IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,841,512

Granted Patent B2

US 10,841,512 · App. 16/177,653 · Granted Nov 17, 2020

Electronic apparatus, method for controlling electronic apparatus, and control program

Inventors: Takashi Shionoya (Tokyo, JP); Toshiyuki Kanbara (Tokyo, JP); Masakazu Sekiguchi (Tokyo, JP)

Assignee: NIKON CORPORATION

H04N5/265 H01L27/14634 H04N5/23216 H04N5/2624 H04N5/343 H04N5/345 H04N5/35554 H04N5/378 H04N5/379

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 10,841,512
App. No.: 16/177,653
Granted: Nov 17, 2020
Kind: B2

External Links

USPTO Patent Center↗ Full Patent PDF↗

Abstract

To generate multiple types of images of the same subject, an electronic apparatus includes a drive control unit that controls the drive of an image sensor, a division unit that divides an image capture region of the image sensor into at least first and second regions, and an image generation unit that generates a first image by capturing an image of the same subject in the first region and generates a second image by capturing an image of the same subject in the second region.

Claims (129)

1. An electronic apparatus comprising:

an imaging sensor including:

a plurality of first pixels each including a first photoelectric converter that converts light into charge and outputting a first signal based on the charge resulting from conversion by the first photoelectric converter;

a plurality of second pixels each including a second photoelectric converter that converts light into charge and outputting a second signal based on the charge resulting from conversion by the second photoelectric converter;

a first control line that is connected to the first pixels and receives a first control signal for controlling the first pixels; and

a second control line that is connected to the second pixels and receives a second control signal for controlling the second pixels; and

a generator that generates first image data based on the first signal and generates second image data based on the second signal, wherein

the first photoelectric converters are arrayed in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction in a first region that light enters, and

the second photoelectric converters are arrayed in the first direction and the second direction in a second region that light enters.

2. The electronic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein

the imaging sensor includes an image processor that processes the first signal and the second signal, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal processed by the image processor and generates the second image data based on the second signal processed by the image processor.

3. The electronic apparatus of claim 2 , wherein

the image processor includes an amplifier that amplifies the first signal and the second signal, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal amplified by the amplifier and generates the second image data based on the second signal amplified by the amplifier.

4. The electronic apparatus of claim 3 , wherein

the image processor includes a converter used for converting the first signal and the second signal into respective digital signals, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal converted into the digital signal using the converter and generates the second image data based on the second signal converted into the digital signal using the converter.

5. The electronic apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first semiconductor chip on which the first photoelectric converters and the second photoelectric converters are disposed and a second semiconductor chip on which the converter is disposed, the second semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip.

6. The electronic apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first semiconductor chip is stacked on the second semiconductor chip.

7. The electronic apparatus of claim 4 , wherein

the imaging sensor includes a storage that stores the first signal converted into the digital signal using the converter and stores the second signal converted into the digital signal using the converter, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal stored in the storage and generates the second image data based on the second signal stored in the storage.

8. The electronic apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first semiconductor chip on which the first photoelectric converters and the second photoelectric converters are disposed, a second semiconductor chip on which the converter is disposed, the second semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip, and a third semiconductor chip on which the storage is disposed, the third semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip.

9. The electronic apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the first semiconductor chip is stacked on the third semiconductor chip.

10. The electronic apparatus of claim 2 , wherein

the image processor includes a first signal processing circuit that processes the first signal and a second signal processing circuit that processes the second signal, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal processed by the first signal processing circuit and generates the second image data based on the second signal processed by the second signal processing circuit.

11. The electronic apparatus of claim 10 , wherein

the first signal processing circuit includes a first amplifier circuit that amplifies the first signal,

the second signal processing circuit includes a second amplifier circuit that amplifies the second signal, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal amplified by the first amplifier circuit and generates the second image data based on the second signal amplified by the second amplifier circuit.

12. The electronic apparatus of claim 10 , wherein

the first signal processing circuit includes a first converter circuit used for converting the first signal into a digital signal,

the second signal processing circuit includes a second converter circuit used for converting the second signal into a digital signal, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal converted into the digital signal using the first converter circuit and generates the second image data based on the second signal converted into the digital signal using the second converter circuit.

13. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first semiconductor chip on which the first photoelectric converters and the second photoelectric converters are disposed and a second semiconductor chip on which the first converter circuit and the second converter circuit are disposed, the second semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip.

14. The electronic apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the first semiconductor chip is stacked on the second semiconductor chip.

15. The electronic apparatus of claim 12 , wherein

the imaging sensor includes a first storage circuit that stores the first signal converted into the digital signal using the first converter circuit and a second storage circuit that stores the second signal converted into the digital signal using the second converter circuit, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal stored in the first storage circuit and generates the second image data based on the second signal stored in the first storage circuit.

16. The electronic apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first semiconductor chip on which the first photoelectric converters and the second photoelectric converters are disposed, a second semiconductor chip on which the first converter circuit and the second converter circuit are disposed, the second semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip, and a third semiconductor chip on which the first storage circuit and the second storage circuit are disposed, the third semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip.

17. The electronic apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the first semiconductor chip is stacked on the third semiconductor chip.

18. The electronic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein

the first pixels each include a first circuit connected to the first control line, and

the second pixels each include a second circuit connected to the second control line.

19. The electronic apparatus of claim 18 , wherein

the first circuit includes a first transferer that transfers the charge from the corresponding first photoelectric converter in response to the first control signal, and

the second circuit includes a second transferer that transfers the charge from the corresponding second photoelectric converter in response to the second control signal.

20. The electronic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second control signal is output to the second control line at a time point different from a time point at which the first control signal is output to the first control line.

21. The electronic apparatus of claim 18 , wherein

the imaging sensor includes a third control line that is connected to the first pixels and receives a third control signal for controlling the first pixels and a fourth control line that is connected to the second pixels and receives a fourth control signal for controlling the second pixels, the fourth control line differing from the third control line,

the first circuit includes a first resetter that is connected to the third control line and resets a potential of a first floating diffusion to which the charge is transferred from the corresponding first photoelectric converter in response to the third control signal, and

the second circuit includes a second resetter that is connected to the fourth control line and resets a potential of a second floating diffusion to which the charge is transferred from the corresponding second photoelectric converter in response to the fourth control signal.

22. The electronic apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the fourth control signal is output to the fourth control line at a time point different from a time point at which the third control signal is output to the third control line.

23. The electronic apparatus of claim 18 , wherein

the first circuit includes a first resetter that resets a potential of a first floating diffusion to which the charge is transferred from the corresponding first photoelectric converter in response to the first control signal, and

the second circuit includes a second resetter that resets a potential of a second floating diffusion to which the charge is transferred from the corresponding second photoelectric converter in response to the second control signal.

24. The electronic apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the second control signal is output to the second control line at a time point different from a time point at which the first control signal is output to the first control line.

25. The electronic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second region is located further in the first direction relative to the first region.

26. The electronic apparatus of claim 25 , wherein the second region is located further in the second direction relative to the first region.

27. The electronic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first output line that is connected to the first pixels and receives the first signal and a second output line that is connected to the second pixels and receives the second signal, the second output line differing from the first output line.

28. The electronic apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first current source circuit that is connected to the first output line and supplies current to the first output line and a second current source circuit that is connected to the second output line and supplies current to the second output line.

29. The electronic apparatus of claim 27 , wherein

the first output line is connected to the first pixels, and

the second output line is connected to the second pixels.

30. An electronic apparatus comprising:

an imaging sensor including:

a plurality of pixels;

a first control line connected to a plurality of first pixels, included in the pixels, the first pixels each including a first photoelectric converter that converts light into charge and outputting a first signal based on the charge resulting from conversion by the first photoelectric converter, the first control line receiving a first control signal for controlling the first pixels; and

a second control line connected to a plurality of second pixels, included in the pixels, the second pixels each including a second photoelectric converter that converts light into charge and outputting a second signal based on the charge resulting from conversion by the second photoelectric converter, the second control line receiving a second control signal for controlling the second pixels; and

a generator that generates first image data based on the first signal and generates second image data based on the second signal, wherein

the first photoelectric converters are arrayed in a first direction and a second direction crossing the first direction in a first region that light enters, and

the second photoelectric converters are arrayed in the first direction and the second direction in a second region that light enters.

31. The electronic apparatus of claim 30 , wherein

the imaging sensor includes an image processor that processes the first signal and the second signal, and

32. The electronic apparatus of claim 31 , wherein

the image processor includes an amplifier that amplifies the first signal and the second signal, and

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal amplified by the amplifier and generates the second image data based on the second signal amplified by the amplifier.

33. The electronic apparatus of claim 32 , wherein

the image processor includes a converter used for converting the first signal and the second signal into respective digital signals, and

34. The electronic apparatus of claim 33 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first semiconductor chip on which the first photoelectric converters and the second photoelectric converters are disposed and a second semiconductor chip on which the converter is disposed, the second semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip.

35. The electronic apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the first semiconductor chip is stacked on the second semiconductor chip.

36. The electronic apparatus of claim 33 , wherein

the generator generates the first image data based on the first signal stored in the storage and generates the second image data based on the second signal stored in the storage.

37. The electronic apparatus of claim 36 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first semiconductor chip on which the first photoelectric converters and the second photoelectric converters are disposed, a second semiconductor chip on which the converter is disposed, the second semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip, and a third semiconductor chip on which the storage is disposed, the third semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip.

38. The electronic apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the first semiconductor chip is stacked on the third semiconductor chip.

39. The electronic apparatus of claim 31 , wherein

the image processor includes a first signal processing circuit that processes the first signal and a second signal processing circuit that processes the second signal, and

40. The electronic apparatus of claim 39 , wherein

the first signal processing circuit includes a first amplifier circuit that amplifies the first signal,

the second signal processing circuit includes a second amplifier circuit that amplifies the second signal, and

41. The electronic apparatus of claim 39 , wherein

the first signal processing circuit includes a first converter circuit used for converting the first signal into a digital signal,

the second signal processing circuit includes a second converter circuit used for converting the second signal into a digital signal, and

42. The electronic apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first semiconductor chip on which the first photoelectric converters and the second photoelectric converters are disposed and a second semiconductor chip on which the first converter circuit and the second converter circuit are disposed, the second semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip.

43. The electronic apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the first semiconductor chip is stacked on the second semiconductor chip.

44. The electronic apparatus of claim 41 , wherein

45. The electronic apparatus of claim 44 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first semiconductor chip on which the first photoelectric converters and the second photoelectric converters are disposed, a second semiconductor chip on which the first converter circuit and the second converter circuit are disposed, the second semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip, and a third semiconductor chip on which the first storage circuit and the second storage circuit are disposed, the third semiconductor chip differing from the first semiconductor chip and the second semiconductor chip.

46. The electronic apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the first semiconductor chip is stacked on the third semiconductor chip.

47. The electronic apparatus of claim 30 , wherein

the first pixels each include a first circuit connected to the first control line, and

the second pixels each include a second circuit connected to the second control line.

48. The electronic apparatus of claim 47 , wherein

the first circuit includes a first transferer that transfers the charge from the corresponding first photoelectric converter in response to the first control signal, and

the second circuit includes a second transferer that transfers the charge from the corresponding second photoelectric converter in response to the second control signal.

49. The electronic apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the second control signal is output to the second control line at a time point different from a time point at which the first control signal is output to the first control line.

50. The electronic apparatus of claim 47 , wherein

51. The electronic apparatus of claim 50 , wherein the fourth control signal is output to the fourth control line at a time point different from a time point at which the third control signal is output to the third control line.

52. The electronic apparatus of claim 47 , wherein

53. The electronic apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the second control signal is output to the second control line at a time point different from a time point at which the first control signal is output to the first control line.

54. The electronic apparatus of claim 30 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first output line that is connected to the first pixels and receives the first signal and a second output line that is connected to the second pixels and receives the second signal, the second output line differing from the first output line.

55. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 , wherein the imaging sensor includes a first current source circuit that is connected to the first output line and supplies current to the first output line and a second current source circuit that is connected to the second output line and supplies current to the second output line.

56. The electronic apparatus of claim 54 , wherein

the first output line is connected to the first pixels, and

the second output line is connected to the second pixels.

Continuity (2)

Continuation 14900802

Related Publication 20190089909A1 · Mar 21, 2019