US 11,695,022 B2
Image capturing apparatus, image capturing system, and moving body
Yu Maehashi, Kanagawa (JP)
Assigned to CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Nov. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/99,622.
Claims priority of application No. 2019-210035 (JP), filed on Nov. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0151481 A1, May 20, 2021
Int. Cl. H01L 27/146 (2006.01); H04N 5/357 (2011.01); H04N 5/374 (2011.01); H04N 5/345 (2011.01); H04N 5/3745 (2011.01); H04N 25/60 (2023.01); H04N 25/76 (2023.01); H04N 25/443 (2023.01); H04N 25/445 (2023.01); H04N 25/772 (2023.01); H04N 25/441 (2023.01)
CPC H01L 27/14603 (2013.01) [H01L 27/14609 (2013.01); H01L 27/14643 (2013.01); H04N 25/60 (2023.01); H04N 25/76 (2023.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image capturing apparatus comprising:
a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements disposed in a first direction and a second direction, each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements including an avalanche diode and a counter configured to count signals based on light incident on the avalanche diode, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements having a first photoelectric conversion element and a second photoelectric conversion element;
a first selection circuit configured to control the first photoelectric conversion element; and
a second selection circuit configured to control the second photoelectric conversion element,
wherein in a first mode, the first selection circuit controls the first photoelectric conversion element to be brought into a state where a signal is read out from the first photoelectric conversion element, and the second selection circuit controls the second photoelectric conversion element to be brought into a state where no signal is read out from the second photoelectric conversion element, and
wherein in a second mode set in a period different from a period in which the first mode is set, the second selection circuit controls the second photoelectric conversion element, which has been controlled to be brought into the state where no signal is read out from the second photoelectric conversion element, to be brought into a state where a signal is read out from the second photoelectric conversion element, and
wherein the first selection circuit controls whether to read out a signal from the counter included in the first photoelectric conversion element, and the second selection circuit controls whether to read out a signal from the counter included in the second photoelectric conversion element.