公开(公告)号：US07349024B2

公开(公告)日：2008-03-25

申请号：US10807300

申请日：2004-03-24

申请人： Kazuya Oda ,  Takeshi Misawa ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi

发明人： Kazuya Oda ,  Takeshi Misawa ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi

IPC分类号： H04N5/222

CPC分类号： H04N1/48

摘要： Each pixel has a main pixel and a sub pixel. Each pixel has a color filter. The color filters are respectively arranged above a main photosensitive portion of the main pixel and a sub photosensitive portion of the sub pixel. The thickness of the color filters above the main and sub photosensitive portions is different from each other, so that spectral sensitivity characteristics of the main and sub photosensitive portions are respectively different. In a WB gain determiner, the type of illumination light source is judged by comparing image signals taken out from the main and sub pixels. The WB gain determiner determines a gain correction coefficient based on the type of illumination light source. The gain correction in each RGB color is performed according to the gain correction coefficient to adjust the white balance.

摘要翻译： 每个像素具有主像素和子像素。 每个像素都有一个滤色镜。 滤色器分别设置在主像素的主感光部分和子像素的副感光部分的上方。 主感光部分和副光敏部分之上的滤色器的厚度彼此不同，使得主感光部分和次光敏部分的光谱灵敏度特性分别不同。 在WB增益确定器中，通过比较从主像素和子像素取出的图像信号来判断照明光源的类型。 WB增益确定器基于照明光源的类型来确定增益校正系数。 根据增益校正系数执行每个RGB颜色的增益校正，以调整白平衡。

公开(公告)号：US07301571B2

公开(公告)日：2007-11-27

申请号：US10757469

申请日：2004-01-15

申请人： Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda ,  Takeshi Misawa

发明人： Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda ,  Takeshi Misawa

IPC分类号： H04N9/64

CPC分类号： H04N5/367

摘要： In a solid-state image sensor in which a large number of pixel cells each comprised of a combination of a main photosensitive pixel having a relatively large area and a subsidiary photosensitive pixel having a relatively small area are arranged, if the subsidiary photosensitive pixel has a defect for any pixel cell, division photometry data during AE processing is read, and the defective pixel is replaced with a value obtained by dividing the output value of the main photosensitive pixel at the same position by a sensitivity ratio only for a section for which it is determined that the main photosensitive pixel is not saturated. Thus, the pixel value of a defective pixel can be accurately corrected without causing a reduction in resolution sensitivity compared to a conventional method of correcting a defective pixel using surrounding pixel information.

摘要翻译： 在固态图像传感器中，其中布置了大量像素单元，每个像素单元均由具有相对较大面积的主要光敏像素的组合和具有相对较小面积的辅助感光像素的组合组成，如果辅助光敏像素具有 读取AE处理期间的任何像素单元的缺陷，分割测光数据，并将缺陷像素替换为通过将相同位置处的主感光像素的输出值除以灵敏度比而获得的值， 确定主感光像素不饱和。 因此，与使用周围像素信息校正缺陷像素的传统方法相比，可以精确地校正不良像素的像素值，而不会导致分辨率灵敏度的降低。

公开(公告)号：US20080180554A1

公开(公告)日：2008-07-31

申请号：US11905273

申请日：2007-09-28

申请人： Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda ,  Takeshi Misawa

发明人： Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda ,  Takeshi Misawa

IPC分类号： H04N9/64

CPC分类号： H04N5/367

摘要： In a solid-state image sensor in which a large number of pixel cells each comprised of a combination of a main photosensitive pixel having a relatively large area and a subsidiary photosensitive pixel having a relatively small area are arranged, if the subsidiary photosensitive pixel has a defect for any pixel cell, division photometry data during AE processing is read, and the defective pixel is replaced with a value obtained by dividing the output value of the main photosensitive pixel at the same position by a sensitivity ratio only for a section for which it is determined that the main photosensitive pixel is not saturated. Thus, the pixel value of a defective pixel can be accurately corrected without causing a reduction in resolution sensitivity compared to a conventional method of correcting a defective pixel using surrounding pixel information.

摘要翻译： 在固态图像传感器中，其中布置了大量像素单元，每个像素单元均由具有相对较大面积的主要光敏像素的组合和具有相对较小面积的辅助感光像素的组合组成，如果辅助光敏像素具有 读取AE处理期间的任何像素单元的缺陷，分割测光数据，并将缺陷像素替换为通过将相同位置处的主感光像素的输出值除以灵敏度比而获得的值， 确定主感光像素不饱和。 因此，与使用周围像素信息校正缺陷像素的传统方法相比，可以精确地校正不良像素的像素值，而不会导致分辨率灵敏度的降低。

公开(公告)号：US07239352B2

公开(公告)日：2007-07-03

申请号：US10671448

申请日：2003-09-29

申请人： Kazuya Oda ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi

发明人： Kazuya Oda ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi

IPC分类号： H04N5/238 ,  H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335 ,  H04N9/04 ,  H04N9/083 ,  H01L31/062 ,  H01L27/00

CPC分类号： H04N5/2355 ,  H04N5/235 ,  H04N5/2351 ,  H04N5/35563

摘要： In a signal reading method for a solid-state image pickup apparatus, an estimated photometric value is calculated at the time of preliminary image pickup and compared with a threshold value set beforehand. If the estimated photometric value is smaller than the threshold value, it is then determined that a scene to be pickup up has a narrower dynamic range to execute control reading out signal charges from the main and subregions of the individual photosensitive cell while mixing them together. If the estimated photometric value is not smaller than the threshold value, the signal charges of the main and subregions are read out independently of each other.

摘要翻译： 在固态图像拾取装置的信号读取方法中，在预备图像拾取时计算估计的测光值，并将其与预先设定的阈值进行比较。 如果估计的测光值小于阈值，则确定要拾取的场景具有较窄的动态范围，以在将各个感光单元的主要和次要区域混合在一起的同时执行控制读出信号电荷。 如果估计的测光值不小于阈值，则主要和次要区域的信号电荷彼此独立地读出。

公开(公告)号：US07019279B2

公开(公告)日：2006-03-28

申请号：US10698393

申请日：2003-11-03

申请人： Kazuya Oda ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi

发明人： Kazuya Oda ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi

IPC分类号： H01J3/14 ,  H01J40/14 ,  H01J5/16

CPC分类号： H01L27/14643 ,  H01L27/14603 ,  H01L27/14627

摘要： A solid-state image sensor includes a photosensitive array capturing an optical image representative of a desired scene. The photosensitive array includes photo-sensors arranged in a direction of row and a direction of column, and microlenses each causing incident light to converge to the corresponding photo-sensor. Each photo-sensor corresponds to a particular pixel included in the photosensitive array. Each photo-sensor is made up of a higher- and a lower-sensitivity photosensitive cell for photoelectrically transducing incident light to electric signal charges. Each photo-sensor includes a primary and a secondary photosensitive cell respectively having higher-sensitivity and lower-sensitivity for photoelectrically transducing the incident light. Each microlens has its optical center shifted from the center of the corresponding photo-sensor toward the center of the photosensitive array.

摘要翻译： 固态图像传感器包括捕获表示期望场景的光学图像的光敏阵列。 光敏阵列包括沿行方向和列方向布置的光传感器，以及每个引起入射光会聚到相应光传感器的微透镜。 每个光电传感器对应于光敏阵列中包括的特定像素。 每个光电传感器由较高和较低灵敏度的光敏电池组成，用于光电转换入电信号电荷的入射光。 每个光电传感器包括分别具有较高灵敏度和较低灵敏度的初级和次级光敏电池，用于光电转换入射光。 每个微透镜的光学中心从相应的光电传感器的中心向着光敏阵列的中心移动。

公开(公告)号：US07245322B2

公开(公告)日：2007-07-17

申请号：US10757531

申请日：2004-01-15

申请人： Kazuya Oda ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi

发明人： Kazuya Oda ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi

IPC分类号： H04N9/64 ,  H04N5/16

CPC分类号： H04N5/35563 ,  H04N5/361 ,  H04N5/367 ,  H04N5/372

摘要： The invention provides an imaging apparatus in which when a difference in sensitivity between two photosensitive elements having different sensitivities is used to achieve a wide dynamic range, a correction amount of a low sensitivity portion is determined from information of a high sensitivity portion to reduce a burden of an internal process.A black level correction value of a dependent photosensitive pixel is calculated by multiplying a black level correction value of a main photosensitive pixel by the ratio of the cell area of the main photosensitive pixel to the cell area of the dependent photosensitive pixel. It is not necessary to perform control to capture an imaging signal from the dependent photosensitive pixel belonging to an OB portion for determining the black level correction value of the dependent photosensitive pixel. Furthermore, if control to capture the imaging signal from the dependent photosensitive pixel is not performed in the OB portion, a processing system may be stopped during such a period. If the processing system is stopped during the period, contribution can be made to reduction in process and power consumption in an overall digital camera.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种成像装置，其中当使用具有不同灵敏度的两个感光元件之间的灵敏度差异来实现宽动态范围时，根据高灵敏度部分的信息确定低灵敏度部分的校正量以减轻负担 的内部过程。 通过将主感光像素的黑电平校正值乘以主感光像素的单元面积与从属光敏像素的单元面积的比率来计算依赖光敏像素的黑电平校正值。 不需要进行控制，从属于OB部分的相关感光像素拍摄成像信号，以确定相关光敏像素的黑电平校正值。 此外，如果在OB部分中没有执行从依赖感光像素捕获成像信号的控制，则可能在这样的时间段期间停止处理系统。 如果处理系统在此期间停止，则可以在整个数字照相机中减少处理和功耗。

公开(公告)号：US07855742B2

公开(公告)日：2010-12-21

申请号：US11727139

申请日：2007-03-23

申请人： Hiroyuki Oshima ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda ,  Katsumi Ikeda

发明人： Hiroyuki Oshima ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda ,  Katsumi Ikeda

IPC分类号： H04N3/14 ,  H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/37213 ,  H01L27/14621 ,  H01L27/14843 ,  H01L27/14868 ,  H04N5/3653 ,  H04N5/3728 ,  H04N9/045

摘要： In a solid state imaging device, signal charges are branched to be output to in the form of one or plural outputs. At a horizontal transfer speed not lower than a predetermined transfer speed, the imaging device transfers signal charges of color attributes classified by a branching section, to plural horizontal transfer paths, where the signal charges are converted into analog voltage signals, which will be output synchronously. At a horizontal transfer speed lower than the predetermined transfer speed, the analog voltage signal converted is output from, e.g. the horizontal transfer path which has been selected. Output amplifiers arranged on the horizontal transfer paths are differentiated in sensitivities in detecting signal charges, depending on color attributes of signal charges supplied, and output the analog voltage signals.

摘要翻译： 在固态成像装置中，信号电荷被分支输出到一个或多个输出的形式。 在不低于预定传送速度的水平传送速度下，成像装置将由分支部分分类的颜色属性的信号电荷传送到多个水平传送路径，其中信号电荷被转换为将被同步输出的模拟电压信号 。 在低于预定传送速度的水平传送速度下，转换的模拟电压信号从例如， 已选择的水平传送路径。 布置在水平传输路径上的输出放大器根据所提供的信号电荷的颜色属性，在检测信号电荷的灵敏度上有差异，并输出模拟电压信号。

公开(公告)号：US07518644B2

公开(公告)日：2009-04-14

申请号：US11489602

申请日：2006-07-20

申请人： Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda

发明人： Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda

IPC分类号： H04N9/64 ,  H04N5/217

CPC分类号： H04N5/343 ,  H04N5/3452 ,  H04N5/367 ,  H04N5/372

摘要： Pixel rows of an image sensor are respectively provided with a vertical transfer path. A charge detecting amplifier is disposed at one end of each of the vertical transfer paths. When a through image is outputted and when a moving-image mode is executed, a horizontal scanning circuit sequentially selects the charge detecting amplifiers on the basis of a thinning pattern, which is determined every imaging sensitivity, to output an image signal in which the pixel rows are thinned. As the thinning pattern, there are an odd-row pattern for selecting only the odd pixel rows from among the whole pixel rows, and an even-row pattern for selecting only the even pixel rows therefrom. The thinning pattern is selected in accordance with the imaging sensitivity so as to minimize line-shaped defects caused by the vertical transfer paths.

摘要翻译： 图像传感器的像素行分别设置有垂直传送路径。 电荷检测放大器设置在每个垂直传送路径的一端。 当输出直通图像并且当执行运动图像模式时，水平扫描电路基于每个成像灵敏度确定的稀疏图案顺序地选择电荷检测放大器，以输出图像信号，其中像素 行变薄。 作为稀疏图案，存在用于仅从整个像素行中选择奇数像素行的奇数行图案和用于仅从其中选择偶数像素行的偶数行图案。 根据成像灵敏度选择细化图案，以便最小化由垂直传送路径引起的线状缺陷。

公开(公告)号：US08098310B2

公开(公告)日：2012-01-17

申请号：US12395366

申请日：2009-02-27

申请人： Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Daisuke Kusuda ,  Masaya Tamaru ,  Michio Cho ,  Kazuya Oda

发明人： Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Daisuke Kusuda ,  Masaya Tamaru ,  Michio Cho ,  Kazuya Oda

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N5/2354 ,  H04N5/2353 ,  H04N5/2355 ,  H04N5/35554 ,  H04N5/35581

摘要： An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, an imaging device deriving unit and a signal processing unit. Pixels of the imaging device include a first pixel group and a second pixel group. The imaging device driving unit exposes the first pixel group during a first exposure period, exposes the second pixel group during a second exposure period, and reads first image data captured by the first pixel group and second image data captured by the second pixel group separately. The signal processing unit performs image processing for the first and second image data. A first shooting mode and a second shooting mode are provided. In the first shooting mode, the signal processing unit performs the image processing for the first and second image data separately to generate two pieces of subject image data. In the second shooting mode, the signal processing unit combines the first and second image data.

摘要翻译： 一种成像设备包括成像设备，成像设备导出单元和信号处理单元。 成像装置的像素包括第一像素组和第二像素组。 成像装置驱动单元在第一曝光期间露出第一像素组，在第二曝光期间曝光第二像素组，并分别读取由第一像素组拍摄的第一图像数据和由第二像素组拍摄的第二图像数据。 信号处理单元对第一和第二图像数据执行图像处理。 提供第一拍摄模式和第二拍摄模式。 在第一拍摄模式中，信号处理单元分别执行第一和第二图像数据的图像处理，以生成两个被摄体图像数据。 在第二拍摄模式中，信号处理单元组合第一和第二图像数据。

公开(公告)号：US20080309808A1

公开(公告)日：2008-12-18

申请号：US12140724

申请日：2008-06-17

申请人： Daisuke KUSUDA ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda

发明人： Daisuke KUSUDA ,  Hirokazu Kobayashi ,  Kazuya Oda

IPC分类号： H04N5/335

CPC分类号： H04N9/045 ,  H04N5/3452 ,  H04N5/3698 ,  H04N5/3728

摘要： A method of driving a CCD solid-state image pickup device, which performs multiplication driving on the signal charges, the method including: reading out signal charges from a plurality of photoelectric converting elements that are arranged in a two-dimensional array-like pattern to a charge transfer path that is disposed in parallel to a photoelectric converting element column of the photoelectric converting elements; and applying a multiplying pulse to a multiplying electrode among transfer electrodes constituting the charge transfer path, wherein an electrode, which is set as the multiplying electrode among the transfer electrodes, is periodically changed.

摘要翻译： 一种驱动CCD固态摄像装置的方法，该CCD固态摄像装置对信号电荷进行乘法驱动，所述方法包括：从以二维阵列状图案排列的多个光电转换元件读出信号电荷， 与光电转换元件的光电转换元件列并联设置的电荷传送路径; 以及在构成电荷转移路径的转移电极之间向乘法电极施加乘法脉冲，其中在转移电极中设置为倍增电极的电极周期性地变化。