A scanning sensor system disclosed. The scanning sensor system induces a sensing element array and multiple analog-to-digital converters (ADCs). The sensing element array includes a group of pixels organized in a row and column configuration. During each read cycle, each pixel in an odd column of a row x is selectively connected to a corresponding one of the ADCs that is associated with the odd column pixels, while each pixel in an even column of a row x+(N/2)+1 is selectively connected to a corresponding one of ADCs that is associated with the even column pixels, wherein x is an integer and N is the total number of rows in the sensing element array.

An image sensor, and an apparatus and method of acquiring an image by using the image sensor are provided. The image sensor includes a color filter having an array of a plurality of types of color filter elements, where each of the color filter elements transmits visible light in a certain wavelength band and blocks visible light outside the certain wavelength band; a photoelectric conversion cell array that detects light that has been transmitted through the color filter; and a modulator, disposed on the photoelectric conversion cell array, which changes a rate of light transmitted to the photoelectric conversion cell array based on an applied voltage.

A semiconductor device may include a first sensor configured to sense light having a wavelength within a first wavelength range from incident light and generates a first electrical signal based on the sensed light and a second sensor configured to sense light having a wavelength within a second, different wavelength range from the incident light and generates a second electrical signal based on the sensed light. The first and second sensors may be electrically connected to each other via an intermediate connector, and the first sensor and the second sensor may share a pixel circuit that is electrically connected thereto via the intermediate connector. The first and second wavelength ranges may include infra-red and visible wavelength ranges, respectively. The first and second wavelength ranges may include different visible wavelength ranges.

An image-capturing device includes an infrared light source configured to emit infrared light, and a solid-state image-capturing device including a plurality of first pixels configured to convert visible light into signal charge and a plurality of second pixels configured to convert infrared light into signal charge, the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels being arranged on a semiconductor substrate in a matrix. The solid-state image-capturing device outputs, during the same single frame scanning period, a first signal obtained from the plurality of first pixels, a second signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is emitted, and a third signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is not emitted.

An imaging device includes at least one unit pixel cell including a photoelectric converter and a voltage application circuit. The photoelectric converter includes a first electrode, a light-transmitting second electrode, a first photoelectric conversion layer containing a first material and a second photoelectric conversion layer containing a second material. The impedance of the first photoelectric conversion layer is larger than the impedance of the second photoelectric conversion layer. The voltage application circuit applies a first voltage or a second voltage having a larger absolute value than the first voltage selectively between the first electrode and the second electrode.

An image sensor may include phase detecting and autofocusing (PDAF) pixels. Each pixel may include an inner photodiode region and outer photodiode regions to provide high dynamic range (HDR) capability. Each pixel may include an in infrared blocking filter that selectively covers the inner photodiode region or the outer photodiode regions. Two pixels of the same color but with different infrared blocking filter patterns may be compared to provide infrared sensing. Any color filter array configuration can be used. Instead of an infrared blocking filter, an infrared pass filter may also be used. A first pixel may include an infrared pass filter that selectively covers the inner photodiode region, whereas a second pixel may include an infrared pass filter that selectively covers the outer photodiode regions. The charge collected by the first and second pixels may be compared to provide infrared sensing.

An estimate of distance between a user and a camera on a device is used to determine an illumination pattern density used for speckle pattern illumination of the user in subsequent images. The distance may be estimated using an image captured when the user is illuminated with flood infrared illumination. Either a sparse speckle (dot) pattern illumination pattern or a dense speckle pattern illumination pattern is used depending on the distance between the user's face and the camera.

An image-capturing device includes an infrared light source configured to emit infrared light, and a solid-state image-capturing device including a plurality of first pixels configured to convert visible light into signal charge and a plurality of second pixels configured to convert infrared light into signal charge, the plurality of first pixels and the plurality of second pixels being arranged on a semiconductor substrate in a matrix. The solid-state image-capturing device outputs, during the same single frame scanning period, a first signal obtained from the plurality of first pixels, a second signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is emitted, and a third signal obtained from the plurality of second pixels during a period of time when the infrared light is not emitted.

An imaging device includes: a controller which generates a light emission signal and an exposure signal; a light source unit which emits light in response to the light emission signal; an imager which obtains an amount of exposure to reflected light at the timing according to the exposure signal; and a signal processor which outputs a distance image and a luminance image according to calculation based on a signal amount of an imaging signal received from the imager. The imager is configured so that a pixel which performs exposure for obtaining signals of the distance image and a pixel which performs exposure for obtaining signals of the luminance image are the same. The light source unit emits light according to the timing indicated by the light emission signal generated at the controller, also in a period in which the imager performs the exposure for obtaining signals of the luminance image.

Multi-spectral methods and systems for the day and night remote sensing (detection, identification, and quantification) of greenhouse gas emission sources from space are provided. The sensor system includes a telescope assembly that passively collects light from an observation area and directs that light through spectral, optical filters and to a sensor array having a plurality of rows and columns of pixels. Different groups of sensor array pixel rows are aligned to receive light that has passed through different optical filters. The filters have passbands corresponding to the reflective and emissive bands of gases of interest, as well as associated reflective and emissive reference bands, and broadband spectral bands. A set of image data frames is obtained as the field of view of the sensor system moves over an observation area and an aggregate image showing locations of detected gas emissions is generated using the collected data.