The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 23, 2018
Filed:
Apr. 03, 2015
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Chihiro Okada, Tokyo, JP;
Sony Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to an imaging element, a gain control method, a program, and an electronic device that can capture an image with a high image quality or a high dynamic range with lower power consumption. The imaging element includes: an A/D conversion unit configured to A/D-convert a pixel signal outputted from a pixel; and a reference signal generation unit. The reference signal generation unit includes a prescribed number of pairs of transistors forming a current mirror circuit, and a switching unit configured to switch the number of transistors connected to the current mirror circuit. The switching unit is controlled so as to reduce the number of transistors connected to the current mirror circuit when the pixel signal is A/D-converted to a high gain. The present technology can be applied to a CMOS image sensor, for example.