IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,413,877
Granted Patent B2
US 12,413,877 · App. 18/340,789 · Granted Sep 9, 2025

Image sensor and imaging apparatus

Inventors: Makoto Ise (Kanagawa, JP); Isao Hayashi (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
H04N25/79H04N25/78
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,413,877
App. No.
18/340,789
Granted
Sep 9, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

An image sensor including a first signal processing circuit including a first ramp signal generation circuit and a first analog-to-digital (AD) conversion circuit, a second signal processing circuit including a second ramp signal generation circuit and a second AD conversion circuit, and wiring connected so that a first ramp signal output from the first ramp signal generation circuit is supplied to the first and second AD conversion circuits, and a second ramp signal output from the second ramp signal generation circuit is supplied to the first and second AD conversion circuits.

Claims (19)

1. An image sensor, comprising:

a pixel chip including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix;

a logic chip including a first signal processing circuit and a second signal processing circuit formed by split exposure, the pixel chip and the logic chip being stacked on each other, the first signal processing circuit including a first ramp signal generation circuit and a first analog-to-digital (AD) conversion circuit, and the second signal processing circuit including a second ramp signal generation circuit and a second AD conversion circuit;

wiring connected so that a first ramp signal output from the first ramp signal generation circuit is supplied to the first and second AD conversion circuits, and a second ramp signal output from the second ramp signal generation circuit is supplied to the first and second AD conversion circuits; and

a switch configured to selectively switch between the first ramp signal and the second ramp signal, and supply the selectively switched ramp signal to the first and second AD conversion circuits,

wherein the switch is configured to, in a case where a temperature of the first ramp signal generation circuit or the second ramp signal generation circuit rises to a predetermined temperature, switch between the first and second ramp signals.

2. The image sensor according to claim 1 , wherein the first ramp signal has a gradient different from that of the second ramp signal.

3. The image sensor according to claim 1 , wherein power to be supplied to the first ramp signal generation circuit or the second ramp signal generation circuit is reduced according to imaging situation.

4. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an image sensor; and

a controller configured to control the image sensor,

wherein the image sensor comprises:

a pixel chip including a plurality of unit pixels arranged in a matrix;

a logic chip including a first signal processing circuit and a second signal processing circuit formed by split exposure, the pixel chip and the logic chip being stacked on each other, the first signal processing circuit including a first ramp signal generation circuit and a first analog-to-digital (AD) conversion circuit, and the second signal processing circuit including a second ramp signal generation circuit and a second AD conversion circuit;

wiring connected so that a first ramp signal output from the first ramp signal generation circuit is supplied to the first and second AD conversion circuits, and a second ramp signal output from the second ramp signal generation circuit is supplied to the first and second AD conversion circuits; and

a switch configured to selectively switch between the first ramp signal and the second ramp signal, and supply the selectively switched ramp signal to the first and second AD conversion circuits,

wherein the switch is configured to, in a case where a temperature of the first ramp signal generation circuit or the second ramp signal generation circuit rises to a predetermined temperature, switch between the first and second ramp signals.

5. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the first ramp signal has a gradient different from that of the second ramp signal.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein power to be supplied to the first ramp signal generation circuit or the second ramp signal generation circuit is reduced according to imaging situation.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 2, 2023
From: ISE, MAKOTO; HAYASHI, ISAO
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 064460/0274 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2022-102633 · Jun 27, 2022 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230421929A1 · Dec 28, 2023
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