Image capturing apparatus and method using multi-stage amplification with different gains according to shooting mode

Inventors: Hiroshi Hirano (Kanagawa, JP); Kosuke Matsubara (Tokyo, JP); Toshiharu Ueda (Tokyo, JP); Shohei Tozawa (Kanagawa, JP); Kazuto Jikei (Tokyo, JP); Fumihito Karahashi (Kanagawa, JP); Daisuke Ito (Tokyo, JP)

Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA

H04N25/51 H04N23/667 H04N23/683 H04N25/57 H04N25/77

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12666170
App. No.: 18/498,365
Granted: Jun 23, 2026
Kind: B2

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Abstract

An image capturing apparatus includes a plurality of pixels, a first amplifier capable of amplifying a signal of each pixel using a plurality of different gains, a second amplifier capable of amplifying the signal of each pixel using a plurality of different gains, with a method different from a method used by the first amplifier; and a control unit that performs control so as to execute one of first processing and second processing based on a shooting mode of the image capturing apparatus, a setting at the time of shooting, or a state of a subject, the first processing causing the first amplifier to amplify the signal of each pixel using a plurality of different gains, the second processing causing the second amplifier to amplify the signal of each pixel using a plurality of different gains.

Claims (36)

1 . An image capturing apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of pixels that generate signals through photoelectric conversion;

a first amplifier capable of amplifying a signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using a first plurality of different gains;

a second amplifier capable of amplifying the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using a second plurality of different gains, with a method different from a method used by the first amplifier, the second amplifier being arranged in a stage that follows the first amplifier; and

at least one processor or circuit configured to function as

a control unit that performs control so as to execute one of first processing and second processing based on a shooting mode of the image capturing apparatus, a setting at the time of shooting, or a state of a subject, the first processing causing the first amplifier to amplify the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using the first plurality of different gains, the second processing causing the second amplifier to amplify the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using the second plurality of different gains,

wherein the control unit controls so as to execute the second processing without executing the first processing by the first amplifier in a case where the subject is in motion.

2 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the control unit performs control so as to execute one of the first processing, the second processing, and third processing based on the shooting mode of the image capturing apparatus, the setting at the time of shooting, or the state of the subject, the third processing causing the first amplifier to amplify the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using the first plurality of different gains, and also causing the second amplifier to amplify the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using the second plurality of different gains.

3 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein

the control unit performs control so as to execute one of the first processing and the third processing based on a detection result from a contrast detection sensor that detects contrast of the subject.

4 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the first amplifier is arranged in each pixel among the plurality of pixels.

5 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the first amplifier amplifies the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using different gains by switching circuits that are arranged in the corresponding pixel.

6 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein

the first amplifier switches between gains by switching between a state where an additional capacity to be connected to a floating diffusion unit in each one of the plurality of pixels is connected to the floating diffusion unit, and a state where the additional capacity is disconnected from the floating diffusion unit.

7 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the second amplifier is arranged in a column circuit in a stage that follows the first amplifier.

8 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein

the second amplifier causes the gains used in amplifying the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels to differ by causing different ramp signals to be input to an AD converter.

9 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein

the second amplifier causes the gains used in amplifying the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels to differ by causing ramp signals with different inclinations to be input to the AD converter.

10 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the control unit performs control so as to execute the second processing in a case of a continuous shooting mode.

11 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the control unit performs control so as to execute the first processing in a case where an accumulation time period at the time of shooting is longer than a predetermined time period.

12 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the control unit performs control so as to execute the first processing in a case where a mechanical shutter is used.

13 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one processor or circuit is configured to function as

a composition unit that composites a plurality of signals which have been amplified by the first amplifier and the second amplifier and which have different gains.

14 . The image capturing apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein

the composition unit composites the plurality of signals which have been amplified by the first amplifier and the second amplifier and which have different gains, so as to increase a dynamic range.

15 . A method for controlling an image capturing apparatus including a plurality of pixels that generate signals through photoelectric conversion, a first amplifier capable of amplifying a signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using a first plurality of different gains, and a second amplifier capable of amplifying the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using a second plurality of different gains, with a method different from a method used by the first amplifier, the second amplifier being arranged in a stage that follows the first amplifier, the method comprising:

performing control so as to execute one of first processing and second processing based on a shooting mode of the image capturing apparatus, a setting at the time of shooting, or a state of a subject, the first processing being capable of causing the first amplifier to amplify the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using the first plurality of different gains, the second processing causing the second amplifier to amplify the signal of each pixel among the plurality of pixels using the second plurality of different gains,

wherein in the performing control, the control is performed so as to execute the second processing without executing the first processing by the first amplifier in a case where the subject is in motion.