An imaging device of the present disclosure includes a pixel array part in which pixels including photoelectric conversion units are disposed, an image processing unit for imaging that acquires captured image information on the basis of a pixel signal output from each pixel of the pixel array part, and an object recognition processing unit that acquires object recognition information on the basis of the pixel signal output from each pixel of the pixel array part. Further, a vehicle control system of the present disclosure has the imaging device having the aforementioned configuration.

An imaging device including: a first photoelectric converter that generates a first signal by photoelectric conversion; a first transistor having a gate configured to be electrically coupled to the first photoelectric converter; a second photoelectric converter that generates a second signal by photoelectric conversion; a capacitor having a first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal being configured to be electrically coupled to second photoelectric converter, a first potential being applied to the second terminal; and a switch element provided between the gate of the first transistor and the first terminal of the capacitor.

The present disclosure relates to a solid state image sensor and electronic equipment that enable degradation in image quality of a captured image to be suppressed even if any pixel in a pixel array is configured as a functional pixel for obtaining desired information in order to obtain information different from a normal image. In a plurality of pixels constituting subblocks provided in an RGB Bayer array constituting a block which is a set of color units, normal pixels that capture a normal image are arranged longitudinally and laterally symmetrically within the subblock, and functional pixels for obtaining desired information other than capturing an image are arranged at the remaining positions. The present disclosure can be applied to a solid state image sensor.

An image sensor includes a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged. Each of the plurality of pixels includes an organic photodiode of which a sensitivity is adjusted based on an external voltage, a silicon photodiode, first and second floating diffusion nodes, a conversion gain transistor, and a driving transistor. Charges generated by the silicon photodiode are accumulated in the first floating diffusion node. Charges generated by the organic photodiode are accumulated in the second floating diffusion node. One end of the conversion gain transistor is connected to the first floating diffusion node and the other end connected is connected to the second floating diffusion node. The driving transistor is configured to generate a pixel signal corresponding to a voltage of the first floating diffusion node.

An imaging device includes a pixel array with first and second pixels respectively having first and second conversion gains connected to row and column lines; a row driver determining a selection row line among the row lines; a readout circuit obtaining first and second pixel signals from first and second pixels connected to the selection row line; a column driver generating first and second image data from the first and second pixel signals; and an image signal processor using the first and second image data to generate an object image. The second pixels include an expansion capacitor connected between a floating diffusion node and a ground node. Exposure time of the first pixels is equal to or longer than exposure time of the second pixels. An area of a light receiving region of the first pixels is equal to an area of a light receiving region of the second pixels.

An image sensor includes a pixel array, in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, and a row driver for controlling the plurality of pixels. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a first photodiode, a second photodiode having a larger light-receiving area than the first photodiode, a first floating diffusion node in which charges generated by the first photodiode are stored, a first capacitor connected to the first floating diffusion node, and a capacitor control transistor having one end connected in series to the first capacitor. For each of the plurality of pixels, the row driver adjusts capacitance of the first floating diffusion node by using the capacitor control transistor for each of a plurality of preset operation modes during a readout period of the first photodiode.

An image sensor including a pixel that includes: a first photodiode; a second photodiode having a larger light-receiving area than the first photodiode; a first floating diffusion node accumulating charges of the first photodiode; a second floating diffusion node accumulating charges of the second photodiode; a capacitor accumulating charges overflowing from the first photodiode; a first switch transistor having a first end connected to the first floating diffusion node and a second end connected to the capacitor; and a driving transistor configured to convert the accumulated charges into a pixel signal, the first switch transistor is turned on in a low conversion gain (LCG) mode of a readout section of the first photodiode, and is turned off in a high conversion gain (HCG) mode of the readout section of the first photodiode, and the readout circuit generates image data based on pixel signals from the first and second sections.

An image sensor including a pixel that includes: a first photodiode; a second photodiode having a larger light-receiving area than the first photodiode; a first floating diffusion node accumulating charges of the first photodiode; a second floating diffusion node accumulating charges of the second photodiode; a capacitor accumulating charges overflowing from the first photodiode; a first switch transistor having a first end connected to the first floating diffusion node and a second end connected to the capacitor; and a driving transistor configured to convert the accumulated charges into a pixel signal, the first switch transistor is turned on in a low conversion gain (LCG) mode of a readout section of the first photodiode, and is turned off in a high conversion gain (HCG) mode of the readout section of the first photodiode, and the readout circuit generates image data based on pixel signals from the first and second sections.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for image signal processing that support improved detail keeping in photography through increased dynamic range and/or highlight-keeping. The image signal processing may be performed on data received from a split-pixel image sensor with two sets of sensor elements with different sensitivities. The image signal processing may include receiving image data comprising: first data from a first set of sensor elements and second data from a second set of sensor elements capturing a representation of the scene with a different sensitivity that the first set of sensor elements; determining an output dynamic range for an output image frame; and determining an output image frame based on at least one of the first data and the second data and based on the output dynamic range. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and devices for image signal processing that support improved detail keeping in photography through increased dynamic range and/or highlight-keeping. The image signal processing may be performed on data received from a split-pixel image sensor with two sets of sensor elements with different sensitivities. The image signal processing may include receiving image data comprising: first data from a first set of sensor elements and second data from a second set of sensor elements capturing a representation of the scene with a different sensitivity that the first set of sensor elements; determining an output dynamic range for an output image frame; and determining an output image frame based on at least one of the first data and the second data and based on the output dynamic range. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.