An imaging device connected to a neural network is provided. An imaging device having a neuron in a neural network includes a plurality of first pixels, a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. Each of the plurality of first pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element. The plurality of first pixels is electrically connected to the first circuit. The first circuit is electrically connected to the second circuit. The second circuit is electrically connected to the third circuit. Each of the plurality of first pixels generates an input signal of the neuron. The first circuit, the second circuit, and the third circuit function as the neuron. The third circuit includes an interface connected to the neural network.

An imaging device connected to a neural network is provided. An imaging device having a neuron in a neural network includes a plurality of first pixels, a first circuit, a second circuit, and a third circuit. Each of the plurality of first pixels includes a photoelectric conversion element. The plurality of first pixels is electrically connected to the first circuit. The first circuit is electrically connected to the second circuit. The second circuit is electrically connected to the third circuit. Each of the plurality of first pixels generates an input signal of the neuron. The first circuit, the second circuit, and the third circuit function as the neuron. The third circuit includes an interface connected to the neural network.

A sensor system with a plurality of sensors or sensor functions is provided. The sensors can include an event detection sensor, a time of flight sensor, and imaging sensor. The different sensors can be implemented on the same or different substrates. Accordingly, sensors with pixels having different or shared functions can be included in the sensor system. In operation, an event detection signal from an event detection sensor causes the operation of a time of flight sensor to be initiated. In response to the detection of an object within a critical range by the time of flight sensor, the imaging sensor is activated. The image sensing and event detection pixels can be provided as part of different arrays of pixels, or can be included within a common array of pixels.

In a solid-state imaging element equipped with per-column ADCs, noise is reduced. A test signal source generates a test signal of a predetermined level. An analog-to-digital converter increases/decreases an analog signal according to an analog gain selected from among a plurality of analog gains, and converts the increased/decreased analog signal to a digital signal. An input switching section inputs, as the analog signal, either a test signal or a pixel signal to the analog-to-digital converter. A correction value calculation section obtains, on the basis of the test signal and the digital signal, a correction value for correcting an error in the selected analog gain, and outputs the correction value. A correction section corrects the digital signal according to the outputted correction value.

In a solid-state imaging element equipped with per-column ADCs, noise is reduced. A test signal source generates a test signal of a predetermined level. An analog-to-digital converter increases/decreases an analog signal according to an analog gain selected from among a plurality of analog gains, and converts the increased/decreased analog signal to a digital signal. An input switching section inputs, as the analog signal, either a test signal or a pixel signal to the analog-to-digital converter. A correction value calculation section obtains, on the basis of the test signal and the digital signal, a correction value for correcting an error in the selected analog gain, and outputs the correction value. A correction section corrects the digital signal according to the outputted correction value.

An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal line connected to the plurality of pixels, and a limiter circuit configured to limit an amplitude of the signal at the signal line. A first pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal, a focus detection signal, and an image capturing signal to the signal line. A second pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal and an image capturing signal to the signal line, and wherein a potential of the signal at the signal line is set to a potential by the limiter circuit during a period after the second pixel outputs the noise signal and before the second pixel outputs the image capturing signal.

An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a signal line connected to the plurality of pixels, and a limiter circuit configured to limit an amplitude of the signal at the signal line. A first pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal, a focus detection signal, and an image capturing signal to the signal line. A second pixel in the plurality of pixels sequentially outputs a noise signal and an image capturing signal to the signal line, and wherein a potential of the signal at the signal line is set to a potential by the limiter circuit during a period after the second pixel outputs the noise signal and before the second pixel outputs the image capturing signal.

A vision sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a voltage generator configured to generate a reset bias voltage provided to each of the plurality of pixels, a temperature comparing circuit configured to output a switching setting value according to a result of comparing temperature information with at least one reference temperature value, and a voltage level controller configured to generate a reset bias setting signal based on the switching setting value. The reset bias setting signal adjusts a voltage level of the reset bias voltage.

A vision sensor includes a pixel array including a plurality of pixels, a voltage generator configured to generate a reset bias voltage provided to each of the plurality of pixels, a temperature comparing circuit configured to output a switching setting value according to a result of comparing temperature information with at least one reference temperature value, and a voltage level controller configured to generate a reset bias setting signal based on the switching setting value. The reset bias setting signal adjusts a voltage level of the reset bias voltage.

An image sensor and an operating method of the image sensor may include a pixel array including a plurality of pixels; a controller configured to generate a pre-shutter driving signal associated with a pre-shutter operation, the pre-shutter driving signal generated before a first shutter operation and a first read operation corresponding to photographing a first frame is performed; a row driver configured to drive first control signals to the pixel array based on the pre-shutter driving signal, the first control signals associated with the pre-shutter operation; and the pixel array is configured to perform the pre-shutter operation in response to the first control signals, wherein levels of the first control signals correspond to levels of second control signals, the second control signals associated with the first read operation.