US 12,439,182 B2
Photodetector, electronic device, and method of photodetection
Tuan Thanh Ta, Kawasaki (JP); Akihide Sai, Yokohama (JP); and Toshiki Sugimoto, Kawasaki (JP)
Assigned to KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Mar. 4, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/653,537.
Claims priority of application No. 2021-144185 (JP), filed on Sep. 3, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0073292 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
Int. Cl. H04N 25/77 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/77 (2023.01) 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A photodetector comprising:
a photodetection element;
a reset circuit that sets one end of the photodetection element to an initialization voltage after the photodetection element detects light, and that includes a variable current source capable of varying a current to be supplied to the one end of the photodetection element;
a control circuit that stepwise or continuously increases a current to be supplied to the one end of the photodetection element by using the variable current source until the one end of the photodetection element is set to the initialization voltage after the photodetection element detects light; and
a plurality of pixels each having the photodetection element,
wherein the variable current source includes:
a first circuit that is shared by two or more of the pixels, and that generates a current applied to one end of the photodetection element; and
a second circuit that is provided for each of the pixels, that is applied to one end of the photodetection element, wherein a current generated by the second circuit requires less accuracy than a current generated by the first circuit.