Abstract: An image sensor includes an electronic shutter layer that is used to drain charge away from the photosensitive regions during an electronic shutter operation. A current sensing component and a selector component are electrically connected to a contact to the electronic shutter layer in the image sensor. The current sensing component senses a current level in the electronic shutter layer and changes a state of an alert signal when the current level equals or exceeds a threshold current level. The selector component receives the alert signal from the current sensing component and a shutter signal from an electronic shutter pulse driver component. Depending on the state of the alert signal, the selector component either transmits, or does not transmit, the shutter signal to the electronic shutter layer. An electronic shutter operation is performed when the electronic shutter layer receives the shutter signal.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a photocathode, configured to be gated ON/OFF at a selected gating frequency, for converting photons from an object into electrons and selectively transmitting the electrons toward an imaging sensor. The imaging sensor is configured to receive the electrons and provide a rolling shutter read out of rows of pixels. The imaging sensor includes a variable well selectively set to charge the rows of pixels to a first intensity level during a first integration period and charge to a second intensity level during a second integration period. The second integration period is longer than an OFF time of the photocathode gating frequency. The first and second integration periods are equal to a frame duration of the imaging sensor, defining a number of frames per second, and the selected gating frequency of the photocathode is higher than the number of frames per second.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an electronic shutter layer that is used to drain charge during an electronic shutter operation. A timing generator is electrically connected to a selector component. The selector component is electrically connected to an electronic shutter pulse driver component. The electronic shutter pulse driver component is electrically connected to a current sensing component. The current sensing component is electrically connected to the electronic shutter layer through a contact. The current sensing component senses a current level in the electronic shutter layer and changes a state of an alert signal when the current level equals or exceeds a threshold current level. Depending on the state of an alert signal, the selector component either transmits, or does not transmit, the drive pulse signal to the electronic shutter pulse driver component. An electronic shutter operation is performed when the electronic shutter pulse driver component receives the drive pulse signal.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an electronic shutter layer that is used to drain charge away from the photosensitive regions during an electronic shutter operation. A current reference component is electrically connected to a contact to the electronic shutter layer. The current reference component produces a signal having a level that is constant as a load current varies from zero to a threshold current level. A scaler component is electrically connected between the current reference component and an electronic shutter pulse driver component. The scaler component transmits the signal to the electronic shutter pulse driver component when the load current does not exceed the threshold current level. When the load current exceeds the threshold current level, the scaler component scales the level of the signal to a different level and transmits the scaled signal to the electronic shutter pulse driver component.

Abstract: A system for capturing images includes a sensor with a plurality of photosensitive elements, an optical system for focusing the light towards the sensor, and an electronic rolling shutter arranged so as to expose the photosensitive elements to light at moments that depend on the relative positions thereof inside the sensor. The system for capturing images also includes a means for adapting, at each of at least two distinct given moments while capturing an image, the light focus towards the sensor and/or the light exposure for at least part of the photosensitive elements exposed to the light at said moment.

Abstract: An image sensor includes an electronic shutter layer that drains charge away from the photosensitive regions during an electronic shutter operation. A signal is applied to the electronic shutter layer through a contact. Prior to performing an electronic shutter operation, a determination is made as to whether or not a current level in the electronic shutter layer substantially equals or exceeds a threshold current level. If the current level in the electronic shutter layer substantially equals or exceeds the threshold current level, the electronic shutter operation is not performed. The electronic shutter operation is performed if the current level in the electronic shutter layer does not substantially equal or exceed the threshold current level.

Abstract: An image processing circuit capable of shooting a desired subject is provided in which increasing the size of the digital camera has been avoided. Sensor control unit 31 includes a moving image mode and a still image shooting mode. If a shutter button is operated when sensor control unit is driven in the moving image mode in which mechanical shutter 21 is open, image pickup control unit 37 stops the operation of sensor control unit. Then, after exposing image sensor 23 for a predetermined exposure time, image pickup control unit 37 closes mechanical shutter 21. Additionally, image pickup control unit 37 switches sensor control unit 31 to the still image shooting mode while mechanical shutter 21 is closed.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus that controls exposure includes a signal processing unit for processing the output signal of a image sensing element, an aperture control unit for controlling aperture, and an external sensor for measuring the brightness of an object. In this case, exposure is controlled using the luminance information of both the image data and the external sensor, with the sampling period of the external sensor being set to be shorter than the accumulation period of the solid-state image sensing element. At least one of the aperture and the accumulation period is then controlled, based on the luminance information measured by the external sensor during the accumulation period.

Abstract: An imaging device driver for transmitting a signal onto a signal line for controlling transistors of a pixel row. The device includes a controller and associated circuitry for reducing shoot-through current within and between row driver circuits for driving the signal line. The controller reduces shoot-through current by preventing concurrent transmission of high and low signal outputs to the signal line by respective high and low voltage sources of the same or different row driver circuits.

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: An imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device. The solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units having plural first photoelectric conversion units and plural second photoelectric conversion units, a drive section and a signal processing section. The drive section controls the solid-state imaging device to read first pixel signals that are accumulated over an exposure period, from the first photoelectric conversion units, respectively, to read low-sensitivity pixel signals from the second photoelectric conversion units, respectively, to read second pixel signals that are accumulated in at least a part of the exposure period, from the second photoelectric conversion units, to mix the first pixel signals and the second signals for producing a high-sensitivity pixel signals. The signal processing section combines the low-sensitivity pixel signals and the high-sensitivity pixel signals and produces an 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 method, apparatus and system are described providing a high dynamic range pixel. An integration period has multiple sub-integration periods during which charges are accumulated in a photosensor and repeatedly transferred to a storage node, where the charges are accumulated for later transfer to another storage node for output.

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 global shutter compatible pixel circuit comprising a reset gate (RG) transistor is provided in which a dynamic voltage is applied to the drain of the reset gate transistor in order to reduce a floating diffusion (FD) leakage therethrough during signal hold time. The drain voltage of the reset gate transistor is held at a lower voltage than a circuit supply voltage to minimize the off-state leakage through the RG transistor, thus reducing the change in the voltage at the floating diffusion during the signal hold time. In addition, a design structure for such a circuit providing a dynamic voltage to the drain of a reset gate of a pixel circuit is also provided.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit capable of selectively executing an imaging operation in a normal imaging mode that outputs a normal exposure image signal in a unit period and an imaging operation in a combined imaging mode that outputs a long-time-exposure image signal and a short-time-exposure image signal, a pre-processing unit that performs gain processing on the normal exposure image signal, or the signals, a signal processing unit that, by combining the image signals, generates a combined image signal, and a control unit that performs control in which, by switching a reference gain setting value in the gain processing in the pre-processing unit in accordance with the normal or combined imaging mode, when the imaging unit is in the combined imaging mode, the reference gain setting value is set to be greater than the reference gain setting value when the imaging unit is in the normal imaging mode.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an image pickup device capable of reducing the deformation of the image of the photographed object. An image pickup element included in the image pickup device has a matrix of pixels, for which the control of the charge storage and the readout of image signal data is performed on a row-by-row or column-by-column basis. The storage controller controls the charge storage operation of the image pickup element. On the other hand, the readout controller controls the readout of the image signal data from the image pickup element, while keeping constant the unit period for the readout of the image signal data from the image pickup element. A synchronization signal generator provides a synchronization signal as a timing reference for the frame-based operation of the image pickup element. The synchronization signal period controller variably controls the repetition period of the synchronization signal, while the photographing is under way.

Abstract: A solid-state image sensing element includes a plurality of pixels, a color filter, a plurality of vertical charge transfer paths, a plurality of readout electrode portions. The pixels are formed on one face of a semiconductor substrate in a two-dimensional array arrangement. The color filter corresponds to a plurality of colors and includes a plurality of color filter elements disposed color by color on the pixels respectively so as to be arranged as a mosaic pattern as a whole. The vertical charge transfer paths are formed one by one between two of pixel columns composed of the pixels so that each of the vertical charge transfer paths transfers signal corresponding to one of the colors. The readout electrode portions connect each of the vertical charge transfer paths to pixels arranged in both sides of each of the vertical charge transfer paths.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus includes an automatic exposure control unit that changes an exposure value based on luminance detected by a luminance detection unit for detecting luminance of an imaging screen, and a luminance changing amount detection unit that detects a luminance changing amount in the imaging screen. A method of setting an exposure value is changed between when the luminance changing amount detected by the luminance changing amount detection unit exceeds a preset luminance changing amount and when the luminance changing amount does not exceed the preset luminance changing amount.

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: In one embodiment, a configurable timing generator outputs at least one timing signal. The configurable timing generator comprises a first timing generator configurable to output the at least one timing signal so that the at least one timing signal is adaptable to a plurality of applications. In one embodiment, a configurable parameter storage unit comprising a parameter storage area configurable so as to store a plurality of parameters at least partially defining a desired plurality of waveform hierarchy elements, where the desired plurality of waveform hierarchy elements enable the definition of a waveform. In one embodiment, a method of constructing a waveform for a configurable timing generator, the method comprising acts of constructing a first pattern waveform, where the first pattern waveform comprises a first basic pulse, and constructing a first sequence waveform, where the first sequence waveform comprises a plurality of repetitions of the first pattern waveform.

Abstract: In a solid-state image capturing device including a pixel array arranged in a row direction and a column direction orthogonal thereto, and a vertical register having a plurality of transfer electrodes which serves to read signal charges Qa, Qb, . . . generated by light receipt of each of pixels A, B, . . . and to sequentially transfer the signal charge in the column direction upon receipt of a transfer pulse, an electric potential well for a smear charge is generated and an unnecessary charge q in the vertical register is collected into the electric potential well for a smear charge before the signal charge is read from the pixels A, B, . . . onto the vertical register (a timing t707), an electric potential well for signal charge transfer is then generated and the signal charges Qa, Qb, . . . are read from the pixels A, B, . . .

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus in which a plurality of lens units can be exchanged and attached. The image sensing apparatus includes an acquiring unit configured to acquire, from an attached lens unit, lens information including at least an exit pupil distance of the lens unit, an image sensor including a plurality of pixels for converting incident light into electrical charges corresponding to the amount of incident light, a shutter unit configured to shield the image sensor from light, a reset unit configured to sequentially reset the pixels of the image sensor in a traveling direction of the shutter unit prior to starting to shield the image sensor from light using the shutter unit, and a control unit configured to control a timing for resetting the pixels, based on the acquired lens information, where photography is prohibited when the lens information fails to be acquired.

Abstract: A photosensitive pixel includes a photosensor and an externally loadable flag. The photosensor outputs a signal indicative of an intensity of incident light. The externally loadable flag indicates the pixel reset state, and is preferably stored in an in-pixel memory. Pixel reset logic resets the photosensor in accordance with the reset state and an externally applied reset signal.

Abstract: A system is described for reducing artifacts produced by a rolling shutter capture technique in the presence of high-frequency motion, e.g., produced by large accelerations or jitter. The system operates by computing low-frequency information based on the motion of points from one frame to the next. The system then uses the low-frequency information to infer the high-frequency motion, e.g., by treating the low-frequency information as known integrals of the unknown underlying high-frequency information. The system then uses the high-frequency information to reduce the presence of artifacts. In effect, the correction aims to re-render video information as though all the pixels in each frame were imaged at the same time using a global shutter technique. An auto-calibration module can estimate the value of a capture parameter, which relates to a time interval between the capture of two subsequent rows of video information.

Abstract: An image sensor is disclosed. The image sensor includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix which detects a pixel signal of each pixel based on a voltage difference between a reset voltage which is a reference voltage of each pixel and a signal voltage generated by a photoelectric conversion at each pixel, and includes a plurality of read lines located for each pixel column, wherein the reset voltage and the signal voltage are read from the pixel of the corresponding pixel column; and a reset current supply section provided for each read line, wherein at the same time a first reset current is supplied from a pixel to the read line when reading the reset voltage from the pixel, the section supplies a second reset current to the read line such that a sum of the first reset current and the second reset current is constant.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a configurable timing generator outputs at least one timing signal. The configurable timing generator comprises a first timing generator configurable to output the at least one timing signal so that the at least one timing signal is adaptable to a plurality of applications. In one embodiment, a configurable parameter storage unit comprising a parameter storage area configurable so as to store a plurality of parameters at least partially defining a desired plurality of waveform hierarchy elements, where the desired plurality of waveform hierarchy elements enable the definition of a waveform. In one embodiment, a method of constructing a waveform for a configurable timing generator, the method comprising acts of constructing a first pattern waveform, where the first pattern waveform comprises a first basic pulse, and constructing a first sequence waveform, where the first sequence waveform comprises a plurality of repetitions of the first pattern waveform.

Abstract: A method for capturing an image using an image capturing module with multiple pixels configured in a 2-dimensional matrix and a focal plane electronic shutter function which sequentially slides the exposure timing by constant interval by pixel group which is a unit of predetermined number of the pixels while scanning; the method includes an image data input process for detecting shutter operation, obtaining a reference image while skipping one or more of the pixel groups by sequentially sliding the exposure timing by the constant interval, and obtaining a target image while not skipping pixel groups to be captured, a motion data detection process for calculating the motion data of the target image based on the reference image, and a distortion compensation process for compensating for distortion in the target image according to the motion data.

Abstract: An image sensor includes pixels each of which is designed to transfer charge, accumulated in a photoactive region of the pixel during a first period, through a second active region of the pixel to a power supply node, and to transfer charge, accumulated in the photoactive region during a second period, through the second active region to a sense node in the pixel. Passing charge through the second active region prior to transferring it either to the power supply node or the sense node can help reduce fixed pattern noise. The image sensor can be operated in snap-shot mode.

Abstract: The invention provides a new method and apparatus for NTSC and PAL image sensors which employs fusion of adjacent row pixel charge samples to generate image data for a row. A variety of fusion schemes are possible for fusing the pixel signals from the adjacent rows. The rows of pixels are scanned so that each scan takes an odd row signal sample and, in some cases, an adjacent even row signal sample when specified conditions are met. One sampled row of the two adjacent rows integrate an image with a first integration period while the other adjacent row integrates an image with a second integration period.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, the matrix defining columns of the pixels, and each of the pixels outputting an analog signal by performing photoelectric conversion; an analog-digital converter provided for each of columns which sequentially converts a plurality of analog signals outputted from the pixels in a column into a plurality of digital signals; a memory circuit provided for each column which includes memories and performs, in parallel, a process of storing a one of the digital signals in one of the memories and a process of outputting another of the digital signals previously stored in another of the memories; and data buses connected to the memory in each column.

Abstract: An active pixel masking system for automatic glare suppression uses a variably transmissive screen such as an LCD in front of a lens. A measurement by an image sensor of oversaturated pixels from one or more extremely bright lights is used to generate corresponding opaque pixels in the variably transmissive screen, thereby preventing the excess light from entering the lens, and thereby clarifying the appearance of any objects near to the bright light. A continuous reading of a motion picture image is used to move the location and area of the opaque pixels in response to the motion and area of the light.

Abstract: Photographing having a wide dynamic range is performed by adjusting a discharging time for discharging charges accumulated in an image pickup device. A photographing apparatus comprises an image pickup device having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form and photographs a subject by exposing the image pickup device to light, and also includes: a detector that detects a photographing state of the subject; an operation controller that controls an operation of a curtain body traveling to block light to the image pickup device; and a scan controller that controls an exposure start scanning 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 adjusts a discharging time for discharging the charges accumulated in the image pickup device according to the photographing state of the subject.

Abstract: A multi-step exposed image acquisition method by an electronic shutter and a photography apparatus using the same are provided. The photography apparatus includes a controller configured to divide an image sensor into a plurality of areas and separately control an exposure time with respect to the plurality of areas of the image sensor and a display configured to display an image on which the exposure times for the areas has been controlled. Accordingly, a multi-step exposed image can be acquired from an image having varying brightness.

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: A solid-state imaging apparatus including: a solid-state imaging device having a pixel section formed of a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional array each containing a photoelectric conversion section for generating a signal corresponding to a quantity of incident light, a read drive section for setting one or more pixels in the pixel section as a read unit group to effect read operation by the unit of the read unit group, and a global shutter function setting section for obtaining an imaging signal where an exposure start timing and an exposure period of all subject pixels in the pixel section are the same; a light quantity distribution detecting means for detecting a distribution of said quantity of incident light to the pixel section of the solid-state imaging device; and a drive control means for setting to the read drive section an order of read sequence of the read unit groups based on a light quantity distribution information of the pixel section detected at the light quantity distribution detectin

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus which performs a global exposure operation, in a determined imaging region, for performing exposure as matching respective start times and respective end times of all rows, comprises: plural unit pixels arranged in two-dimensional matrix and each comprising a photoelectric converting unit for generating a pixel signal by photoelectric conversion, a holding unit for holding the generated pixel signal, and a first gate for transferring the generated pixel signal to the holding unit; a first controlling line connected commonly to the first gates in the unit pixels on the same row; a vertical controlling circuit for resetting the unit pixel; and a first driving line connected to the first controlling line, and not connected to and thus independent of the vertical controlling circuit, thereby enabling to reduce a current flowing in a power supply of the vertical controlling circuit when driving electrodes of the holding units.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus including a solid-state imaging device having a pixel section having unit pixels for generating imaging signal associated with an object each formed of a first pixel and a second pixel adjacent to the first pixel, a read drive section where one or more pixels of the first and second pixels are respectively treated as a read unit group so as to effect read operation by the read unit group based on a setting signal inputted from an external source, and an output section for generating a difference signal between signals outputted from the first and second pixels to output it as an imaging signal associated with the unit pixel; and a section for interpolating an imaging signal at a predetermined location between the unit pixels based on imaging signals outputted from the difference signal output section.

Abstract: A method for resetting image sensing and an image sensing device using the same are provided. The method for resetting image sensing includes generating a plurality of reset signals and a plurality of control signals, and using the reset signals and the control signals to control a pixel array to reset and expose. The pixel array has a plurality of pixel blocks, each of the pixel blocks has a plurality of pixel sensing units. When the plurality of pixel sensing units of one of the pixel blocks expose to acquire a plurality of sensing signals sequentially, the plurality of pixel sensing units of another one of the pixel blocks are reset.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing unit that performs image sensing by converting incoming light into electrical signals, a control unit that controls driving of the image sensing unit so as to read out the electrical signals by each area of a plurality of areas of the image sensing unit, and a signal processing unit that processes the electrical signals read out by each of the plurality of areas. The control unit varies a horizontal cycle that drives the image sensing unit for each of the plurality of areas.

Abstract: A digital motion picture camera for the taking of motion pictures includes an optoelectronic sensor device having a plurality of sensor elements for the generation of received signals in dependence on the exposure time, a digitizing device for the digitizing of the received signals and an electronic control device for the control of the exposure time and the reading out of the received signals and for the evaluation of these received signals. A plurality of images taken with different exposure times are combined with one another by means of the control device, with the time centers of the images to be combined with one another between a respective start of recording and a respective end of recording coinciding at least substantially.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, each of the pixels converting an optical signal into an electric signal and storing the electric signal according to exposure time; a dummy pixel section having dummy pixels arranged in a matrix form; and pixel drive sections adapted to control the pixel operations in such a manner as to operate an electronic shutter on and read the pixel section and dummy pixel section, wherein when an electronic rolling shutter is operated in which the pixels are shuttered row by row, the pixel drive sections judge whether the current and next frames are shuttered concurrently and in parallel so as to determine in which horizontal read period the dummy pixel section is to be shuttered.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes: a pixel unit in which plural pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element which converts light signals into electric signals and accumulates the electric signals according to exposure time are arranged in a matrix state; plural control lines for drive controlling the pixels; and a pixel drive unit controlling operation of the pixels to perform electronic shutter operation and reading of the pixel unit through the control lines, wherein the pixel drive unit includes a function of outputting read row selection signals and shutter row selection signals of row addresses of read rows from which signals are read and shutter rows from which charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements are swept out and reset in accordance with address signals, and a function of selecting plural successive rows by designating the lowest address signal and the highest address signal.

Abstract: An image pickup device includes an image sensing device and a driving unit. The image sensing device includes a first pixel group and a second pixel group. The first pixel group includes a plurality of pixels arranged as a two-dimensional array in a semiconductor substrate surface portion that receives incidence light from a subject. The second pixel group includes a plurality of pixels arranged as a two-dimensional array in the semiconductor substrate surface portion in an area overlapping the first pixel group while the pixels in the first pixel group do not disposed in the same positions as the pixels in the second pixel group. The driving unit outputs a picked-up image signal of one frame from the first pixel group exposed over one vertical synchronizing time period for each vertical synchronizing signal.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a sharing pixel block having k (where k is a natural number other than 1) pixel transistors corresponding to n (where n is a natural number other than 1) pixels and a row-selection circuit configured to select the pixel transistors every row in the sharing pixel block using logic of an address signal and a timing signal. In this solid-state imaging device, in a case of a 1/n row decimation operation in which a signal is read every n rows, the row-selection circuit simultaneously performs shutter operations for n rows corresponding to the k pixel transistors included in the sharing pixel block using an input of a simultaneous-shutter-operation signal.

Abstract: An output compensating device of an image sensor using a number of light-sensor circuits, each of which represents a unit pixel and works by producing in a photoelectric converting element a sensor current proportional to a quantity of light falling thereon, converting the current into a voltage signal by using sub-threshold region characteristic of a transistor having a logarithmic output characteristic in a weak inverse state, which enables the image sensor to compensate for variations in each pixel output by using a sensor signal obtainable when changing a gate voltage and drain voltage of the transistor with shut-off light falling on the photoelectric converting element to a value lower than normal voltages of the transistor for taking video. This enables the image sensor to easily compensate for variations in output characteristics of respective light sensor circuits in a pseudo output state created therein with no actual light falling thereon.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state imaging device and driving method thereof capable of suppressing image quality defect caused by a coupling which occurs when a readout transistor that controls signal charge readout from a photodiode. The solid-state imaging device is an amplifying solid-state imaging device which includes: a unit cell having a readout transistor which reads signal charge from the photodiode, which outputs an amplifier signal corresponding to the signal charge; a first vertical signal line and a second vertical signal line connected to the unit cell; a sampling capacity which accumulates amplifier signals transmitted via the first vertical signal line and the second vertical signal line; a bias current supply, a coupling control transistor, and a coupling control circuit, which prevent transmission of the amplifier signal from the unit cell to the sampling capacity either at the start or the end of the signal charge readout by the readout transistor.

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: An image sensing apparatus comprises an image sensing unit which receives an object image via a lens and accumulate the received image as an electric charge, a mechanical shutter unit which travels so as to shield an image sensing region of the image sensing unit against light, a scanning unit which performs scanning for sequentially starting the accumulation of the electric charge for each image sensing region of the image sensing unit, a control unit which controls the accumulation start scanning of the scanning unit and the travel of a shutter of the mechanical shutter unit, so as to implement a first curtain and second curtain of a shutter and a changing unit which changes a maximum shutter speed on the basis of one of a type of the lens and information on the lens.

Abstract: A lock in pinned photodiode photodetector includes a plurality of output ports which are sequentially enabled. Each time when the output port is enabled is considered to be a different bin of time. A specified pattern is sent, and the output bins are investigated to look for that pattern. The time when the pattern is received indicates the time of flight. A CMOS active pixel image sensor includes a plurality of pinned photodiode photodetectors that use a common output transistor. In one configuration, the charge from two or more pinned photodiodes may be binned together and applied to the gate of an output transistor.