Imaging device, imaging element, and method of controlling imaging device

An imaging element, comprising:

• a pixel array unit divided into a plurality of divided regions, wherein
• the plurality of divided regions is regions obtained based on division of the pixel array unit by a quadtree division,
• each divided region includes a plurality of partial regions, and
• the plurality of partial regions is regions obtained based on division of each of the plurality of divided regions by the quadtree division;
• and
• a scanning circuit configured to:
• obtain first partial regions of the plurality of partial regions and a second partial region of the plurality of partial regions based on a quadtree search, wherein the second partial region is different from the first partial regions of the plurality of partial regions;
• sequentially control exposure of a determined number of the first partial regions of the plurality of partial regions to output first pixel data in each of the plurality of divided regions;
• and
• control exposure of the second partial region of the plurality of partial regions to output second pixel data in each of the plurality of divided regions.

A method of controlling an imaging device, the method comprising:

• obtaining first partial regions of a plurality of partial regions and a second partial region of the plurality of partial regions based on a quadtree search, wherein
• the second partial region is different from the first partial regions of the plurality of partial regions,
• the plurality of partial regions is included in each divided region of a plurality of divided regions of a pixel array unit,
• the plurality of divided regions is regions obtained based on division of the pixel array unit by a quadtree division, and
• the plurality of partial regions is regions obtained based on division of each of the plurality of divided regions by the quadtree division;
• sequentially controlling exposure of a determined number of the first partial regions of the plurality of partial regions to output first pixel data in each divided region of the plurality of divided regions;
• controlling exposure of the second partial region of the plurality of partial regions to output second pixel data in each divided region of the plurality of divided regions;
• sequentially generating a first frame from the first pixel data;
• and
• generating a second frame from the second pixel data.

An imaging device, comprising:

• a pixel array unit divided into a plurality of divided regions, each divided region including a plurality of partial regions;
• a scanning circuit configured to:
• sequentially control exposure of a determined number of first partial regions of the plurality of partial regions to output first pixel data in each divided region of the plurality of divided regions;
• and
• control exposure of a second partial region to output second pixel data in each divided region of the plurality of divided regions;
• and
• an image processing unit configured to:
• sequentially generate a first frame from the first pixel data;
• and
• generate a second frame from the second pixel data, wherein the image processing unit includes:
• a first stage processing unit configured to generate moving image data including the first frame and the second frame;
• a motion estimation unit configured to estimate a motion of the imaging device based on the moving image data;
• and
• a second stage processing unit configured to:
• map the first pixel data based on the motion from an exposure center time of the first frame to an exposure center time of the first pixel data to generate the first frame;
• and
• map the second pixel data based on the motion from an exposure center time of the second frame to an exposure center time of the second pixel data to generate the second frame.