the given conversion region do not intersect with each other.

Abstract: A photo-sensor image resolution adjustment apparatus is in communication with an array of image photo-sensors that are organized in columns and rows and have multiple sensor types arranged in a pattern such as a Bayer pattern to detect light. The photo-sensor image resolution adjustment apparatus has a photo-sensor array decimation circuit to partition the array of image photo-sensors into a plurality of sub-groups. A column averaging circuit averages the light conversion electrical signals from common color photo-sensors within the sub-groups. A row averaging circuit averages the common color adjacent light conversion electrical signals from color adjacent rows within the sub-groups in high light intensity condition. In low light conditions, a row binning circuit integrates the common color adjacent light conversion electrical signals from color adjacent rows within the sub-groups.