Distance-measuring imaging device and solid state imaging element

A solid state imaging element for use in a distance-measuring imaging device,

• the distance-measuring imaging device including:
• a drive control unit configured to generate a light emission control signal instructing light emission and an exposure control signal instructing exposure;
• a light source unit configured to perform the light emission upon receiving the light emission control signal;
• an image processing unit configured to output distance information using the imaging information obtained by the solid state imaging element, the distance information indicating a distance to a target object,
• the solid state imaging device:
• obtaining the imaging information by performing, upon receiving the exposure control signal, the exposure to light reflected from a target object in response to the light emission;
• and
• comprising:
• a plurality of light receiving units configured to generate charge by the exposure;
• and
• a plurality of charge reading units arranged one-to-one with the plurality of light receiving units, and configured to read the charge generated by the plurality of light receiving units, a part of the plurality of charge reading units being arranged at a left side of corresponding ones of the plurality of light receiving units, a remaining part of the plurality of charge reading units being arranged at a right side of corresponding ones of the plurality of light receiving units, and
• wherein in each of (i) a first exposure period in which the exposure is performed when the exposure control signal is received after a lapse of a first delay time since a time when the light emission control signal is received by the light source unit and (ii) a second exposure period in which the exposure is performed when the exposure control signal is received after a lapse of a second delay time longer than the first delay time, since a time when the light emission control signal is received by the light source unit,
• the part of the plurality of charge reading units are configured to read charge leftward, the charge being generated by the corresponding ones of the plurality of light receiving units, and
• the remaining part of the plurality of charge reading units read charge rightward, the charge being generated by the corresponding ones of the plurality of light receiving units.

A solid state imaging element for use in a distance-measuring device, the solid state imaging element comprising:

• a plurality of light receiving units provided on a semiconductor substrate and configured to generate charge through exposure;
• a plurality of charge reading units arranged one-to-one with the plurality of light receiving units and configured to read the charge generated by the plurality of light receiving units;
• and
• a plurality of bonding pads for receiving an exposure control signal instructing the exposure of the plurality of light receiving units,
• wherein a part of the plurality of charge reading units are arranged at left sides of corresponding ones of the light receiving units, and configured to read charge generated by the corresponding ones of the light receiving units leftward,
• a remaining part of the plurality of charge reading units are arranged at right sides of corresponding ones of the light receiving units and configured to read charge generated by the corresponding ones of the light receiving units rightward, and
• the plurality of bonding pads are arranged at least at positions opposite to each other above and below the imaging area, the imaging area including the plurality of light receiving units and the plurality of charge reading units.