Canon Kabushiki Kaisha

Satoshi Kumaki

Hirokazu Kobayashi

Satoshi Suzuki

Kazuki Ohshitanai

Yasuhiro Matsuo

Hisataka Hirose

A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of pixels arranged to form a plurality of columns, an output line arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of columns, a signal from a corresponding pixel being output to the output line, and a comparison unit arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of columns and having a first input terminal and a second input terminal. A signal corresponding to a potential of the output line is input to the first input terminal. A reference signal is input to the second input terminal. The comparison unit performs an offset clamping operation, and then performs comparison for analog-to-digital conversion of a signal output from a pixel.

Photoelectric conversion device

An imaging device comprises pixels. The pixel includes first semiconductor regions of a first conductivity type provided in a surface part of a semiconductor substrate and a second semiconductor region of a second conductivity type provided in the surface part of the semiconductor substrate between the first semiconductor regions. The pixel includes: a light-receiving unit in which photodiodes each configured between the second semiconductor region and one of the first semiconductor regions; quenching circuits, each connected to a corresponding one of the first semiconductor regions; and a counter unit connected to each of connection nodes between the first semiconductor regions and the quenching circuits and counts a pulse generated in response to a photon being incident on the light-receiving unit. The second semiconductor region is provided across a deeper part of the semiconductor substrate than the first semiconductor regions.

Imaging device and imaging system

The invention provides an image processing apparatus which comprises a controller which causes an image sensing device to execute either a first mode in which outputs image data of a first resolution, or a second mode in which outputs image data of a second resolution lower than the first resolution; and an evaluating circuit which, by outputting image data of the second resolution in relation to acquired image data, obtains an index value that relates to a spatial frequency of a frequency band in which a signal level decreases in image data of the second resolution more than in image data of the first resolution, wherein the evaluating circuit detects, by machine learning, the index value of image data of the second resolution, and the controller, based on the detected index value, selects either the first or second mode.

Image processing apparatus and image sensing apparatus, methods of controlling the same, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium

A solid-state image sensor and an image capture apparatus are provided that can realize image acquisition and distance measurement while restraining the circuit scale from increasing. The solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of pixels each including a sensor unit that generates a pulse with a frequency that is based on a reception frequency of a photon, and a counter that can operate in a first mode of counting the number of pulses of a signal generated by the sensor unit, and a second mode of counting the number of pulses of a predetermined signal that is based on an elapsed time from a timing at which light is emitted from a light emitting unit.

Solid-state image sensor and image capture apparatus

An image sensor that obtains an image in which shake is corrected, while at the same time suppresses an increase in the circuit size, is disclosed. The image sensor has a plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a light-sensitive element that detects the incidence of single photons; and a counter that counts a pulse contained in a signal. The image sensor further comprises a control unit that, on the basis of detected shake, switches a signal of the light-sensitive element supplied to the counter in a pixel, or replaces a count value of the counter of the pixel with a count value of the counter in another pixel.

Image sensor and electronic device having the same

An image capturing apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a pixel array, a signal generator that generates a comparison signal whose electric potential changes with time and a converter that converts a pixel signal into a digital signal. The comparison signal starts to change from a first electric potential in accordance with a start of the conversion of the pixel signal by the converter, and changes again, in accordance with inversion of a magnitude relationship between the pixel signal and the comparison signal, from a third electric potential between the first electric potential and a second electric potential at which the magnitude relationship is inverted. The converter includes a counter that holds, as a signal value, a count value obtained by counting from the start of the conversion of the pixel signal until the inversion of the magnitude relationship.

Growing community of inventors

Kawaguchi, Japan

Satoshi Kumaki