公开(公告)号：US20150312506A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-29

申请号：US14691848

申请日：2015-04-21

Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Fukashi MORISHITA

IPC: H04N5/3745 ,  H01L27/146

CPC classification number: H04N5/37457 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to read a pixel signal at high speed. A pixel array includes a plurality of pixels that store an electrical charge. The amount of stored electrical charge is based on the amount of received light. A first pixel current source and a second pixel current source are coupled in parallel between a ground voltage and a pixel output node on a pixel signal read line. A switch is disposed in a wiring path that couples the pixel output node, the second pixel current source, and the ground voltage.

Abstract translation: 本发明使得可以高速读取像素信号。 像素阵列包括存储电荷的多个像素。 存储的电荷量基于所接收的光量。 第一像素电流源和第二像素电流源并联耦合在像素信号读取线上的接地电压和像素输出节点之间。 开关设置在连接像素输出节点，第二像素电流源和接地电压的布线路径中。

公开(公告)号：US20150124138A1

公开(公告)日：2015-05-07

申请号：US14518073

申请日：2014-10-20

Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation

Inventor： Kazuhiro UEDA ,  Shunsuke OKURA ,  Fukashi MORISHITA

IPC: H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/376

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H03M1/00 ,  H03M1/66 ,  H04N5/3575 ,  H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/376

Abstract: Provided is a solid-state image sensing device that performs an A/D conversion operation at high speed. A sample-and-hold section 12 included in an A/D converter in a CMOS image sensor includes switches S1a and S1b and capacitor C1 that sample and hold a dark signal during each cycle period, switches S2a and S2b and capacitor C2 that sample and hold a bright signal during an odd-numbered cycle period, and switches S3a and S3b and capacitor C3 that sample and hold a bright signal during an even-numbered cycle period. While a bright signal is held with switch S2b placed in a conducting state, the next bright signal can be sampled by placing switch S3a in a conducting state.

Abstract translation: 提供一种以高速执行A / D转换操作的固态图像感测装置。 包括在CMOS图像传感器中的A / D转换器中的采样保持部分12包括开关S1a和S1b以及在每个周期期间采样和保持暗信号的电容器C1，开关S2a和S2b以及电容器C2， 在奇数周期期间保持亮信号，并且在偶数周期期间切换S3a和S3b以及采样并保持亮信号的电容器C3。 当开关S2b置于导通状态下保持亮信号时，可以通过将开关S3a置于导通状态来对下一个亮信号进行采样。

公开(公告)号：US20130284888A1

公开(公告)日：2013-10-31

申请号：US13870893

申请日：2013-04-25

Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Koji SHIDA ,  Hiroshi KATO

IPC: H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H03M1/00

Abstract: There is a need to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus capable of highly accurately analog-to-digital converting an analog voltage output from a pixel circuit. The solid-state imaging apparatus supplies a counter code to an integral A/D converter. The counter code CD includes 3-phase clock signals and gray signals. The clock signals each have a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 8 and allow phases to shift from each other by specified cycle. The gray signals linearly increase count values at a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 4. The counter code reverses only the logical level of a signal when a count value changes. A count value error can be limited to a minimum.

公开(公告)号：US20150304578A1

公开(公告)日：2015-10-22

申请号：US14689913

申请日：2015-04-17

Applicant: Renesas Electronics Corporation

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Fukashi MORISHITA

IPC: H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/374

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/3765

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for achieving higher picture quality of a captured image by reducing noise which occurs at the time of resetting in a solid-state image sensing device and the like. A pixel array in a solid-state image sensing device includes a plurality of pixels and includes an OB pixel region and an effective pixel region. The solid-state image sensing device has a signal processing unit outputting a pixel signal of each of the pixels in the effective pixel region on the basis of the signal level of a signal output from each of the pixels. The solid-state image sensing device obtains a signal without applying a reset signal to each of the pixels in the OB pixel region, obtains the difference between the signal and a signal of a pixel in the effective pixel region, and outputs an image signal.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供了一种通过减少在固态图像感测装置等中复位时发生的噪声来获得拍摄图像的更高图像质量的技术。 固态图像感测装置中的像素阵列包括多个像素，并且包括OB像素区域和有效像素区域。 固态图像感测装置具有信号处理单元，其基于从每个像素输出的信号的信号电平，输出有效像素区域中的每个像素的像素信号。 固态图像感测装置获取信号而不对OB像素区域中的每个像素施加复位信号，获得有效像素区域中的信号与像素的信号之间的差，并输出图像信号。

公开(公告)号：US20140362273A1

公开(公告)日：2014-12-11

申请号：US14301120

申请日：2014-06-10

Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Fukashi MORISHITA

IPC: H04N5/3745 ,  H04N5/374

CPC classification number: H03M1/468 ,  H03M1/38 ,  H03M1/46 ,  H03M1/804 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: The present invention provides a small-sized inexpensive solid-state imaging apparatus. A D/A converter included in a successive comparison type A/D converter of the solid-state imaging apparatus includes a multiplexer which selects any of reference voltages VR0 to VR16 and sets it as an analog reference signal when coarse A/D conversion is performed, and which selects reference voltages VR (n−1) to VR (n+2) of the reference voltages VR0 to VR16 when fine A/C conversion is performed, and a capacitor array which generates an analog reference signal, based on the reference voltages VR (n−1) to VR (n+2) when the fine A/D conversion is performed. It is thus possible to reduce settling errors in reference voltage without using redundant capacitors.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供一种小型便宜的固态成像装置。 包括在固态成像装置的连续比较型A / D转换器中的AD / A转换器包括多路复用器，其选择参考电压VR0至VR16中的任何一个，并且当执行粗略A / D转换时将其设置为模拟参考信号， 并且当执行精细的A / C转换时，其选择参考电压VR0至VR16的参考电压VR（n-1）至VR（n + 2），以及基于参考电压产生模拟参考信号的电容器阵列 当进行精细的A / D转换时，VR（n-1）至VR（n + 2）。 因此，可以在不使用冗余电容器的情况下降低参考电压的稳定误差。

公开(公告)号：US20170302875A1

公开(公告)日：2017-10-19

申请号：US15634377

申请日：2017-06-27

Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Fukashi MORISHITA

IPC: H04N5/3745 ,  H01L27/146 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/37457 ,  H01L27/14641 ,  H01L27/14643 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to read a pixel signal at high speed. A pixel array includes a plurality of pixels that store an electrical charge. The amount of stored electrical charge is based on the amount of received light. A first pixel current source and a second pixel current source are coupled in parallel between a ground voltage and a pixel output node on a pixel signal read line. A switch is disposed in a wiring path that couples the pixel output node, the second pixel current source, and the ground voltage.

公开(公告)号：US20150236712A1

公开(公告)日：2015-08-20

申请号：US14702492

申请日：2015-05-01

Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Fukashi MORISHITA

IPC: H03M1/46 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H03M1/468 ,  H03M1/38 ,  H03M1/46 ,  H03M1/804 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/37455 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: The present invention provides a small-sized inexpensive solid-state imaging apparatus. A D/A converter included in a successive comparison type A/D converter of the solid-state imaging apparatus includes a multiplexer which selects any of reference voltages VR0 to VR16 and sets it as an analog reference signal when coarse A/D conversion is performed, and which selects reference voltages VR (n−1) to VR (n+2) of the reference voltages VR0 to VR16 when fine A/D conversion is performed, and a capacitor array which generates an analog reference signal, based on the reference voltages VR (n−1) to VR (n+2) when the fine A/D conversion is performed. It is thus possible to reduce settling errors in reference voltage without using redundant capacitors.

Abstract translation: 本发明提供一种小型便宜的固态成像装置。 包括在固态成像装置的连续比较型A / D转换器中的AD / A转换器包括多路复用器，其选择参考电压VR0至VR16中的任何一个，并且当执行粗略A / D转换时将其设置为模拟参考信号， 并且当执行精细的A / D转换时，其选择参考电压VR0至VR16的参考电压VR（n-1）至VR（n + 2），以及基于参考电压产生模拟参考信号的电容器阵列 当进行精细的A / D转换时，VR（n-1）至VR（n + 2）。 因此，可以在不使用冗余电容器的情况下降低参考电压的稳定误差。

公开(公告)号：US20150365618A1

公开(公告)日：2015-12-17

申请号：US14835545

申请日：2015-08-25

Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Mitsuo MAGANE

IPC: H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/3742 ,  G02F7/00 ,  H03M1/00 ,  H04N5/359 ,  H04N5/378

Abstract: A solid-state image sensing device according to the invention which can reduce an instantaneous current occurring in transferring image digital signals from analog-digital converters to registers to reduce noise sneaking into the analog-digital converters and a pixel array includes a pixel array, a vertical scanning circuit, a plurality of column ADCs, a plurality of registers, and control signal generation units. The control signal generation units are provided for respective groups into which the column ADCs and the registers disposed on one side of the pixel array are divided, and generate control signals of different timings, for respective units including at least one group, of transfer of converted image digital signals to the registers from the column ADCs operating in parallel.

Abstract translation: 根据本发明的固态图像感测装置，其可以减少将图像数字信号从模数转换器传送到寄存器而发生的瞬时电流，以减少噪声潜入模拟数字转换器和像素阵列，包括像素阵列， 垂直扫描电路，多个列ADC，多个寄存器和控制信号生成单元。 控制信号生成单元被提供给各个组，其中列ADC和位于像素阵列一侧的寄存器被分配，并且为包括至少一个组的各个单元生成不同的定时的控制信号 将数字信号从并行运行的列ADC中的寄存器映像。

公开(公告)号：US20150115135A1

公开(公告)日：2015-04-30

申请号：US14588787

申请日：2015-01-02

Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Koji SHIDA ,  Hiroshi KATO

IPC: H04N5/378

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H03M1/00

Abstract: There is a need to provide a solid-state imaging apparatus capable of highly accurately analog-to-digital converting an analog voltage output from a pixel circuit. The solid-state imaging apparatus supplies a counter code to an integral A/D converter. The counter code CD includes 3-phase clock signals and gray signals. The clock signals each have a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 8 and allow phases to shift from each other by specified cycle. The gray signals linearly increase count values at a cycle equal to specified cycle multiplied by 4. The counter code reverses only the logical level of a signal when a count value changes. A count value error can be limited to a minimum.

Abstract translation: 需要提供能够高精度地模数转换从像素电路输出的模拟电压的固态成像装置。 固态成像装置向积分A / D转换器提供计数器代码。 计数器代码CD包括三相时钟信号和灰度信号。 时钟信号各自具有等于指定周期的周期乘以8，并允许相位相互指定周期相移。 灰度信号在等于指定周期的周期乘以4的线性增加计数值。当计数值改变时，计数器代码仅反转信号的逻辑电平。 计数值错误可以限制在最小值。

公开(公告)号：US20170118433A1

公开(公告)日：2017-04-27

申请号：US15398246

申请日：2017-01-04

Applicant: RENESAS ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Inventor： Shunsuke OKURA ,  Fukashi MORISHITA

IPC: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/376 ,  H04N5/363

CPC classification number: H04N5/378 ,  H04N5/363 ,  H04N5/374 ,  H04N5/3765

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for achieving higher picture quality of a captured image by reducing noise which occurs at the time of resetting in a solid-state image sensing device and the like. A pixel array in a solid-state image sensing device includes a plurality of pixels and includes an OB pixel region and an effective pixel region. The solid-state image sensing device has a signal processing unit outputting a pixel signal of each of the pixels in the effective pixel region on the basis of the signal level of a signal output from each of the pixels. The solid-state image sensing device obtains a signal without applying a reset signal to each of the pixels in the OB pixel region, obtains the difference between the signal and a signal of a pixel in the effective pixel region, and outputs an image signal.