Entries |
Document | Title | Date |
20080252762 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE, METHOD FOR DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE, AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM INCORPORATED WITH SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE - In a solid-state image sensing device, a method for driving the solid-state image sensing device, and an image sensing system incorporated with the solid-state image sensing device of the invention, pixel signals having two or more different photoelectric conversion characteristics to be outputted from a pixel section are amplified by using an analog gain with respect to each of the photoelectric conversion characteristics for outputting the amplified pixel signals. This enables to reproduce an image having a wide dynamic range while suppressing lowering of the frame rate. | 10-16-2008 |
20080273105 | Solid-State Image Sensing Device and Method for Driving the Same - A solid-state image sensing device includes: a plurality of unit pixels | 11-06-2008 |
20080273106 | Class AB amplifier and imagers and systems using same - A class AB amplifier includes an input stage having a pair of differential input terminals, first and second differential output terminals, and a local common mode feedback circuit. The input stage includes a local common mode feedback circuit having cascode transistor to achieve relatively high gain. The amplifier also includes an output stage having first and second pairs complementary transistors coupled between first and second power supply nodes. One of the complementary transistors in each pair has a gate coupled to the first and second differential output terminals, respectively. The output stage includes a pair of cascode transistor connected to one of the pairs of complementary output transistors. The amplifier can be used to supply a bias voltage to a highly capacitive load, such as voltage sampling capacitors in a CMOS imager. | 11-06-2008 |
20080284886 | Image pickup circuit, CMOS sensor, and image pickup device - Disclosed herein is an image pickup circuit including: amplifying means for amplifying a charge corresponding to an amount of light received by a photodetector, and outputting a pixel signal; ramp signal generating means for generating a ramp signal whose voltage drops with a fixed slope from a predetermined initial voltage; and comparing means for comparing the pixel signal output by the amplifying means with the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means. A reference potential of the pixel signal output by the amplifying means and a reference potential of the ramp signal output by the ramp signal generating means are at a same level. | 11-20-2008 |
20090002533 | Apparatus of high dynamic-range CMOS image sensor and method thereof - The present invention discloses an apparatus of high dynamic-range CMOS image sensor and method thereof. The present invention utilize a pixel circuit outputting an output signal, wherein the pixel circuit has a photodiode and a plurality of transistors; and utilize a current source as a charge supplement unit to supply current into one end of the photodiode, and providing charges to the parasitic capacitor of the photodiode to delay saturation in the pixel circuit. In addition, a feedback circuit can be further designed connecting the pixel circuit. The feedback circuit receives the output signal from the pixel circuit and then outputs a control signal according to the output signal of the pixel circuit to control status of the charge supplement unit, and thereby increasing the dynamic range of the CMOS image sensor. | 01-01-2009 |
20090009642 | Fast-settling line driver design for high resolution video IR and visible imagers - A fast-settling line driver circuit capable of high-speed operation. The line driver is particularly well-suited for operation in a high-resolution imaging system. The line driver circuit comprises a signal amplifier that is configured in a negative feedback loop and connected to a bus line through a switch network. The switch network is disposed inside the feedback loop while the line driver is transmitting a signal onto the bus line. This configuration reduces the settling time of the line driver by substantially eliminating the effect of the switch resistance on the RC time constant. The line driver also comprises offset cancellation and presettle circuits that improve the integrity of the output signal and reduce the power consumption of the system. | 01-08-2009 |
20090046186 | Solid state image capturing device and electronic information device - A solid-state image capturing device having a two pixel sharing structure is provided. A reset section for resetting electric potential of the floating diffusion to a predetermined electric potential and a signal amplifying section for amplifying a signal in accordance with voltage of the floating diffusion to read out the signal are separately arranged. An active region of the reset section is configured to function as an active region of the floating diffusion. A wiring extending from the floating diffusion to a control electrode of the signal amplifying section is formed to be a first layer of a metal wiring having a layout of a straight line with a shortest length. Centers of the light receiving sections are oriented to centers of pixels and the centers of the pixels are arranged at regular optical intervals. | 02-19-2009 |
20090086072 | DUAL CDS/PxGA CIRCUIT - Provided is a dual sampling/pixel gain amplifier (CDS/PxGA) circuit with a shared amplifier, and more particularly, to a dual CDS/PxGA circuit for adjusting a gain of an amplifier based on capacitance. The dual CDS/PxGA circuit comprises: a first sampler for sampling a reset level and a data level of a first pixel; a second sampler for sampling a reset level and a data level of a second pixel; and an operational amplifier for receiving sampling values from the first and second samplers, calculating output signals of the first and second pixels using the sampling values, and amplifying the calculated output signals. Thus, it is possible to reduce a speed of an operational amplifier by using the dual CDS/PxGA structure, reduce power consumption by sharing the operational amplifier, and obtain a variable gain of a wide range by adjusting capacitance using a capacitor array. | 04-02-2009 |
20090091648 | Multi-resolution Image Sensor Array with High Image Quality Pixel Readout Circuitry - A configurable, compact multi-resolution linear image sensor array is disclosed. The multi-resolution image sensor array employs a spatial array of photoelectric sites with each site having an image output terminal and a cluster of switched photo-detector elements. To effect a high quality snapshot operation mode for a high pixel count array, a transfer control switch is added bridging each photo-detector element and its correspondingly connected negative input terminal of an operational amplifier to form an active pixel sensor circuit. To minimize a reset kTC noise associated with numerous traditional active pixel sensor circuits, an in-pixel KTC noise-correlated correlated multiple sampling (CMS) circuitry is also proposed to replace an otherwise traditional correlated double sampling (CDS) circuitry. | 04-09-2009 |
20090102955 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM USING THE PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE - It is a principle object of the present invention to reduce a voltage drop of a common power supply wiring in a plurality of amplification circuits to suppress crosstalk generated in other signal output lines. A photoelectric conversion device includes: a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion area; a plurality of signal output lines through which electrical signals are to be read out from the plurality of pixels; and a plurality of amplification circuits provided in correspondence to the plurality of signal output lines for amplifying the electrical signals, respectively, the plurality of amplification circuits including at least one constant current circuit portion and being disposed in a predetermined direction of repetitive dispersion, in which a constant current circuit portion includes at least a source grounded field effect transistor (the gate electrode is designated by reference symbol | 04-23-2009 |
20090167913 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND DRIVING METHOD THEREFOR - A solid-state image pickup device includes an effective pixel portion in which effective pixels are arranged in a matrix, the effective pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit and outputting a first signal, a non-effective pixel portion in which non-effective pixels are arranged in at least one row, the non-effective pixels each including no photoelectric conversion unit and outputting a second signal, a vertical scanning unit for selecting each row of pixels in the effective and non-effective pixel portions, and an input section for externally receiving a third signal used to change a driving mode of the solid-state image pickup device. The vertical scanning unit begins electronic shutter scanning upon pixels in the effective pixel portion and causes each of pixels in the non-effective pixel portion to output the second signal after the input section has received the third signal and before the first signal is output. | 07-02-2009 |
20090167914 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus comprises a pixel array; a readout unit; a first terminal; and a second terminal, wherein the readout unit including a column amplification unit, a holding unit, a first power supply line, and a second power supply line, and wherein the column amplification unit including a transistor having a gate electrode and back-gate electrode, the gate electrode receiving a signal read out from a pixel on each column of the pixel array, and the holding unit including a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode receiving a signal amplified by the column amplification unit, and wherein the first power supply line transfers the first power supply voltage to the back-gate electrode of the transistor, and the second power supply line transfers the second power supply voltage to the second electrode of the capacitor. | 07-02-2009 |
20090185061 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CORRECTING A PICKED-UP IMAGE SIGNAL OF THE SAME - In a method for correcting a picked-up image signal of an image pickup apparatus including: a solid-state imaging device comprising a plurality of pixels which are arranged in a two-dimensional array form in a surface portion of a semiconductor substrate, and an amplifier which is provided at the semiconductor substrate, and which amplifies signals that are detected by the pixels in accordance with an amount of incident light; and an image signal processing section which processes a signal output from the amplifier, each of the pixels senses light emission produced when the amplifier operates, through the semiconductor substrate to obtain a signal amount as a correction amount, and the correction amount is subtracted from a detection signal amount of the pixel which is output from the amplifier, to correct the detection amount. | 07-23-2009 |
20090237539 | AMPLIFICATION TYPE SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - Before a signal charge from a photodiode | 09-24-2009 |
20090268070 | IMAGE SENSOR AND ASSOCIATED READOUT SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus, such as useable in a digital camera or input scanner, comprises a first photodiode and a first integrating amplifier associated therewith. A first reset capacitor, selectably associated with the first photodiode, flushes charge on the first photodiode through the first integrating amplifier. A first CDS capacitor is downstream of the first integrating amplifier. A hold capacitor forms a hold node downstream of the first CDS capacitor. A pixel amplifier reads out a signal from the hold node at a predetermined time. The pixel amplifier is selectably controllable between a standby mode and a power mode. | 10-29-2009 |
20090322920 | Operational amplifier for an active pixel sensor - The present invention includes operational amplifier for an active pixel sensor that detects optical energy and generates an analog output that is proportional to the optical energy. The active pixel sensor operates in a number of different modes including: signal integration mode, the reset integration mode, column reset mode, and column signal readout mode. Each mode causes the operational amplifier to see a different output load. Accordingly, the operational amplifier includes a variable feedback circuit to provide compensation that provides sufficient amplifier stability for each operating mode of the active pixel sensor. For instance, the operational amplifier includes a bank of feedback capacitors, one or more of which are selected based on the operating mode to provide sufficient phase margin for stability, but also considering gain and bandwidth requirements of the operating mode. | 12-31-2009 |
20090322921 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes: plural pixel cells, arranged in a matrix, each of which includes a photodiode which photoelectrically converts incident light, a transferring transistor which transfers a charge generated by the photodiode, a floating diffusion which accumulates the transferred charge, a reset transistor which resets a potential of said floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor which converts the charge accumulated in the floating lo diffusion into a voltage; column signal lines each connected to associated ones of plurality of amplifying transistors including the amplifying transistor corresponding to a corresponding one of columns having the associated plurality of pixel cells; and a voltage control circuit which increases a voltage of the column signal line to a predetermined voltage between the reset of the potential by the reset transistor and the transfer of the charge by the transferring transistor. | 12-31-2009 |
20100002114 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus comprises a transfer block including a first transfer unit and a second transfer unit, wherein the first transfer unit includes a first impedance converter which transfers a first signal to the output unit, and the first transfer unit transfers, as a third signal, a difference signal between a first offset of the first impedance converter and a signal obtained by superimposing the first offset on the first signal, the second transfer unit includes a second impedance converter which transfers a second signal to the output unit, and the second transfer unit transfers, as a fourth signal, a difference signal between a second offset of the second impedance converter and a signal obtained by superimposing the second offset on the second signal, and the output unit calculates a difference between the third signal and the fourth signal, generating and outputting an image signal. | 01-07-2010 |
20100033610 | CMOS IMAGE SENSOR WITH IMPROVED PERFORMANCE INCORPORATING PIXELS WITH BURST RESET OPERATION - A reset transistor includes a floating diffusion region for detecting a charge, a junction region for draining the charge, a gate for controlling a transfer of the charge from the floating diffusion region to the junction region upon receipt of a reset signal, and a potential well incorporated underneath the gate. | 02-11-2010 |
20100053396 | IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An image sensing device comprises: a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed; and a plurality of column amplification units that amplify a plurality of signals that are output in parallel from the pixel array, wherein each of the column amplification units includes: a differential amplifier including an amplification unit and a constant current circuit, the amplification unit amplifying a signal that is output from the pixels and outputting the signal to an output node, the constant current circuit being arranged between the amplification unit and a ground terminal and supplying a current to the amplification unit; and a clip unit that clips a voltage of the output node when the differential amplifier amplifies the signal and thereby clipping a voltage of a connection node connecting the amplification unit to the constant current circuit in the differential amplifier. | 03-04-2010 |
20100053397 | IMAGING APPARATUS - In an image capture mode, a noise reading operation and image signal reading operation are used. In a photometric operation mode, the image signal reading operation is used. | 03-04-2010 |
20100073538 | IMAGE SENSOR - The invention relates to an image sensor for cameras which includes a plurality of pixels arranged in lines and columns. The pixels each include a light-sensitive detector element to generate electrical charge from incident light, a transfer gate, a readout node which is charge-coupled to the detector element via the transfer gate, a converter circuit to generate a measurement signal which is proportional to a charge present in the readout node, and a reset device to reset a charge present in the readout node to a reference value. The image sensor furthermore includes a control device for the control of the transfer gate and of the of the reset device of the respective pixel. The control device is configured such that the charge generated during a single exposure procedure in the respective detector element is transferred from the detector element to the readout node in a plurality of portions. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the reading out of an image sensor. | 03-25-2010 |
20100091160 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING DEVICE - Solid-state imaging device having a plurality of vertical signal lines, includes for each vertical signal line, an effective pixel and a dummy pixel, a switch transistor provided on a path connecting the dummy pixel and the vertical signal line, and a read-out unit. The switch transistor is OFF while a first signal is outputted from the effective pixel and ON while a second signal is outputted from the dummy pixel. The read-out unit (i) reads out a level of the first signal while the switch transistor is OFF, and (ii) reads out a difference between the level of the first signal and a level of the second signal when the switch transistor is turned from OFF to ON. | 04-15-2010 |
20100097508 | SOLID STATE IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD FOR DRIVING A SOLID STATE IMAGE SENSOR, IMAGING APPARATUS, AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE - A solid state image sensor includes a pixel array, as well as charge-to-voltage converters, reset gates, and amplifiers each shared by a plurality of pixels in the array. The voltage level of the reset gate power supply is set higher than the voltage level of the amplifier power supply. Additionally, charge overflowing from photodetectors in the pixels may be discarded into the charge-to-voltage converters. The image sensor may also include a row scanner configured such that, while scanning a row in the pixel array to read out signals therefrom, the row scanner resets the charge in the photodetectors of the pixels sharing a charge-to-voltage converter with pixels on the readout row. The charge reset is conducted simultaneously with or prior to reading out the signals from the pixels on the readout row. | 04-22-2010 |
20100128154 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS TO PROVIDE REFERENCE CURRENT WITH NEGATIVE TEMPERATURE COEFFICIENT - Systems and methods for providing one or more reference currents with respective negative temperature coefficients are provided. A first voltage is divided to provide a divided voltage, which is compared to a reference voltage (e.g., a bandgap reference voltage) to provide a control voltage. The first voltage and the one or more reference currents are based on the control voltage. | 05-27-2010 |
20100134670 | AMPLIFICATION-TYPE CMOS IMAGE SENSOR - Pixels are two-dimensionally arranged into rows and columns in an image sensing region of a solid-state image sensing device, and divided into a plurality of vertical blocks. A vertical signal line is connected to each pixel column. A voltage read out from a pixel is A/D-converted and held in a holding circuit. A vertical block selection circuit outputs a vertical block selection signal in response to a horizontal sync pulse. An intra-block line selection circuit selects one pixel row in one block or simultaneously selects a plurality of pixel rows in one block, in accordance with the selection signal and a signal for setting the number of lines to be selected. A pulse selector circuit supplies a pixel driving pulse signal to a pixel row selected by the intra-block line selection circuit. | 06-03-2010 |
20100194947 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus that is capable of preventing a harmful influence due to noise generated in a control line. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit for photoelectric converting to generate a signal; control lines for supplying control signals for driving the pixels; driving buffers for driving the control lines; and switching units for switching between a first path for supplying power source voltages from power source circuits to power source terminals of the driving buffers and a second path for supplying power source voltages from capacitors to the power source terminals of the driving buffers. | 08-05-2010 |
20100231767 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DRIVING THE SAME - An object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus capable of providing a high S/N ratio in a plurality of operation modes, and a method for driving the same. Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus including: a plurality of pixels ( | 09-16-2010 |
20100328511 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND READING METHOD THEREOF - An apparatus includes a plurality of pixels including a photoelectric conversion unit and a pixel amplification unit for amplifying a signal transmitted from the photoelectric conversion unit and outputting an amplified signal, a sequential averaging unit configured to sequentially average signals read a plurality of times via the pixel amplification unit, and a memory configured to store a signal obtained by sequential averaging. | 12-30-2010 |
20110019046 | Wafer-scale Linear Image Sensor Chip and Method with Replicated Gapless Pixel Line and Signal Readout Circuit Segments - A wafer-scale linear image sensor chip (WLISC) is proposed with gapless pixel line and signal readout circuit segments. The WLISC converts pixel line image (PLI) of length L | 01-27-2011 |
20110157441 | SOLID STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND CAMERA - An solid state image pickup device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions (PD | 06-30-2011 |
20110181764 | IMAGE SENSOR AND IMAGE CAPTURE APPARATUS - An image sensor having a plurality of pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a row direction and a column direction, comprises a plurality of pixel amplifiers which are arranged in the row direction for each column, and one of which is shared by at least two pixels of each column; two output lines arranged for each column, to either of which signals are output from the plurality of pixel amplifiers arranged in the row direction for each column; and an averaging unit which averages signals output from the two output lines arranged for the same column. | 07-28-2011 |
20110234874 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CAMERA - An imaging apparatus including a pixel, a current source, and a signal processing circuit. The pixel outputs signal charge, obtained by imaging, as a pixel signal. The current source is connected to a transmission path for the pixel signal and has a variable current. The signal processing circuit performs signal processing on a signal depending on an output signal to the transmission path and performs control so that a current of the current source is changed in accordance with the result of signal processing. | 09-29-2011 |
20110242381 | Solid-state image pickup apparatus signal processing method for a solid-state image pickup apparatus, and electronic apparatus - Disclosed herein is a solid-state image pickup apparatus, including a pixel array section in which a unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion section and a charge detection section for detecting charge generated by photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion section is disposed; a driving section adapted to carry out driving of reading out a signal of the unit pixel divisionally by twice as a first signal and a second signal; and a signal processing section adapted to set the first signal read out first from the unit pixel as a reference voltage for a processable input voltage range of the signal processing section, adjust the reference voltage so that the first and second signals may be included in the input voltage range and carry out signal processing for the first and second signals using the adjusted reference voltage. | 10-06-2011 |
20110242382 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - There is provided an image pickup apparatus including a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element and an amplification element for amplifying and outputting a signal generated at the photoelectric conversion element, a load transistor for controlling an electric current flowing at the amplification element, and a potential control element for suppressing potential fluctuation in a first main electrode region of the load transistor which is an output side of the amplification element. | 10-06-2011 |
20110261241 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel unit which has an array of a plurality of groups each including a plurality of pixels arrayed in a row direction and a column direction, and an adding unit configured to add, of pixel signals output from the plurality of pixels arrayed in the groups, homochromatic pixel signals. The adding unit has, for each group, a common pixel amplifier commonly connected to homochromatic pixels. The adding unit adds the pixel signals of the homochromatic pixels in the gate portion of the common pixel amplifier so that the spatial centers of gravity of the pixels added in the group are arranged at equal pitches in at least one of the row direction and the column direction. | 10-27-2011 |
20110292264 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME - To provide a solid-state imaging device and an imaging apparatus including the solid-state imaging device that are capable of reducing occurrence of vertical stripes on an image while suppressing a black level shift thereon. A clipping circuit operation change-over switch enables a clip transistor when a column comparison unit determines that the voltage of a pixel signal is lower than a reference voltage for determination, and disables the clip transistor when the column comparison unit determines that the voltage of the pixel signal is higher than or equal to the reference voltage for determination. | 12-01-2011 |
20120008030 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus including a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric conversion element, and an amplifier circuit which amplifies and outputs signals of the plurality of pixels is provided. The plurality of pixels include a first pixel having a first photoelectric conversion element with a first sensitivity and a second pixel having a second photoelectric conversion element with a second sensitivity higher than the first sensitivity. The amplifier circuit amplifies a signal output from the first pixel by a first gain and a signal output from the second pixel by a second gain smaller than the first gain. | 01-12-2012 |
20120026371 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE, IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF DRIVING IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - An image capturing device comprises a pixel array having a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion portion, a plurality of signal lines connected to the pixel array, a plurality of column amplifiers configured to respectively amplify signals transferred from the pixel array via the signal lines, the column amplifier comprising a first input terminal, a first output terminal, an amplifier having a second input terminal and a second output terminal, a feedback capacitance arranged between the second input terminal and the first output terminal, an input capacitance having an electrode connected to the first input terminal, and an electrode connected to the second input terminal, a first switch arranged between the second input terminal and the second output terminal, a second switch arranged between the first output terminal and the second output terminal, and a third switch arranged between a reference voltage terminal and the first output terminal. | 02-02-2012 |
20120081586 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus comprises a pixel array; a readout unit; a first terminal; and a second terminal, wherein the readout unit including a column amplification unit, a holding unit, a first power supply line, and a second power supply line, and wherein the column amplification unit including a transistor having a gate electrode and back-gate electrode, the gate electrode receiving a signal read out from a pixel on each column of the pixel array, and the holding unit including a capacitor having a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode receiving a signal amplified by the column amplification unit, and wherein the first power supply line transfers the first power supply voltage to the back-gate electrode of the transistor, and the second power supply line transfers the second power supply voltage to the second electrode of the capacitor. | 04-05-2012 |
20120105695 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - A solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element that converts light into an electric signal, a feedback amplifying circuit that amplifies a signal of the pixel using an amplification factor that is based on a variable feedback capacitor, a storage capacitor connected to an output node of the amplifying circuit via a first switch, and a load element connected to the output node of the amplifying circuit via a second switch. The second switch is in an on state during any one of or both of a period in which the feedback capacitor is reset and a period in which the first switch is in an on state. | 05-03-2012 |
20120147237 | IMAGE SENSING PIXELS WITH FEEDBACK LOOPS FOR IMAGING SYSTEMS - An imaging system may include an image sensor array formed from imaging pixels with feedback loops. Each imaging pixel may include an amplifier transistor that is controlled by a voltage on a floating diffusion node and may include a feedback transistor connected between the floating diffusion node and column readout circuitry. The amplifier transistor, together with a current source in the image sensor array, may form a common-source amplifier that inversely amplifies the voltage on the floating diffusion node and provides control signals to the feedback transistor. The common-source amplifier and the feedback transistor may create a feedback loop during image readout operations and during image reset operations that clamps the voltage on the floating diffusion node. | 06-14-2012 |
20120176523 | SENSE AMPLIFIER INCLUDING NEGATIVE CAPACITANCE CIRCUIT AND APPARATUSES INCLUDING SAME - A sense amplifier having a negative capacitance circuit receives differential input signals via a pair of data lines, and senses and amplifies a voltage difference between differential output signals corresponding to the differential input signals as loaded by the negative capacitance circuit using a differential-to-single-ended amplifier to generate a corresponding data output signal. | 07-12-2012 |
20120194718 | SOLID STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a solid state imaging device includes an imaging unit that outputs imaging data by performing an imaging operation, a temperature sensor that outputs a diode voltage according to a diode current, and an output circuit that shares a part of a circuit with the imaging unit and outputs temperature data based on the diode voltage outputted from the temperature sensor in the same semiconductor chip. | 08-02-2012 |
20120200753 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE - During the vertical blanking period, first the vertical common signal line switch transistor | 08-09-2012 |
20120327280 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND DRIVING METHOD FOR THE SAME - Provided is an imaging apparatus including an image sensor. In the image sensor that includes a valid pixel area in which a plurality of valid pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit is disposed, a first reference pixel area in which a plurality of first reference pixels each having a light-shielded photoelectric conversion unit is disposed, and a second reference pixel area in which a plurality of second reference pixels each having no photoelectric conversion unit is disposed, when outputs of the plurality of valid pixels are added to be read, outputs of the plurality of first reference pixels are added by the addition unit to be read, and outputs of the plurality of second reference pixels are read without being added by the addition unit. Thus, noises can be effectively corrected even in the small number of invalid pixels areas. | 12-27-2012 |
20130050552 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: photoelectric conversion sections that generate signal charge corresponding to an amount of received light; and a plurality of pixel transistors that read the signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion sections, and include amplification transistors each being formed of an amplification gate electrode which is formed on a substrate, a high-concentration impurity region which is formed in a substrate region on a drain side of the amplification gate electrode, and a low-concentration impurity region which is formed to have an impurity concentration lower than that of the high-concentration impurity region and is formed on a substrate region on a source side of the amplification gate electrode. | 02-28-2013 |
20130100327 | IMAGE PICKUP UNIT AND IMAGE PICKUP DISPLAY SYSTEM - An image pickup unit includes: an image pickup section having a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric transducer; and a drive section performing reading driving and reset driving of signal charge stored in each of the pixels. The drive section includes a charge amplifier circuit converting the read signal charge into a voltage, the drive section performs the reset driving a plurality of times intermittently during one frame period, and the drive section performs each reset driving within the one frame period, by using feedback or an imaginary short of a charge amplifier in the charge amplifier circuit. | 04-25-2013 |
20130107092 | IMAGE PICKUP UNIT AND IMAGE PICKUP DISPLAY SYSTEM | 05-02-2013 |
20130113966 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus has a plurality of pixels and an amplifying unit ( | 05-09-2013 |
20130120625 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes pixels, vertical signal lines, a high-order AD converter configured to convert M bits, a low-order AD converter, and first and second selection circuits. The first selection circuit is configured to output, in a normal mode, voltage of the selected vertical signal line and to output correction voltage in a correction mode. The high-order AD converter calculates 2 | 05-16-2013 |
20130141618 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, IMAGING APPARATUS AND SIGNAL READING METHOD - A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit in which pixels each including a photoelectric conversion element and a signal accumulation circuit are arranged in a matrix shape and a plurality of pixels in a range of two or more rows form the same group, and a control unit that performs control to associate a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that are targets from which signals are read in the same group with a plurality of signal accumulation circuits in the same group of an array having a number of rows smaller than a number of rows in an array of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, transfer signals generated by the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements to the signal accumulation circuits associated with the respective photoelectric conversion elements, and output the signals accumulated in the signal accumulation circuits for each row. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147996 | DRIVING METHOD OF SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - In a driving method of device having plural pixels, each pixel comprises photoelectric converter, floating diffusion, transfer transistor to transfer charge of the photoelectric converter to the floating diffusion, amplifying transistor to amplify signal based on the transferred charge, and reset transistor to reset voltage of the floating diffusion, the method comprises first step of, after putting the transfer transistor into conduction state, resetting the charge of the photoelectric converter by putting the transfer transistor into non-conduction state in non-conduction state of the reset transistor, and second step of, after the first step and after putting the transfer transistor into the conduction state, transferring the charge of the photoelectric converter to the floating diffusion by putting the transfer transistor into the non-conduction state in the non-conduction state of the reset transistor, and the signal based on the charge transferred in the second step is amplified by the amplifying transistor. | 06-13-2013 |
20130215304 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME - An image pickup apparatus includes pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit, an amplifying element, a first signal holding unit and a second signal holding unit both disposed in an electric path between the photoelectric conversion unit and an input node of the amplifying element, a first charge transfer unit configured to transfer electrons from the photoelectric conversion unit to the first signal holding unit, and a second charge transfer unit configured to transfer electrons from the first signal holding unit to the second signal holding unit. Voltage are set such that a voltage supplied to the first control electrode when the electrons are transferred from the photoelectric conversion unit to the first signal holding unit is lower than a voltage supplied to the second control electrode when the electrons held by the first signal holding unit are transferred to the second signal holding unit. | 08-22-2013 |
20130215305 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - One or more embodiments relate to an image pickup apparatus including multiple pixels. Each of the multiple pixels includes a photoelectric-conversion unit, and an amplifier which outputs a signal based on charge generated by the photoelectric-conversion unit. Within an electric path between the photoelectric-conversion unit and an input node of the amplifier, there are disposed a first holder, a second holder disposed following the first holder, a first transfer unit which transfers charge to the first holder, a second transfer unit which transfers charge of the first holder to the second holder, and a third transfer unit which transfers charge of the second holder. The first holder includes a first-conductive-type first semiconductor region holding charge. The second holder includes a first-conductive-type second semiconductor region holding charge. Impurity concentration of the first semiconductor region is lower than impurity concentration of the second semiconductor region. | 08-22-2013 |
20130229557 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, DRIVING METHOD FOR IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND DRIVING METHOD FOR IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An image pickup apparatus includes a plurality of comparators. At least two analog signal outputs from a pixel are input to the plurality of comparators, and the plurality of comparators perform comparison operations in an overlapped period. | 09-05-2013 |
20130242153 | IMAGE SENSING APPARATUS AND IMAGE CAPTURING SYSTEM - An image sensing apparatus includes a pixel unit which has an array of a plurality of groups each including a plurality of pixels arrayed in a row direction and a column direction, and an adding unit configured to add, of pixel signals output from the plurality of pixels arrayed in the groups, homochromatic pixel signals. The adding unit has, for each group, a common pixel amplifier commonly connected to homochromatic pixels. The adding unit adds the pixel signals of the homochromatic pixels in the gate portion of the common pixel amplifier so that the spatial centers of gravity of the pixels added in the group are arranged at equal pitches in at least one of the row direction and the column direction. | 09-19-2013 |
20130271634 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND CAMERA - An imaging apparatus including a pixel, a current source, and a signal processing circuit. The pixel outputs signal charge, obtained by imaging, as a pixel signal. The current source is connected to a transmission path for the pixel signal and has a variable current. The signal processing circuit performs signal processing on a signal depending on an output signal to the transmission path and performs control so that a current of the current source is changed in accordance with the result of signal processing. | 10-17-2013 |
20130308024 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - There is provided an image pickup apparatus which outputs a digital signal based on a comparison result signal that changes the signal value at Nth (where N is an integer of 1 or higher) among comparison result signals output by a plurality of comparators. | 11-21-2013 |
20140036121 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR, CAMERA, AND METHOD OF DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSOR - An image sensor includes a pixel unit having first and second photoelectric converters, an amplifier provided commonly for the first and second photoelectric converters, first and second transfer transistors configured to respectively transfer charges generated in the first and second electric converters to an input portion of the amplifier. The signal read out by the readout portion includes a first optical signal read out in a state in which charges are transferred from the first photoelectric converter to the input portion by the first transfer transistor, and a second optical signal read out, after the readout of the first optical signal, in a state in which charges are transferred from the second photoelectric converter to the input portion by the second transfer transistor. | 02-06-2014 |
20140085521 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, METHOD OF DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - An image pickup apparatus includes a plurality of pixels. Each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion unit, an amplifying transistor, and a reset transistor. Each pixel is set into a selected state or a non-selected state according to a voltage supplied to an input node of an amplifying transistor via the reset transistor. A control unit controls the reset transistor to turn on or off by supplying a voltage to a control node of the reset transistor. More specifically, a first voltage is supplied to the control node of the reset transistor in the pixel at the selected state to control it in the off-state, and a second voltage is supplied to the control node of the reset transistor in the pixel at the non-selected state to control it to be in the off-state. | 03-27-2014 |
20140092287 | IMAGE SENSOR, METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME - The image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels each including a single transistor and a photodiode connected to a body of the single transistor, a row driver block configured to enable one of a plurality of rows in the pixel array to enter a readout mode, and a readout block configured to sense and amplify a pixel signal output from each of a plurality of unit pixels included in the row that has entered the readout mode. | 04-03-2014 |
20140098269 | IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING SYSTEM - A method drives an imaging system including: a plurality of pixels; an amplifier having an input node connected to the plurality of pixels via an input capacitor, and an output node connected to the input node via a feedback capacitor; and a reset unit configured to reset the input node to a base potential. The method includes the steps of: causing the input capacitor to hold noise output from one of the plurality of pixels; adding signals output from the two or more pixels in the feedback capacitor; and obtaining a difference between a signal applying a gain to a base signal output from the amplifier according to the reset of the input node of the amplifier and the signal added in the feedback capacitor. | 04-10-2014 |
20140104471 | SEMICONDUCTOR MODULE, MOS TYPE SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE, CAMERA AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF CAMERA - A back-illuminated type MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor) solid-state image pickup device | 04-17-2014 |
20140152879 | AD CONVERTER AND SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS USING THE SAME - There is a need to provide an AD converter capable of reducing occurrence of a noise. An AD converter includes an operational amplifier and a clip circuit. The operational amplifier receives ramp voltage and voltage for an analog signal and allows output terminal voltage to transition from an H level to an L level when a change in the ramp voltage reaches the voltage for the analog signal. The clip circuit fixes an output terminal of the operational amplifier to clipping voltage after output voltage for the operational amplifier reaches threshold voltage for a latch circuit. Therefore, the AD converter can limit a range of output voltage, as a source of noise, for the operational amplifier and eliminate an unnecessary change in the output voltage after the threshold voltage for the latch circuit is reached. | 06-05-2014 |
20140192242 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM AND DRIVING METHOD OF IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An image pickup apparatus of an embodiment includes pixel units each including a photoelectric conversion unit and an amplification transistor that outputs a signal based on an electric carrier generated by the photoelectric conversion unit, a first output line to which signals from first and other pixel units are output, and a second output line to which signals from second and other pixel units are output. A connection unit is arranged to control an electric connection between input nodes of the amplification transistors of the first and second pixel units is arranged. A control unit is arranged to selectively output a signal from at least one of the first and second pixel units to the first output line out of the first and second output lines when the connection unit mutually connects the input nodes of the first and second pixel units. | 07-10-2014 |
20140198241 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING ELEMENT HAVING IMAGE SIGNAL OVERFLOW PATH - Since the great number of elements constituting a unit pixel having an amplification function would hinder reduction of pixel size, unit pixel n,m arranged in a matrix form is comprised of a photodiode, a transfer switch for transferring charges stored in the photodiode, a floating diffusion for storing charges transferred by the transfer switch, a reset switch for resetting the floating diffusion, and an amplifying transistor for outputting a signal in accordance with the potential of the floating diffusion to a vertical signal line, and by affording vertical selection pulse φVn to the drain of the reset switch to control a reset potential thereof, pixels are selected in units of rows. | 07-17-2014 |
20140218576 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - An image sensor controls the gain of a pixel signal on a pixel-by-pixel basis and extends a dynamic range while maintaining a S/N ratio at a favorable level. A column unit in an image sensor is independently detects a level of each pixel signal and independently sets a gain for level of the signal. A photoelectric converting region unit has pixels arranged two-dimensionally with a vertical signal line for each pixel column to output each pixel signal. The column unit is on an output side of the vertical signal line. The column unit for each pixel column has a pixel signal level detecting circuit, a programmable gain control, a sample and hold (S/H) circuit. Gain correction is performed according to a result of a detected level of the pixel signal. | 08-07-2014 |
20140253773 | IMAGE SENSING METHOD AND IMAGE SENSOR UTILIZING THE METHOD - An image sensor, which comprises: an image sensing matrix, comprising at least one image sensing unit, for generating at least one image sensing signal according to a sensed image; an amplifier, for amplifying the image sensing signal to be an amplified image sensing signal according to at least one amplifying parameter; an operational circuit, for computing at least part of brightness of the sensed image sensed by the image sensing unit according to the amplified image sensing signal to generate at least one operational brightness signal; and a control unit, for adjusting the amplifying parameter, such that brightness information generated based on brightness values, which corresponds to the operational brightness signal, falls in a predetermined range. | 09-11-2014 |
20140293104 | COMPARATOR, SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND DRIVING METHOD - A comparator includes: a first amplifying unit that includes a differential pair configured with a pair of transistors which are first and second transistors, and amplifies a difference of signals input to each of the gate electrodes of the first and second transistors, to output; a second amplifying unit that amplifies the signal output from the first amplifying unit; a first condenser that is disposed between a gate electrode of the first transistor and a reference signal supply unit; a second condenser that is disposed between a gate electrode of the second transistor and a pixel signal wiring; a third transistor that connects a connection point of the gate electrode of the first transistor and the first condenser to the pixel signal wiring; and a fourth transistor that connects a connection point of the gate electrode of the second transistor and the second condenser to the pixel signal wiring. | 10-02-2014 |
20140320712 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND METHOD OF DRIVING IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - In an image pickup apparatus including first circuits, second circuits, and conversion units, an operation period of the second circuit is shorter than an operation period of the first circuit, and a number of the first circuit arranged in each unit cell is greater than a number of the second circuit arranged in each unit cell. | 10-30-2014 |
20140320713 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array unit where pixels are disposed in a matrix and a column amplifying circuit that is disposed at an end of the pixel array unit and amplifies a unit signal of a unit pixel read from each pixel with at least first and second amplification factors, and outputs a plurality of amplified signals. | 10-30-2014 |
20140347535 | APPARATUS WITH CALIBRATED READOUT CIRCUIT - An apparatus comprises a readout circuit configured to be disconnected from a pixel output, and to connect a pixel reset signal received by the readout circuit to a pixel output signal received by the readout circuit. The apparatus also comprises at least one programmable gain amplifier coupled with the readout circuit. The apparatus further comprises an analog-to-digital converter coupled with the programmable gain amplifier. The readout circuit is configured to be calibrated based on a comparison of a measured output of the readout circuit to a predetermined value, the predetermined value being equal to (2 | 11-27-2014 |
20140362264 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE CAPTURING APPARATUS, DRIVING METHOD THEREOF AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device, with (a) a pixel array unit including two-dimensionally arranged pixels each including (i) a photoelectric conversion element, (ii) a select transistor configured to perform pixel selection, and (iii) a charge discharging transistor configured to selectively discharge the charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion element; and (b) driving circuitry operable to drive reading of output signals from the pixels of the pixel array unit, for each pixel the driving circuitry driving the charge discharging transistor using a select transistor driving signal | 12-11-2014 |
20140368706 | PROGRAMMABLE GAIN AMPLIFIER AND DEVICES INCLUDING THE SAME - A programmable gain amplifier includes a sampling circuit, a source follower, a first capacitor and an error amplifier. The sampling circuit is configured to perform correlated double sampling on an input signal using a reference voltage. The first capacitor is connected between the sampling circuit and the source follower. The error amplifier is connected between an input terminal of the source follower and an output terminal of the source follower. The error amplifier is configured to reset a voltage of the output terminal of the source follower to the reference voltage during a source follower reset operation. | 12-18-2014 |
20140368707 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING SYSTEM - Provided is an imaging apparatus that generates a signal based on the sum of signals output by a plurality of pixels, and a signal based on the difference between the signals output by the plurality of signals, and performs AD conversion on the generated signals. | 12-18-2014 |
20140375854 | CHARGE PUMP FOR PIXEL FLOATING DIFFUSION GAIN CONTROL - Various technologies described herein pertain to controlling floating diffusion gain using a charge pump. Feedback can be utilized to control impedance of a floating diffusion region of a pixel of an image sensor, which further includes a read bus and an amplifier. The pixel includes a capacitor and a floating diffusion region, which has an intrinsic floating diffusion capacitance. The capacitor includes a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal is coupled to the floating diffusion region. The amplifier includes an input terminal and an output terminal. The input terminal of the amplifier is coupled to the read bus and the output terminal of the amplifier is coupled to the second terminal of the capacitor. Gain of the amplifier is adjustable to control an equivalent capacitance of the floating diffusion region. Alteration of the equivalent capacitance can modify conversion gain and dynamic range of the pixel. | 12-25-2014 |
20140375855 | IMAGING ELEMENT, IMAGING DEVICE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND IMAGING METHOD - To improve the speed of AD conversion. An amplifier amplifies, by a magnification larger than 1, signals of a pixel that outputs a signal in which there is no accumulation of a charge by a photon as a reset signal, and outputs a signal in which there is accumulation of a charge by a photon as an accumulation signal. A calculation unit generates an offset amount signal corresponding to an amount of own offset component using the amplified signal, and calculates a digital value corresponding to the own offset component using the generated offset amount signal and accuracy set for AD conversion of the amplified accumulated signal. | 12-25-2014 |
20150009377 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS - Provided is a solid-state imaging device including an imaging area where a plurality of unit pixels are disposed to capture a color image, wherein each of the unit pixels includes: a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions; a plurality of transfer gates, each of which is disposed in each of the photoelectric conversion portions to transfer signal charges from the photoelectric conversion portion; and a floating diffusion to which the signal charges are transferred from the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions by the plurality of the transfer gates, wherein the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions receive light of the same color to generate the signal charges, and wherein the signal charges transferred from the plurality of the photoelectric conversion portions to the floating diffusion are added to be output as an electrical signal. | 01-08-2015 |
20150022702 | ANALOG-TO-DIGITAL CONVERTER, IMAGE SENSOR INCLUDING THE SAME, AND IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE INCLUDING THE IMAGE SENSOR - An analog-to-digital converter includes a gain amplification unit configured to receive a pixel signal at a first node and to amplify a gain of the pixel signal, a first capacitor connected between the first node and a second node, an amplifier configured to receive and amplify a signal output from the gain amplification unit and the first capacitor, and a conversion circuit configured to convert an output signal of the amplifier to a digital signal based on a reference signal and output the digital signal as a first output signal. | 01-22-2015 |
20150036032 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - Column signal processing units are provided in correspondence with respective columns of a pixel array. The column signal processing unit includes a sample-and-hold unit configured to hold an analog signal output from a pixel, a buffer unit configured to buffer the signal held in the sample-and-hold unit, and an AD conversion unit. The AD conversion unit converts the signal held by the sample-and-hold unit and buffered by the buffer unit into a digital signal. | 02-05-2015 |
20150049228 | IMAGING UNIT, IMAGING APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIUM HAVING STORED THEREON A CONTROL PROGRAM - There is a demand for increasing the dynamic range of an imaging unit. Provided is an imaging unit comprising a pixel section that outputs a pixel signal corresponding to a reset potential after a reset and a signal potential after charge accumulation; an amplifying section that amplifies the pixel signal with a first amplification ratio or a second amplification ratio that is different from the first amplification ratio; and a control section that causes the amplifying section to amplify the pixel signal corresponding to a change from the reset potential to the signal potential with the first amplification ratio, and then causes the amplifying section to amplify the pixel signal corresponding to a change from the signal potential to the reset potential with the second amplification ratio. | 02-19-2015 |
20150062394 | IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING IMAGING APPARATUS - The imaging apparatus has a plurality of pixels each of which has a plurality of photoelectric conversion units; generates a plurality of first combined signals obtained by combining signals based on electric charges of photoelectric conversion units in one side with each other, and a plurality of second signals obtained by combining signals based on electric charges of the plurality of photoelectric conversion units with each other; and outputs a part of the first combined signals out of the plurality of first combined signals. | 03-05-2015 |
20150062395 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE, IMAGING SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR DRIVING PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE - An AD conversion unit AD-converts a first analog signal output from a clamping unit and generated based on a signal generated at a first photoelectric conversion unit. Then, while the first analog signal is clamped at a reference level, signals generated based on the signals generated at the first and second photoelectric conversion units are applied to the clamping unit, whereby the AD conversion unit AD-converts a second analog signal output from the clamping unit. | 03-05-2015 |
20150077607 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel section in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, a column signal line configured to output a pixel signal from the pixel section, a column amplifier circuit configured to invert and amplify the pixel signal, a bypass circuit configured to bypass the column amplifier circuit, an AD converter, and a control unit configured to change an operation mode of the AD converter in accordance with the operation of the bypass circuit. | 03-19-2015 |
20150092095 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, wherein the pixel array has a region formed from one of an electrical conductor and a semiconductor to which a fixed electric potential is supplied, each pixel includes a photoelectric converter, a charge-voltage converter which converts charges generated by the photoelectric converter into a voltage, and an amplification unit which amplifies a signal generated by the charge-voltage converter by a positive gain and outputs the amplified signal to an output line, and the output line comprising a shielding portion arranged to shield at least part of the charge-voltage converter with respect to the region. | 04-02-2015 |
20150124135 | SHARP PIXEL WITH FIXED CONVERSION GAIN - An active pixel sensor comprising: a plurality of pixels, wherein each pixel includes a light sensitive element and a transfer gate, and the plurality of pixels have at least one floating diffusion region; and a plurality of processing circuits associated with the plurality of pixels; wherein each processing circuit comprises a charge amplifier. | 05-07-2015 |
20150146061 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE - A solid-state imaging device includes pixels each including: a charge storage portion; an amplifier transistor having a gate connected to the charge storage portion; a selection transistor having a source connected to a source of the amplifier transistor and a drain connected to a column signal line; and a reset transistor having a source connected to the charge storage portion and a drain connected to the column signal line, and further includes a control unit which applies to a gate of the selection transistor a first voltage to place the selection transistor in a conductive state and applies to a gate of the reset transistor a second voltage to place the reset transistor in a non-conductive state in a pixel signal readout period, and applies to the gate of the selection transistor a voltage intermediate between the first voltage and the second voltage in a charge storage portion resetting period. | 05-28-2015 |
20150304587 | MANUFACTURING METHOD OF SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICE - A drain of a first transistor is formed by performing ion implantation on a semiconductor substrate using a first member as a mask for a gate electrode of the first transistor. Further, ion implantation is performed on the gate electrode of the second transistor after thinning a second member. | 10-22-2015 |
20150312502 | IMAGING SENSOR - A pixel architecture having an in-pixel amplifier comprising an NMOS transistor and a depletion-mode NMOS load is disclosed. In one aspect, the pixel architecture comprises a pixel core including a pixel photodiode for generating an output signal in accordance with incident light. Further, the in-pixel amplifier is connected to a pixel core to amplify the output signal before it is stored in a column buffer before being read out at output of the pixel architecture. By having an in-pixel amplifier that can be used for amplification of the output signal inside the pixel architecture, a larger output value is obtained which may be stored inside the pixel architecture on a small capacitor with improved signal-to-noise performance. This in-pixel amplification can also improve the quality of stored signals for global shutter operation. | 10-29-2015 |
20150319380 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE APPARATUS AND IMAGE SYSTEM - A solid-state image apparatus includes a pixel unit including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of amplifiers each provided to each of columns of the pixel unit, and each configured to amplify a signal output from a pixel in the corresponding one of the columns, a plurality of comparison units each provided to each of the plurality of amplifiers, and each configured to compare a level of an output signal from a corresponding one of the plurality of amplifiers with a predetermined threshold value and a control unit configured to control a gain of each of the plurality of amplifiers based on a result of comparing of a corresponding one of the plurality of comparison units. | 11-05-2015 |
20150319388 | DRIVING METHOD FOR AN IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - The present invention provides a driving method for an image pickup apparatus that appropriately performs both readout of a signal of a reference pixel and mixing of mutual signals output by a plurality of effective pixels, and the present invention also provides an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup system. | 11-05-2015 |
20150341582 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE AND IMAGE-CAPTURING DEVICE - A solid-state image-capturing device has a plurality of pixels and first and second substrates in which circuit elements constituting the pixels are arranged and which are electrically connected through a connection unit. The solid-state image-capturing device includes: a photoelectric conversion element included in the pixel of the first substrate; a first current source; a first amplification transistor having a source or a drain connected to the first current source and a gate to which a signal generated by the photoelectric conversion element is input; a second current source; a switch configured to switch ON and OFF of a connection between a vertical signal line and the second current source and to be turned off when the gate of the first amplification transistor is reset; a voltage output circuit configured to output a power supply voltage to the vertical signal line when the gate of the first amplification transistor is reset. | 11-26-2015 |
20160014304 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE | 01-14-2016 |
20160037091 | DRIVING METHOD FOR PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS,PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - In a state that a plurality of capacitances are connected between input and output nodes of an amplifier, a short circuit is established between the input and output nodes of the amplifier. In a state that at least one of the capacitances is isolated from the input and output nodes of the amplifier, the plurality of capacitances are connected to the input and output nodes of the amplifier, in a case that an output from the amplifier is larger than a threshold. | 02-04-2016 |
20160037112 | Image Sensor - Disclosed is an image sensor. The disclosed image sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix form having rows and columns, a binning sampling unit configured to output a binning sampling signal according to an average of signals from two or more unit pixels selected from among the unit pixels of each of the columns, and an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the binning sampling signal to a digital signal. The selected unit pixels have different exposure times. | 02-04-2016 |
20160050380 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - Provided is a solid-state imaging apparatus, including amplifier units including: an amplifier having a first input terminal, a second input terminal, and an output terminal; an input capacitor having one terminal to which an output signal from a pixel is input, and another terminal connected to the second input terminal of the amplifier; a feedback switch connected between the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier; and a feedback capacitor connected in parallel with the feedback switch and between the second input terminal and the output terminal of the amplifier, in which a driving current of the amplifier during a first period is smaller than a driving current of the amplifier during a second period in which the amplifier amplifies the output signal from the pixel, and the feedback switch is set to a connection state during the first period. | 02-18-2016 |
20160088246 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND CAMERA SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging device and a camera system are disclosed. The solid-state imaging device includes a pixel unit and a pixel signal readout circuit. The pixel signal readout circuit includes a plurality of comparators disposed to correspond to a pixel column array, and a plurality of counters. Each counter includes a first amplifier, a second amplifier, and a mirror circuit to from a current mirror in parallel with the second amplifier. The first amplifier includes differential transistors, initializing switches connected between gates and collectors of the differential transistors, and first and second capacitors connected to each of the gates of the differential transistors. The second amplifier includes an initializing switch and a third capacitor. The mirror circuit includes a gate input transistor whose gate is inputted with a voltage sampled by the first amplifier or a voltage sampled by the second amplifier. | 03-24-2016 |
20160119565 | SOLID STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging device includes a photodetecting section, a vertical shift register section, first row selection lines, and second row selection lines. The vertical shift register section provides the row selection lines of the m-th row with common row selection signals. | 04-28-2016 |
20160150176 | IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging apparatus includes: a first signal processing circuit arranged in a first direction to process a signal from a first group of pixels; a second signal processing circuit arranged in a second direction to process a signal from a second group of pixels; a first external connecting terminal arranged in the first direction to supply a first potential to the first signal processing circuit; a second external connecting terminal arranged in the second direction to supply the first potential to the second signal processing circuit; a third external connecting terminal arranged in the first direction to supply a second potential to the first group of pixels; and a fourth external connecting terminal arranged in the second direction to supply the second potential to the second group of pixels. | 05-26-2016 |
20160173804 | IN-PIXEL AMPLIFICATION DEVICE AND METHOD | 06-16-2016 |
20160182844 | IMAGE PICKUP CIRCUIT, CMOS SENSOR, AND IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE | 06-23-2016 |
20160182845 | IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE | 06-23-2016 |
20160182902 | SILICON PHOTOMULTIPLIERS WITH INTERNAL CALIBRATION CIRCUITRY | 06-23-2016 |
20160191829 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MIMIMIZING SILICON PHOTOMULTIPLIER SIGNAL PROPAGATION DELAY DISPERSION AND IMPROVE TIMING - A silicon photomultiplier array including a plurality of microcells arranged in subgroupings, each microcell of a respective subgrouping providing a pulse output in response to an incident radiation. Each microcell output interconnected by respective traces of equal length to either a summing node or an integrated buffer amplifier. Each respective summing node configured to sum the pulse outputs of a first subgroup of the microcell subgroupings, and each respective integrated buffer amplifier configured to sum the pulse outputs of each microcell of a second subgrouping, the respective integrated buffer amplifier located on the silicon photomultiplier array within the second subgroup of microcells. The plurality of microcells arranged in one of columns and rows, and a first group of the arranged plurality of microcells being a mirror image of a second group of the arranged plurality of microcells about a midpoint between one of the columns and rows. | 06-30-2016 |
20180027200 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF MANUFACTURING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS | 01-25-2018 |