Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080273093 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - A solid-state image sensing device comprises a first readout circuit configured to read out a signal from a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit configured to hold the signal read out from the first readout circuit, a second readout circuit configured to read out the signal held in the signal holding unit, and a current control unit configured to control an electric current flowing through at least part of the first readout circuit while the first readout circuit reads out the signal. The current control unit controls an electric current flowing through the at least part of the first readout circuit in a moving image capturing mode to be smaller than an electric current flowing through the at least part of the first readout circuit in a still image capturing mode. | 11-06-2008 |
20080309806 | IMAGING SYSTEM, IMAGE SENSOR, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system includes an image sensor and a mechanical shutter which controls the termination of exposure of the image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a matrix, and a vertical scanning unit which scans the pixel array for each row. The vertical scanning unit parallelly executes some of the reset operations of pixels on at least two adjacent rows of the pixel array. The charge accumulation operation of pixels starts upon completion of the reset operation and terminates in response to light shielding by the mechanical shutter. | 12-18-2008 |
20090201406 | SOLID STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - The invention is to reduce a color mixing resulting from influences of adjacent pixels. The invention provides a solid-state image pickup apparatus including plural pixels each including a PN junction area constituting a photoelectric conversion area, a floating diffusion area for holding a charge outputted from the PN junction area, an amplifying transistor for amplifying the charge in the floating diffusion area, and a wiring for connecting at least the floating diffusion area, a gate electrode of the amplifying transistor and a resetting MOS transistor, and a signal output line for outputting signals from the amplifying transistors, the apparatus including shield lines between the wiring of one pixel or the floating diffusion area and the wiring of one pixel and the signal output line of another adjacent pixel. | 08-13-2009 |
20090219429 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, METHOD OF DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS, AND IMAGING SYSTEM - There is provided a solid-state imaging apparatus which, while shortening the reading time period, can prevent noise from being mixed. There are included: multiple pixels ( | 09-03-2009 |
20090237543 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a first antireflection coating film formed on a light-receiving surface of a first photoelectric conversion element and a second antireflection coating film formed on a light-receiving surface of a second photoelectric conversion element. A total length of first photoelectric conversion element facing portions of gate lines adjacent to the first photoelectric conversion element is shorter than a total length of second photoelectric conversion element facing portions of gate lines adjacent to the second photoelectric conversion element. An area of the first antireflection coating film is larger than that of the second antireflection coating film. | 09-24-2009 |
20090237544 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - There is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit which converts incident light into an electrical signal and accumulates the electrical signal, an amplifier transistor which amplifies and outputs the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor which transfers the electrical signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifier transistor, and a processing transistor which performs predetermined processing, and a control circuit which sets the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the transfer transistor in order to turn off the transfer transistor to be lower than the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the processing transistor in order to turn off the processing transistor. | 09-24-2009 |
20090268083 | IMAGING SYSTEM, IMAGE SENSOR, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING IMAGING SYSTEM - An imaging system includes an image sensor and a mechanical shutter which controls the termination of exposure of the image sensor. The image sensor includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a matrix, and a vertical scanning unit which scans the pixel array for each row. The vertical scanning unit parallelly executes some of the reset operations of pixels on at least two adjacent rows of the pixel array. The charge accumulation operation of pixels starts upon completion of the reset operation and terminates in response to light shielding by the mechanical shutter. | 10-29-2009 |
20090303364 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises first accumulation units, of which number is n, holding a digital value of n-bits output from a counter, second accumulation units, of which number is n, holding the digital value of n-bits transferred from the first accumulation units, of which number is n, and an A/D converter writing the digital value of n-bits from the counter based on an image signal generated by pixels into the first accumulation units, of which number is n, wherein correspondingly to each column of the pixels, the first accumulation unit of m-th bit (1≦m≦n) and the second accumulation unit of m-th bit (1≦m≦n) are arranged and paired, and the pairs of which number is n are arranged in a direction along the column of pixels. | 12-10-2009 |
20100060762 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - In a photoelectric conversion apparatus having a plurality of unit cells, wherein each of the unit cells has a photoelectric conversion element, a transfer transistor and a floating diffusion region, a light shielding portion arranged on an upper portion of the floating diffusion region is included. The respective light shielding portions are separated from one another, and are in a floating state without being electrically connected to the floating diffusion region. | 03-11-2010 |
20100060763 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM - An object of the present invention is to prevent a sensitivity difference between pixels. There are disposed plural unit cells each including plural photodiodes | 03-11-2010 |
20100110257 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND DRIVING METHOD OF THE SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a pixel array in which pixels for outputting an analog signal are arranged in a matrix, vertical output lines each of which is connected to pixels in a same column, A/D conversion units, which are individually connected to the vertical output lines, for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and a constant current supply unit for supplying a constant current to the A/D conversion units. Each of the A/D conversion units includes an integration unit for integrating the constant current, a comparison unit for comparing the integrated constant current with the analog signal and outputting a comparison signal, and a digital signal storage unit for storing a digital signal corresponding to the comparison signal. The integration unit includes an input capacitor for receiving the constant current. The comparison unit is connected to the constant current supply unit via the input capacitor. | 05-06-2010 |
20100149394 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM USING THE SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus that outputs digital signals at high speed. A solid-state imaging apparatus is provided that includes plural analog-to-digital converters that convert analog signals obtained by photoelectric conversion into digital signals, plural digital memories that store the digital signals converted by the analog-to-digital converters, plural block digital output lines that are provided to correspond to blocks of the plural digital memories and to which the digital signals stored in the plural digital memories included in the blocks are output, a common digital output line that outputs the digital signals output from the plural block digital output lines, buffer circuits that buffer the digital signals output from the block digital output lines, and block selecting units that can switch the block digital output lines electrically connected to the common digital output line. | 06-17-2010 |
20100238333 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - This invention discloses a photoelectric conversion device. The photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed in a row direction and a column direction, a plurality of readout circuits which read out signals from pixels for respective columns in the pixel array, and a control unit which controls the plurality of readout circuits, wherein each of the plurality of readout circuits includes a holding unit which holds a reference voltage supplied from an external power source, an operational amplification unit which amplifies the signals from the pixels for each column based on the reference voltage held in the holding unit, and a disconnection unit which electrically disconnects the external power source and the holding unit, and the control unit controls the disconnection unit to electrically disconnect the external power source and the holding unit when the operational amplification unit amplifies the signals from the pixels for each column. | 09-23-2010 |
20100295978 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus that shortens a time for reading out pixel signals of all pixels and improves the aperture ratio of pixels is provided. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels ( | 11-25-2010 |
20100314530 | PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION DEVICE AND IMAGE CAPTURING DEVICE - A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel output line, a pixel which outputs a signal to the pixel output line, an amplifier unit which amplifies the signal output to the pixel output line, and a holding capacitor which holds the signal output from the amplifier unit. The photoelectric conversion device outputs a pixel signal based on the signal held by the holding capacitor. The amplifier unit includes a variable amplifier stage which amplifies a signal output to the pixel output line at a gain selected from a plurality of gains, and a buffer stage which amplifies the signal output from the variable amplifier stage, the amplified signal being held by the holding capacitor to hold the signal. | 12-16-2010 |
20100328510 | IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM - Unit cells each having a plurality of photodiodes | 12-30-2010 |
20110013046 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a reference signal generating circuit for supplying, commonly to the plurality of A/D conversion circuits, at least two reference signals of which signal levels change toward different directions of electric potential, and the A/D conversion circuit includes an amplifier; an input capacitor having one terminal receiving the analog signal and the reference signal supplied from the reference signal generating circuit, and the other terminal connected to one input terminal of the amplifier; a feedback capacitor connected between the one input terminal and an output terminal of the amplifier; a comparator for comparing, with a comparing level, an output from the output terminal of the amplifier; and a connection capacitor having one terminal connected to the output terminal of the amplifier, and the other terminal connected to one input terminal of the comparator. | 01-20-2011 |
20110037884 | 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 | 02-17-2011 |
20110102654 | IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE HAVING AMPLIFICATION CIRCUIT FOR AMPLIFYING SIGNAL FROM PHOTOELECTRIC CONVERSION PORTION - An image capture device includes a plurality of image capture elements for capturing an object image, a plurality of vertical output lines for reading signals out of the plurality of image capture elements, and a plurality of processing circuits. Each processing circuit includes a first capacitor element having a first electrode connected to one of the plurality of vertical output lines, a differential amplifier having a first input terminal connected to a second electrode of the first capacitor element, a second capacitor element connected between the first input terminal and an output terminal of the differential amplifier, and a first switch configured to control conduction between the first input terminal and the output terminal of the differential amplifier. The image capture device further includes a plurality of third capacitor elements configured to hold signals from the differential amplifiers of the plurality of processing circuits and to limit an output frequency band of each differential amplifier, and a horizontal output line for sequentially outputting signals from the plurality of third capacitor elements. | 05-05-2011 |
20110169996 | IMAGE PICK-UP APPARATUS AND IMAGE PICK-UP SYSTEM - An output level difference in the case of using a joint line as a boundary, a bright line, a black bar, or the like is suppressed. A solid-state image pick-up apparatus in which, on a substrate having a plurality of photoelectric converting areas (photodiodes), a solid-state image pick-up element provided with at least one pattern layer formed by divisional exposure and a lens for introducing light into the plurality of photoelectric converting areas of the solid-state image pick-up element are formed. By setting a center of an optical axis of the lens to an approximate joint position between the pattern layers where the pattern layers have been joined by the divisional exposure, the output level difference of a pixel output of the solid-state image pick-up element on the right and left sides of the joint position is suppressed. | 07-14-2011 |
20120006975 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises first accumulation units, of which number is n, holding a digital value of n-bits output from a counter, second accumulation units, of which number is n, holding the digital value of n-bits transferred from the first accumulation units, of which number is n, and an A/D converter writing the digital value of n-bits from the counter based on an image signal generated by pixels into the first accumulation units, of which number is n, wherein correspondingly to each column of the pixels, the first accumulation unit of m-th bit (1≦m≦n) and the second accumulation unit of m-th bit (1≦m≦n) are arranged and paired, and the pairs of which number is n are arranged in a direction along the column of pixels. | 01-12-2012 |
20120075512 | IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - There is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit which converts incident light into an electrical signal and accumulates the electrical signal, an amplifier transistor which amplifies and outputs the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor which transfers the electrical signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifier transistor, and a processing transistor which performs predetermined processing, and a control circuit which sets the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the transfer transistor in order to turn off the transfer transistor to be lower than the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the processing transistor in order to turn off the processing transistor. | 03-29-2012 |
20120113284 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM - A solid-state image sensing device comprises a first readout circuit configured to read out a signal from a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a signal holding unit configured to hold the signal read out from the first readout circuit, a second readout circuit configured to read out the signal held in the signal holding unit, and a current control unit configured to control an electric current flowing through at least part of the first readout circuit while the first readout circuit reads out the signal. The current control unit controls an electric current flowing through the at least part of the first readout circuit in a moving image capturing mode to be smaller than an electric current flowing through the at least part of the first readout circuit in a still image capturing mode. | 05-10-2012 |
20120217379 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM - A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a reference signal generating circuit for supplying, commonly to the plurality of A/D conversion circuits, at least two reference signals of which signal levels change toward different directions of electric potential, and the A/D conversion circuit includes an amplifier; an input capacitor having one terminal receiving the analog signal and the reference signal supplied from the reference signal generating circuit, and the other terminal connected to one input terminal of the amplifier; a feedback capacitor connected between the one input terminal and an output terminal of the amplifier; a comparator for comparing, with a comparing level, an output from the output terminal of the amplifier; and a connection capacitor having one terminal connected to the output terminal of the amplifier, and the other terminal connected to one input terminal of the comparator. | 08-30-2012 |
20130063639 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGING SYSTEM USING THE SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus that outputs digital signals at high speed. A solid-state imaging apparatus is provided that includes plural analog-to-digital converters that convert analog signals obtained by photoelectric conversion into digital signals, plural digital memories that store the digital signals converted by the analog-to-digital converters, plural block digital output lines that are provided to correspond to blocks of the plural digital memories and to which the digital signals stored in the plural digital memories included in the blocks are output, a common digital output line that outputs the digital signals output from the plural block digital output lines, buffer circuits that buffer the digital signals output from the block digital output lines, and block selecting units that can switch the block digital output lines electrically connected to the common digital output line. | 03-14-2013 |
20130194474 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS, IMAGE PICKUP SYSTEM, AND DRIVING METHOD OF THE SOLID-STATE IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS - An apparatus includes a pixel array in which pixels for outputting an analog signal are arranged in a matrix, vertical output lines each of which is connected to pixels in a same column, A/D conversion units, which are individually connected to the vertical output lines, for converting the analog signal into a digital signal, and a constant current supply unit for supplying a constant current to the A/D conversion units. Each of the A/D conversion units includes an integration unit for integrating the constant current, a comparison unit for comparing the integrated constant current with the analog signal and outputting a comparison signal, and a digital signal storage unit for storing a digital signal corresponding to the comparison signal. The integration unit includes an input capacitor for receiving the constant current. The comparison unit is connected to the constant current supply unit via the input capacitor. | 08-01-2013 |
20130235241 | SOLID-STATE IMAGING APPARATUS - A solid-state imaging apparatus that shortens a time for reading out pixel signals of all pixels and improves the aperture ratio of pixels is provided. The solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels ( | 09-12-2013 |
20140002684 | SOLID-STATE IMAGE SENSING DEVICE AND IMAGE SENSING SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |
20140002690 | IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING SYSTEM | 01-02-2014 |