Abstract: An imaging device of the present invention includes a solid-state image sensing device; a vertical transfer drive circuit for feeding a subpulse to the solid-state image sensing device; and a control circuit, and repeats a series of photographing operations in a cycle same as or longer than a period during which the series of photographing operations are performed, the series of photographing operations including an exposure operation for exposing an imaging area after the subpulse is fed to the solid-state image sensing device to sweep out electric charges accumulated in pixels. The control circuit stops the subpulse from being fed from the vertical transfer drive circuit to the solid-state image sensing device during a period during which the exposure operation included in the series of photographing operations is not performed.

Abstract: The present invention reduces differences in the influence of electric charge leakage from a non-read out region into multiple read out regions adjacent to a non-read out region. Reset scanning of that row in the non-read out region which adjoins the first or second read out region is started before read out scanning of the first and second read out regions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the filling of a capsule with a medicament, to a corresponding filling method, to the associated apparatuses, and to a computer program for controlling the method and the apparatus. In the monitoring method, after at least part of the capsule has been filled with a predefined filling mass of a predefined closed contour of the medicament, at least the filling mass in the part of the capsule after the filling operation is recorded using digital imaging in a first step, the contour of the filling mass in the part of the capsule is determined from the digital imaging recording in a second step, and the contour is analysed in a third step in order to assess the filling operation in comparison with the predefined contour. The invention provides for external influences on the image properties to be compensated for by controlling the optical system.

Abstract: A drive mode is switched after readout for one frame is completed, and the reset operation for the following frame is started. In this manner, the reset operation for the following frame will not be performed during the readout period for the preceding frame. Therefore, the accumulation period for the following frame can be made consistent in that frame.

Abstract: An image sensor shutter module for use in an image sensor outputting image data with scanning line by line and a method for controlling the same are provided. The method for controlling a shutter for use in an image sensor includes: opening electronic shutters for every imaging line; opening mechanical shutter after all of the electronic shutters of every imaging line are opened; closing the mechanical shutter after a predetermined exposure time passes; and sequentially carrying out reading line image data of every imaging line with respect to each imaging line.

Abstract: The method is for reading a capacitive sensor and may be implemented by a circuit for biasing and reading capacitances that includes circuits for selecting a column line and a row line, and a charge amplifier producing an output voltage representing the capacitance of the selected capacitor intercepted by the selected column and row lines. The method includes preliminarily resetting the output voltage of the charge amplifier, connecting all the deselected row and column plates of the array to a reference voltage and connecting a feedback capacitor and the selected capacitor to an inverting input of the amplifier, applying a step voltage on the capacitor that is connected to the inverting input of the amplifier, and reading the output voltage at steady-state.

Abstract: A digital camera including a lens, first and second sensors, a shutoff member, a display, a detector, an exposure amount determiner, and a still image generator. The first sensor receives light through the lens and the second sensor also receives light through the lens, but is different from the first sensor. The shutoff member performs a first shutoff of the light received by the first sensor through the lens and also ends the first shutoff. The display displays a moving image based on the light received by the first sensor, and while the moving image is displayed, the detector detects a shutter operation. The exposure amount determiner determines, in response to the detected shutter operation, an exposure amount based on the light received by the second sensor when the first sensor does not receive light through the lens. The still image generator generates a still image based on the light received by the first sensor and the exposure amount determined by the exposure amount determiner.

Abstract: A data reader preferably includes an imaging device that operates on a rolling reset basis to capture images of a moving target. Images of moving targets are preferably analyzed to determine the ambient light intensity, and a processor in the data reader preferably adjusts operation of the imager and of a light source based on the intensity of the ambient light. Other data readers may use an imager with a mechanical shutter that is designed for rapid, frequent operation.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging an image using a solid-state image pickup device includes a first linear matrix operation unit configured to perform matrix conversion upon a color component of an image signal obtained by imaging using coefficients capable of improving color reproducibility; a second linear matrix operation unit configured to perform matrix conversion upon the color component using coefficients capable of achieving noise component reduction; a signal combining unit configured to combine image signals output from a plurality of signal processing systems each of which includes one of the first or second linear matrix operation units; and a combination ratio setting unit configured to set a combination ratio so that, when a subject is bright, an image signal output from the signal processing system that includes the first linear matrix operation unit can be combined in an amount larger than the image signals output from the other signal processing systems.

Abstract: An imaging array and method for using the same to capture an image are disclosed. The imaging array includes an array of pixel sensors and a controller. Each pixel sensor includes a dual-ported photodiode characterized by ports having first and second gates, and a charge conversion circuit. The charge conversion circuit generates a signal that is a function of a charge on the dual-ported photodiode when the first gate in the dual-ported photodiode is activated to transfer a charge on the dual-ported photodiode to the charge conversion circuit. The controller applies a potential to the second gates and measures a current flowing out of the second gates, each second port passing charge stored in the photodiode connected to the second port when a potential in the photodiode exceeds the applied potential. The controller determines an average light intensity incident on the array of pixel sensors.

Abstract: An imaging device including: an electronic shutter and a pixel array part. The pixel array part has a plurality of pixels with different characteristics of spectral sensitivity arranged in an array and which converts light transmitted through the pixel into an electric signal. The pixel array part has a plurality of color pixels and at least one clear pixel, the plurality of color pixels including (i) a first color filter pixel having a peak of spectral sensitivity characteristics in red, (ii) a second color filter pixel having a peak in blue, and (iii) a third color filter pixel having a peak in green. At least a portion of the plurality of color filter pixels is arranged in an oblique pixel array system and at least one clear pixel having a high transmittance is arranged in the oblique pixel array system at a given position of a given row and a given column with respect to the first color filter pixel, the second color filter pixel, and the third color filter pixel.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device comprises: a semiconductor substrate; at least one photoelectric converting film that generates signal charges corresponding to an amount of incident light; at least one set of pixel electrode films arranged in row and column directions and attached to said at least one photoelectric converting film; vertical transfer paths in the semiconductor substrate, extended in the column direction; and charge accumulating portions in the surface portion of the semiconductor substrate that accumulate signal charges from the pixel electrode films, wherein the charge accumulating portions comprise a plurality of sets, each comprising a subset of the charge accumulating portions arranged in the column direction, and wherein the subset reads out the accumulated signal charges to the corresponding one of the vertical transfer paths, and wherein the two adjacent subsets of the charge accumulating portions are shifted to each other in a direction along the vertical transfer paths.

Abstract: There is disclosed a photographic device that uses an image sensor and an electronic viewfinder. When a release button is pressed halfway, an aperture value, an electronic shutter speed and a photosensitivity are decided based on the present subject brightness to provide a proper exposure value for photographing a still image. So long as the release button is kept being pressed halfway, a timing generator drives the image sensor to shoot video images at a frame rate of 20 Hz, and the aperture value decided for still image photography is fixed, whereas the electronic shutter speed and the photosensitivity are adjusted according to the subject brightness by use of an aperture-priority type video program. When the release button is pressed to the full, an exposure for a still image is done with the fixed aperture value.

Abstract: There are provided a platen on which an original is mounted, a line sensor that performs photoelectric conversion on light from the original on the platen, a first carriage that moves along the platen and guides the light from the original to the line sensor, a first housing that stores and supports the first carriage to be movable along the platen, first driving means for moving the first carriage, a second carriage provided with a plurality of rod-shaped light-source lamps that applies light to the original, a second housing that stores and supports the second carriage to be movable along the platen and covers the platen, second driving means for moving the second carriage, and control means for controlling the first driving means, the second driving means and lighting of the plurality of light-source lamps.

Abstract: A method of acquiring traveling characteristics of rear blades in a camera having an image sensing element including a plurality of pixels. The method comprising acquiring the traveling characteristics of the rear blades based on an image signal output from a preset partial area of the image sensing element, and storing the acquired traveling characteristics (S34, S36), shifting the partial area to a different position along the traveling direction of the rear blades (S38), and updating the traveling characteristics of the rear blades stored in the storage medium, based on an image signal output from the partial area shifted to the different position (S35, S36).

Abstract: An imaging device including: an electronic shutter and a pixel array part. The pixel array part has a plurality of pixels with different characteristics of spectral sensitivity arranged in an array and which converts light transmitted through the pixel into an electric signal. The pixel array part has a plurality of color pixels and at least one clear pixel, the plurality of color pixels including (i) a first color filter pixel having a peak of spectral sensitivity characteristics in red, (ii) a second color filter pixel having a peak in blue, and (iii) a third color filter pixel having a peak in green.

Abstract: A CMOS imaging system with increased charge storage capacitance of pixels yet decreased physical size, kTC noise and active area. A capacitor is linked to the transfer gate and provides a storage node for a pixel, allowing for kTC noise reduction prior to readout. The pixel may be operated with the shutter gate on during the integration period to increase the amount of time for charge storage by a pixel.

Abstract: The specification and drawings present a new method, apparatus and software product for determining a mechanical shutter exposure time (e.g., an actual closing time) with a rolling readout of an image (e.g., complimentary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor using a predetermined calibration area of the image sensor in digital cameras or in electronic devices with digital cameras.

Abstract: A pixel sensor cell of improved dynamic range comprises a coupling transistor that couples a capacitor device to a photosensing region (e.g., photodiode) of the pixel cell, the photodiode being coupled to a transfer gate and one terminal of the coupling transistor. In operation, the additional capacitance is coupled to the pixel cell photodiode when the voltage on the photodiode is drawn down to the substrate potential. Thus, the added capacitance is only connected to the imager cell when the cell is nearing its charge capacity. Otherwise, the cell has a low capacitance and low leakage. In an additional embodiment, a terminal of the capacitor is coupled to a “pulsed” supply voltage signal that enables substantially full depletion of stored charge from the capacitor to the photosensing region during a read out operation of the pixel sensor cell. In various embodiments, the locations of the added capacitance and photodiode may be interchanged with respect to the coupling transistor.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a pixel section having a plurality of two-dimensionally disposed pixel cells each for effecting photoelectric conversion of an incident light; an electronic shutter scanning circuit for outputting to the pixel section a second line select signal for selecting second lines of a subject which an operation setting corresponding to an exposure time is effected; and a scanning control section for controlling selection of the first lines through the line scanning circuit, controlling, including as subject of selection the first lines and lines to be omitted in a skipping read, selection of the second lines through the electronic shutter scanning circuit, and controlling timing at which the pixel cells belonging to the second lines are reset in accordance with the exposure time.

Abstract: An XY address scanning-type imaging apparatus, such as a CMOS imaging apparatus, having a high-speed shutter which is capable of reducing fluorescent-lamp flicker components and which enhances electronic camera-shake correction. When the vertical synchronization frequency is denoted as fv (Hz) and N is a positive integer, the shutter is set to N/120 seconds when 120/fv is an integer, and the shutter is set to N/100 seconds when 100/fv is an integer. In the NTSC system, when camera-shake correction is ON, the shutter speed is set to fraction ( 1/120) seconds, and when camera-shake correction is OFF, the shutter speed is set to fraction ( 1/60) seconds. In the PAL system, when camera-shake correction is ON, the shutter speed is set to fraction ( 1/100) seconds, and when camera-shake correction is OFF, the shutter speed is set to fraction ( 1/50) seconds.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including: an electronic shutter scanning circuit for outputting to a pixel section a second line select signal for selecting second lines to which an operation setting corresponding to exposure time is effected; and a scanning control section for executing a first control for controlling selection of first lines through a read scanning circuit in a read region consisting of a plurality of lines within the pixel section and a second control for controlling selection of the second lines through the electronic shutter scanning circuit with taking the read region and an unread region in the vicinity of the read region as subject of selection and controlling timing for resetting the pixel cells belonging to the second liens in accordance with the exposure time.

Abstract: A compact image pickup device with high sensitivity is provided, which is suitable for a spatial information detecting apparatus. The image pickup device has a plurality of image pickup units (U1) arranged on a semiconductor substrate. Each of the image pickup units (U1) has a light receiving array of photoelectric conversion elements (Px) for generating electric charges corresponding to a received-light amount, a transfer array (Y1) of charge transfer elements (Py), an accumulation array (Z1) of charge accumulation elements each having a greater charge storage capacity than a saturation charge amount of the photoelectric conversion element, and a charge-amount adjusting portion (D4) configured to determine an amount of undesired electric charges to be separated from the electric charges generated by each of the photoelectric conversion elements. The transfer array and the light receiving array (X1) are arranged in a line in a vertical direction (Dv).

Abstract: An apparatus has a pixel that includes (i) a buffer transistor having an input, (ii) first and second capacitive storage elements each of which selectively can be coupled to the input of the buffer transistor, and (iii) a photosensitive element having an output which selectively can be coupled to the input of the buffer transistor. A readout circuit selectively can be coupled to an output of the buffer transistor. A first signal level, sensed by the photosensitive element, can be stored by the first capacitive storage element, and a second signal level, sensed by the photosensitive element, can be stored by the second capacitive storage element. The first and second signal levels can be read out from the pixel.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus comprises an image sensing unit in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged on an image sensing plane, and a control unit. The control unit has a first mode in which image signals are read out from a first photoelectric conversion element group arranged in a first region of the image sensing plane, and a second mode in which image signals are read out from a second photoelectric conversion element group arranged in a second region that is smaller than the first region of the image sensing plane In addition, the control unit performs control such that a readout period of a line arranged on the image sensing plane in the first mode is substantially equal to that of a line arranged on the image sensing plane in the second mode when switching between the two modes.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus having plural pixel units each including a photoelectric conversion portion, each pixel unit has a writing transistor WT and a reading transistor RT each including a floating gate FG disposed on a semiconductor substrate so as to accumulate electric charges generated in the photoelectric conversion portion, and the imaging apparatus includes a control unit independently performing a first charge discharging drive operation of discharging the electric charges generated in the photoelectric conversion portion of each pixel unit in a group to a writing drain WD or a reading drain RD in the pixel unit by groups including plural pixel units and controlling an exposure period start time of each group.

Abstract: In a CMOS image sensor (10) including a pixel array unit (12) having pixels separately arranged in even-numbered pixel rows and odd-numbered pixel rows, a reading operation performed on odd pixels having a short accumulation time is performed in an exposure start portion of even pixels having a long accumulation time. By this, even when the even pixels are saturated and signal charges overflow from the even pixels, and therefore, part of the signal charges intrude into the odd pixels adjacent to the even pixels, an adverse effect of blooming due to the saturation of the even pixels to signals of the odd pixels is eliminated since the reading operation performed on the odd pixels has already been completed. The adverse effect due to the blooming to the low-sensitive signals is eliminated when a method for attaining a dynamic range by differentiating accumulation times between adjacent pixels is employed.

Abstract: A controlling method of an image sensor is disclosed. The method includes: measuring a first output voltage of a drive transistor, a gate of which is combined to a floating diffusion region, after a predetermined integration time; resetting the floating diffusion region by turning on a reset transistor connected between the floating diffusion region and a power supply group; measuring a reference voltage outputted from the drive transistor; transferring electric charges generated in a photo diode by sensing light inputted from the outside to the floating diffusion region by turning on a transfer transistor connected to the photo diode; and measuring a second output voltage of the drive transistor; wherein an image is generated by using a voltage difference between the first output voltage and the reference voltage, and a voltage difference between the second output voltage and the reference voltage.

Abstract: Disclosed are digital imaging devices that embody a method for eliminating modulated light effects in rolling shutter CMOS sensor images. The digital imaging device comprises an image sensor utilizing an electronic rolling shutter, a processor and firmware for implementing the methods. Embodiments of the method comprise detecting the presence of light modulation and the frequency of the light modulation, and synchronizing the exposure times to the modulation cycle time.

Abstract: The shutter of a digital imaging device may be calibrated by comparing a characteristic of two separate exposures obtained from a single field of the device's imaging sensor during a single exposure cycle. Calibrating the shutter in this manner facilitates the accuracy of even very short exposure times.

Abstract: An imaging device driver that drives an imaging device, comprising a detector and a controller, is provided. The imaging device has a light-receiving surface. A plurality of pixels are arranged on the light-receiving surface. Each individual pixel generates a pixel signal according to the intensity of light received by the pixel. The imaging device is capable of mixing a plurality of the pixel signals. The detector detects the brightness of a partial or entire optical image of an object captured by the imaging device. The controller determines the number of the pixel signals to mix according to the brightness of the partial or entire optical image.

Abstract: A rolling shutter technique for a pixel array is described in which multiple rows of the array are hard reset as the shutter moves down the array. As the rolling shutter progresses down the array, each row is hard reset multiple times before its integration period begins, thereby ensuring that the row is in a true hard reset condition at the beginning of its integration period. Also, multiple rows are hard reset in advance of the beginning of the integration period for a given row, thereby making it less likely that overexposed pixels several rows away will be able to distort the integrating row by blooming.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus that includes a device for discharging charge or F/E-IC for discharging charge accumulated in an imaging device or CCD and for canceling exposure in a discharging term of the charge. The imaging apparatus also includes a light shielding device or mechanical shutter unit for a mechanical shutter, which shields light by the mechanical shutter, and a control device or CPU block for hastening by a predetermined time the charge discharging term of the CCD in the discharging device and a light shielding timing of the mechanical shutter in the light shielding device, when a shutter speed for recording a subject is more than a predetermined time.

Abstract: An imager having two panels of pixels (i.e., the imager's rows of pixels are split into two panels) that are controllable by separate row decoders. The dual panel architecture allows pipelining of pixel readout and column readout operations to improve the imager's frame rate. The dual panel architecture may use a standard pixel configuration, a shared column and/or a shared row and column configuration.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel section having two-dimensionally arrayed pixels each having a photoelectric conversion means, a memory means for storing photoelectric conversion signal, a transfer means for transferring the photoelectric conversion signal to the memory means, a reset means for resetting the memory means, a discharge means for discharging photoelectric conversion signal accumulated, a read means for reading photoelectric conversion signal; an A/D converter; a noise suppressing means for suppressing noise of signal from said A/D converter, having a frame memory and an adder; and a controller for, in reading signal from the same one pixel, effecting control so that there is a difference corresponding to one frame period between timing at which a first signal level is read out after transfer and timing at which a second signal level is read out at the time of resetting the memory means.

Abstract: A camera system used for shooting an image, determines whether or not a predetermined shake component due to a mechanical shutter is added to a shake component detected by a shake sensor in dependence upon the type of a shutter (a mechanical shutter or an electronic shutter), and selects the determined component accordingly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: a lens mount section with a removable lens section; an imaging element adapted to generate a video signal by converting image light of the subject entering through the lens section attached to the lens mount section into an electric signal; a disk-shaped shutter having a light shielding section and a transmission section, the light shielding section adapted to shield the imaging element from incident light, and the transmission section adapted to transmit incident light onto the imaging element; a shutter drive motor adapted to drive the disk-shaped shutter; a detection section adapted to detect whether the lens section is attached or detached; and a shutter control section adapted to supply a control signal to the shutter drive motor to stop the shutter if the detection section has detected that the lens section is detached.

Abstract: Disclosed is an image pickup apparatus having a liquid crystal light controlling device in front of an image pickup device. A liquid crystal light controlling device has a rear face facing an image pickup device and has input terminals disposed at the circumferential positions of the rear face. An image pickup device has a package and a sensor portion held in the package for picking up an image of a subject. At positions of the package facing the liquid crystal light controlling device, there are disposed output terminals for supplying driving voltage to each of the input terminals of the liquid crystal light controlling device. The driving voltage is supplied from the output terminals on the package to the input terminals through a conducting portion of a holding member.

Abstract: It is now possible to correct flicker without the risk of correcting flicker by error if a moving subject exists in the scene by using values detected in the past in order to prevent degradation of image quality from taking place. The integral value obtained by integrating an input video signal that includes a flicker component over not less than a horizontal period and the difference value between integral values of adjacent fields or frames is normalized. Then, the amplitude component and the phase component of the flicker component are estimated. A flicker coefficient for canceling the amplitude component and the phase component of the flicker component estimated is generated on the basis of the probability of being under the lighting of a fluorescent lamp. The flicker coefficient and the input video signal are computationally determined to obtain a video signal with a reduced flicker component.

Abstract: A solid-state image capture device includes: a pixel section in which pixels are arranged in a matrix; control lines; a pixel drive section that performs control, through the control lines, an operation of the pixels so as to perform a shutter operation of the pixel section and so as to perform reading; a reading circuit that reads signals from the pixels; and a shutter-mode switching section that controls an operation of the pixel drive section in accordance with a rolling shutter system in which exposure is performed for each row or a global shutter system in which exposure is simultaneously performed on all the pixels. The pixel drive section includes a shutter-mode corresponding section that causes an impedance value from the control lines to a power supply in a global shutter operation to be greater than an impedance value in a rolling shutter operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a CMOS imager with an integrated controller on a common integrated circuit substrate. Also integrated on the common substrate are, a serializer circuit including a dynamic arbiter under the control of the microcontroller core and a set of extended special function registers through which data is passed to allow the microcontroller to control the CMOS imager and the serializer circuit.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an image sensor and a mechanical shutter which controls the termination of exposure of the image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a matrix, and a vertical scanning unit which scans the pixel array for each row. The vertical scanning unit executes in parallel some of the reset operations of pixels on at least two adjacent rows of the pixel array. The charge accumulation operation of pixels starts upon completion of the reset operation and terminates in response to light shielding by the mechanical shutter.

Abstract: An automatic gain control circuit generates, based on comparison between an average brightness of brightness data output for each frame from an image sensor and a target brightness, an integration time adjustment signal for adjusting an integration time during which the image sensor is exposed, a gain adjustment signal for adjusting gain of an amplifier that amplifies an output signal of the image sensor, and a frame rate adjustment signal for changing a frame rate. The automatic gain control circuit includes an exposure control circuit for adjusting a blanking time of each frame and generating, as the frame rate adjustment signal, a maximum integration time adjustment signal for switching a maximum integration time of the image sensor.

Abstract: Auto focus control processing for still image recording is performed while continuously performing movie recording when an initiation instruction for a still image recording preparation process is issued during movie recording. Movie recording is interrupted to perform still image recording processing only when an initiation instruction for still image recording processing is detected during movie recording. In addition, in the auto focus control for still image recording during movie recording, focus detection is performed within a distance range that is narrower than the distance range during auto focus control performed for normal still image recording.

Abstract: A rolling shutter technique for a pixel array is described in which multiple rows of the array are hard reset as the shutter moves down the array. As the rolling shutter progresses down the array, each row is hard reset multiple times before its integration period begins, thereby ensuring that the row is in a true hard reset condition at the beginning of its integration period. Also, multiple rows are hard reset in advance of the beginning of the integration period for a given row, thereby making it less likely that overexposed pixels several rows away will be able to distort the integrating row by blooming.

Abstract: A method for capturing multiple sets of image data with an electronic camera having a shutter and an electronic shutter for selectively allowing light to reach an image sensor comprises opening the shutter and the electronic shutter, allowing light to reach the image sensor for a first exposure time, closing the electronic shutter, reading out pixel data captured during the first exposure time, allowing light to reach the image sensor for a second exposure time, and, reading out pixel data captured during the second exposure time. The method may be used to obtain multiple differently exposed images of a scene for combination into a high dynamic range image.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an image capture unit, a communication unit and a switch. The image capture unit captures a digital image using an image sensing device. The communication unit transmits a resume signal to an external computer, the resume signal being used by the external computer to release a suspended state. The switch enables the image sensing apparatus to capture a digital image using the image capture unit and enables the image sensing apparatus to transmit the resume signal to the external computer using the communication unit. Before the resume signal is transmitted to the external computer, the image sensing apparatus determines whether the external computer is in the suspended state. If it is determined that the external computer is in the suspended state, the image sensing apparatus enables the communication unit to transmit the resume signal to the external computer so as to release the suspended state.

Abstract: A driving method used for a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention includes: imaging an object for a first storage time when a shutter is open, in a first state that is a state where either at least a part of the peripheral circuitry is suspended or a consumption current of the peripheral circuitry is limited; imaging, in the first state, a dark output signal image including only a dark output for a second storage time when the shutter is closed; converting the dark output signal image to correspond to the image obtained for the first storage time and subtracting, from the signal image of the object, the converted dark output signal image or converting the dark output signal image to correspond to the image obtained for the second storage time and subtracting, from the signal image of the object, the converted dark output signal image.

Abstract: An imaging system includes an image sensor and a mechanical shutter which controls the termination of exposure of the image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a matrix, and a vertical scanning unit which scans the pixel array for each row. The vertical scanning unit parallelly executes some of the reset operations of pixels on at least two adjacent rows of the pixel array. The charge accumulation operation of pixels starts upon completion of the reset operation and terminates in response to light shielding by the mechanical shutter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a camera unit, comprising an image sensor (10), a mechanical shutter (16), a host module (12), and connections between them, in particular a data and control connection (D1, C1) between the image sensor and the host unit. In the image sensor (10), there is a photoelectric pixel matrix (101), a timing unit controlling it, an electronic shutter (ERS), and a ‘global reset’ circuit for resetting the pixels simultaneously. The said data and control connection comprises: a data connection (D1) based on a series bus, a control connection (C1) based on a series bus, and a global-reset signal connection (G1, G2) separate from these. The invention also relates to a method for controlling an image sensor in a camera unit.