An image processing method comprising steps of obtaining a first map representing a region outside a dynamic range of an input image based on a signal value in the input image and a threshold of the signal value, and inputting input data including the input image and the first map and executing a recognition task or a regression task.

Provided are a first photoelectric conversion unit, a second photoelectric conversion unit having a smaller electric charge amount to be converted per unit time than the first photoelectric conversion unit, a charge accumulation unit that accumulates an electric charge generated by the second photoelectric conversion unit, a charge voltage conversion unit, a first transfer gate unit that transfers an electric charge from the first photoelectric conversion unit to the charge voltage conversion unit, a second transfer gate unit that couples potentials of the charge voltage conversion unit and the charge accumulation unit, a third transfer gate unit that transfers an electric charge from the second photoelectric conversion unit to the charge accumulation unit, an overflow path formed under a gate electrode of the third transfer gate unit, where the overflow path transfers an electric charge overflowing from the second photoelectric conversion unit to the charge accumulation unit, and a light reducing unit that reduces light to enter the second photoelectric conversion unit.

“An image sensing device is provided in the present invention. A control circuit determines a voltage change rate of a sensing signal according to a voltage value of the sensing signal generated by a light sensing unit during an estimation period, and controls an input adjustment circuit during an exposure period according to the voltage change rate to provide an input adjustment signal to a negative input end of an operational amplifier, such that a signal value of an amplified signal falls within a pre-set range during the exposure period.”

“An image sensing device is provided in the present invention. A control circuit determines a voltage change rate of a sensing signal according to a voltage value of the sensing signal generated by a light sensing unit during an estimation period, and controls an input adjustment circuit during an exposure period according to the voltage change rate to provide an input adjustment signal to a negative input end of an operational amplifier, such that a signal value of an amplified signal falls within a pre-set range during the exposure period.”

An image capturing system includes an image capturing unit including an image capturing surface on which pixel blocks each including a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged, exposure parameters being separately settable for the pixel blocks, a determination unit configured to determine a first exposure parameter and a second exposure parameter so that a difference between the first exposure parameter and the second exposure parameter is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, an exposure control unit configured to set the first exposure parameter determined by the determination unit and the second exposure parameter determined by the determination unit alternately as the exposure parameters for the pixel blocks and configured to control image capturing by the image capturing unit, and a display unit configured to display an image captured by the image capturing unit.

When imaging bright objects, a conventional detector array can saturate, making it difficult to produce an image with a dynamic range that equals the scene's dynamic range. Conversely, a digital focal plane array (DFPA) with one or more m-bit counters can produce an image whose dynamic range is greater than the native dynamic range. In one example, the DFPA acquires a first image over a relatively brief integration period at a relatively low gain setting. The DFPA then acquires a second image over longer integration period and/or a higher gain setting. During this second integration period, counters may roll over, possibly several times, to capture a residue modulus 2.sup.m of the number of counts (as opposed to the actual number of counts). A processor in or coupled to the DFPA generates a high-dynamic range image based on the first image and the residues modulus 2.sup.m.

First and second readout circuits, each having a respective floating diffusion node, are coupled to a photodetection element within a pixel of an integrated-circuit image sensor. Following an exposure interval in which photocharge is accumulated within the photodetection element, a first portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the first floating diffusion node to enable generation of a first output signal within the first readout circuit, and a second portion of the accumulated photocharge is transferred from the photodetection element to the second floating diffusion node to enable generation of a second output signal within the second readout circuit. A digital pixel value is generated based on the first and second output signals.

An operating method of an image sensor, including performing a first sampling operation corresponding to first illumination in at least one pixel; performing a second sampling operation corresponding to second illumination in the at least one pixel; and outputting a first pixel voltage corresponding to the first sampling operation, or outputting a second pixel voltage corresponding to the second sampling operation, in the at least one pixel.

The disclosed photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion unit outputting a pulse signal in response to an incident of photon, a signal processing unit that is connected to the photoelectric conversion unit and counts the pulse signal, and a control unit that controls the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit includes a first count processing unit and a second count processing unit arranged in parallel. The control unit is configured to set an active period and an inactive period for each of the first count processing unit and the second count processing unit. A period during which the first count processing unit is active includes a first period during which the second count processing unit is active and a second period during which the second count processing unit is inactive.

Imaging devices are disclosed. In one example, an imaging device includes a pixel array with light-receiving pixels that are separated pixel lines, and that accumulating electric charge in an accumulation period. An exposure controller sets time lengths of the accumulation such that the time lengths repeat in predetermined order. The accumulation period includes a first accumulation period and a second accumulation period each having a first time length, and a third accumulation period and a fourth accumulation period each having a second time length. A processor generates image data by adding pixel values based on the accumulation result in a first pixel line in the first accumulation period, the accumulation result in a second pixel line in the second accumulation period, the accumulation result in the first pixel line in the third accumulation period, and the accumulation result in the second pixel line in the fourth accumulation period.