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.

A projection image pickup device includes a pulsed-light emitter, an optical sensor, a reference timing generator that generates a signal indicating an operation reference timing, a controller, and a signal processor. The signal processor sets a differential signal between an output signal from the optical sensor in the second exposure period and an output signal from the optical sensor in the first exposure period as a first differential signal, sets a differential signal between an output signal from the optical sensor in the third exposure period and the output signal from the optical sensor in the first exposure period as a second differential signal, and outputs the sum total of at least two differential signals including the first differential signal and the second differential signal.

An electronic device is provided that includes an image sensor of first pixels receiving light for a first duration and second pixels receiving light for a shorter second duration, and a processor to acquire first and second raw data including first long pixel values through the first pixels and first short pixel values through the second pixels, second long pixel values through the first pixels and second short pixel values through the second pixels, and third raw data based on the first and second raw data. The third raw data includes third long pixel values and third short pixel values, and each of the third long pixel values is an average value of a first and a second long pixel value and each of the third short pixel values is a value obtained by gamma correcting a sum of a first and a second short pixel value.

An imaging device includes a pixel including a photoelectric converter, where the pixel captures first data in a first exposure period and captures second data in a second exposure period different from the first exposure period, the first exposure period and the second exposure period being included in a frame period. A sensitivity of the photoelectric converter in the first exposure period is different from a sensitivity of the photoelectric converter in the second exposure period, and the imaging device generates multiple-exposure image data including at least the first data and the second data.

A back-illuminated single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) image sensor includes a sensor wafer stacked vertically over a circuit wafer. The sensor wafer includes one or more SPAD regions, with each SPAD region including an anode gradient layer, a cathode region positioned adjacent to a front surface of the SPAD region, and an anode avalanche layer positioned over the cathode region. Each SPAD region is connected to a voltage supply and an output circuit in the circuit wafer through inter-wafer connectors. Deep trench isolation elements are used to provide electrical and optical isolation between SPAD regions.

An AD conversion part has a comparator for performing comparison processing comparing a voltage signal read out by a photoelectric converting and reading part and a reference voltage and outputting a digitalized comparison result signal, the comparator, under the control by a reading part, performs first comparison processing for outputting a digitalized first comparison result signal with respect to a voltage signal corresponding to an overflow charge overflowing from a photodiode PD1 to a floating diffusion FD1 in an integration period and second comparison processing for outputting a digitalized second comparison result signal with respect to a voltage signal corresponding to an accumulated charge of the photodiode PD1 transferred to the floating diffusion FD1 in a transfer period after the integration period. Due to this, it becomes possible to substantially realize a broader dynamic range and higher frame rate.

An image processing apparatus comprises: at least one processor or circuit configured to perform the operations of following units: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a plurality of image signals being composed of image signals shot wider different shooting conditions; a determination unit configured to determine a composition rate in order to composite an image signal that has the predetermined shooting condition with a noise-reduced image that has the predetermined shooting condition, in accordance with an inter-frame change amount and a parameter indicating the predetermined shooting condition; a noise reduction unit configured to composite the image signal with the noise-reduced image using the composition rate to generate a new noise-reduced image; and a composition unit configured to composite the new noise-reduced image and an image signal that has another shooting condition.

In time-delay-and-integrate (TDI) imaging, a charge-couple device (CCD) integrates and transfers charge across its columns. Unfortunately, the limited well depth of the CCD limits the dynamic range of the resulting image. Fortunately, TDI imaging can be implemented with a digital focal plane array (DFPA) that includes a detector, analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and counter in each pixel and transfer circuitry connected adjacent pixels. During each integration period in the TDI scan, each detector in the DFPA generates a photocurrent that the corresponding ADC turns into digital pulses, which the corresponding counter counts. Between integration periods, the DFPA transfers the counts from one column to the next, just like in a TDI CCD. The DFPA also non-destructively transfers some or all of the counts to a separate memory. A processor uses these counts to estimate photon flux and correct any rollovers caused by saturation of the counters.

The present technology relates to an imaging device, a method of driving the same, and an electronic instrument capable of improving functions by using high-speed readout in a period shorter than the output cycle of an image. An imaging device includes a pixel array unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix, and a control unit that controls image readout by the pixel array unit. The control unit causes the pixel array unit to perform image readout twice or more within a cycle of outputting one image to the outside. The present technology can be applied to an imaging device or the like including a memory area, for example.

An imaging device includes pixels each including a photoelectric converter that generates charges by photoelectric conversion, a first transfer transistor that transfers charges of the photoelectric converter to a first holding portion, a second transfer transistor that transfers charges of the first holding portion to a second holding portion, and an amplifier unit that outputs a signal based on charges held by the second holding portion. The first transfer transistor is configured to form a potential well for the charges between the photoelectric converter and the first holding portion when the first transistor is in an on-state. The maximum charge amount Q.sub.PD generated by the photoelectric converter during one exposure period, a saturation charge amount Q.sub.MEM_SAT of the first holding portion, and the maximum charge amount Q.sub.GS that can be held in the potential well are in a relationship of: Q.sub.PD<Q.sub.GSQ.sub.MEM_SAT.