Photoelectric conversion device and imaging system
US11303830B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 2, 2020 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 13, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH03M1/123
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A photoelectric conversion device includes pixels arranged to form columns, comparator circuits for respective columns, and a control circuit that controls the comparator circuits. Each comparator circuit includes a first comparator circuit connected to a first pixel of a first color, a second comparator circuit arranged on a column adjacent to the first comparator circuit and connected to a second pixel of a second color, and a third comparator circuit arranged on a column adjacent to the second comparator circuit and connected to a third pixel of the first color. Each comparator circuit compares a pixel signal on a corresponding column with a reference signal changing with time and outputs a comparison signal indicating a different level whether a difference between these signals is smaller or larger than a threshold. The control circuit controls the threshold to change stepwise in order of the first, third, and second comparator circuits.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.