公开(公告)号：US09029752B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-12

申请号：US13540285

申请日：2012-07-02

申请人： Kazuhiro Saito ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kohichi Nakamura

发明人： Kazuhiro Saito ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kohichi Nakamura

IPC分类号： H01L27/00 ,  G01J1/44 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H03M1/10 ,  H03M1/12 ,  H03M1/56

CPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H03M1/1023 ,  H03M1/123 ,  H03M1/18 ,  H03M1/56 ,  H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of matrix pixels, a reference signal generator for generating a ramp signal, a counter for performing counting according to the ramp signal output, and an AD converter, arranged for each pixel column, for performing AD conversion by comparing a pixel signal from the pixel with the ramp signal. Further, the AD converter includes a comparator to which the pixel signal and the reference signal are input, a storage for storing the AD conversion result, and an slope converter, between the output terminal of the reference signal generator and the input terminal of the comparator, for changing a gradient of the ramp signal, so that the noise overlaid on the ramp signal changes depending on the gradient of the ramp signal. Thus, it is possible to prevent generation of a horizontal-line noise in the ramp signal.

摘要翻译： 固态成像装置包括多个矩阵像素，用于产生斜坡信号的参考信号发生器，用于根据斜坡信号输出执行计数的计数器和针对每个像素列布置的用于执行AD转换的AD转换器 通过比较来自像素的像素信号与斜坡信号。 此外，AD转换器包括输入像素信号和参考信号的比较器，用于存储AD转换结果的存储器和斜率转换器，在参考信号发生器的输出端子和比较器的输入端子之间 ，用于改变斜坡信号的斜率，使得覆盖在斜坡信号上的噪声根据斜坡信号的梯度而改变。 因此，可以防止在斜坡信号中产生水平线噪声。

公开(公告)号：US20130070136A1

公开(公告)日：2013-03-21

申请号：US13570580

申请日：2012-08-09

申请人： Hiroki Hiyama ,  Kohichi Nakamura ,  Kazuhiro Saito ,  Tetsuya Itano

发明人： Hiroki Hiyama ,  Kohichi Nakamura ,  Kazuhiro Saito ,  Tetsuya Itano

IPC分类号： H03M1/12 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H03M1/1245 ,  H03M1/0607 ,  H03M1/08 ,  H03M1/1225 ,  H03M1/123 ,  H03M1/1295 ,  H03M1/56 ,  H04N5/3577 ,  H04N5/3765 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： In an A/D converter, a first analog signal which is input to an input terminal in a state in which the input terminal and a reference voltage line are connected via a first capacitor is converted into digital data when a reference signal is supplied to the reference signal line in a state in which the reference signal line and a first input terminal of a comparator are connected via the first capacitor. A second analog signal which is input to the input terminal in a state in which the input terminal and the reference voltage line are connected via a second capacitor is converted into digital data when the reference signal is supplied to the reference signal line in a state in which the reference signal line and the first input terminal of the comparator are connected via the second capacitor.

摘要翻译： 在A / D转换器中，当将输入端和参考电压线经由第一电容器连接的状态下输入到输入端的第一模拟信号，当将参考信号提供给 在参考信号线和比较器的第一输入端经由第一电容器连接的状态下的基准信号线。 在将输入端子和参考电压线通过第二电容器连接的状态下输入到输入端子的第二模拟信号在基准信号以基准信号线提供给基准信号线时被转换为数字数据 比较器的参考信号线和第一输入端经由第二电容器连接。

公开(公告)号：US20130026343A1

公开(公告)日：2013-01-31

申请号：US13540285

申请日：2012-07-02

申请人： Kazuhiro Saito ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kohichi Nakamura

发明人： Kazuhiro Saito ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kohichi Nakamura

IPC分类号： H01L27/146

CPC分类号： H04N5/335 ,  H01L27/14609 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H03M1/1023 ,  H03M1/123 ,  H03M1/18 ,  H03M1/56 ,  H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/378

摘要： A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises a plurality of matrix pixels, a reference signal generator for generating a ramp signal, a counter for performing counting according to the ramp signal output, and an AD converter, arranged for each pixel column, for performing AD conversion by comparing a pixel signal from the pixel with the ramp signal. Further, the AD converter includes a comparator to which the pixel signal and the reference signal are input, a storage for storing the AD conversion result, and an slope converter, between the output terminal of the reference signal generator and the input terminal of the comparator, for changing a gradient of the ramp signal, so that the noise overlaid on the ramp signal changes depending on the gradient of the ramp signal. Thus, it is possible to prevent generation of a horizontal-line noise in the ramp signal.

公开(公告)号：US09040887B2

公开(公告)日：2015-05-26

申请号：US13591903

申请日：2012-08-22

申请人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

发明人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

IPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  G02F7/00

摘要： Provided is an A/D converter including an input terminal, a reference signal line for supplying a reference signal which changes temporally, a comparator, a correction capacitor connected to an inverting input terminal of the comparator; and an output circuit which outputs digital data corresponding to an analog signal input to the input terminal. In a first state in which a total voltage of a first analog signal and an offset voltage of the comparator is held in the correction capacitor, a second analog signal input to the input terminal is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the second analog signal or the total voltage is changed using the reference signal, thereby outputting, from the output circuit, digital data.

公开(公告)号：US20130068930A1

公开(公告)日：2013-03-21

申请号：US13591903

申请日：2012-08-22

申请人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

发明人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

IPC分类号： H03M1/12 ,  H01L27/146

CPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  G02F7/00 ,  H04N5/37455

摘要： Provided is an A/D converter including an input terminal, a reference signal line for supplying a reference signal which changes temporally, a comparator, a correction capacitor connected to an inverting input terminal of the comparator; and an output circuit which outputs digital data corresponding to an analog signal input to the input terminal. In a first state in which a total voltage of a first analog signal and an offset voltage of the comparator is held in the correction capacitor, a second analog signal input to the input terminal is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the second analog signal or the total voltage is changed using the reference signal, thereby outputting, from the output circuit, digital data.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种A / D转换器，其包括输入端子，用于提供在时间上变化的参考信号的参考信号线，比较器，连接到比较器的反相输入端子的校正电容器; 以及输出与输入到输入端子的模拟信号对应的数字数据的输出电路。 在校正电容器中保持比较器的第一模拟信号和偏移电压的总电压的第一状态，输入到输入端的第二模拟信号被提供给比较器的非反相输入端， 并且使用参考信号改变第二模拟信号或总电压，从而从输出电路输出数字数据。

公开(公告)号：US20130062503A1

公开(公告)日：2013-03-14

申请号：US13585029

申请日：2012-08-14

申请人： Kazuhiro Saito ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kohichi Nakamura

发明人： Kazuhiro Saito ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kohichi Nakamura

IPC分类号： H01L27/146

CPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H03M1/08 ,  H03M1/123 ,  H03M1/56 ,  H04N5/357 ,  H04N5/3575

摘要： A solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a ramp signal generator for generating first and second time-changing ramp signals during first and second analog-to-digital conversion periods, respectively; comparators for comparing a reset signal of a pixel with the first ramp signal during the first analog-to-digital conversion period, and comparing a pixel signal with the second ramp signal during the second analog-to-digital conversion period; and memories for storing, as first and second digital data, count values of counting from a start of changing the first and second ramp signals until an inversion of outputs of the comparators, during the first and second analog-to-digital conversion periods, wherein the ramp signal generator supplies a current from a current generator to a first capacitor element by a sampling and holding operation of a switch, and generates the first and second ramp signals based on the same bias voltage held by the first capacitor element.

摘要翻译： 固态成像装置包括：斜坡信号发生器，分别在第一和第二模数转换周期期间产生第一和第二时变斜坡信号; 比较器，用于在第一模数转换周期期间比较像素的复位信号和第一斜坡信号，以及在第二模数转换周期期间比较像素信号与第二斜坡信号; 以及存储器，用于作为第一和第二数字数据存储从开始改变第一和第二斜坡信号开始的计数值，直到在第一和第二模数转换周期期间比较器的输出反转，其中 斜坡信号发生器通过开关的采样和保持操作将电流从电流发生器提供给第一电容器元件，并且基于由第一电容器元件保持的相同偏置电压产生第一和第二斜坡信号。

公开(公告)号：US20130057742A1

公开(公告)日：2013-03-07

申请号：US13586956

申请日：2012-08-16

申请人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

发明人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3598

摘要： A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally in a matrix, a reference signal generating circuit adapted to generate a ramp signal, a counter circuit adapted to perform a counting operation according to output of the ramp signal, comparators arranged on a column by column basis and adapted to compare signals read out of the pixels with the ramp signal, and memories arranged on a column by column basis and adapted to store digital data, wherein if output of the comparator is not changed during an AD conversion period, digital data of a predetermined value is stored in the memory. The solid-state imaging apparatus implements overflow handling using a simplified circuit configuration.

摘要翻译： 一种固态成像装置，包括以矩阵二维排列的多个像素，适用于生成斜坡信号的基准信号发生电路，适于根据斜坡信号的输出进行计数动作的计数器电路， 并且适于将从像素读出的信号与斜坡信号进行比较，以及逐列地布置的存储器，并适于存储数字数据，其中如果比较器的输出在AD转换期间没有改变 期间，将预定值的数字数据存储在存储器中。 固态成像装置使用简化的电路配置实现溢出处理。

公开(公告)号：US09083906B2

公开(公告)日：2015-07-14

申请号：US13591903

申请日：2012-08-22

申请人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

发明人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

IPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3745 ,  G02F7/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  G02F7/00 ,  H04N5/37455

摘要： Provided is an A/D converter including an input terminal, a reference signal line for supplying a reference signal which changes temporally, a comparator, a correction capacitor connected to an inverting input terminal of the comparator; and an output circuit which outputs digital data corresponding to an analog signal input to the input terminal. In a first state in which a total voltage of a first analog signal and an offset voltage of the comparator is held in the correction capacitor, a second analog signal input to the input terminal is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal of the comparator, and the second analog signal or the total voltage is changed using the reference signal, thereby outputting, from the output circuit, digital data.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种A / D转换器，其包括输入端子，用于提供在时间上变化的参考信号的参考信号线，比较器，连接到比较器的反相输入端子的校正电容器; 以及输出与输入到输入端子的模拟信号对应的数字数据的输出电路。 在校正电容器中保持比较器的第一模拟信号和偏移电压的总电压的第一状态，输入到输入端的第二模拟信号被提供给比较器的非反相输入端， 并且使用参考信号改变第二模拟信号或总电压，从而从输出电路输出数字数据。

公开(公告)号：US08836838B2

公开(公告)日：2014-09-16

申请号：US13586956

申请日：2012-08-16

申请人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

发明人： Kohichi Nakamura ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Tetsuya Itano ,  Kazuhiro Saito

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/359

CPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3598

摘要： A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally in a matrix, a reference signal generating circuit adapted to generate a ramp signal, a counter circuit adapted to perform a counting operation according to output of the ramp signal, comparators arranged on a column by column basis and adapted to compare signals read out of the pixels with the ramp signal, and memories arranged on a column by column basis and adapted to store digital data, wherein if output of the comparator is not changed during an AD conversion period, digital data of a predetermined value is stored in the memory. The solid-state imaging apparatus implements overflow handling using a simplified circuit configuration.

摘要翻译： 一种固态成像装置，包括以矩阵二维排列的多个像素，适用于生成斜坡信号的基准信号发生电路，适于根据斜坡信号的输出进行计数动作的计数器电路， 并且适于将从像素读出的信号与斜坡信号进行比较，以及逐列地布置的存储器，并适于存储数字数据，其中如果比较器的输出在AD转换期间没有改变 期间，将预定值的数字数据存储在存储器中。 固态成像装置使用简化的电路配置实现溢出处理。

公开(公告)号：US20130087686A1

公开(公告)日：2013-04-11

申请号：US13610440

申请日：2012-09-11

申请人： Tetsuya Itano ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Kazuhiro Saito ,  Kohichi Nakamura ,  Yu Maehashi

发明人： Tetsuya Itano ,  Hiroki Hiyama ,  Kazuhiro Saito ,  Kohichi Nakamura ,  Yu Maehashi

IPC分类号： H01L27/146

CPC分类号： H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/3742

摘要： A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix, and configured to generate signals by photoelectric conversion; a plurality of read-out circuits disposed on each column of the plurality of pixels arrayed in a matrix pattern, and configured to read out the signals from the plurality of pixels; a plurality of comparison units configured to compare the signals output from the plurality of read-out circuits with a reference signal whose level changes with time; a counter configured to count a clock signal after the level of the reference signal starts a change; a storage unit configured, when a magnitude relationship between the signals output from the plurality of the read-out circuits and the reference signal is reversed; and a reset unit configured to reset the count value stored in the storage unit.

摘要翻译： 固态成像装置包括以矩阵排列的多个像素，并且被配置为通过光电转换产生信号; 多个读出电路，设置在以矩阵图案排列的多个像素的每列上，并且被配置为从多个像素读出信号; 多个比较单元，被配置为将从多个读出电路输出的信号与其电平随时间变化的参考信号进行比较; 配置为在参考信号的电平开始变化之后对时钟信号进行计数的计数器; 存储单元，当从所述多个读出电路输出的信号与所述参考信号之间的大小关系被反转时， 以及复位单元，被配置为重置存储在存储单元中的计数值。