In an image sensor, an analog-to-digital conversion circuitry generates image data by sequentially performing analog-to-digital conversion processing twice or more on a pixel signal transferred from the pixel array in an operation period of one horizontal cycle, and an image signal processing circuitry receives the image data and performs digital processing on the image data. A timing controller controls the image signal processing circuitry to hold the digital processing during a plurality of holding periods that respectively correspond to portions of two or more ADC processing periods.

The present disclosure relates to a signal processing apparatus and method, an imaging element, and an electronic apparatus capable of suppressing deterioration of subjective image quality. Driving of a shift register controlling transfer of pixel data of digital data obtained by A/D conversion is stopped in a part or the entirety of a period in which the A/D conversion is performed on a pixel output of an analog signal. The present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a signal processing apparatus, an imaging element, an imaging device, an image processing apparatus, an electronic apparatus, a signal processing method, a program, or the like.

An image sensor includes an active pixel array, at least one dummy reset array, a dummy read array, and an image processor. The image processor sequentially resets respective rows of pixels included in the at least one dummy reset array in a period in which pixels of the active pixel array do not perform a reset operation, and sequentially reads respective rows of pixels included in the dummy read array in a period in which the pixels of the active pixel array do not perform a read operation.

Various methods and systems are provided for x-ray imaging. In one embodiment, a method for an x-ray imaging system comprises acquiring, with an x-ray detector, an image including a noise artifact caused by electromagnetic interference, inputting the image to a trained neural network model to obtain a corrected image with the noise artifact removed, and outputting the corrected image. In this way, row-correlated noise artifacts caused by electromagnetic interference at the x-ray detector are eliminated or cancelled in real time and image quality is improved.

A solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of pixel circuits arranged in rows and columns; a plurality of unit power supply circuits that generate a second power supply voltage from a first power supply voltage based on a reference voltage and supply the second power supply voltage to amplifier transistors provided in the plurality of pixel circuits; and a regulator circuit that generates the reference voltage that is constant. Each of the unit power supply circuits is provided for a corresponding one of the columns of the plurality of pixel circuits or for a corresponding one of the pixel circuits, and supplies the second power supply voltage to the amplifier transistors in the pixel circuits that belong to the corresponding one of the columns or to the amplifier transistor in the corresponding one of the pixel circuits.

Ping-pong readout architecture allows for faster frame rates in CMOS image sensors. However, various problems are created by this architecture due to cross-talk between components. Provided herein are novel ping-pong readout layouts which better isolate components to reduce crosstalk issues. Also provided herein are novel timing schemes for operating ping-pong readout circuits which prevent crosstalk signal spikes or readout corruption.

An optical communication apparatus includes: a reception unit that receives, from a transmission apparatus which transmits a light signal including predetermined information, the transmitted light signal; a multipath removal unit that recognizes, when detecting a plurality of images having the same optical information in the received light signal, the light signal due to a reflection wave based on at least one of a luminance of the light signal, a size of an image corresponding to the light signal when receiving at the reception unit, and a propagation distance of the light signal and removes the light signal due to the reflection wave; and an control unit that acquires, from the light signal received by the reception unit, information based on the light signal obtained by removing the light signal due to the reflection wave by the multipath removal unit.

Each of a plurality of pixels includes: a light receiving element (100) that generates an electric charge in response to received light; a pixel circuit (11) that outputs an analog signal in accordance with the electric charge generated by the light receiving element; and a conversion circuit (12) that converts the analog signal output from the pixel circuit into a digital signal on the basis of a reference signal whose voltage changes stepwise. A generation unit (5) generates, as reference signals, a first reference signal to be supplied to a first pixel of the plurality of pixels and a second reference signal to be supplied to a second pixel of the plurality of pixels different from the first pixel. The first reference signal is supplied to the first pixel of the plurality of pixels via the first wiring (1031a), and the second reference signal is supplied to the second pixel of the plurality of pixels different from the first pixel via the second wiring (1031b).

A photoelectric conversion element comprises: a plurality of photodetectors that perform photoelectric conversion per pixel to output an analog image signal, and that are arranged on a straight line; and wirings that are formed on a wiring layer, and that are enabled to be used as at least one of a signal line used in a peripheral circuit of the photodetector, a power source, and a ground, wherein the photodetector is formed to have a first shaded region and a second shaded region in which light is shaded by the wirings that are positioned on the straight line sandwiching an opening, respectively, when light that has passed through the opening that opens being sandwiched by the wirings positioned on the straight line is incident perpendicularly on a light receiving surface of the photodetector.

An imaging pixel may be operated in either a linear mode or a logarithmic mode. In the logarithmic mode, the voltage at a floating diffusion region may be proportional to the logarithm of the intensity of incident light. In order to enable correlated double sampling (CDS) in the logarithmic mode, a transistor may be provided that couples the photodiode to a bias voltage. When the transistor is turned off, the photodiode may be able to operate in a logarithmic mode. When the transistor is turned on, the floating diffusion region may be reset to a baseline voltage level. Images from the linear mode and the logarithmic mode may be combined to form high dynamic range images with flicker mitigation.