IP Library Granted Patent US 9,899,447
Granted Patent B2
US 9,899,447 · App. 15/349,365 · Granted Feb 20, 2018

Solid-state imaging device, method for driving the same, and imaging device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,899,447
App. No.
15/349,365
Granted
Feb 20, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

a CMOS image sensor including a pixel array unit having pixels arranged in even-numbered pixel rows and odd-numbered pixel rows. A reading operation performed such that a first signal of a first pixel group is read in a first accumulation time, and a second signal of a second pixel group is read in a second accumulation time shorter than said first accumulation time.

Claims (28)

1. An imaging device comprising:

a pixel array section comprising a plurality of pixels;

a pixel driving section configured to cause a first signal of a first pixel group to have a first optical charge accumulation period, and to cause a second signal of a second pixel group to have a second optical charge accumulation period, wherein the second optical charge accumulation period is shorter than the first optical charge accumulation period; and

a control section configured to provide instructions for an optical charge reset, an accumulation of optical charge, and a reading of the accumulated optical charge for a pixel of the second pixel group during the first optical charge accumulation period for a pixel of the first pixel group, the control section configured to provide instructions for an optical charge reset for the second pixel of the first pixel group that is after an optical charge reset for the first pixel of the first pixel group, and the control section configured to provide instructions for a reading of the accumulated optical charge for a second pixel of the first pixel group after the reading of the accumulated optical charge for the first pixel of the first pixel group.

2. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein pixels of the second pixel group are arranged in different rows of the pixel array section.

3. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the pixel driving section is configured to cause a reading timing of the second pixel group to be different from a reading timing of the first pixel group.

4. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the imaging device is a CMOS sensor.

5. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the pixel driving section is configured to cause the second signal of the second pixel group to be read before the first signal of the first pixel group is read.

6. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the first signal of the first pixel group and the second signal of the second pixel group are operable to read in a same frame.

7. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels has a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer transistor.

8. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels has a reset transistor element.

9. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels has an amplifying transistor element.

10. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the pixels of the first pixel group and the pixels of the second pixel group are arranged in first-numbered rows and second-numbered rows in the pixel array section, respectively.

11. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the pixel driving section is configured to generate at least one of a reset control pulse and a read control pulse.

12. An electronic apparatus comprising:

an imaging device including:

a pixel array section comprising a plurality of pixel,

a pixel driving section configured to cause a first signal of a first pixel group to have a first optical charge accumulation period, and to cause a second signal of a second pixel group to have a second optical charge accumulation period, wherein the second optical charge accumulation period is shorter than the first optical charge accumulation period, and

a control section configured to provide instructions for an optical charge reset, an accumulation of optical charge, and a reading of the accumulated optical charge for a pixel of the second pixel group during the first optical charge accumulation period for a pixel of the first pixel group, the control section configured to provide instructions for an optical charge reset for the second pixel of the first pixel group that is after an optical charge reset for the first pixel of the first pixel group, and the control section configured to provide instructions for a reading of the accumulated optical charge for a second pixel of the first pixel group after the reading of the accumulated optical charge for the first pixel of the first pixel group; and

a lens configured to direct light toward the imaging device.

13. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein pixels of the second pixel group are arranged in different rows of the pixel array section.

14. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the pixel driving section is configured to cause a reading timing of the second pixel group to be different from a reading timing of the first pixel group.

15. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the imaging device is a CMOS sensor.

16. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the pixel driving section is configured to cause the second signal of the second pixel group to be read before the first signal of the first pixel group is read.

17. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first signal of the first pixel group and the second signal of the second pixel group are operable to read in a same frame.

18. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein at least one pixel of the plurality of pixels has a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer transistor.

19. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the pixels of the first pixel group and the pixels of the second pixel group are arranged in first-numbered rows and second-numbered rows in the pixel array section, respectively.

20. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the pixel driving section is configured to generate at least one of a reset control pulse and a read control pulse.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 15, 2017
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 043293/0649 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2016
From: MABUSHI, KEIJI
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040736/0866 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 14, 2016
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 040736/0913 →