Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, and storage medium

An image-capturing method using an image capturing apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels each comprise a sensor unit comprising an avalanche photodiode configured to generate pulses in response to photons incident thereon, a counter configured to count the number of the pulses, a memory configured to store count values of the counter, and a switch configured to switch the avalanche photodiode between a standby state in which avalanche multiplication is possible and a recharge state,

• wherein the image capturing apparatus comprises a signal generation unit configured to supply a clock signal to the switch and a light emitting unit configured to perform pulse light emission for illuminating a subject in synchronization with the clock signal, and
• wherein the image-capturing method comprises performing a plurality of exposure operations by the counter according to timing of the pulse light emission and a predetermined image-capturing distance range for capturing images of a subject existing in the predetermined image-capturing distance range, and shifting relative timing of the clock signal and the pulse light emission by a predetermined phase for each of the exposure operations.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program to control an image capturing apparatus,

• wherein the image capturing apparatus comprises a plurality of pixels, wherein the pixels each comprise a sensor unit comprising an avalanche photodiode configured to generate pulses in response to photons incident thereon, a counter configured to count the number of the pulses, a memory configured to store count values of the counter, and a switch configured to switch the avalanche photodiode between a standby state in which avalanche multiplication is possible and a recharge state,
• wherein the computer program includes instructions for executing the following process:
• performing a plurality of exposure operations by the counter according to timing of the pulse light emission and a predetermined image-capturing distance range for capturing images of a subject existing in the predetermined image-capturing distance range, and shifting relative timing of the clock signal and the pulse light emission by a predetermined phase for each of the predetermined exposure operations.