An optical apparatus captures images of a wide-angle scene with a single camera having a continuous panomorph zoom distortion profile. When combined with a processing unit, the hybrid zoom system creates an output image with constant resolution while allowing continuous adjustment in the magnification and field of view of the image without interpolation like a digital zoom system or without any moving parts like an optical zoom system.

In an embodiment, the present invention is an imaging engine assembly that includes a housing with a window, an imaging assembly positioned within the housing, the imaging assembly operable to capture image data over a field of view extending through the window and decode an indicium captured in the image data, and a cover positioned at least partially over the housing. The imaging engine housing and the cover are configured such that the cover is alternatively mountable between a first orientation and a diametrically opposed second orientation relative to the housing.

An image sensor comprises: a pixel region including a plurality of microlenses arranged in a matrix, and a plurality of photoelectric conversion portions provided for each of the microlenses; a plurality of amplifiers that apply a plurality of different gains to signals output from the pixel region; and a scanning circuit that scans the pixel region so that a partial signal and an added signal are read out, the partial signal being a signal from some of the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions, and the added signal being a signal obtained by adding the signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion portions.

A circuit includes a selection circuit electrically coupled to pixels of a line of an event vision sensor. The selection circuit is configured to receive an activation signal from an active pixel of the line, generate an acknowledge signal in response to receiving the activation signal, and send the acknowledge signal to the pixels of the line. The circuit also includes a control circuit that is electrically coupled to a pixel having a largest distance to the selection circuit among the pixels of the line. The control circuit is configured to receive the acknowledge signal from the selection circuit, and generate a process-reading signal in response to receiving the acknowledge signal. The circuit also includes an interface circuit electrically coupled to the pixels of the line and configured to cause a reset of the selection circuit, the control circuit, and the pixels of the line after receiving the process-reading signal.

An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing device capable of performing a plurality of charge accumulation operations within the same time period of a vertical synchronization signal. A follow-up control value and a first predicted control value which is more distant from a current control value than the follow-up control value in a direction of change are set based on a photometry result using the current control value. When at least one of proper differences between the follow-up control value and the first predicted control and respective photometric values obtained therewith is not larger than a predetermined allowable value, the photometric value associated therewith is determined as a proper exposure. The current control value is an initial value or one of the photometric values in a case where the proper differences are both larger than the predetermined allowable value.

A depth pixel of a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor includes a common photogate disposed in a center region of the depth pixel, a plurality of floating diffusion regions disposed in a peripheral region surrounding the center region, a plurality of demodulation transfer gates disposed in the peripheral region, and a plurality of overflow gates disposed in the peripheral region. The demodulation transfer gates transfer a photo charge collected by the common photogate to the plurality of floating diffusion regions. The demodulation transfer gates are symmetric with respect to each of a horizontal line and a vertical line that pass through a center of the depth pixel and are substantially perpendicular to each other. The overflow gates drain the photo charge collected by the common photogate, and are symmetric with respect to each of the horizontal line and the vertical line.

Image sensors are provided. The image sensor may include a substrate including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a photoelectric conversion layer in the substrate, and a lower capacitor connection pattern on the first surface of the substrate. The second surface of the substrate may be configured to receive incident light. The lower capacitor connection pattern may include a capacitor region and a landing region protruding from the capacitor region. The image sensors may also include a capacitor structure including a first conductive pattern, a dielectric pattern, and a second conductive pattern sequentially stacked on the capacitor region, a first wire on the capacitor structure and connected to the second conductive pattern, and a second wire connected to the landing region. The first conductive pattern may be connected to the lower capacitor connection pattern. A surface of the first wire facing the substrate and a surface of the second wire facing the substrate may be coplanar.

To suppress voltage variations due to transistor switching noise in a solid-state image sensor including a transistor that initializes a differentiating circuit.

A capacitance supplies a charge corresponding to an amount of variation in a predetermined pixel voltage to a predetermined input terminal. A voltage output unit outputs, as an output voltage, a voltage corresponding to an input voltage at the input terminal from a predetermined output terminal. A reset transistor supplies one of a positive charge or a negative charge during a predetermined period to control the output voltage to an initial value in a case where initialization is instructed. A charge supply unit supplies the other of the positive charge or the negative charge when the predetermined period elapses.

An aerial vehicle includes a vehicle body coupled to one or more blades configured to provide lift to the aerial vehicle, an image device including a first housing containing an optical unit and a second housing containing a non-optical unit and not the optical unit, an apparatus connected to the vehicle body and configured to stabilize at least a portion of the imaging device. The optical unit includes a lens and a photosensor. The apparatus includes a frame assembly, an inertial measurement unit, and a motor assembly coupled to the frame assembly. The frame assembly is configured to support the optical unit without supporting the non-optical unit, and to permit rotation of the optical unit about a first rotational axis or a second rotational axis. The frame assembly includes a first frame member supporting the optical unit, and a second frame member bearing weight of the first frame member.

A solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of pixels, a pixel connection section, and a pixel reset section. The plurality of pixels each include a photoelectric conversion section that generates a charge according to irradiated light, a charge holding section that holds the generated charge, and a signal generation section that generates as an image signal a signal according to the held charge. The pixel connection section conducts between charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels and thereby allows each of the charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels to hold the charge that has been generated by the photoelectric conversion section of one pixel of the plurality of pixels. The pixel reset section discharges and resets the charge of the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels when the pixel connection section conducts between the respective charge holding sections of the plurality of pixels.