WO2017051722A1 - 固体撮像素子及び電子機器 - Google Patents
固体撮像素子及び電子機器 Download PDFInfo
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/80—Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof
- H04N23/84—Camera processing pipelines; Components thereof for processing colour signals
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N25/00—Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
- H04N25/50—Control of the SSIS exposure
- H04N25/57—Control of the dynamic range
- H04N25/58—Control of the dynamic range involving two or more exposures
- H04N25/581—Control of the dynamic range involving two or more exposures acquired simultaneously
- H04N25/585—Control of the dynamic range involving two or more exposures acquired simultaneously with pixels having different sensitivities within the sensor, e.g. fast or slow pixels or pixels having different sizes
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
- H01L27/00—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate
- H01L27/14—Devices consisting of a plurality of semiconductor or other solid-state components formed in or on a common substrate including semiconductor components sensitive to infrared radiation, light, electromagnetic radiation of shorter wavelength or corpuscular radiation and specially adapted either for the conversion of the energy of such radiation into electrical energy or for the control of electrical energy by such radiation
- H01L27/144—Devices controlled by radiation
- H01L27/146—Imager structures
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
- H04N23/10—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from different wavelengths
- H04N23/12—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof for generating image signals from different wavelengths with one sensor only
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- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N25/00—Circuitry of solid-state image sensors [SSIS]; Control thereof
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- H—ELECTRICITY
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- H04N9/00—Details of colour television systems
- H04N9/64—Circuits for processing colour signals
- H04N9/646—Circuits for processing colour signals for image enhancement, e.g. vertical detail restoration, cross-colour elimination, contour correction, chrominance trapping filters
Definitions
- the present technology relates to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic device, and more particularly, to a solid-state imaging device and an electronic device that can expand a dynamic range while suppressing deterioration in image quality.
- color information other than the color to be detected is interpolated using the color information of surrounding pixels in each pixel, so that false colors may occur.
- the present technology has been made in view of such a situation, and makes it possible to expand a dynamic range while suppressing deterioration in image quality.
- the output pixels of at least one color among the output pixels that are pixels based on the output unit of the pixel signal have three or more sizes, and the plurality of colors of the output pixels A pixel unit in which basic pattern pixel groups in which output pixels are arranged according to a predetermined pattern are arranged, and a signal processing unit that performs synthesis processing of a plurality of pixel signals from the plurality of output pixels having the same color and different sizes Is provided.
- the output pixels of each color have two or more sizes, and in the pattern, a color array of a first pixel group composed of a plurality of first output pixels, the first output pixels, The color arrangement of the second pixel group composed of a plurality of second output pixels having different sizes can be made different.
- the periphery of the second pixel group can be surrounded by the first pixel group.
- At least one of the first output pixels can be surrounded by one second output pixel.
- Each of the output pixels of each color has three or more sizes, and the first output pixel and the size of the first pixel group including a plurality of first output pixels are included in the pattern.
- a second pixel group including a plurality of different second output pixels is surrounded by a second pixel group, and the second pixel group includes a plurality of third output pixels having a size different from that of the second output pixel.
- the periphery of the three pixel groups can be surrounded.
- Each of the output pixels can be composed of one or more unit pixels each having a light receiving element of the same size.
- the smallest output pixel can be composed of one unit pixel, and the other pixels can be composed of a plurality of unit pixels.
- Each output pixel can be formed by combining the unit pixels by wiring.
- one of the plurality of pixel signals is selected according to the amount of incident light.
- the pixel signal of the output pixel having the second and subsequent magnitudes can be output by multiplying by a predetermined coefficient.
- An electronic apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device and a first signal processing unit that processes a signal output from the solid-state imaging device, and the solid-state imaging device is an output unit of a pixel signal.
- An output pixel which is a pixel based on the above, the output pixel of at least one color has three or more sizes, and a basic pattern pixel group in which the output pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged according to a predetermined pattern is arranged
- a second signal processing unit that performs synthesis processing of a plurality of pixel signals from the plurality of output pixels having the same color and different sizes.
- the output pixels that are pixels based on the output unit of the pixel signal have two or more sizes for each color, and the output pixels of a plurality of colors are predetermined.
- the basic pattern pixel groups arranged according to the pattern are arranged, and in the pattern, the color arrangement of the first pixel group composed of a plurality of first output pixels and a plurality of different sizes from the first output pixels
- the periphery of the second pixel group can be surrounded by the first pixel group.
- At least one of the first output pixels can be surrounded by one second output pixel.
- Each of the output pixels can be composed of one or more unit pixels each having a light receiving element of the same size.
- the smallest output pixel can be composed of one unit pixel, and the other pixels can be composed of a plurality of unit pixels.
- Each output pixel can be formed by combining the unit pixels by wiring.
- An electronic apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device and a first signal processing unit that processes a signal output from the solid-state imaging device, and the solid-state imaging device is an output unit of a pixel signal.
- Output pixels each having two or more sizes for each color, and a basic pattern pixel group in which the output pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged according to a predetermined pattern are arranged in the pattern.
- a second signal processing unit configured to combine a plurality of pixel signals from the plurality of output pixels having the same color and different sizes.
- the output pixels of at least one color have three or more sizes
- the output pixels of a plurality of colors are A process of synthesizing a plurality of pixel signals from a plurality of the output pixels having the same color and different sizes is performed in a pixel portion in which basic pattern pixel groups arranged according to a predetermined pattern are arranged.
- the output pixels of at least one color have three or more sizes
- the output pixels of a plurality of colors are A signal after combining processing is performed by combining a plurality of pixel signals from a plurality of the output pixels having the same color and different sizes in a pixel portion in which basic pattern pixel groups arranged according to a predetermined pattern are arranged. Is performed.
- the output pixels that are pixels based on the output unit of the pixel signal have two or more sizes for each color, and the output pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged according to a predetermined pattern
- the basic pattern pixel groups arranged are arranged, and in the pattern, the color arrangement of the first pixel group composed of a plurality of first output pixels and a plurality of second pixels different in size from the first output pixels.
- a plurality of pixel signals from the plurality of output pixels having the same color and different sizes are processed in a pixel portion having a different color arrangement of the second pixel group of the output pixels.
- output pixels that are pixels based on an output unit of a pixel signal have two or more sizes for each color, and the output pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged according to a predetermined pattern
- the basic pattern pixel groups arranged are arranged, and in the pattern, the color arrangement of the first pixel group composed of a plurality of first output pixels and a plurality of second pixels different in size from the first output pixels.
- a signal after combining processing is performed by combining a plurality of pixel signals from a plurality of the output pixels having the same color and different sizes in a pixel portion having a different color arrangement of the second pixel group including the output pixels of Is performed.
- Embodiment 2 modes for carrying out the present technology (hereinafter referred to as embodiments) will be described. The description will be given in the following order.
- Embodiment 3 Examples of using solid-state image sensors
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a solid-state imaging device to which the present technology is applied.
- the solid-state imaging device 10 in FIG. 1 is configured by a CMOS image sensor which is a kind of XY address type solid-state imaging device, for example.
- the solid-state imaging device 10 is configured to include a pixel unit 11, a vertical scanning circuit 12, a column processing unit 13, a horizontal transfer circuit 14, a logic unit 15, an amplifier circuit 16, and a signal processing unit 17.
- basic pattern pixel groups gp are arranged in two dimensions (M rows ⁇ N columns).
- the basic pattern pixel group gp is a pixel group that forms the basic pattern shown in FIG.
- pixel drive lines 18-1 to 18-M as row signal lines are provided along the row direction for each row (hereinafter referred to as a basic pattern row) with the basic pattern pixel group gp as a reference.
- a basic pattern row pixel drive lines 18-1 to 18-M as row signal lines
- vertical signal lines 19-1 to 19-N as column signal lines are provided along the column direction for each column (hereinafter referred to as a basic pattern column) with the basic pattern pixel group gp as a reference.
- the basic pattern row and the basic pattern column may be simply referred to as a row and a column, respectively.
- the basic pattern pixel group gp is distinguished by indicating the coordinates of the basic pattern pixel group gp like the basic pattern pixel group gp (m, n).
- the pixel drive lines 18-1 to 18-M transmit drive signals for performing pixel signal read processing of each basic pattern pixel group gp.
- the pixel drive lines 18-1 to 18-M are shown as one wiring, but in actuality, they are constituted by a plurality of wirings.
- the pixel drive lines 18-1 to 18-M and the vertical signal lines 19-1 to 19-N are hereinafter simply referred to as the pixel drive line 18 and the vertical signal line 19, respectively, when it is not necessary to distinguish them individually.
- output pixels of a plurality of sizes are arranged according to a predetermined basic pattern.
- the output pixel is a pixel based on the output unit of the pixel signal. More specifically, the output pixel is a pixel when the pixel unit 11 outputs a pixel signal from the pixel unit 11 to the column processing unit 13 as a reference. Accordingly, each output pixel individually outputs a pixel signal, and the output pixel signal is supplied from the pixel unit 11 to the column processing unit 13.
- the output pixel is composed of one or more unit pixels.
- the unit pixel is a pixel when divided based on a light receiving element (for example, a photodiode). Accordingly, each unit pixel includes one light receiving element.
- FIG. 2 shows an example in which each basic pattern pixel group gp includes output pixels R1 to R3, output pixels G1a to G3a, output pixels G1b to G3b, and output pixels B1 to B3.
- Each of the output pixels R1 to R3 is provided with a red (R) color filter and detects a component in the wavelength band near red included in the incident light.
- Each of the output pixels G1a to G3a and the output pixels G1b to G3b is provided with a green (G) color filter, and detects a component in a wavelength band near green included in incident light.
- Each of the output pixels B1 to B3 is provided with a blue (B) color filter, and detects a component in a wavelength band near blue contained in incident light.
- the minimum pixel unit is a minimum unit that can constitute a unit pixel.
- one light receiving element of the same size may be provided for each minimum pixel unit, or one light receiving element may be provided for a plurality of minimum pixel units.
- the light receiving area of the unit pixel is substantially equal to the minimum pixel unit.
- the output pixel R1 is composed of 12 unit pixels
- the output pixel R2 is composed of 3 unit pixels
- the smallest output pixel R3 is composed of 1 unit pixel. Is done.
- each output pixel may be constituted by one unit pixel.
- the light receiving area of the unit pixel constituting the output pixel R1 is substantially equal to 12 minimum pixel units.
- the light receiving area of the unit pixel constituting the output pixel R2 is substantially equal to the minimum three pixel units.
- the light receiving area of the unit pixel constituting the output pixel R3 is substantially equal to one minimum pixel unit.
- a pixel group including output pixels of the same color included in the basic pattern pixel group gp is referred to as a same color pixel group.
- the basic pattern pixel group gp in FIG. 2 includes the same color pixel group including output pixels R1 to R3, the same color pixel group including output pixels G1a to G3a, the same color pixel group including output pixels G1b to G3b, and the output pixel B1.
- the same color pixel group composed of the output pixels G1a to G3a and the same color pixel group composed of the output pixels G1b to G3b are pixel groups of the same color, but are divided into two according to processing units.
- FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of a circuit constituting each same color pixel group of the basic pattern pixel group gp of FIG.
- each output pixel included in the same color pixel group is provided with a photodiode as one light receiving element. That is, an example is shown in which each output pixel included in the same color pixel group is configured by one unit pixel.
- the same color pixel group 100 has a shared pixel structure in which three sets of photodiodes and transfer transistors share one floating diffusion (FD) 104, amplification transistor 105, and selection transistor 106.
- FD floating diffusion
- the output pixel R1 includes the photodiode 101-1, and the transfer transistor 102-1, and the output pixel R2
- the output pixel R3 includes a photodiode 101-3 and a transfer transistor 102-3.
- the FD 104, the amplification transistor 105, and the selection transistor 106 are shared between the output pixels R1 to R3.
- Each of the photodiodes 101-1 to 101-3 photoelectrically converts incident light into an amount of charge corresponding to the amount of light.
- the photodiodes 101-1 to 101-3 are included in the output pixels R1 to R3, respectively, the light receiving area of the photodiode 101-1 is the largest, the light receiving area of the photodiode 101-2 is the second largest, The light receiving area of the diode 101-3 is the smallest.
- the transfer transistors 102-1 to 102-3 are connected between the photodiodes 101-1 to 101-3 and the FD 104 as an output node, respectively.
- the transfer transistor 102-1 is turned on when the transfer signal TRG1 is supplied from the vertical scanning circuit 12 to the gate via the transfer control line (when the transfer signal TRG1 is turned on). When the transfer transistor 102-1 is turned on, the electrons photoelectrically converted by the photodiode 101-1 are transferred to the FD 104 via the transfer transistor 102-1.
- the transfer transistor 102-2 is turned on when the transfer signal TRG2 is supplied from the vertical scanning circuit 12 to the gate via the transfer control line (when the transfer signal TRG2 is turned on). When the transfer transistor 102-2 is turned on, the electrons photoelectrically converted by the photodiode 101-2 are transferred to the FD 104 via the transfer transistor 102-2.
- the transfer transistor 102-3 is turned on when the transfer signal TRG3 is supplied to the gate from the vertical scanning circuit 12 via the transfer control line (when the transfer signal TRG3 is turned on). When the transfer transistor 102-3 is turned on, the electrons photoelectrically converted by the photodiode 101-3 are transferred to the FD 104 via the transfer transistor 102-3.
- the reset transistor 103 is connected between the power supply line and the FD 104.
- the reset transistor 103 is turned on when the reset signal RST is supplied from the vertical scanning circuit 12 to the gate via the reset control line (when the reset signal RST is turned on).
- the reset transistor 103 is turned on, the potential of the FD 104 is reset to the potential of the power supply line.
- the FD 104 is connected to the gate of the amplification transistor 105.
- the amplification transistor 105 is connected to the vertical signal line 19 via the selection transistor 106 and constitutes a current source circuit with the current source 43 outside the pixel unit 11.
- the selection transistor 106 is turned on when the control signal SEL is supplied from the vertical scanning circuit 12 to the gate via the selection control line (when the control signal SEL is turned on).
- the amplification transistor 105 amplifies the potential of the FD 104 and outputs a pixel signal corresponding to the potential to the vertical signal line 19. Pixel signals output from the same color pixel groups 100 are supplied to a column processing unit 13 as a pixel signal reading unit via a vertical signal line 19.
- the transfer transistors 102-1 to 102-3 are individually turned on.
- the transfer transistor 102- When 1 is turned on the pixel signal of the output pixel R 1 corresponding to the amount of light received by the photodiode 101-1 is output to the vertical signal line 19.
- the transfer transistor 102-2 When the transfer transistor 102-2 is turned on, the pixel signal of the output pixel R2 corresponding to the amount of light received by the photodiode 101-2 is output to the vertical signal line 19.
- the transfer transistor 102-3 is turned on, the pixel signal of the output pixel R3 corresponding to the amount of light received by the photodiode 101-3 is output to the vertical signal line 19.
- the pixel drive line 18 for the same color pixel group 100 in FIG. 3 includes three transfer control lines, a reset control line, and a selection control line.
- the pixel drive lines 18 for one row include, for example, 12 transfer control lines, 4 reset control lines, and 4 selection control lines.
- circuit configuration of FIG. 3 is an example, and other circuit configurations may be employed.
- FIG. 3 shows an example in which the same color pixel group included in the basic pattern pixel group is configured by one shared pixel, but each output pixel included in the same color pixel group is configured by independent pixels. May be.
- FIG. 3 shows an example in which each output pixel includes one photodiode, but a plurality of photodiodes may be provided in one output pixel.
- a plurality of photodiodes are provided in the output pixels R1 and R2 in FIG.
- each minimum pixel unit When one light receiving element of the same size is provided for each minimum pixel unit, for example, the configuration of the basic pattern can be freely changed after the wiring process of the solid-state imaging element 10. .
- each output pixel is formed by combining unit pixels by wiring.
- the vertical scanning circuit 12 is configured by, for example, a shift register or an address decoder, and drives each basic pattern pixel group gp of the pixel unit 11 in units of basic pattern rows. That is, the vertical scanning circuit 12 constitutes a driving unit that controls the operation of each basic pattern pixel group gp of the pixel unit 11 together with the logic unit 15 that controls the vertical scanning circuit 12.
- the pixel signal output from each basic pattern pixel group gp of the basic pattern row selectively scanned by the vertical scanning circuit 12 is input to the column processing unit 13 via each vertical signal line 19 for each basic pattern column.
- the column processing unit 13 performs predetermined signal processing on the pixel signal supplied from the basic pattern pixel group gp of the selected basic pattern row via the vertical signal line 19 for each basic pattern column of the pixel unit 11.
- the pixel signal after the signal processing is temporarily held.
- the column processing unit 13 includes a DA converter circuit (DAC) 41, comparators 42-1 to 42-N, current sources 43-1 to 43-N, and counters (CNT) 44-1 to 44. It is configured to include -N.
- comparators 42-1 to 42-N when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the comparators 42-1 to 42-N, the current sources 43-1 to 43-N, and the counters 44-1 to 44-N, they are simply referred to as the comparators 42, respectively. , Current source 43 and counter 44.
- the comparator 42 compares the reference voltage (ramp wave) generated by the DAC 41 with the pixel signal supplied via the vertical signal line 19, and supplies an output signal indicating the comparison result to the counter 44.
- the counter 44 counts the time from when the comparator 42 starts the comparison process until the output signal of the comparator 42 is inverted.
- a digital pixel signal indicating the count result of the counter 44 is supplied to the amplifier circuit 16 by the horizontal transfer circuit 14.
- the column processing unit 13 performs A / D conversion of the pixel signal.
- the column processing unit 13 may perform a noise removal process, a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) process, a DDS (Double Data Sampling) process, and the like along with the A / D conversion process.
- the horizontal transfer circuit 14 includes a shift register, an address decoder, and the like, and selects unit circuits corresponding to the basic pattern sequence of the column processing unit 13 in order. By the selective scanning by the horizontal transfer circuit 14, pixel signals that are signal-processed for each unit circuit in the column processing unit 13 are sequentially output.
- the logic unit 15 includes a timing generator that generates various timing signals, and the vertical scanning circuit 12, the column processing unit 13, the horizontal transfer circuit 14, and the like based on various timings generated by the timing generator. The drive control is performed.
- the amplifier circuit 16 amplifies the pixel signal supplied from each counter 44 and supplies the amplified signal to the signal processing unit 17.
- the signal processing unit 17 performs various types of signal processing on the pixel signal supplied from the amplifier circuit 16 to generate image data. Note that the signal processing performed by the signal processing unit 17 includes pixel signal combining processing of each output pixel in the same color pixel group, as will be described later. Then, the signal processing unit 17 outputs the generated image data.
- output pixels having a large light receiving area are represented by reference numerals R1, G1a, G1b, B1, and C1a to C1c.
- An output pixel having a medium light receiving area (hereinafter also referred to as a middle pixel) is denoted by reference numerals R2, G2a, G2b, B2, and C2a to C2c.
- Output pixels having a small light receiving area (hereinafter also referred to as small pixels) are represented by reference numerals R3, G3a, G3b, B3, C3a to C3c.
- 4 to 11 show examples of basic patterns in which two types of output pixels, large pixels and small pixels, are arranged for each color.
- 4, 5, and 7 to 10 show examples in which the output pixel is configured by three colors of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), and FIGS. 6 and 11. Shows an example in which the output pixel is composed of two colors of R (red) and C (clear).
- the clear pixel is a pixel that is not provided with a color filter or is provided with a transparent color filter, and is a pixel similar to a so-called W (white) pixel.
- This RCCC color system is used, for example, to improve the detection accuracy of light in a red wavelength band (for example, a brake lamp or the like) that is important in in-vehicle sensing or the like.
- a large pixel group in which large pixels R1, large pixels G1a, large pixels G1b, and large pixels B1 are arranged according to a Bayer array, small pixels R3, small pixels G3a, small pixels G3b, and small pixels B3.
- the large pixel group and the small pixel group may be arranged vertically.
- small pixel groups including small pixels R3, small pixels G3a, small pixels G3b, and small pixels B3 are arranged according to a Bayer array.
- a large pixel group including the large pixel R1, the large pixel G1a, the large pixel G1b, and the large pixel B1 is arranged so as to surround the small pixel group according to the Bayer arrangement. That is, in this basic pattern, the large pixel group surrounds the small pixel group, and the color arrangement of the large pixel group and the small pixel group is the same.
- small pixel groups including small pixels R3, small pixels C3a, small pixels C3b, and small pixels C3c are arranged in 2 rows ⁇ 2 columns. Specifically, the small pixel C3a is disposed right next to the small pixel R3, the small pixel C3c is disposed below the small pixel R3, and the small pixel C3b is disposed obliquely below and right of the small pixel R3.
- a large pixel group including the large pixel R1, the large pixel C1a, the large pixel C1b, and the large pixel C1c is arranged so as to surround the small pixel group according to the same color arrangement as the small pixel group. That is, in this basic pattern, the large pixel group surrounds the small pixel group, and the color arrangement of the large pixel group and the small pixel group is the same.
- a small pixel group including small pixels R3, small pixels G3a, small pixels G3b, and small pixels B3 is arranged according to a Bayer array.
- a large pixel group including the large pixel R1, the large pixel G1a, the large pixel G1b, and the large pixel B1 is arranged so as to surround the small pixel group according to the Bayer arrangement.
- the color arrangement of the large pixel group is an arrangement obtained by rotating the color arrangement of the small pixel group by 180 degrees. That is, in this basic pattern, the large pixel group surrounds the small pixel group, and the color arrangement of the large pixel group and the small pixel group is different.
- the small pixel R3 is disposed in the center of the large pixel B1, and the large pixel B1 surrounds the small pixel R3.
- the small pixel B3 is arranged in the center of the large pixel R1, and the large pixel R1 surrounds the small pixel B3. That is, in this basic pattern, the small pixel group is arranged in the large pixel group, and the color arrangement of the large pixel group and the small pixel group is different. Further, the arrangement of the small pixel groups is left-right asymmetric and up-down asymmetric.
- a large pixel group including a large pixel R1, a large pixel G1a, a large pixel G1b, and a large pixel B1 is arranged according to a Bayer array.
- a small pixel group including the small pixel R3, the small pixel G3a, the small pixel G3b, and the small pixel B3 is arranged according to the Bayer array.
- the color arrangement of the small pixel group is an arrangement obtained by rotating the color arrangement of the large pixel group by 180 degrees.
- the small pixel R3 is arranged at the center of the large pixel B1, and the large pixel B1 surrounds the small pixel R3.
- the small pixel G3a is arranged at the center of the large pixel G1b, and the large pixel G1b surrounds the small pixel G3a.
- the small pixel G3b is arranged at the center of the large pixel G1a, and the large pixel G1a surrounds the small pixel G3b.
- the small pixel B3 is arranged at the center of the large pixel R1, and the large pixel R1 surrounds the small pixel B3. That is, in this basic pattern, the small pixel group is arranged in the large pixel group, and the color arrangement of the large pixel group and the small pixel group is different. In addition, each small pixel is arranged approximately at the center of each large pixel.
- FIGS. 12 to 16 show basic patterns when the green output pixel is composed of three types of large pixels, medium pixels, and small pixels, and the red and blue pixels are composed of two types of large pixels and small pixels. An example is shown.
- the basic pattern in FIG. 12 is a pattern in which the small pixel G3a in the basic pattern in FIG. 4 is replaced with a middle pixel G2a.
- the basic pattern in FIG. 13 is a pattern in which the small pixel G3a in the basic pattern in FIG. 5 is replaced with a middle pixel G2a.
- the basic pattern in FIG. 14 is a pattern in which the small pixel G3b in the basic pattern in FIG. 7 is replaced with a middle pixel G2b.
- 15 is a pattern in which the small pixel G3b in the basic pattern in FIG. 8 is replaced with a middle pixel G2b.
- the basic pattern in FIG. 16 is a pattern in which the small pixel G3b in the basic pattern in FIG. 9 is replaced with a middle pixel G2b.
- the basic patterns in FIGS. 12 to 16 are composed of a large pixel group composed of large pixels and a pixel group composed of medium pixels and small pixels having irregular sizes. 5 and the same color arrangement as in FIGS.
- FIG. 17 to FIG. 21 show examples of basic patterns in which output pixels of each color are composed of three types of large pixels, medium pixels, and small pixels, respectively.
- FIGS. 17, 18 and 20 show examples in which the output pixel is composed of three colors of R (red), G (green) and B (blue), and FIGS. 19 and 21 show the output.
- An example in which a pixel is configured by two colors of R (red) and C (clear) is shown.
- the middle pixel group arranged according to the Bayer array and the small pixel group where the small pixels R3, small pixels G3a, small pixels G3b, and small pixels B3 are arranged according to the Bayer array are arranged on the left and right.
- the large pixel group, the middle pixel group, and the small pixel group may be arranged vertically.
- small pixel groups including small pixels R3, small pixels G3a, small pixels G3b, and small pixels B3 are arranged according to a Bayer array.
- the middle pixel group including the middle pixel R2, the middle pixel G2a, the middle pixel G2b, and the middle pixel B2 is arranged so as to surround the small pixel group according to the Bayer array.
- a large pixel group including the large pixel R1, the large pixel G1a, the large pixel G1b, and the large pixel B1 is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the middle pixel group according to the Bayer array. That is, in this basic pattern, the middle pixel group surrounds the small pixel group, the large pixel group surrounds the middle pixel group, and the color arrangement of the large pixel group, the middle pixel group, and the small pixel group is the same. .
- small pixel groups including small pixels R3, small pixels C3a, small pixels C3b, and small pixels C3c are arranged according to the same color arrangement as the basic pattern of FIG.
- a large pixel group including the middle pixel R2, the middle pixel C2a, the middle pixel C2b, and the middle pixel C2c is arranged to surround the small pixel group according to the same color arrangement as that of the small pixel group.
- a large pixel group composed of the large pixel R1, the large pixel C1a, the large pixel C1b, and the large pixel C1c is arranged so as to surround the middle pixel group according to the same color arrangement as the medium pixel group and the small pixel group.
- the middle pixel group surrounds the small pixel group
- the large pixel group surrounds the middle pixel group
- the color arrangement of the large pixel group, the middle pixel group, and the small pixel group is the same. .
- a small pixel group including small pixels R3, small pixels G3a, small pixels G3b, and small pixels B3 is arranged according to a Bayer array.
- the middle pixel group including the middle pixel R2, the middle pixel G2a, the middle pixel G2b, and the middle pixel B2 is arranged so as to surround the small pixel group according to the Bayer array.
- a large pixel group including the large pixel R1, the large pixel G1a, the large pixel G1b, and the large pixel B1 is arranged so as to surround the periphery of the middle pixel group according to the Bayer array.
- the color arrangement of the middle pixel group is an arrangement obtained by rotating the color arrangement of the small pixel group 90 degrees counterclockwise.
- the color arrangement of the large pixel group is an arrangement obtained by rotating the color arrangement of the middle pixel group 90 degrees counterclockwise. That is, in this basic pattern, the middle pixel group surrounds the small pixel group, the large pixel group surrounds the middle pixel group, and the color arrangement of the large pixel group, the middle pixel group, and the small pixel group is different from each other. Yes.
- small pixel groups including small pixels R3, small pixels C3a, small pixels C3b, and small pixels C3c are arranged in 2 rows ⁇ 2 columns.
- the small pixel C3a is disposed below the small pixel R3
- the small pixel C3c is disposed to the left of the small pixel R3
- the small pixel C3b is disposed obliquely to the left of the small pixel R3.
- a middle pixel group including the middle pixel R2, the middle pixel C2a, the middle pixel C2b, and the middle pixel C2c is disposed so as to surround the small pixel group.
- the color arrangement of the middle pixel group is an arrangement obtained by rotating the color arrangement of the small pixel group 90 degrees clockwise.
- a large pixel group including the large pixel R1, the large pixel C1a, the large pixel C1b, and the large pixel C1c is disposed so as to surround the middle pixel group.
- the color arrangement of the large pixel group is an arrangement obtained by rotating the color arrangement of the middle pixel group by 180 degrees. That is, in this basic pattern, the middle pixel group surrounds the small pixel group, the large pixel group surrounds the middle pixel group, and the color arrangement of the large pixel group, the middle pixel group, and the small pixel group is different from each other. Yes.
- synthesis of pixel signals means that the dynamic range is expanded by switching or adding pixel signals of output pixels having different sizes in the same color pixel group of the basic pattern pixel group according to the amount of incident light. It is processing.
- FIG. 22 is a graph schematically showing the characteristics of the pixel signal output from the column processing unit 13.
- the horizontal axis indicates the amount of incident light, and the vertical axis indicates the signal value.
- the signal value on the vertical axis shows an example when the analog pixel signal is quantized with 8-bit gradation (256 gradations) in the column processing unit 13.
- a characteristic curve L indicates the characteristics of the pixel signal of the large pixel, and a characteristic curve S indicates the characteristics of the pixel signal of the small pixel.
- the slope of the characteristic curve L is L
- the slope of the characteristic curve S is S.
- the small pixel has a smaller light receiving area and a lower sensitivity than the large pixel, but has a larger saturation light amount.
- the amount of light that can be detected by the large pixel that is, the dynamic range of the large pixel is a range from the light amount 0 to the light amount P1.
- the amount of light that can be detected by the small pixel that is, the dynamic range of the small pixel is a range from the light amount 0 to the light amount P3.
- the signal processing unit 17 selects a pixel signal of a large pixel in the range from the light amount 0 to the light amount P1, and outputs the selected pixel signal.
- the signal processing unit 17 selects a pixel signal of a small pixel in the range from the light amount P1 to the light amount P3, and outputs a signal obtained by multiplying the selected pixel signal by a predetermined coefficient.
- This coefficient is set to L / S, for example, and is substantially equal to the ratio of the size of the large pixel (light receiving area) to the small pixel.
- the dynamic range is expanded to the range from the light quantity 0 to the light quantity P3 as compared with the case where only the large pixels are used.
- sensitivity is improved by using a pixel signal of a large pixel having a relatively large light receiving area.
- a bright part of a subject for a bright part of a subject (high brightness subject), it is possible to prevent the occurrence of whiteout caused by saturation of the photodiode 101 by using a pixel signal of a small pixel having a relatively small light receiving area. it can.
- FIG. 23 is a graph schematically showing characteristics of a pixel signal (hereinafter referred to as a synthesized signal) output from the signal processing unit 17 when the synthesis process described above with reference to FIG. 22 is performed.
- the horizontal axis indicates the amount of incident light, and the vertical axis indicates the signal value.
- the characteristics of the composite signal change in the vicinity of the incident light quantity P1 where the switching of the pixel signal occurs.
- the graph may be discontinuous before and after the incident light amount P1, or the slope of the graph may change before and after the incident light amount P1. Due to the change in the characteristics, there is a possibility that a phenomenon in which the color or brightness changes unnaturally in the spatial direction and the time direction in the vicinity of the incident light amount P1.
- the change in the characteristics increases as the difference between the characteristic curve L for the large pixel and the characteristic curve S for the small pixel (for example, the difference in the slope between the characteristic curve L and the characteristic curve S) increases.
- FIG. 24 is a graph schematically showing the characteristics of the pixel signal output from the column processing unit 13, as in FIG.
- the characteristic curve L and the characteristic curve S are the same as those in FIG. 22, and the characteristic curve M indicates the characteristics of the pixel signal of the middle pixel.
- the slope of the characteristic curve M is assumed to be M.
- the middle pixel has a larger light receiving area compared to the small pixel and has a higher sensitivity, while the saturation light amount is small. Compared with the large pixel, the light receiving area is smaller and the sensitivity is lower while the saturation light amount is large.
- the dynamic range of the middle pixel is a range from the light amount 0 to the light amount P2.
- the signal processing unit 17 selects a pixel signal of a large pixel in the range from the light amount 0 to the light amount P1, and outputs the selected pixel signal.
- the signal processing unit 17 selects the pixel signal of the middle pixel in the range from the light amount P1 to the light amount P2, and outputs a signal obtained by multiplying the selected pixel signal by a predetermined coefficient.
- This coefficient is set to L / M, for example, and is approximately equal to the ratio of the size of the large pixel (light receiving area) to the medium pixel.
- the signal processing unit 17 selects a pixel signal of a small pixel in the range from the light amount P2 to the light amount P3, and outputs a signal obtained by multiplying the selected pixel signal by a predetermined coefficient.
- This coefficient is set to L / S, for example, and is substantially equal to the ratio of the size of the large pixel (light receiving area) to the small pixel. In this way, the pixel signal of the output pixel (the middle pixel and the small pixel) having the second and subsequent magnitudes is multiplied by a predetermined coefficient.
- the dynamic range is expanded to the range from the light quantity 0 to the light quantity P3 as compared with the case where only the large pixels are used.
- sensitivity is improved by using a pixel signal of a large pixel having a relatively large light receiving area.
- a bright part of a subject for a bright part of a subject (high brightness subject), it is possible to prevent the occurrence of whiteout caused by saturation of the photodiode 101 by using a pixel signal of a small pixel having a relatively small light receiving area. it can.
- FIG. 25 is a graph schematically showing the characteristics of the synthesized signal output from the signal processing unit 17 when the synthesis process described above with reference to FIG. 24 is performed.
- the horizontal axis indicates the amount of incident light, and the vertical axis indicates the signal value.
- the characteristics of the composite signal change in the vicinity of the incident light amounts P1 and P2 where the switching of the pixel signal occurs. Due to the change in the characteristics, there is a possibility that a phenomenon in which the color and brightness change unnaturally in the spatial direction and the time direction in the vicinity of the incident light amounts P1 and P2.
- the difference between the characteristic curve L of the large pixel and the characteristic curve M of the middle pixel, and the difference between the characteristic curve M of the middle pixel and the characteristic curve S of the small pixel are the characteristic curve L of the large pixel and the characteristic curve S of the small pixel. Less than the difference. Therefore, the change in the characteristic of the combined signal in the vicinity of the incident light amounts P1 and P2 in FIG. 25 is smaller than the change in the characteristic of the combined signal in the incident light amount P1 in FIG. Thereby, compared with the case where two types of pixel signals are combined, the occurrence of a phenomenon in which the color and brightness change unnaturally in the spatial direction and the time direction can be reduced in the vicinity of the incident light amounts P1 and P2. .
- each color information is detected by setting different color arrangements between output pixels having different sizes as in the basic patterns of FIGS. 2, 7 to 11, 14 to 16, 20 and 21.
- the area can be dispersed.
- the arrangement of output pixels that detect red, green, and blue color information is dispersed.
- production of a false color can be suppressed in the synthetic
- deterioration in image quality based on image data output from the signal processing unit 17 is suppressed. This effect can be obtained when the arrangement of output pixels of at least one color is dispersed even if the arrangement of output pixels of all colors is not dispersed.
- the basic pattern described above is an example, and other patterns can be adopted.
- the number of types of output pixel sizes may be different for each color.
- the size of some output pixels can be made one type.
- a combination of R, G, B, and W (white) and a combination of colors such as C (cyan), M (magenta), and Y (yellow) can be used.
- the pixel signal of the large pixel and the pixel signal of the middle pixel are selected, and the selected two pixel signals are added at a predetermined ratio and output. May be. Further, for example, a pixel signal of a middle pixel and a pixel signal of a small pixel are selected in a range from the incident light amount Pb to the incident light amount P2, and the selected two pixel signals are added at a predetermined ratio and output. Good.
- FIG. 1 shows an example in which the vertical signal line 19 is provided for each basic pattern column, this is not limited depending on the configuration of the basic pattern pixel group gp.
- a plurality of vertical signal lines 19 may be provided for the basic pattern column.
- the present technology is applied to a CMOS image sensor in which unit pixels are arranged in a matrix is described as an example, but the present technology is limited to application to a CMOS image sensor. is not. That is, the present technology can be applied to all solid-state imaging devices including pixels having different sizes in order to expand the dynamic range.
- the solid-state imaging device to which the present technology is applied may have, for example, a form formed as a single chip, or has an imaging function in which an imaging unit and a signal processing unit or an optical system are packaged together.
- a modular form may be sufficient.
- FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a usage example of the above-described solid-state imaging device.
- the solid-state imaging device described above can be used in various cases for sensing light such as visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, and X-ray as follows.
- Devices for taking images for viewing such as digital cameras and mobile devices with camera functions
- Devices used for traffic such as in-vehicle sensors that capture the back, surroundings, and interiors of vehicles, surveillance cameras that monitor traveling vehicles and roads, and ranging sensors that measure distances between vehicles, etc.
- Equipment used for home appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. to take pictures and operate the equipment according to the gestures
- Equipment used for medical and health care ⁇
- Security equipment such as security surveillance cameras and personal authentication cameras
- Skin measuring instrument for photographing skin and scalp photography Such as a microscope to do beauty Equipment used for sports such as action cameras and wearable cameras for sports applications etc.
- Equipment used for agriculture such as cameras for monitoring the condition of fields and crops
- FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an imaging apparatus (camera apparatus) that is an example of an electronic apparatus to which the present technology is applied.
- the imaging apparatus includes an optical system including a lens group 301 and the like, an imaging element 302, a DSP circuit 303 as a camera signal processing unit, a frame memory 304, a display device 305, a recording device 306, an operation system 307, And a power supply system 308 and the like.
- the DSP circuit 303, the frame memory 304, the display device 305, the recording device 306, the operation system 307, and the power supply system 308 are connected to each other via a bus line 309.
- the lens group 301 takes in incident light (image light) from a subject and forms an image on the imaging surface of the imaging element 302.
- the imaging element 302 converts the amount of incident light imaged on the imaging surface by the lens group 301 into an electrical signal in units of pixels and outputs it as a pixel signal.
- the display device 305 includes a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device, and displays a moving image or a still image captured by the image sensor 302.
- the recording device 306 records a moving image or a still image captured by the image sensor 302 on a recording medium such as a memory card, a video tape, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).
- the operation system 307 issues operation commands for various functions of the imaging apparatus under operation by the user.
- the power supply system 308 appropriately supplies various power supplies serving as operation power supplies for the DSP circuit 303, the frame memory 304, the display device 305, the recording device 306, and the operation system 307 to these supply targets.
- Such an imaging apparatus is applied to a camera module for a mobile device such as a video camera, a digital still camera, and a smartphone or a mobile phone.
- the solid-state imaging device 10 can be used as the imaging device 302. Thereby, the dynamic range of the imaging apparatus can be expanded and the image quality can be improved.
- the present technology can take the following configurations.
- a basic pattern pixel in which at least one color of the output pixels is a pixel based on an output unit of a pixel signal, and the output pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged according to a predetermined pattern.
- a solid-state imaging device comprising: a signal processing unit that performs synthesis processing of a plurality of pixel signals from the plurality of output pixels having the same color and different sizes.
- the output pixels of each color each have two or more sizes, In the pattern, a color arrangement of a first pixel group composed of a plurality of first output pixels and a second pixel group composed of a plurality of second output pixels different in size from the first output pixels.
- the solid-state imaging device wherein the color arrangement is different.
- the output pixels of each color have three or more sizes, In the pattern, a first pixel group composed of a plurality of first output pixels surrounds a second pixel group composed of a plurality of second output pixels having a size different from that of the first output pixel.
- the solid-state imaging device wherein the second pixel group surrounds a third pixel group including a plurality of third output pixels having a size different from that of the second output pixel. .
- Each said output pixel is comprised with one or more unit pixels each provided with the light receiving element of the same magnitude
- Each said output pixel is formed by combining the said unit pixel by wiring, The solid-state image sensor as described in said (6) or (7).
- the signal processing unit selects one of the plurality of pixel signals according to the amount of incident light when combining the plurality of pixel signals from the plurality of output pixels having the same color and the size of three or more types.
- the solid-state imaging device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the solid-state imaging device outputs the pixel signal of the output pixel having the second and subsequent magnitudes by multiplying a predetermined coefficient.
- the signal processing unit when combining a plurality of pixel signals from a plurality of the output pixels of the same color and three or more types, selects two of the plurality of pixel signals according to the amount of incident light, The solid-state imaging device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein a signal obtained by combining the selected pixel signals at a predetermined ratio is output.
- a solid-state image sensor A first signal processing unit for processing a signal output from the solid-state imaging device,
- the solid-state imaging device is A basic pattern pixel in which at least one color of the output pixels is a pixel based on an output unit of a pixel signal, and the output pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged according to a predetermined pattern.
- An electronic apparatus comprising: a second signal processing unit that performs a synthesis process of a plurality of pixel signals from a plurality of the output pixels having the same color and different sizes.
- An output pixel that is a pixel based on an output unit of a pixel signal has two or more sizes for each color, and a basic pattern pixel group in which the output pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged according to a predetermined pattern is arranged.
- a solid-state imaging device comprising: a signal processing unit that performs synthesis processing of a plurality of pixel signals from the plurality of output pixels having the same color and different sizes.
- each said output pixel is comprised with one or more unit pixels each provided with the light receiving element of the same magnitude
- Each said output pixel is formed by combining the said unit pixel by wiring, The solid-state image sensor as described in said (15) or (16).
- a solid-state image sensor A first signal processing unit for processing a signal output from the solid-state imaging device,
- the solid-state imaging device is An output pixel that is a pixel based on an output unit of a pixel signal has two or more sizes for each color, and a basic pattern pixel group in which the output pixels of a plurality of colors are arranged according to a predetermined pattern is arranged. In the pattern, a color arrangement of a first pixel group including a plurality of first output pixels and a second pixel group including a plurality of second output pixels having different sizes from the first output pixels. A pixel portion having a different color arrangement,
- An electronic apparatus comprising: a second signal processing unit that performs a synthesis process of a plurality of pixel signals from a plurality of the output pixels having the same color and different sizes.
- 10 solid-state imaging device 11 pixel unit, 13 column processing unit, 17 signal processing unit, 18-1 to 18-M pixel drive line, 19-1 to 19-N vertical signal line, 100 same color pixel group, 101-1 to 101-3 photodiode, 102-1 to 102-3 transfer transistor, 103 reset transistor, 104 floating diffusion, 105 amplification transistor, 106 selection transistor, gp (1,1) to gp (M, N) basic pattern pixel group, R1 to R3, G1a to G3a, G1b to G3b, B1 to B3 output pixels
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Abstract
Description
1.実施の形態
2.変形例
3.固体撮像素子の使用例
{基本的なシステム構成}
図1は、本技術を適用した固体撮像素子の一実施の形態を示すブロック図である。図1の固体撮像素子10は、例えばX-Yアドレス方式固体撮像素子の一種であるCMOSイメージセンサにより構成される。
以下、図4乃至図25を参照して、画素部11の基本パターン画素群gpの出力画素の配置(すなわち、基本パターン)の例について説明する。
次に、図22乃至図25を参照して、信号処理部17において、基本パターン画素群gpの各色の画素信号を合成する方法の例について説明する。ここで、画素信号の合成とは、入射光量に応じて、基本パターン画素群の同色画素群内の大きさが異なる出力画素の画素信号の切り替えや加算等を行うことにより、ダイナミックレンジを拡大する処理のことである。
以下、上述した本技術の実施の形態の変形例について説明する。
上述した基本パターンは、その一例であり、他のパターンを採用することが可能である。
上述した画素信号の合成処理では、入射光量に応じて、使用する画素信号を切り替える例を示したが、例えば、複数の画素信号を加算して出力するようにしてもよい。
図1では、基本パターン列毎に垂直信号線19を設ける例を示したが、基本パターン画素群gpの構成によっては、この限りではない。例えば、基本パターン列に対して複数の垂直信号線19を設けるようにしてもよい。
図26は、上述の固体撮像素子の使用例を示す図である。
・自動停止等の安全運転や、運転者の状態の認識等のために、自動車の前方や後方、周囲、車内等を撮影する車載用センサ、走行車両や道路を監視する監視カメラ、車両間等の測距を行う測距センサ等の、交通の用に供される装置
・ユーザのジェスチャを撮影して、そのジェスチャに従った機器操作を行うために、TVや、冷蔵庫、エアーコンディショナ等の家電に供される装置
・内視鏡や、赤外光の受光による血管撮影を行う装置等の、医療やヘルスケアの用に供される装置
・防犯用途の監視カメラや、人物認証用途のカメラ等の、セキュリティの用に供される装置
・肌を撮影する肌測定器や、頭皮を撮影するマイクロスコープ等の、美容の用に供される装置
・スポーツ用途等向けのアクションカメラやウェアラブルカメラ等の、スポーツの用に供される装置
・畑や作物の状態を監視するためのカメラ等の、農業の用に供される装置
図27は、本技術を適用した電子機器の一例である撮像装置(カメラ装置)の構成例を示すブロック図である。
画素信号の出力単位に基づく画素である出力画素のうち少なくとも1色の前記出力画素が3種類以上の大きさを有し、複数の色の前記出力画素が所定のパターンに従って配置された基本パターン画素群が並べられている画素部と、
同じ色で大きさが異なる複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号の合成処理を行う信号処理部と
を備える固体撮像素子。
(2)
各色の前記出力画素が、それぞれ2種類以上の大きさを有し、
前記パターン内において、複数の第1の出力画素からなる第1の画素群の色配列と、前記第1の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第2の出力画素からなる第2の画素群の色配列とが異なる
前記(1)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(3)
前記第1の画素群が前記第2の画素群の周囲を囲んでいる
前記(2)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(4)
前記第1の出力画素のうち少なくとも1つが、1つの前記第2の出力画素の周囲を囲んでいる
前記(2)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(5)
各色の前記出力画素が、それぞれ3種類以上の大きさを有し、
前記パターン内において、複数の第1の出力画素からなる第1の画素群が、前記第1の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第2の出力画素からなる第2の画素群の周囲を囲み、前記第2の画素群が、前記第2の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第3の出力画素からなる第3の画素群の周囲を囲んでいる
前記(1)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(6)
各前記出力画素は、同じ大きさの受光素子をそれぞれ備える1つ以上の単位画素により構成される
前記(1)乃至(5)のいずれかに記載の固体撮像素子。
(7)
最も小さな前記出力画素は、1つの前記単位画素により構成され、それ以外の大きさの画素は、複数の前記単位画素により構成される
前記(6)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(8)
各前記出力画素は、配線により前記単位画素を組み合わせることにより形成される
前記(6)又は(7)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(9)
前記信号処理部は、同じ色で大きさが3種類以上の複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号を合成する場合、入射光量に応じて前記複数の画素信号のうち1つを選択して出力するとともに、大きさが2番目以降の前記出力画素の画素信号に所定の係数を乗じて出力する
前記(1)乃至(8)のいずれかに記載の固体撮像素子。
(10)
前記信号処理部は、同じ色で大きさが3種類以上の複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号を合成する場合、入射光量に応じて前記複数の画素信号のうち2つを選択し、選択した画素信号を所定の比率で合成した信号を出力する
前記(1)乃至(8)のいずれかに記載の固体撮像素子。
(11)
固体撮像素子と、
前記固体撮像素子から出力される信号を処理する第1の信号処理部と
を備え、
前記固体撮像素子は、
画素信号の出力単位に基づく画素である出力画素のうち少なくとも1色の前記出力画素が3種類以上の大きさを有し、複数の色の前記出力画素が所定のパターンに従って配置された基本パターン画素群が並べられている画素部と、
同じ色で大きさが異なる複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号の合成処理を行う第2の信号処理部と
を備える電子機器。
(12)
画素信号の出力単位に基づく画素である出力画素が色毎にそれぞれ2種類以上の大きさを有し、複数の色の前記出力画素が所定のパターンに従って配置された基本パターン画素群が並べられるとともに、前記パターン内において、複数の第1の出力画素からなる第1の画素群の色配列と、前記第1の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第2の出力画素からなる第2の画素群の色配列とが異なる画素部と、
同じ色で大きさが異なる複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号の合成処理を行う信号処理部と
を備える固体撮像素子。
(13)
前記第1の画素群が前記第2の画素群の周囲を囲んでいる
前記(12)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(14)
前記第1の出力画素のうち少なくとも1つが、1つの前記第2の出力画素の周囲を囲んでいる
前記(12)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(15)
各前記出力画素は、同じ大きさの受光素子をそれぞれ備える1つ以上の単位画素により構成される
前記(12)乃至(14)のいずれかに記載の固体撮像素子。
(16)
最も小さな前記出力画素は、1つの前記単位画素により構成され、それ以外の大きさの画素は、複数の前記単位画素により構成される
前記(15)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(17)
各前記出力画素は、配線により前記単位画素を組み合わせることにより形成される
前記(15)又は(16)に記載の固体撮像素子。
(18)
固体撮像素子と、
前記固体撮像素子から出力される信号を処理する第1の信号処理部と
を備え、
前記固体撮像素子は、
画素信号の出力単位に基づく画素である出力画素が色毎にそれぞれ2種類以上の大きさを有し、複数の色の前記出力画素が所定のパターンに従って配置された基本パターン画素群が並べられるとともに、前記パターン内において、複数の第1の出力画素からなる第1の画素群の色配列と、前記第1の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第2の出力画素からなる第2の画素群の色配列とが異なる画素部と、
同じ色で大きさが異なる複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号の合成処理を行う第2の信号処理部と
を備える電子機器。
Claims (18)
- 画素信号の出力単位に基づく画素である出力画素のうち少なくとも1色の前記出力画素が3種類以上の大きさを有し、複数の色の前記出力画素が所定のパターンに従って配置された基本パターン画素群が並べられている画素部と、
同じ色で大きさが異なる複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号の合成処理を行う信号処理部と
を備える固体撮像素子。 - 各色の前記出力画素が、それぞれ2種類以上の大きさを有し、
前記パターン内において、複数の第1の出力画素からなる第1の画素群の色配列と、前記第1の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第2の出力画素からなる第2の画素群の色配列とが異なる
請求項1に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 前記第1の画素群が前記第2の画素群の周囲を囲んでいる
請求項2に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 前記第1の出力画素のうち少なくとも1つが、1つの前記第2の出力画素の周囲を囲んでいる
請求項2に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 各色の前記出力画素が、それぞれ3種類以上の大きさを有し、
前記パターン内において、複数の第1の出力画素からなる第1の画素群が、前記第1の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第2の出力画素からなる第2の画素群の周囲を囲み、前記第2の画素群が、前記第2の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第3の出力画素からなる第3の画素群の周囲を囲んでいる
請求項1に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 各前記出力画素は、同じ大きさの受光素子をそれぞれ備える1つ以上の単位画素により構成される
請求項1に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 最も小さな前記出力画素は、1つの前記単位画素により構成され、それ以外の大きさの画素は、複数の前記単位画素により構成される
請求項6に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 各前記出力画素は、配線により前記単位画素を組み合わせることにより形成される
請求項6に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 前記信号処理部は、同じ色で大きさが3種類以上の複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号を合成する場合、入射光量に応じて前記複数の画素信号のうち1つを選択して出力するとともに、大きさが2番目以降の前記出力画素の画素信号に所定の係数を乗じて出力する
請求項1に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 前記信号処理部は、同じ色で大きさが3種類以上の複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号を合成する場合、入射光量に応じて前記複数の画素信号のうち2つを選択し、選択した画素信号を所定の比率で合成した信号を出力する
請求項1に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 固体撮像素子と、
前記固体撮像素子から出力される信号を処理する第1の信号処理部と
を備え、
前記固体撮像素子は、
画素信号の出力単位に基づく画素である出力画素のうち少なくとも1色の前記出力画素が3種類以上の大きさを有し、複数の色の前記出力画素が所定のパターンに従って配置された基本パターン画素群が並べられている画素部と、
同じ色で大きさが異なる複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号の合成処理を行う第2の信号処理部と
を備える電子機器。 - 画素信号の出力単位に基づく画素である出力画素が色毎にそれぞれ2種類以上の大きさを有し、複数の色の前記出力画素が所定のパターンに従って配置された基本パターン画素群が並べられるとともに、前記パターン内において、複数の第1の出力画素からなる第1の画素群の色配列と、前記第1の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第2の出力画素からなる第2の画素群の色配列とが異なる画素部と、
同じ色で大きさが異なる複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号の合成処理を行う信号処理部と
を備える固体撮像素子。 - 前記第1の画素群が前記第2の画素群の周囲を囲んでいる
請求項12に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 前記第1の出力画素のうち少なくとも1つが、1つの前記第2の出力画素の周囲を囲んでいる
請求項12に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 各前記出力画素は、同じ大きさの受光素子をそれぞれ備える1つ以上の単位画素により構成される
請求項12に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 最も小さな前記出力画素は、1つの前記単位画素により構成され、それ以外の大きさの画素は、複数の前記単位画素により構成される
請求項15に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 各前記出力画素は、配線により前記単位画素を組み合わせることにより形成される
請求項15に記載の固体撮像素子。 - 固体撮像素子と、
前記固体撮像素子から出力される信号を処理する第1の信号処理部と
を備え、
前記固体撮像素子は、
画素信号の出力単位に基づく画素である出力画素が色毎にそれぞれ2種類以上の大きさを有し、複数の色の前記出力画素が所定のパターンに従って配置された基本パターン画素群が並べられるとともに、前記パターン内において、複数の第1の出力画素からなる第1の画素群の色配列と、前記第1の出力画素と大きさが異なる複数の第2の出力画素からなる第2の画素群の色配列とが異なる画素部と、
同じ色で大きさが異なる複数の前記出力画素からの複数の画素信号の合成処理を行う第2の信号処理部と
を備える電子機器。
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