A photoelectric conversion element comprises: a plurality of pixels, each of which performs photoelectric conversion and outputs an analog signal; and analog processing unit that sequentially processes, on a pixel-to-pixel basis, the analog signals output from a pixel group including the pixels; and a signal supply unit that supplies a signal needed fro preliminary operation to the analog processing unit so as to enable the analog processing unit to perform the preliminary operation before the analog processing unit starts to process the analog signals output from the pixel group.

Embodiments described herein relate to systems and methods for specular surface inspection, and particularly to systems and methods for surface inspection comprising inverse synthetic aperture imaging (“ISAI”) and specular surface geometry imaging (“SSGI”). Embodiments may allow an object under inspection, to be observed, imaged and processed while continuing to be in motion. Further, multiple optical input sources may be provided, such that the object does not have to be in full view of all optical sensors at once. Further, multi-stage surface inspection may be provided, wherein an object under inspection may be inspected at multiple stages of an inspection system, such as, for an automotive painting process, inspection at primer, inspection at paint, inspection at final assembly. SSGI imaging modules are also described for carrying out micro-deflectometry.

A sensing module includes a linear image sensor and an optical unit. The unit includes an optical element having a curved, outward surface and a covering on the outward surface. The covering has a slit formed therein. The optical unit faces the sensor with the slit perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sensor and images a wide field of view onto a single pixel of the linear sensor, wherein light impinging normal to the slit, at any location along the slit, is imaged on a central pixel of the sensor while light impinging one of a plurality of non-normal angles to the slit is imaged on an associated one of a plurality of non-central pixels of the sensor.

Disclosed embodiments perform readout at a high rate without being affected by transition of pixel transistors. A solid state imaging device of an embodiment has a pixel having a photoelectric conversion unit that generates charges, an amplification transistor including an input node that receives a signal based on the charges generated in the photoelectric conversion unit, and a reset transistor that resets the potential of the input node of the amplification transistor; a signal processing circuit that reads out a signal from the pixel via a signal line; and a switch provided between the signal line and an input node of the signal processing circuit, and a signal value of a control signal applied to the gate of the reset transistor changes while the switch is in the off-state.

Systems having rolling shutter sensors with a plurality of sensor rows are configured for compensating for rolling shutter artifacts that result from different sensor rows in the plurality of sensor rows outputting sensor data at different times. The systems compensate for the rolling shutter artifacts by identifying readout timepoints for the plurality of sensor rows of the rolling shutter sensor while the rolling shutter sensor captures an image of an environment and identifying readout poses each readout timepoint, as well as obtaining a depth map based on the image. The depth map includes a plurality of different rows of depth data that correspond to the different sensor rows. The system further compensates for the rolling shutter artifacts by generating a 3D representation of the environment while unprojecting the rows of depth data into 3D space using the readout poses.

An image sensor for acquiring an image of an object comprises: an array of photo-sensitive areas (112); and a mosaic filter (114) associated with the array dividing the array into sub-groups (118) of photo-sensitive areas (112) extending across at least two rows and two columns, wherein the mosaic filter (114) transmits unique light properties to the photo-sensitive areas (112) within the sub-group (118); wherein the mosaic filter (114) comprises a sequence of unique filter portions associated with a set of photo-sensitive areas (112) along a row, wherein the set extends through more than one sub-group (118); wherein sequences comprising the unique filter portions are associated with each row and wherein the sequences associated with adjacent rows comprise different orders of the unique filter portions, such that different light properties are transmitted to photo-sensitive areas (112) in the same column of adjacent rows.

Two-pass capture of a macro image. In an embodiment, a scanning apparatus comprises a stage, a high-resolution camera, and a lens that provides a field of view, substantially equal in width to a slide width, to the high-resolution camera. The apparatus also comprises a first illumination system for transmission-mode illumination, and a second illumination system for reflection-mode illumination. Processor(s) move the stage in a first direction to capture a first macro image of a specimen during a single pass while the field of view is illuminated by the first illumination system, and move the stage in a second direction to capture a second macro image of the specimen during a single pass while the field of view is illuminated by the second illumination system. The processor(s) identify artifacts in the second macro image, and, based on those artifacts, correct the first macro image to generate a modified first macro image.

Techniques of designing a sensing system for pseudo 3D mapping in robotic applications are described. According to one aspect of the present invention, an image system is designed to include at least two linear sensors, where these two linear sensors are positioned or disposed orthogonally. In one embodiment, the two linear sensors are a horizontal sensor and a vertical sensor. The horizontal sensor is used for the lidar application while the vertical sensor is provided to take videos, namely scanning the environment wherever the horizontal sensor misses. As a result, the videos can be analyzed to detect anything below or above a blind height in conjunction with the detected distance by the lidar.

An observation device includes: first objective lenses arranged in a row so as to be parallel to one another; second objective lenses arranged in a row so as to be parallel to one another; and image capturing elements for capturing first images formed by the first objective lenses and second images formed by the second objective lenses, respectively, wherein each of the objective lenses is a magnifying objective lens, a first axis of light incident on the first objective lenses and a second axis of light incident on the second objective lenses are parallel to one another, fields of view of the first objective lenses and fields of view of the second objective lenses are arranged alternately in a row on an observation line, and the first images and the second images are arranged in a row in image-forming regions that are disposed at positions different from each other.

A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric converter including a plurality of light receiving elements arranged along one direction in correspondence with each color of received light/each light receiving element generating an electric charge corresponding to an amount of received light, an electric charge storage unit including a plurality of capacitors storing the electric charges generated by the respective light receiving elements, and a signal processing unit configured to process each of the electric charges stored by the plurality of capacitors as a signal. The electric charge storage unit is disposed so as to oppose the signal processing unit across the photoelectric converter.