Solid-state imaging element, imaging device, and method for controlling solid-state imaging element

An imaging device, comprising:

• a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a two-dimensional lattice pattern, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes
• a photoelectric conversion element that generates a charge by photoelectric conversion;
• a charge holding portion that holds the charge;
• an internal transfer transistor that internally transfers the charge from the photoelectric conversion element to the charge holding portion;
• and
• a specific number of external transfer transistors that externally transfer the charge from the photoelectric conversion element to surrounding pixels among the plurality of pixels;
• a coefficient holding unit that holds a specific weighting coefficient correlated with each of a pixel of interest among the plurality of pixels and a specific number of adjacent pixels adjacent to the pixel of interest;
• a scanning circuit configured to control so that the adjacent pixel generates an amount of charge corresponding to the weighting coefficient correlated with the adjacent pixel and transfers the charge to the pixel of interest and performs control so that the pixel of interest generates an amount of charge corresponding to the weighting coefficient correlated with the pixel of interest and accumulates the charge together with the transferred charge;
• and
• an image processing unit configured to execute specific processing on image data output by the pixel array unit.

An imaging device, comprising:

• a pixel array unit in which a plurality of pixels is arranged in a two-dimensional lattice pattern, wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes
• a photoelectric conversion element that generates a charge by photoelectric conversion;
• a charge holding portion that holds the charge;
• an internal transfer transistor that internally transfers the charge from the photoelectric conversion element to the charge holding portion;
• and
• a specific number of external transfer transistors that externally transfer the charge from the photoelectric conversion element to surrounding pixels among the plurality of pixels;
• a coefficient holding unit that holds a specific weighting coefficient correlated with each of a pixel of interest among the plurality of pixels and a specific number of adjacent pixels adjacent to the pixel of interest;
• an actuator configured to change positions of the plurality of pixels to positions different from specific initial positions in pixels units;
• and
• a scanning circuit configured to control so that each of the plurality of pixels at the initial positions generates an amount of charge corresponding to the weighting coefficient corresponding to the pixel of interest and performs control so that, each time the position of the pixel array unit is changed, an amount of charge corresponding to the weighting coefficient corresponding to the adjacent pixel related to the changed position is generated.

A method for controlling a solid-state imaging element, comprising:

• a transfer procedure in which an adjacent pixel adjacent to a pixel of interest generates an amount of charge corresponding to a weighting coefficient correlated with the adjacent pixel and transfers the charge to the pixel of interest, wherein, each adjacent pixel includes
• a photoelectric conversion element that generates a charge by photoelectric conversion;
• a charge holding portion that holds the charge;
• an internal transfer transistor that internally transfers the charge from the photoelectric conversion element to the charge holding portion;
• and
• a specific number of external transfer transistors that externally transfer the charge from the photoelectric conversion element to surrounding pixels;
• and
• an accumulation procedure in which the pixel of interest generates an amount of charge corresponding to the weighting coefficient correlated with the pixel of interest and accumulates the charge together with the transferred charge.