# US 8,786,747 B2 · Imaging apparatus and camera

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 8,786,747 B2
- Document ID: US8786747B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/917,116
- Filed: 2013-06-13
- Published: 2013-10-17
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2006-12-18
- Assignees: Sony Corporation
- Applicants: Sony Corporation
- Inventors: Hiroki Sato
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8786747B2

## CPC

- G06T 5/20: using local operators
- H04N 25/00: Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
- H04N 25/766: comprising control or output lines used for a plurality of functions, e.g. for pixel output, driving, reset or power
- H04N 25/77: Pixel circuitry, e.g. memories, A/D converters, pixel amplifiers, shared circuits or shared components
- H04N 25/7795: {Circuitry for generating timing or clock signals}
- H04N 25/78: Readout circuits for addressed sensors, e.g. output amplifiers or A/D converters
- G06T 2207/20028: Bilateral filtering
- G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An imaging apparatus including a pixel, a current source, and a signal processing circuit. The pixel outputs signal charge, obtained by imaging, as a pixel signal. The current source is connected to a transmission path for the pixel signal and has a variable current. The signal processing circuit performs signal processing on a signal depending on an output signal to the transmission path and performs control so that a current of the current source is changed in accordance with the result of signal processing.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A camera, comprising:
an imaging apparatus;
an optical system that forms a subject image on the imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus includes:
a pixel that outputs signal charge as a pixel signal to a transmission path, the signal charge being obtained by imaging;
a current source connected to the transmission path for the pixel signal, the current source having a variable current; and
a signal processing circuit that performs signal processing on the pixel signal output to the transmission path and performs control so that a current of the current source is changed in accordance with a result of the signal processing,
wherein,
the signal processing circuit comprises:
an integrator that integrates the pixel signal transmitted through the transmission path;
a quantizer that quantizes an output signal of the integrator; and
a selector that changes a current of the current source in accordance with a result of quantization by the quantizer;
a drive circuit; and
an image processor.

### Claim 2

A camera, comprising:
an imaging apparatus;
an optical system that forms a subject image on the imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus includes:
a pixel that outputs signal charge as a pixel signal to a transmission path, the signal charge being obtained by imaging;
a current source connected to the transmission path for the pixel signal, the current source having a variable current; and
a signal processing circuit, having an integrator, a quantizer, and a selector, that performs signal processing on the pixel signal output to the transmission path and performs control so that a current of the current source is changed in accordance with a result of the signal processing;
a drive circuit; and
an image processor.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The camera of claim 2,
wherein,
the pixel includes an amplifier transistor constituting a source follower that outputs the signal charge as the pixel signal to the transmission path,
the current source includes a plurality of load transistors and a plurality of switches, gates of the load transistors being biased using a predetermined bias signal, sources of the load transistors being connected in parallel to a predetermined potential, each switch being connected between a drain of the corresponding load transistor and the transmission path,
the signal processing circuit selectively turns on the switches in the current source in accordance with the result of the signal processing on the pixel signal transmitted through the transmission path, and
the signal processing circuit comprises (a) the integrator that integrates the pixel signal transmitted through the transmission path, (b) the quantizer that quantizes an output signal of the integrator, and (c) the selector that selectively turns on the switches in the current source in accordance with a result of quantization by the quantizer.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The camera of claim 2,
wherein,
the pixel includes an amplifier transistor constituting a source follower that outputs the signal charge as the pixel signal to the transmission path,
the current source includes a load transistor and a plurality of switches, a source of the load transistor being connected to a predetermined potential, the plurality of switches being connected to a gate of the load transistor and being connected to different bias-signal supply lines, respectively,
the signal processing circuit selectively turns on the switches in the current source in accordance with the result of the signal processing on the pixel signal transmitted through the transmission path, and
the signal processing circuit comprises (a) the integrator that integrates the pixel signal transmitted through the transmission path, (b) the quantizer that quantizes an output signal of the integrator, and (c) the selector that selectively turns on the switches in the current source in accordance with a result of quantization by the quantizer.

### Claim 5 (depends on 2)

The camera of claim 2,
wherein,
the quantizer compares a level of an integrated signal obtained by the integrator with a predetermined threshold level and outputs a result of comparison to the selector, and
the selector changes a current of the current source so that when the level of the integrated signal is higher than the predetermined threshold level, a level of the transmission path is lowered, and when the level of the integrated signal is lower than the predetermined threshold level, the level of the transmission path is raised.

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

The camera of claim 2,
wherein,
the pixel includes an amplifier transistor constituting a source follower that outputs the signal charge as the pixel signal to the transmission path,
the current source includes a plurality of load transistors and a plurality of switches, gates of the load transistors being biased using a predetermined bias signal, sources of the load transistors being connected in parallel to a predetermined potential, each switch being connected between a drain of the corresponding load transistor and the transmission path,
the signal processing circuit selectively turns on the switches in the current source in accordance with the result of the signal processing on the pixel signal transmitted through the transmission path,
the quantizer compares a level of an integrated signal obtained by the integrator with a predetermined threshold level and outputs the result of comparison to the selector, and
the selector selectively turns on the switches in the current source so that when the level of the integrated signal is higher than the predetermined threshold level, a level of the transmission path is lowered, and when the level of the integrated signal is lower than the predetermined threshold level, the level of the transmission path is raised.

### Claim 7 (depends on 2)

The camera of claim 2,
wherein,
the pixel includes an amplifier transistor constituting a source follower that outputs the signal charge as the pixel signal to the transmission path,
the current source includes a load transistor and a plurality of switches, a source of the load transistor being connected to a predetermined potential, the plurality of switches being connected to a gate of the load transistor and being connected to different bias-signal supply lines, respectively,
the signal processing circuit selectively turns on the switches in the current source in accordance with the result of the signal processing on the pixel signal transmitted through the transmission path,
the quantizer compares a level of an integrated signal obtained by the integrator with a predetermined threshold level and outputs a result of comparison to the selector, and
the selector selectively turns on the switches in the current source so that when the level of the integrated signal is higher than the predetermined threshold level, a level of the transmission path is lowered, and when the level of the integrated signal is lower than the predetermined threshold level, the level of the transmission path is raised.

### Claim 8 (depends on 2)

The camera of claim 2,
wherein,
the transmission path includes a pixel output signal line that is connected to a source of an amplifier transistor in the pixel and is connected to the current source.

### Claim 9 (depends on 2)

The camera of claim 2,
wherein,
the transmission path includes (a) a pixel output signal line connected to a source of an amplifier transistor in the pixel and (b) a source follower transistor, a gate of the source follower transistor being connected to the pixel output signal line, a source of the source follower transistor being connected to the current source.

### Claim 10

A camera, comprising:
an imaging apparatus;
an optical system that forms a subject image on the imaging apparatus, wherein the imaging apparatus includes:
a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each pixel outputting signal charge as a pixel signal to a transmission path, the signal charge being obtained by imaging; and
a plurality of pixel signal processing units arranged for respective columns of the pixel array,
wherein,
each pixel signal processing unit includes (a) a current source connected to the transmission path for the pixel signal, the current source having a variable current and (b) a signal processing circuit that performs signal processing on the pixel signal output to the transmission path and performs control so that a current of the current source is changed in accordance with a result of the signal processing, and
the signal processing circuit comprises (a) an integrator that integrates the pixel signal transmitted through the transmission path, (b) a quantizer that quantizes an output signal of the integrator and (c) a selector that changes a current of the current source in accordance with a result of quantization by the quantizer;
a drive circuit; and
an image processor.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The camera of claim 10, wherein:
the quantizer compares a level of an integrated signal obtained by the integrator with a predetermined threshold level and outputs a result of comparison to the selector, and
the selector changes a current of the current source so that when the level of the integrated signal is higher than the predetermined threshold level, a level of the transmission path is lowered, and when the level of the integrated signal is lower than the predetermined threshold level, the level of the transmission path is raised.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The camera of claim 11, wherein the transmission path includes a pixel output signal line that is connected to a source of an amplifier transistor in the pixel and is connected to the current source.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The camera of claim 11, wherein the transmission path includes:
a pixel output signal line connected to a source of an amplifier transistor in the pixel; and
a source follower transistor, a gate of the source follower transistor being connected to the pixel output signal line, a source of the source follower transistor being connected to the current source.