# US 10,321,075 B2 · Imaging apparatus and imaging system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,321,075 B2 - Document ID: US10321075B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/799,251 - Filed: 2017-10-31 - Published: 2018-05-17 - Granted: 2019-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2016-11-16 - Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Tasuku Kaneda; Kei Ochiai; Akira Ohtani - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10321075B2 ## CPC - H04N 25/626: Reduction of noise due to residual charges remaining after image readout, e.g. to remove ghost images or afterimages - H04N 25/78: Readout circuits for addressed sensors, e.g. output amplifiers or A/D converters - H10F 39/8023: {Disposition of the elements in pixels, e.g. smaller elements in the centre of the imager compared to larger elements at the periphery} - H10F 39/8057: {Optical shielding} - H10F 39/807: {Pixel isolation structures} - H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION - H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION ## Abstract Provided is an imaging apparatus including a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels comprising a photoelectric conversion portion. The pixel array includes a first pixel configured to output an imaging signal in accordance with an incident light and a second pixel configured to output a correction signal used for correcting the imaging signal. The second pixel outputs the correction signal after performing a first reset performed in a state where a first bias voltage is applied to the photoelectric conversion portion of the second pixel and a second reset performed in a state where a second bias voltage that is different from the first bias voltage is applied to the photoelectric conversion portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An imaging apparatus comprising a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix, each of the pixels comprising a photoelectric conversion portion, wherein the pixel array includes a first pixel configured to output an imaging signal in accordance with an incident light, and a second pixel configured to output a correction signal used for correcting the imaging signal, and wherein the second pixel outputs the correction signal after performing a first reset performed in a state where a first bias voltage is applied to the photoelectric conversion portion of the second pixel and a second reset performed in a state where a second bias voltage that is different from the first bias voltage is applied to the photoelectric conversion portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first pixel outputs the imaging signal after performing the first reset and the second reset on the photoelectric conversion portion of the first pixel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second pixel is a light-shielding pixel comprising a light-shielding portion that shields the photoelectric conversion portion of the second pixel from an incident light. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second pixel is a light-receiving pixel in which the photoelectric conversion portion of the second pixel receives an incident light. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second pixel again performs the first reset in synchronization with an end of exposure performed after the first reset and the second reset are performed. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first pixel has an amplification transistor configured to output the imaging signal to a signal line, and wherein the second pixel has an amplification transistor configured to output the correction signal to a signal line. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pixel array includes, as the second pixel, a light-shielding pixel comprising a light-shielding portion that shields the photoelectric conversion portion of the second pixel from a light and a light-receiving pixel in which the photoelectric conversion portion of the second pixel receives an incident light. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The imaging apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the light-shielding pixel outputs a first correction signal in synchronization with an end of exposure performed after the first reset and the second reset are performed, and wherein the light-receiving pixel again performs the first reset in synchronization with the end of the exposure performed after the first reset and the second reset are performed and then outputs a second correction signal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The imaging apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising an operation unit that calculates a correction value for each row of the pixel array based on the first correction signal and the second correction signal and performs correction of the imaging signal based on the correction value. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photoelectric conversion portion includes a photodiode, wherein the first bias voltage is a reverse bias voltage to the photodiode, and wherein the second bias voltage is a forward bias voltage to the photodiode. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second pixel comprises a well potential supply unit configured to supply a potential to a well in which the photodiode is formed, and wherein the first bias voltage and the second bias voltage are switched by a change in a potential supplied by the well potential supply unit. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an isolation region provided between the first pixel and the second pixel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the isolation region is a dummy region without the photoelectric conversion portion, Shallow Trench Isolation (STI), or an impurity diffusion layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the imaging signal and the correction signal are output by readout within the same frame period at static image capturing. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an operation unit configured to calculate a correction value for each row of the pixel array based on the correction signal and perform correction of the imaging signal based on the correction value. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) An imaging system comprising: the imaging apparatus according to claim 1; and a signal processing unit configured to process image data output from the imaging apparatus, wherein the signal processing unit calculates a correction value for each row of the pixel array based on the correction signal and performs correction of the imaging signal based on the correction value. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An imaging system comprising: the imaging apparatus according to claim 1; and at least one of a mechanical shutter and a signal processing unit configured to process image data output from the imaging apparatus. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The imaging system according to claim 16, wherein either a first mode that performs acquisition of the correction signal and correction based on the correction signal or a second mode that does not perform acquisition of the correction signal and correction based on the correction signal is selected to pick up an image.