Patent classifications
H04N25/75
Image sensor and method of operating same
An image sensor includes; a sensor array generating a pixel signal, a ramp signal generator generating a ramp signal having a decreasing slope during a ramp signal enable period between a first time at which a counter enable signal is activated and a third time at which the ramp signal ends falling, a comparator comparing the pixel signal with the ramp signal to trigger an output signal, and counters, where at least one of the counters performs counting during an entire counter enable period extending between the first time and a second time at which the comparator triggers the output signal, but not all of the counters perform counting during at least one section of the counter enable period.
Imaging device
An integrated circuit includes a comparator, a counter and a control circuit. The comparator is configured to generate a comparator output signal in response to a pixel output signal and a reference signal. The counter is coupled to the comparator, and configured to be enabled or disabled in response to the comparator output signal. The control circuit is coupled to the comparator, and configured to enable or disable the comparator by a first enable signal. The first enable signal is generated in response to at least the comparator output signal.
Image sensor, image-capturing apparatus, and semiconductor memory
A first circuit constituting a plurality of first circuit in a first direction, which stores a signal output from a pixel having a photoelectric conversion unit; a first control unit to which the plurality of first circuits are connected and outputs a first signal for outputting signals stored in the plurality of first circuits; a readout unit that reads out the signal output from the first circuit; a plurality of second circuits that are connected to the first control unit, a plurality of sets of the plurality of second circuits in the first direction; and a second control unit that controls a readout of the signal by the readout unit. The first control unit outputs a second signal to the plurality of second circuits together with the first signal; and the second control unit controls the readout of the signal by the readout unit, based on the second signal.
Image sensor, image-capturing apparatus, and semiconductor memory
A first circuit constituting a plurality of first circuit in a first direction, which stores a signal output from a pixel having a photoelectric conversion unit; a first control unit to which the plurality of first circuits are connected and outputs a first signal for outputting signals stored in the plurality of first circuits; a readout unit that reads out the signal output from the first circuit; a plurality of second circuits that are connected to the first control unit, a plurality of sets of the plurality of second circuits in the first direction; and a second control unit that controls a readout of the signal by the readout unit. The first control unit outputs a second signal to the plurality of second circuits together with the first signal; and the second control unit controls the readout of the signal by the readout unit, based on the second signal.
Imaging system and imaging device
An imaging system according to the present disclosure includes: an imaging device that is mounted in a vehicle, and captures and generates an image of a peripheral region of the vehicle; and a processing device that is mounted in the vehicle, and executes processing related to a function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of the image. The imaging device includes: a first control line, a first voltage generator that applies a first voltage to the first control line, a first signal line, a plurality of pixels that applies a pixel voltage to the first signal line, a first dummy pixel that applies a voltage corresponding to the first voltage of the first control line to the first signal line in a first period, a converter including a first converter that performs AD conversion on the basis of a voltage of the first signal line in the first period to generate a first digital code, and a diagnosis section that performs diagnosis processing on the basis of the first digital code. The above-described processing device restricts the function of controlling the vehicle on the basis of a result of the diagnosis processing.
IMAGE SENSORS AND SENSING METHODS TO OBTAIN TIME-OF-FLIGHT AND PHASE DETECTION INFORMATION
Indirect time-of-flight (i-ToF) image sensor pixels, i-ToF image sensors including such pixels, stereo cameras including such image sensors, and sensing methods to obtain i-ToF detection and phase detection information using such image sensors and stereo cameras. An i-ToF image sensor pixel may comprise a plurality of sub-pixels, each sub-pixel including a photodiode, a single microlens covering the plurality of sub-pixels and a read-out circuit for extracting i-ToF phase signals of each sub-pixel individually.
IMAGE SENSORS AND SENSING METHODS TO OBTAIN TIME-OF-FLIGHT AND PHASE DETECTION INFORMATION
Indirect time-of-flight (i-ToF) image sensor pixels, i-ToF image sensors including such pixels, stereo cameras including such image sensors, and sensing methods to obtain i-ToF detection and phase detection information using such image sensors and stereo cameras. An i-ToF image sensor pixel may comprise a plurality of sub-pixels, each sub-pixel including a photodiode, a single microlens covering the plurality of sub-pixels and a read-out circuit for extracting i-ToF phase signals of each sub-pixel individually.
Event filtering in an event sensing system
An event sensing system includes a pixel array including a plurality of event driven pixel circuits configured to be illuminated by incident light. The event driven pixel circuits are configured to generate an event current in response to a detection of an event in the incident light. Output signals of a row of the pixel array are configured to be read out from the row of the pixel array to a line buffer in response to the detection of the event in the incident light. A random number generator is configured to randomly generate a filtering mask. A mask circuit is the output signals of the row of the pixel array from the line buffer and the filtering mask from the random number generator to filter the output signals of the row of the pixel array in response to the filtering mask.
IMAGE SENSOR AMPLIFIERS WITH REDUCED INTER-CIRCULATION CURRENTS
An image sensor may include an array of image sensor pixels. The array of image sensor pixels may be controlled by row driver circuitry. The row driver circuitry may include row drivers that receive power supply signals from transconductance amplifier circuitry. The transconductance amplifier circuitry may include multiple amplifiers with output ports shorted to one another. Each amplifier may include input transistors, cross-coupled transistors with a low threshold voltage, and additional transistors coupled in series with the cross-coupled transistors and having a moderate or high threshold voltage.
IMAGE SENSOR AMPLIFIERS WITH REDUCED INTER-CIRCULATION CURRENTS
An image sensor may include an array of image sensor pixels. The array of image sensor pixels may be controlled by row driver circuitry. The row driver circuitry may include row drivers that receive power supply signals from transconductance amplifier circuitry. The transconductance amplifier circuitry may include multiple amplifiers with output ports shorted to one another. Each amplifier may include input transistors, cross-coupled transistors with a low threshold voltage, and additional transistors coupled in series with the cross-coupled transistors and having a moderate or high threshold voltage.