Abstract: A photographing apparatus and an image pickup device thereof include an image pickup device of which an image pickup area includes a plurality of pixels and is divided into a plurality of sub-image pickup areas, and at least one pixel included in each of the sub-image pickup areas outputs image signals at a same time.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section wherein pixels including photoelectric conversion devices are arranged in a matrix; and a pixel driving section including a row selection circuit which controls the pixels to perform an electronic shutter operation and readout of the pixel section. The row selection circuit has a function of selecting a readout row from which a signal is read out and a shutter row on which reset is performed by discharging charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices, in accordance with address and control signals. The row selection circuit can set, in accordance with the address and control signals, in the pixels of the selected row, at least a readout state, a discharge state where a smaller amount of the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices than the reset is discharged, an electronic shutter state, and a charge state where the charge is accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices.

Abstract: An image stabilizing apparatus and method for correcting an image that is shaken due to a movement of a camera is provided. The image stabilizing apparatus includes a reference image setting unit including: a sample frame extract unit which extracts a plurality of image frames taken for a certain period of time from image data generated by photographing an object; and a reference frame extract unit which the plurality of image frames with one another to extract a most stabilized image frame and set the extracted image frame as a reference image frame.

Abstract: An image sensor system using a circuit that automatically provides a multiple point output which represents, in a first mode, each of the multiple points receiving outputs at substantially the same time delayed only by a transit time across a wire connecting the multiple point outputs, and in a second mode, each of the multiple points producing outputs that are delayed by a delay time, where each output is delayed relative to each other output by said delay time in the second mode.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: a shaking estimating unit configured to estimate the shaking information of an image generated within a predetermined period of time; a short-time-exposure shaking correcting unit configured to correct the shaking of a plurality of short-time-exposure images generated due to intermittent exposure within the predetermined period of time based on the estimated shaking information; a long-time-exposure shaking correcting unit configured to correct the shaking of a long-time-exposure image generated due to consecutive exposure within the predetermined period of time based on the estimated shaking information; and an image synthesizing unit configured to synthesize the corrected short-time-exposure images and the corrected long-time-exposure image.

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: A unit group which is formed by pixel cell rows L1, L2, L1A, and L2A is divided into groups BG1 and BG2. The defocus amount calculating unit calculates a phase difference of the output signal group of the phase difference detecting pixel cells 51R with respect to the output signal group of the phase difference detecting pixel cells 51L for BG1, calculates a phase difference of the output signal group of the phase difference detecting pixel cells 51L with respect to the output signal group of the phase difference detecting pixel cells 51R for BG2, and calculates a defocus amount based on a difference between the two calculated phase differences. The driving unit performs exposure in the order of the pixel cell rows L1 and L2 for BG1 and performs exposure in the order of the pixel cell rows L2A and L1A for BG2.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional array. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element that converts incident light into electric charge, and a charge holding element that receives the electric charge from the photoelectric conversion element, and transfers the electric charge to a corresponding floating diffusion. The charge holding element further includes a plurality of electrodes.

Abstract: An image sensor comprises a first semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arranged, a second semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of storage devices each for storing pixel signals are arranged; and a plurality of connection units configured to electrically connect the photodiodes and the storage devices, wherein the plurality of storage devices are arranged in correspondence with the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A digital photographing apparatus and a method of controlling the same. A continuous shooting speed of the digital photographing apparatus may be improved by simultaneously performing a shutter operation and a read out operation of image data. A disclosed method of controlling a digital photographing apparatus includes displaying an image signal input through an image pickup device as a live view image, performing a first operation by driving a shutter, reading data from the image pickup device, and performing a second operation by driving the shutter during a time period overlapping the reading of the data.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a light receiver includes a light reception module, a multi-exposure area selector, a multi-exposure controller, and a readout module. The light reception module includes N lines, each of the N lines having a plurality of light receiving elements. The multi-exposure area selector is configured to select one or a plurality of single-exposure lines and one or a plurality of multi-exposure lines. The multi-exposure controller is configured to, per the unit time, perform an exposure on the single-exposure lines one time for a first exposure time; and a first exposure and a second exposure on the multi-exposure lines. The readout module is configured to read exposure amounts of the lines line by line. The multi-exposure controller is configured to start the second exposure on the multi-exposure lines before reading of the exposure amounts of all the single-exposure lines is completed.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image input portion, a motion vector acquisition portion and a distortion component estimation portion. The image input portion inputs a target image which is an image to be processed. The motion vector acquisition portion acquires a motion vector generated by relative movement with respect to a subject drawn in the target image when an imaging device which has generated the target image generates the target image. The distortion component estimation portion estimates a rolling shutter distortion component of the target image based on the motion vector.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel section wherein pixels including photoelectric conversion devices are arranged in a matrix; and a pixel driving section including a row selection circuit which controls the pixels to perform an electronic shutter operation and readout of the pixel section. The row selection circuit has a function of selecting a readout row from which a signal is read out and a shutter row on which reset is performed by discharging charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices, in accordance with address and control signals. The row selection circuit can set, in accordance with the address and control signals, in the pixels of the selected row, at least a readout state, a discharge state where a smaller amount of the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices than the reset is discharged, an electronic shutter state, and a charge state where the charge is accumulated in the photoelectric conversion devices.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises an image sensor that includes a plurality of pixels each having a plurality of photoelectric conversion units and a microlens and that is capable of capturing a subject and periodically outputting image signals individually from the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, a control unit that performs control such that, within the period in which the image sensor outputs an image signal, charge accumulation durations of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units of each pixel of the image sensor are shifted with respect to each other, and a synthesizing unit that sums up, for each pixel, the image signals individually output from the plurality of photoelectric conversion units.

Abstract: In a CMOS image sensor in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a matrix, a transistor in which a channel formation region includes an oxide semiconductor is used for each of a charge accumulation control transistor and a reset transistor which are in a pixel portion. After a reset operation of the signal charge accumulation portion is performed in all the pixels arranged in the matrix, a charge accumulation operation by the photodiode is performed in all the pixels, and a read operation of a signal from the pixel is performed per row. Accordingly, an image can be taken without a distortion.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging device that includes a plurality of pixels; a first curtain that travels to block incidence of light on the imaging device; a second curtain that permits the incidence of light on the imaging device earlier than the traveling of the first curtain; a reset unit that sequentially reset-scans lines of the pixels earlier than the traveling of the first curtain; and an operation selecting unit that selects one of a mechanical shutter operation performed by the traveling of the first curtain and the second curtain and an electronic shutter operation performed by the first curtain and the reset unit depending on a slit width formed by the first curtain and the second curtain or a slit width formed by the first curtain and the reset-scanning of the reset unit.

Abstract: The invention discloses a CMOS image sensor, a timing control method and an exposure method thereof. The image sensor includes a pixel array composed of multiple pixel rows and a control chip controlling the array. The control chip controls each pixel row to expose in the exposure time during one exposure period of the pixel row, and then wait predetermined time after the exposure time to output data. In the invention, the exposure time of the image sensor is separated from the time of outputting data. Therefore, the working mode of the image sensor can be controlled more flexibly. By the manner of controlling the pixel rows in the sub-array of the image sensor to expose synchronously, the flash time of the light source is the same as the exposure time of each single sub-array, thereby improving the utilization efficiency of the source energy and ensuring real-time image sampling.

Abstract: A large difference in exposure timing is prevented from arising in cases in which plural pixels have a common amplifier, even when image data is read by thinning An imaging apparatus (10) includes: an image pickup device (14) including plural photoelectric conversion elements arrayed in first and second directions; an amplification means that treats (K×L) pixels as respective common pixels and amplifies an image capture signal for each of the common pixels; a color filter that is provided with a repeatedly disposed basic array pattern or first and second filters placed in a predetermined pattern of (N×M) pixels; and an image processing section (20) and a drive section (22) that perform charge sweeping by applying sequential shutter pulses to the image pickup device (14) in turn to each pixel, or to each scan line, or to each of plural pixels on a scan line, that read pixel signals of the plural pixels at a set cycle, that, from the read pixel signals, generate line image data of pixels that are arrayed runnin

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device including a pixel section arranged with multiple pixel circuits in A matrix having functions for converting an optical signal to an electrical signal and for accumulating the electrical signal depending on an exposure time, and a pixel driving section capable of driving through a control line to reset, accumulate, transfer, and output signal electric charge of the pixel section. The pixel section may have a pixel shared structure arranged with one selection control line, one reset control line, and multiple transfer control lines, including a readout-pixel section and an unread-pixel section in its entirety. The pixel driving section includes a pixel control section where an unread-pixel is normally fixed in a reset state. When reading a readout-pixel in a shared relationship, if its address is selected or a selection signal becomes active, the unread-pixel reset-state is cancelled to turn into an unread state.

Abstract: In a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion unit, a first holding unit configured to hold electric charge, a second holding unit configured to hold electric charge, a first transfer unit configured to connect the photoelectric conversion unit and the first holding unit, a second transfer unit configured to connect the first holding unit and the second holding unit, and a third transfer unit configured to connect the photoelectric conversion unit and a power supply, a first operation mode and a second operation mode are selectively executed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes an imaging area, a vertical line drive circuit, and a control circuit. The imaging area is provided with a plurality of unit pixels arrayed like a two-dimensional matrix. Each unit pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element, a read transistor, an amplifier transistor, and a reset transistor. The vertical line drive circuit is configured to select and drive the unit pixels at a unit of row, and to set a signal storage time of the photoelectric conversion element of each driven unit pixel. The control circuit connected to the vertical line drive circuit, is configured to execute a variable control of the signal storage time at a unit of row of the unit pixel.

Abstract: An imaging device includes an imaging unit having a pixel group two-dimensionally arranged vertically and horizontally, and configured to read pixel signals associated with generation of a frame image in units of lines by a rolling shutter system, and a drive unit configured to periodically switch, when a plurality of frame images are consecutively read from the imaging unit with a predetermined frame period in video recording, positions of a plurality of lines each of which is made a read object in each of the frame images in units of frames.

Abstract: An image having good image quality is obtained by discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus, which includes an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by light-exposing the image pickup device, includes: a detector for detecting a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller for controlling an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller for controlling a light-exposure start scan of the image pickup device by discharging charges accumulated in the image pickup device before the traveling of the curtain body, wherein the scan controller discharges the charges accumulated in the image pickup device a plurality of times according to the photographing state of the subject.

Abstract: An imaging device with (1) a substrate; (2) a substrate voltage supply that applies a first potential to the substrate during a light receiving period and applies a second potential to the substrate during a no-light receiving period; and (3) a plurality of pixels each including (a) a light conversion portion, (b) a storage portion that stores signal charges g from the light conversion portion when the first potential is applied to the substrate, (c) a first layer that is in the substrate and set apart from the storage portion by a predetermined distance and adjusts potential distribution in the substrate so that the signal charges generated in the light receiving portion when the second potential is applied to the substrate are swept to a rear surface side of the substrate, and (d) a vertical transfer portion that transfers a signal based on the signal charges in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device with unit pixels which have a photoelectric conversion element, an electric charge transferring/accumulating unit with multiple levels able to transfer electric charge generated in the photoelectric conversion element and accumulate the electric charge, and an electric charge detection unit that holds the electric charge transferred from the photoelectric conversion element, where, after resetting the photoelectric conversion element, all unit pixels simultaneously transfer signal electric charges, which are generated in the photoelectric conversion element during continuous exposure times of which each has a different duration, to the electric charge transferring/accumulating units and accumulate the signal electric charges in the different respective electric charge transferring/accumulating units, and in units of one or more pixels, the signal electric charges is transferred to the electric charge detecting unit and a plurality of signals which respectively corresponds to the p

Abstract: Present invention provides an imaging element that includes a first pixel group and a second pixel group, a pickup execution control unit that performs pixel addition by exposing the first pixel group and the second pixel group of the imaging element during the same exposure in a case of pickup in an SN mode and performs pixel addition by exposing the first pixel group and the second pixel group of the imaging element during different exposure times in a case of pickup in a DR mode, a diaphragm that is arranged in a light path through which the light fluxes which are incident to the imaging element pass, and a diaphragm control unit that, in the case of pickup in the DR mode, sets the diaphragm value of the diaphragm to be a value which is greater than that of the case of pickup in the SN mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computing device incorporating a camera receives an instruction associated with the camera to display an image generated by the camera in an area within a graphical user interface of an application running on the computing device. The computing device determines a width and a height of the area. The computing device instructs the camera to configure the image, in connection with its generation, for display in the area. And the computing device displays in the area the image as generated and configured by the camera.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes: an image pickup element; a control portion artificially driving an electronic leading blade by resetting stored charges of the image pickup element in a predetermined direction at every pixel line; and a focal plane shutter includes a board including an opening exposing the image pickup element, a mechanical trailing blade capable of opening and closing the opening, a trailing blade drive lever driving the trailing blade, an actuator actuating the trailing blade drive lever, a shading member capable of opening and closing at least a part of the opening, a shading member drive lever driving the shading member, a connection member provided on the shading member drive lever, and a biasing member biasing the shading member drive lever such that the shading member recedes from the opening.

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: An image sensor includes a pixel array having a plurality of pixels. A readout circuit is coupled to the pixel array. A controller circuit is coupled to control the pixel array and is coupled to the readout circuit to receive array data from the pixel array. The controller circuit includes a mode control logic unit providing logic which when executed causes the image sensor operate in an idle mode of operation and then sample in response to receiving an event signal array data received from the pixel array in a pulsed mode of operation. A pattern in the array data samples over time is recognized and a mode of operation is selected in response to the recognized pattern.

Abstract: Provides an imaging device including, imaging element in which plural first lines arrayed with first phase difference detection pixels, and plural second lines arrayed with second phase difference detection pixels, are arrayed alternately; reading out section read out signals of the phase difference detection pixels; first correlation computing section carry out first correlation computation on signals read out from a set of the first and the second phase difference detection pixel; second correlation computing section carry out second correlation computation on signals read out from at least one set among a set of plural first phase difference detection pixels of the first line, and a set of plural second phase difference detection pixels of the second line; correcting section corrects results of the first correlation computation, by results of the second correlation computation; and focusing section control focusing based on the corrected correlation computation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an imaging device including: a plurality of pixels disposed to form a matrix having pixel rows, the pixels including a pixel electrode formed on a silicon substrate for one of the pixels by being separated away from another pixel electrodes formed for one of the other pixels, a photoelectric conversion film formed on the pixel electrode, and an opposite electrode formed on the photoelectric conversion film; and a driving section configured to apply an electric potential to the photoelectric conversion film on each of the pixel rows at least having read timings different from each other with a predetermined timing outside an exposure period of the pixels in a direction opposite to that of an electric potential applied to the photoelectric conversion film during the exposure period of the pixels.

Abstract: An electronic device may have a display such as a liquid crystal display. The display may have an array of display pixels. The array of display pixels may display images for a user in an active area of the display. An inactive area of the display may surround the active area. An opaque masking layer may be provided in the inactive area to block internal components in the electronic device from view. An optical component such as a light-based proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, image sensor, or light-emitting status indicator may be aligned with an opening in the opaque masking layer. A liquid crystal shutter may be provided in the display. The liquid crystal shutter may be controlled by control circuitry in the electronic device. The liquid crystal shutter may be aligned with the opening in the opaque masking layer in the inactive area and with the optical component.

Abstract: Methods and systems for rolling shutter removal are described. A computing device may be configured to determine, in a frame of a video, distinguishable features. The frame may include sets of pixels captured asynchronously. The computing device may be configured to determine for a pixel representing a feature in the frame, a corresponding pixel representing the feature in a consecutive frame; and determine, for a set of pixels including the pixel in the frame, a projective transform that may represent motion of the camera. The computing device may be configured to determine, for the set of pixels in the frame, a mixture transform based on a combination of the projective transform and respective projective transforms determined for other sets of pixels. Accordingly, the computing device may be configured to estimate a motion path of the camera to account for distortion associated with the asynchronous capturing of the sets of pixels.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus is provided with a control unit, a noise reduction processing unit and a pixel value calculation unit. The control unit controls pulse widths of horizontal synchronization signals outputted to an imaging device such that a feed-through period and a signal period, in a case in which pixel addition in the horizontal direction is performed at the imaging device and imaging signals are outputted, are longer than a feed-through period and a signal period, in a case in which pixel addition in the horizontal direction is not performed at the imaging device. The noise reduction processing unit executes noise reduction processing to reduce the effects of noise produced in the imaging signals. The pixel value calculation unit calculates a pixel value on the basis of a first signal sampled in the feed-through period and a second signal sampled in the signal period.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce display delay time in a live view display. An image capturing device has an image data generation unit that generates image data per line of a display section based on an output of an image capturing sensor in which a start and an end of charge storing are controlled per line, a display control unit that causes the display section to display generated image data sequentially per line, and a control unit that ends charge storing after a first amount of time passes since charge storing of an image capturing target line is started, and starts displaying image data of a display target line corresponding to the image capturing target line after a second amount of time passes since charge storing of an image capturing target line is ended. The second amount of time is time required for starting displaying image data in a display target line after charge storing of an image capturing target line is ended.

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: Provided is a solid-state image pickup device that includes: a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element; and a transmittance control element provided on a light incident side of the photoelectric conversion element of at least a part of the plurality of pixels, and configured to change a transmittance of incident light by an external input.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes: an image pickup element; a control portion sequentially resetting charge stored in the image pickup element for every pixel line in a predetermined direction such that an electronic leading blade moves in a simulated manner; and a focal plane shutter.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a sensor matrix including a plurality of sensing elements and a plurality of shutter control lines. Each sensing element includes an electronic shutter and a photo-detector, wherein the electronic shutter controls the exposure time of the photo-detector. Each shutter control line couples to a row or column of the electronic shutters, whereby different rows or columns of the electronic shutters can be independently controlled, and the photo-detectors in the same row or column can have the same exposure time.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes an image pickup element with an image pickup region in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, and a controller configured to control reading of signals from the pixels. The controller divides a first frame period in which a first image is read from the image pickup element into a plurality of divided frame periods, including first and second divided frame periods. When the number of pixels included in the first image is larger than the number of pixels included in a second image, a second frame period required for reading all signals from the pixels included in the second image is inserted between the first and second divided frame periods. A refresh cycle of the second image is shorter than a refresh cycle of the first image.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an image input portion, a motion vector acquisition portion and a distortion component estimation portion. The image input portion inputs a plurality of frame images. The motion vector acquisition portion acquires an amount of parallel movement between two frame images. The distortion component estimation portion performs approximation such that a motion matrix indicating a motion between the frame images consists only of a parallel movement component and a rolling shutter distortion component, uses the amount of parallel movement to calculate, for each of the frame images, a tentative distortion coefficient included in the rolling shutter distortion component and uses the plurality of tentative distortion coefficients calculated to estimate a distortion coefficient.

Abstract: In an apparatus, operation is switchable between first and second modes. In the first mode, a photoelectric conversion part and a charge storage part are released from a reset state for all pixels included in an image acquisition area to start a period, and, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the photoelectric conversion part and an overflow drain region of each pixel are turned onto end the period, and finally the charge stored in the charge storage part is transferred to the amplifier part. In the second mode, after a mechanical shutter is opened to start a period, the mechanical shutter is closed to end the period, and stored charge is transferred to the amplifier part.

Abstract: An image sensor of a camera system captures an image over an image capture interval of time, and waits a blanking interval of time before capturing an additional image. The captured image is provided to a frame controller, and is buffered until an image signal processor accesses the captured image. The image signal processor processes the accessed image over an image processing interval of time, producing a processed image. The image processing interval of time is selected to be greater than the image capture interval of time, but less than the sum of the image capture interval of time and the blanking interval of time. By reducing the image capture interval of time but maintaining an image processing interval of time, rolling shutter artifacts are beneficially reduced without increasing the processing resources or power required by the image signal processor to process the image.

Abstract: Providing for pausing data readout from an optical sensor array is described herein. By way of example, an interruption period can be introduced into a readout cycle of the optical sensor array to suspend readout of data. During the interruption period, other operations related to the optical sensor array can be performed, including operations that are typically detrimental to image quality. Moreover, these operations can be performed while mitigating or avoiding negative impact on the image quality. Thus, greater flexibility is provided for global shutter operations, for instance, potentially improving frame rates and fine control of image exposure, while preserving image quality.

Abstract: A signal processing unit includes: a synchronizing signal control section configured to control length of a synchronizing signal for a predetermined row in a frame, in which the synchronizing signal serves as a basis of charge read processing that reads charge from a pixel array on a row basis; and a timing adjustment section configured to adjust timing of electronic shutter operation of unit pixels, according to the length of the synchronizing signal for the predetermined row controlled by the synchronizing signal control section.

Abstract: An image sensor pixel includes a photosensitive region and pixel circuitry. The photosensitive region accumulates an image charge in response to light incident upon the image sensor. The pixel circuitry includes a transfer-storage transistor, a charge-storage area, an output transistor, and a floating diffusion region. The transfer-storage transistor is coupled between the photosensitive region and the charge-storage area. The output transistor has a channel coupled between the charge-storage area and the floating diffusion region and has a gate tied to a fixed voltage potential. The transfer-storage transistor causes the image charge to transfer from the photosensitive region to the charge-storage area and to transfer from the charge-storage area to the floating diffusion region.

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: A global shutter image sensor includes an array of pixel groups arranged in rows and columns, each pixel group including four pixels and a shared readout circuit having a floating diffusion. Each pixel includes a photodiode, a transfer gate and a charge coupled gate (CCG) device. The CCG devices are coupled in series with the floating diffusion of the shared readout circuit. Control circuitry controls the image sensor such that all of the pixels simultaneously capture image information (charges) and then transfer the captured charges to the CCG devices during a global shutter operation. The control circuit then controls the CCG devices to act as a shift register that transfers the captured charges to the floating diffusion during sequential correlated double sampling readout phases. The readout circuit includes a shared reset transistor, a source-follower and row select transistor, and each pixel group is controlled by eight or fewer control signals.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus is provided. A synchronizing signal generation unit generates a short-term vertical synchronizing signal VDS and a long-term vertical synchronizing signal VDL, one cycle of which is equal to N cycles of VDS. An exposure control unit performs short-term exposure and long-term exposure for the predetermined number of lines of an image sensor according to VDS and VDL. The exposure control unit starts a read operation of pixel signals for a long-term exposure line in synchronism with VDL, and starts a read operation of pixel signals for a short-term exposure line in synchronism with VDS, which does not overlap a read period Fr_L Readout of pixel signals of a long-term exposure line.