Imaging device and imaging method
AssigneeSony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation
InventorKumiko Mahara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided is an imaging device that is operable to reduce power upon receiving light, even with resolution of the imaging device increased. An imaging device includes: a plurality of pixels that are arranged in a matrix manner and receive reflected light from a target region, each of the plurality of pixels having a light receiving element that outputs an electric signal based on charge accumulated in either one of first and second charge accumulation parts in accordance with the reflected light; and a control part that executes switching control of the first and second charge accumulation parts by switching frequencies for each pixel region constituted of a pixel group of at least one part of an imaging frame formed by the plurality of pixels, the switching frequencies being different from each other.
Claims6
An imaging device, comprising:
- a plurality of pixels configured to receive reflected light from a target region, wherein
- the plurality of pixels is in a matrix arrangement,
- each pixel of the plurality of pixels includes:
- a light receiving element configured to output an electric signal based on a charge, and
- a first accumulation part and a second accumulation part,
- the charge is accumulated in one of the first accumulation part or the second charge accumulation part based on the reflected light;
- a control part configured to execute switching control of the first accumulation part and second charge accumulation part by switching frequencies for each pixel region, wherein
- the switching frequencies are different from each other,
- the execution of the switching control of the first accumulation part and the second charge accumulation part is based on a determination result of a region of interest of the imaging frame,
- the switching control of the first accumulation part and second charge accumulation part is between the region of interest and a region different from the region of interest,
- the determination result of the region of interest of the imaging frame is supplied from an external device,
- each pixel region is constituted of a pixel group,
- the pixel group is of at least one part of an imaging frame, and
- the pixel group comprises the plurality of pixels.
An imaging method, comprising:
- receiving, by a plurality of pixels, reflected light from a target region by a plurality of pixels, wherein
- the plurality of pixels is in a matrix arrangement,
- each pixel of the plurality of pixels includes:
- a light receiving element, and
- a first accumulation part and a second accumulation part;
- accumulating, by the first accumulation part and the second accumulation part, a charge based on the reflected light;
- outputting, by the light receiving element, an electric signal based on the charge being accumulated in the first accumulation part and the second charge accumulation parts;
- and
- executing, by a control part, switching control of the first accumulation part and the second charge accumulation part by switching frequencies for each pixel region, wherein
- the switching frequencies are different from each other,
- the execution of the switching control of the first accumulation part and the second charge accumulation part is based on a determination result of a region of interest of the imaging frame,
- the switching control of the first accumulation part and second charge accumulation part is between the region of interest and a region different from the region of interest,
- the determination result of the region of interest of the imaging frame is supplied from an external device,
- each pixel region is constituted of a pixel group,
- the pixel group is of at least one part of an imaging frame, and
- the pixel group comprises the plurality of pixels.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.