Photoelectric conversion device, movable apparatus, control method, and storage medium

A movable apparatus comprising:

• an optical system;
• a plurality of pixels each of which is configured to include a photoelectric conversion unit that generates pulses in response to photons, a counter configured to count a number of the pulses, and a memory configured to store a count value for the counter;
• one or more memories storing instructions;
• and
• one or more processors executing the instructions to:
• generate a signal based on a difference between count values for the counter between a start time and an end time of an accumulation period in the photoelectric conversion unit;
• perform control such that a signal that is generated during a first accumulation period that is shorter than a second accumulation period is output during a time from an end of the first accumulation period until an end of the second accumulation period wherein one full frame period includes the first accumulation period and the second accumulation period that is longer than the first accumulation period;
• make it possible to set, in a sensor unit consisting of the plurality of pixels, a first pixel region having at least the first accumulation period and the second accumulation period, and a second pixel region having at least the second accumulation period;
• set the first pixel region and the second pixel region based on at least one type of information from among characteristic information relating to characteristics of a photoelectric conversion device, installation information relating to an installation state of the photoelectric conversion device, and environmental information relating to a surrounding environment of the photoelectric conversion device;
• control operations of the movable apparatus;
• and
• set the first pixel region or the second pixel region according to the control of the movable apparatus.

A control method for controlling a photoelectric conversion device comprising an optical system, a plurality of pixels each of which is configured to include a photoelectric conversion unit that generates pulses in response to photons, a counter configured to count a number of the pulses, and a memory configured to store a count value for the counter, the method comprising:

• generating a signal based on a difference between count values for the counter between a start time and an end time of an accumulation period in the photoelectric conversion unit;
• performing control such that a signal that is generated during a first accumulation period that is shorter than a second accumulation period is output during a time from an end of the first accumulation period until an end of the second accumulation period, wherein one full frame period includes the first accumulation period and the second accumulation period that is longer than the first accumulation period;
• making it possible to set, in a sensor unit consisting of the plurality of pixels, a first pixel region having at least the first accumulation period and the second accumulation period, and a second pixel region having at least the second accumulation period;
• and
• setting the first pixel region and the second pixel region based on at least one type of information from among characteristic information relating to characteristics of a photoelectric conversion device, installation information relating to an installation state of the photoelectric conversion device, and environmental information relating to a surrounding environment of the photoelectric conversion device.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium configured to store a computer program comprising instructions for executing following processes:

• in order to control a photoelectric conversion device comprising an optical system, a plurality of pixels each of which is configured to include a photoelectric conversion unit that generates pulses in response to photons, a counter configured to count a number of the pulses, and a memory configured to store a count value for the counter,
• generating a signal based on a difference between count values for the counter between a start time and an end time of an accumulation period in the photoelectric conversion unit;
• performing control such that a signal that is generated during a first accumulation period that is shorter than a second accumulation period is output during a time from an end of the first accumulation period until an end of the second accumulation period, wherein one full frame period includes the first accumulation period and the second accumulation period that is longer than the first accumulation period;
• making it possible to set, in a sensor unit consisting of the plurality of pixels, a first pixel region having at least the first accumulation period and the second accumulation period, and a second pixel region having at least the second accumulation period;
• and
• setting the first pixel region and the second pixel region based on at least one type of information from among characteristic information relating to characteristics of a photoelectric conversion device, installation information relating to an installation state of the photoelectric conversion device, and environmental information relating to a surrounding environment of the photoelectric conversion device.