Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided that includes a correction unit configured to optically correct image shake by moving a lens or an imaging element; a first detector configured to detect an angular velocity of the imaging apparatus; a second detector configured to detect a motion vector from a captured image; a calculator configured to calculate an object angular velocity on the basis of the angular velocity of imaging apparatus and the motion vector; a third detection unit configured to detect a cycle of a motion of the object on the basis of the object angular velocity; and a processor configured to detect a cycle of a motion of the object on the basis of the object angular velocity and set an exposure timing at the time of panning on the basis of the cycle of the motion of the object and correct image shake of the object by driving the correction unit.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which satisfactorily compensates for a flash band appearing due to an external flash and prevents a row insensitive to the flash from appearing in a corrected image. The flash band appearing in a plurality of frames consecutive in terms of time is detected based on an image signal output from an image pickup device which sequentially starts exposure and sequentially reads out signals for each row of pixels. An image in at least one of those frames is corrected to a full-screen flash image. When a width of the flash band is smaller than the number of rows in one frame, a row in which the flash band does not appear is interpolated using a row in which the flash band appears and which immediately precedes or immediately succeeds the row in which the flash band does not appear.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a power controller, a power control method, and a program which appropriately supply power to an actuator for driving a shutter and an actuator for camera shake correction. A power controller includes a shutter controller for controlling a shutter driving unit, a camera shake correction controller for controlling a camera shake correction driving unit, and a power amount setting unit for setting amounts of power to be allocated to the shutter driving unit and the camera shake correction driving unit according to a set shutter speed. The power amount setting unit allocates the amount of power to be supplied to the camera shake correction driving unit when the shutter speed is equal to or less than a predetermined speed to the shutter driving unit in a case where the shutter speed is faster than a predetermined speed. The present technology available for an image pickup device.

Abstract: A method for noise reduction in an imaging device comprises a 4T pixel in operation, whereby the 4T pixel comprises a pinned photodiode and a floating diffusion node. The method includes the steps of: detecting a signal impinging on the 4T pixel of the imaging device and integrating the charge of the detected signal simultaneously in the photodiode potential well and the potential well of the floating diffusion node; deriving a linear signal proportional to the detected signal from the charge in the photodiode potential well; deriving a compressed signal from the charge in the potential well of the floating diffusion node, while keeping the compressed signal separate from the linear signal, and the compressed signal being a non-linear function of the detected signal; and summing the linear signal and a linearized version of the compressed signal and performing a non-linear conversion on the summation signal to fit the imaging device's output range.

Abstract: A first imaging device and a second image device are connected with each other in a communicatable manner, and data of imaging timing and data of an exposure period of the first imaging device are transmitted to the second imaging device. In the second imaging device, the imaging timing and the exposure period can be set based on the data of the imaging timing and the data of the exposure period which are received. Therefore, an image is taken by the first imaging device and the second imaging device with the imaging timing and the exposure period of the first imaging device agreeing with those of the second imaging device.

Abstract: An image sensor may include: a photoelectric conversion element suitable for generating a photo charge in response to incident light; and a transfer transistor suitable for transferring the photo charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element to a floating diffusion in response to a transfer signal, the transfer transistor comprising a first transfer gate formed over the photoelectric conversion element; an opening formed in the first transfer gate and exposing the photoelectric conversion element; a second transfer gate formed in the opening; and a channel layer interposed between the first and second transfer gates and between the photoelectric conversion element and the second transfer gate.

Abstract: To reduce power consumption. Included are a selection signal output circuit, a reset signal output circuit, and a plurality of photodetector circuits. After the selection signal output circuit outputs part of the selection signals, output of the other selection signals from the selection signal output circuit is stopped. After the reset signal output circuit outputs part of the reset signals, output of the other reset signals from the reset signal output circuit is stopped.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus, comprising: an imaging optical system; an image sensor which receives a light flux passing through the imaging optical system, captures an image, and outputs an imaging signal; an aperture which is included in the imaging optical system and which includes an opening to restrict the light flux; a controller which performs a first exposure control to control the exposure of the image sensor by changing the opening of the aperture and calculates, based on an imaging signal output by the image sensor, a deviation between an optimal exposure amount and a currently set actual exposure amount; and an imaging control circuit which performs a second exposure control to control the exposure of the image sensor without changing the opening of the aperture, wherein the controller selects either the first exposure control or the second exposure control based on the deviation to control exposure.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for operating a camera. The method includes the steps of providing an array of image sensing pixels, disposing an electronic shutter in an optical path between the array of pixels and an image where the electronic shutter has a reflective state and a transmissive state and applying a predetermined sequence of electrical signals to the electronic shutter to expose the image sensing pixels to the image.

Abstract: A semiconductor device structure is provided. The semiconductor device structure includes a first semiconductor die and a second semiconductor die. The semiconductor device structure also includes a passivation layer between the first semiconductor die and the second semiconductor die, and the passivation layer is directly bonded to a second interlayer dielectric layer of the second semiconductor die. The semiconductor device structure further includes a conductive feature in via hole and directly bonded to a second conductive line of the second semiconductor die. The semiconductor device structure further includes a second barrier layer between the conductive feature and the passivation layer. The second barrier layer covers sidewalls of the conductive feature and a surface of the conductive feature closer to the first semiconductor die.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus capable of changing a live view photographing drive mode without causing freezing of live view display is demonstrated. When a switch is operated in a state where image signals output from an image pickup device sent via a first path are used for live view and image signals output from the image pickup device sent via a second path are used for AF, a drive mode of the image pickup device is changed such that image signals from the second path can be used for live view, then an acquisition destination of the live view signals is changed from the first path to the second path, then the drive mode is changed such that high-definition live view image signals are output from the first path, and then the acquisition destination of the live view signals is changed from the second path to the first path.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises an image sensor comprising pixels and a controller. The pixels include a photoelectric converter, a holding unit, an output unit and a first and second transfer unit. The controller causes the sensor to repeatedly perform a holding operation that the first transfer unit transfer charge from the photoelectric conversion unit to the holding unit, and a transfer operation that the second transfer unit transfer the charge from the holding unit to the output unit. The controller causes the sensor to perform, as the holding operation, holding operations including a first holding operation for performing the first transfer unit transfer charge generated in a first exposure time and a second holding operation for performing the first transfer unit transfer charge generated in a second exposure time longer than the first exposure time.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a first unit pixel cell including a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, a first photoelectric conversion layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first photoelectric conversion layer generating first signal charge, and a first signal detection circuit connected to the first electrode, the first signal detection circuit detecting the first signal charge; and a voltage supply circuit. The voltage supply circuit supplies a first voltage to the second electrode during a first period when the first unit pixel cell accumulates the first signal charge. The voltage supply circuit supplies a second voltage to at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode during a second period other than the first period, the second period including a first moment at which a difference in potential between the first electrode and the second electrode is zero.

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: In one or more embodiments, exposure control of an image sensor is performed based on a movement characteristic of a shutter configured to be movable to a position at which the image sensor is shielded from light and to a position at which the image sensor is not shielded from light. A moving speed of the shutter may change during movement, and a light amount change characteristic of light from an object may be calculated by a calculation unit. In one or more embodiments, the calculation unit calculates a timing when a light from an object satisfies a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A photographing apparatus includes an image sensor configured to convert an object image formed by a photographing optical system, of the photographing apparatus, into electrical pixel signals, the photographing optical system including an optical element; and a photographing controller configured to control a photographing operation, in which a set of images for use in an image-synthesizing operation are photographed. During the photographing operation, the image sensor and the optical element are sequentially moved relative to each other from a reference position to relative positions in a direction different to a direction of the optical axis, wherein every time the photographing controller obtains a photographed image at each relative position, the photographing controller determines whether or not the photographed image satisfies usage testing-requirements for a constituent: image of the set of images.

Abstract: There are provided an image capture portion, a luminance acquisition section, a luminance estimation section, and a capture mode setup section. The image capture portion cyclically captures a vehicle compartment. The luminance acquisition section acquires the luminance of a captured image captured by the image capture portion. The luminance estimation section estimates a cyclic change in the luminance of captured images to be captured subsequently. The capture mode setup section settles a capture mode for the image capture portion based on a result of estimating the cyclic change in the luminance of captured images.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an intermediate image generating unit configured to input an image which has been shot with differing exposure times set by region, generates a plurality of exposure pattern images corresponding to differing exposure times based on the input image, and generates a plurality of timing images which are difference images of the plurality of exposure pattern images; and a distortion correction processing unit configured to generate a corrected image equivalent to an exposure processing image at a predetermined exposure time by synthesizing processing of the plurality of timing images.

Abstract: A voltage generator includes a supply voltage conversion block suitable for converting a supply voltage into an internal voltage, and a supply voltage control block suitable for supplying the supply voltage to the supply voltage conversion block, wherein the supply voltage has different voltage levels that correspond to generation sections of the internal voltage.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel unit in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements having different sensitivities are arranged; and a pixel reading unit configured to read and add output signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in the pixel unit, and to obtain an output signal seemingly from one pixel. The pixel unit includes an absorbing unit configured to absorb overflowing electric charge from a photoelectric conversion element with a high sensitivity.

Abstract: Provided are an image pickup device and a camera system that are capable of detecting an extremely small signal from a pixel or one photon signal with low noise and high precision at high speed, and are capable of performing various kinds of high-performance shooting by increasing a frame rate with use of this. Each sense circuit includes a comparator configured to compare an output signal from a pixel with a reference signal, and when signal detection is performed, a charge allowing a first pixel signal output from a selected pixel to be cancelled out is held in one or both of input sections of the comparator, an independent offset bias for each comparator is applied to one of the input sections of the comparator to cancel out an offset of the comparator, and a digital decision on intensity of light incident on the pixel is performed by comparing a reference signal changing in steps with a second pixel signal output from the selected pixel.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate having a photoelectric conversion element converting incident light into a charge and a charge retaining section temporarily retaining the charge photoelectrically converted by the photoelectric conversion element and a light shielding section having an embedded section extending in at least a region between the photoelectric conversion element and the charge retaining section of the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A sequence of digital images are produced using an imaging sensor circuit, wherein each of the digital images was a result of light capture by the imaging sensor circuit during a respective pixel integration phase followed by analog to digital conversion during a respective readout phase. A camera actuator is driven while producing the sequence of images, wherein during a part of every respective readout phase for the sequence of digital images the actuator is driven using a linear drive circuit, and wherein during a part of every respective pixel integration phase the actuator is driven using a switch mode drive circuit. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: The imaging device includes: a first display section that functions as an electronic view finder; a viewing angle setting section that sets a viewing angle of a live view image; a display image generation section that generates a display image which uses the live view image reduced in accordance the viewing angle; a display timing control section; and a blanking time period setting section. The display timing control section synchronizes the image sensor and the first display section in a delay time shorter than a single frame period. The blanking time period setting section sets a blanking time period at the end of the single frame period in accordance with a size of the live view image to be displayed. By completing reading of the imaging signal before start of the blanking time period, synchronization between the timing of driving the image sensor and the timing of performing display on the electronic view finder is maintained.

Abstract: An image sensor that has a pixel array section in which pixels are arrayed in a two-dimensional manner in vertical and horizontal directions and that controls an exposure time of each pixel in a rolling shutter method is disclosed. The sensor includes control means for determining an electronic shutter occurrence number within one horizontal scanning period, which is the number of rows where electronic shutters are simultaneously performed in one horizontal scanning period, by an operation based on an address addition amount (P1, P2, P3, . . . , PN) when a vertical address movement amount of the pixel array section for every one horizontal scanning period in an exposure regulation shutter, which is an electronic shutter for regulating exposure, executed corresponding to electric charge reading in each pixel is expressed as repetition of the address addition amount (P1, P2, P3, . . . , PN).

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes a detection unit that detects brightness of light from an object, an XY addressing type of image sensor, a focal plane shutter having a mechanical second curtain shutter, an electronic first curtain shutter that resets the pixels in each line, and causes accumulation of charges in the pixels to start, a period detection unit that detects periodic variation in a light amount, a prediction unit that, based on the period of the variation in the light amount, predicts variation in the light amount in a predetermined exposure time, and a control unit that controls a reset time of the electronic first curtain shutter such that charge accumulation amounts of the pixels of each line fall within a predetermined range according to the variation in the light amount.

Abstract: It is an object to suppress malfunction of a touch sensor, a touch panel, and a device using them by accurate determination whether inputting is performed or not. In addition, it is also an object to enhance the response speed of the determination. A touch panel including a plurality of pixels having photosensors and an image processing portion are included. The photosensor forms a contact image of a portion of an object which touches the touch panel. The image processing portion calculates the area of the contact portion from color data of the contact image and determines on the basis of the area whether inputting to the touch panel is performed or not.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit which captures an image of an object and outputs an image, a switching unit which switches modes between a first mode in which the image capturing unit outputs a first image and then outputs a second image having an exposure value different from the first image, and a second mode in which the image capturing unit continuously outputs an image not used for compositing, an exposure control unit which controls an exposure value for capturing an image of an object, following change in object luminance, when a parameter related to change in object luminance exceeds a predetermined range in which an exposure value for capturing an image of the object is not controlled to follow the change in object luminance, and a setting unit which sets the predetermined range.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an intermediate image generating unit configured to input an image which has been shot with differing exposure times set by region, generates a plurality of exposure pattern images corresponding to differing exposure times based on the input image, and generates a plurality of timing images which are difference images of the plurality of exposure pattern images; and a distortion correction processing unit configured to generate a corrected image equivalent to an exposure processing image at a predetermined exposure time by synthesizing processing of the plurality of timing images.

Abstract: A method for eliminating flicker of a multi-exposure imaging system is provided. The method includes the steps of: capturing a long exposure image based on a long exposure from a scene; capturing a short exposure image based on a short exposure from the scene; obtaining an exposure ratio of the long exposure to the short exposure; generating a long accumulated value by accumulating pixel values of a portion of the long exposure image; generating a short accumulated value by accumulating pixel values of a portion of the short exposure image corresponding to the portion of the long exposure image; and generating a flicker gain according to the long average value, the short average value and the exposure ratio.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a determination unit which determines a scheme of capturing a pixel value of an imaging element at a time of imaging operation of moving image contents using a feature amount which is obtained from a plurality of regions in a frame which configures the moving image contents.

Abstract: An image sensor is provided which includes a plurality of operation blocks configured to provide an image signal in response to an incident light, and a power supply block configured to supply a power to one or more operation blocks of the plurality of operation blocks based on a selected operation mode or operation interval. The operation mode is one of at least a first mode and a second mode, and a resolution of the image signal generated in the second mode is lower than that generated in the first mode.

Abstract: An image capture apparatus is provided that is capable of accurately determining exposure conditions of multiple images to be used in high dynamic range compositing in a short duration, based on a captured image. A scene dynamic range is computed based on luminance information obtained from an image captured with a standard exposure according to a luminance zone to be prioritized in high dynamic range shooting and luminance information obtained from an image captured with an over-exposure or an under-exposure relative to the standard exposure. An exposure range of multiple images for creating a high dynamic range image is determined according to the computed dynamic range.

Abstract: An image sensor may include an array of image sensor pixels arranged in rows and columns. Each image pixel arranged along a given column may be coupled to analog-to-digital converter (ADC) circuitry that is capable of converting analog pixel signals into a floating point number. The ADC circuitry may be configured to obtain an illumination value during an auto exposure period. The illumination value, which serves as an exponent value, can be stored as tile data in respective shutter tile column memory circuits. A rolling shutter scheme may be implemented to read signals out from the array. Each tile may be allowed to integrate for a different period of time depending on the exponent value stored in the shutter tile column memory circuits. During readout, the signal generated from the ADC circuitry may represent a mantissa value that is combined with the exponent value to yield a floating point number.

Abstract: The quality of a planar image is improved while maintaining the parallax of a stereoscopic image. An image capturing device includes an imaging element that performs photoelectric conversion on respective light fluxes passing through different regions of a single pickup lens. The image capturing device includes a neutral density filter an AE control unit that acquires subject brightness, and a diaphragm control unit that, in a case of the stereoscopic pickup, controls whether or not to reduce the amount of light which reaches the imaging element using the neutral density filter based on the subject brightness, and that, in a case of the plane pickup, causes a diaphragm value of the diaphragm to be greater than a diaphragm value in the case of the stereoscopic pickup while setting the light extinction filter to a non-insertion state.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an image sensor having a plurality of light receivers that receive light, a detector to detect a monitoring voltage which corresponds to a difference between a dark voltage corresponding to dark current generated from at least one of the plurality of light receivers and a predetermined reset voltage, and a controller to reset the image sensor if the monitoring voltage detected by the detector becomes lower than a threshold voltage. Accordingly, the imaging apparatus can perform divided exposure promptly and accurately to minimize the problem occurring due to dark current.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an exposure parameter compensation method and an imaging device. A capture-mode image capturing step is performed to obtain a first image and a second image according to a first exposure time and a second exposure time respectively based on a first light sensitivity and a predetermined time. The first image and the second image are operated on to result in a difference image. The first light sensitivity is replaced with a second light sensitivity, which is then recorded.

Abstract: A method for operating a global shutter image sensor includes performing both a global shutter (image capture) operation and a rolling shutter (readout) operation. During the global shutter operation, image information (charges) are captured by photodiodes in every pixel, and then simultaneously transferred to charge coupled gate (CCG) devices provided in each pixel. The rolling shutter operation includes performing multiple correlated double sampling (CDS) readout phases utilizing readout circuits that are shared by groups of pixels (e.g., four pixels share each readout circuit) having CCG devices connected in a chain. After resetting a floating diffusion in the readout circuit, a first captured charge is transferred to floating diffusion for readout, and the remaining charges are shifted along the CCG chain. The remaining CCG devices are then sequentially read out by repeating the read-and-shift operation. The readout operation is then repeated for each row of pixel groups.

Abstract: There is provided a solid state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion unit that performs photoelectric conversion of converting incident light into charges and accumulates the charges, a charge-voltage conversion unit that converts the charges which have been subjected to the photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion unit into a voltage, a charge transfer unit that transfers charges to the charge-voltage conversion unit, a charge reset unit that resets charges of the charge-voltage conversion unit, and a driving unit that performs driving such that a potential of a drain of the charge reset unit is controlled so that the charges are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit and the charge-voltage conversion unit up to a saturation level, and then the photoelectric conversion unit is subject to light exposure.

Abstract: A solid-state image capture device includes unit pixels including transfer gates that transfer charges to diffusion layers, the charges being obtained by photoelectric conversion performed by photoelectric converting sections; signal lines to which signals output from the unit pixels are read out: current sources connected to the signal lines; and a driver that electrically cuts off connections between the unit pixels and the signal lines and the signal lines and the current sources in a transfer period of the transfer gates.

Abstract: A three-dimensional measurement system includes a projector 102, a camera 103, and a PC 101 which obtains distance information from images captured by the camera 103. Further, the three-dimensional measurement system includes a synchronization control apparatus 104 connected to the PC 101 via a video output I/F 105 and a video input I/F 108, to the projector 102 via a video output I/F 102, and to the camera 103 via the video input I/F 107. The synchronization control apparatus 104 performs synchronization control of the projector 102 and the camera 103 based on an instruction from the PC 101. Further, the synchronization control apparatus 104 detects an error, embeds the error information in the captured image input from the video input I/F 107, and outputs the processed captured image to the PC 101 via the video input I/F 108.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup element, including a pixel portion in which plural pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element for converting an optical signal into an electrical signal and accumulating therein the resulting electrical signal in accordance with an exposure period of time are disposed in a matrix; and a pixel driving portion adapted to control operations of the pixels in rows so as to carry out an electronic shutter operation and a reading operation of the pixel portion.

Abstract: A solid-state image capturing device includes: a pixel array unit including plural pixels each converting light selectively incident through a mechanical shutter into charges to be stored in a storage portion and having an overflow path through which charges exceeding a saturation charge amount are discharged; and a driving unit starting an exposure by simultaneously resetting all pixels of the pixel array unit, maintaining the overflow path in an opened state during the exposure period, and closing the overflow path during a period while signals are read from the pixels after ending the exposure by closing the mechanical shutter.

Abstract: There are provided an imaging apparatus and method which perform different exposure control in pixel group units. Brightness in the pixel group units obtained by dividing a plurality of pixels of an imaging area of the image sensor is evaluated, and pixel group unit exposure control values are calculated according to an evaluation result. The image sensor outputs a control signal matching the calculated pixel group unit exposure control value to each pixel group constituent pixel, and controls exposure in the pixel group units. For example, the exposure control signal including an identical pattern is sequentially output to a plurality of pixels in a pixel group in a time sequence, and exposure control which sets an identical exposure time for a plurality of pixels belonging to one pixel group is realized.

Abstract: To be provided is a control circuit including a horizontal synchronization clock counting unit that counts the number of clock cycles of a horizontal synchronization clock signal for instructing a timing of starting scanning pixels in a horizontal direction of a pixel group arranged in a two-dimensional lattice shape, so as to be used as a horizontal synchronization clock count value, a high frequency clock counting unit that counts the number of clock cycles of a high frequency clock signal with a higher frequency than the horizontal synchronization clock signal, so as to be used as a high frequency clock count value, and a timing determination unit that determines timings of starting and ending exposure for the pixels on the basis of the horizontal synchronization clock count value and the high frequency clock count value.

Abstract: A focal-plane shutter is provided with a driving member that drives a fore-blade, a setting component that sets the driving member into a set position prior to a shutter action, a component being attracted provided in the driving member, and electromagnets that exert attracting action by means of electrical conduction to the component being attracted under a condition where the driving member is set into the set position. The component being attracted includes an axis, a part being attracted on one end of the axis, and a flange having a curved surface curved in a convex manner on the other end of the axis. The driving member includes through-holes at designated intervals that go through the axis and two flat inclined surfaces that receive the curved surface of the flange in two locations.

Abstract: An image sensor that has a pixel array section in which pixels are arrayed in a two-dimensional manner in vertical and horizontal directions and that controls an exposure time of each pixel in a rolling shutter method is disclosed. The sensor includes control means for determining an electronic shutter occurrence number within one horizontal scanning period, which is the number of rows where electronic shutters are simultaneously performed in one horizontal scanning period, by an operation based on an address addition amount (P1, P2, P3, . . . , PN) when a vertical address movement amount of the pixel array section for every one horizontal scanning period in an exposure regulation shutter, which is an electronic shutter for regulating exposure, executed corresponding to electric charge reading in each pixel is expressed as repetition of the address addition amount (P1, P2, P3, . . . , PN).

Abstract: The present technology relates to an imaging element, a driving method, and an electronic apparatus that can decrease a voltage and increase a saturation signal amount. In each pixel configuring a pixel array unit, a photodiode receiving light from a subject and performing photoelectric conversion on the light and a first charge accumulating unit accumulating charges generated by the photodiode are provided. A reset gate unit to initialize the first charge accumulating unit is connected to the first charge accumulating unit through a third transfer gate unit. When the first charge accumulating unit is initialized, a voltage is applied to gate electrodes of the third transfer gate unit and the reset gate unit and a positive voltage is applied to a well region provided with a pixel to assist voltage application. Thereby, initialization is appropriately performed and a reset level is suppressed low. As a result, a voltage can be decreased and a saturation signal amount can be increased.

Abstract: Provided is a drive apparatus including an address decoder circuit provided in each pixel row of a pixel array inside a solid state image sensor, the address decoder circuit being configured to generate at least a control signal to cause, based on a V address signal to identify the pixel row in the pixel array, pixels of the pixel row corresponding to the V address signal to perform a read operation that reads accumulated charges from the relevant pixels or an electronic shutter operation that sweeps away the accumulated charges from the relevant pixels. The V address signals of at least two mutually different systems are supplied to the address decoder circuit, and at least the two mutually different address decoder circuits generate the control signal for at least the two mutually different pixel rows within one horizontal scanning period.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes: an image sensor that performs a rolling-shutter image pickup operation; a generator; an adding section that adds image pickup signals from an image pickup signal in a predetermined frame to an image pickup signal in an Nth frame, with the predetermined frame being set as a first frame; a light source; a signal output section that outputs a signal representing either a timing of start of readout of a first line in the predetermined frame or a timing of completion of readout of a last line in a frame immediately before the predetermined frame; and a light source control section that starts light emission after an input of the signal and terminates light emission in a period after completion of readout of a first line in an N-1th frame until before a start of a first line in the Nth frame.