Imaging apparatus and electronic apparatus

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016358329-A1
Application number	US-201615162800-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 24, 2016
Priority date	Jun 8, 2015
Publication date	Dec 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

An imaging apparatus includes a plurality of unit circuits connected to a detection line, and a signal output circuit. Each of the plurality of unit circuits includes a light receiving device including an electrode connected to a wire and an electrode, and a transistor that controls electrical connection between the electrode and the detection line. The signal output circuit includes a light receiving device in a light-blocking state including an electrode connected to a wire and an electrode, and a detection circuit that outputs a detection signal according to a potential of a detection point between the electrode and the electrode when the light receiving device and the light receiving device are in a reverse bias state between the wire and the wire.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . An imaging apparatus comprising:
a plurality of unit circuits connected to a detection line; and a signal output circuit, wherein each of the plurality of unit circuits includes
a first light receiving device including a first electrode connected to a first wire and a second electrode, and
a first transistor that controls electrical connection between the second electrode and the detection line, and
the signal output circuit includes
a second light receiving device in a light-blocking state including a third electrode connected to a second wire and a fourth electrode, and
a detection circuit that outputs a detection signal according to a potential of a detection point between the second electrode and the fourth electrode when the first light receiving device and the second light receiving device are in a reverse bias state between the first wire and the second wire.

2 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detection circuit includes a second transistor having a gate connected to the detection point.

3 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the detection circuit is a differential amplifier circuit including a pair of differential transistors including the second transistor.

4 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of unit circuits are arranged in a plurality of columns connected to detection lines different from one another, and
the signal output circuit includes the second light receiving device and the detection circuit with respect to each of the plurality of columns.

5 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of unit circuits are arranged in a plurality of columns connected to detection lines different from one another, and
the signal output circuit includes
an output line,
third transistors provided to correspond to the respective plurality of columns and controlling electrical connection between the output line and the detection lines of the columns,
a column selection circuit that sequentially controls the third transistors to be in an on-state,
the second light receiving device having the fourth electrode connected to the output line, and
the detection circuit that outputs a detection signal according to a potential of the detection point on the output line.

6 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of unit circuits are arranged in a plurality of columns connected to detection lines different from one another, and
the signal output circuit includes
a predetermined number of output lines and common circuits,
third transistors provided to correspond to the respective plurality of columns, and
a column selection circuit that sequentially controls the third transistors to be in an on-state with respect to each group formed by sectioning the plurality of columns in units of the predetermined number,
the predetermined number of detection lines of the respective groups are connected to the output lines different from one another via the third transistors, and each of the predetermined number of common circuits includes the second light receiving device having the fourth electrode connected to the output line corresponding to the common circuit, and the detection circuit that outputs a detection signal according to a potential of the detection point on the output line.

7 . The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a first potential and a second potential are selectively supplied to the first wire, and
the first transistor has a gate connected to the first wire and, when the first potential is supplied to the first wire, turns to an on-state in which the second electrode and the detection line are electrically connected.

8 . An electronic apparatus comprising the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 .

9 . An electronic apparatus comprising the imaging apparatus according to claim 2 .

10 . An electronic apparatus comprising the imaging apparatus according to claim 3 .

11 . An electronic apparatus comprising the imaging apparatus according to claim 4 .

12 . An electronic apparatus comprising the imaging apparatus according to claim 5 .

13 . An electronic apparatus comprising the imaging apparatus according to claim 6 .

14 . An electronic apparatus comprising the imaging apparatus according to claim 7 .

Assignees

• Seiko Epson Corp

Inventors

• Koide Yasunori

Classifications

• H04N25/77

  Pixel circuitry, e.g. memories, A/D converters, pixel amplifiers, shared circuits or shared components · CPC title

• H04N23/50 Primary

  Constructional details · CPC title

• H04N23/55

  Optical parts specially adapted for electronic image sensors; Mounting thereof · CPC title

• H04N23/56

  provided with illuminating means · CPC title

• H04N23/57

  Mechanical or electrical details of cameras or camera modules specially adapted for being embedded in other devices · CPC title