There is provided an image sensor including a plurality of sensors for autofocus. The sensors are divided into a plurality of groups. clock signals for drive in different timings for each group are supplied to the sensors.
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9. An imaging method comprising:
dividing a plurality of sensors for autofocus into a plurality of groups; and
supplying clock signals to drive each of the plurality of groups in different timings,
wherein a first clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a normal drive is provided to a first sensor pair for autofocus of one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive, and
wherein a second clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a power saving drive is provided to other sensor pairs for autofocus of the one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive.
1. An image sensor comprising:
a plurality of sensors for autofocus,
wherein the plurality of sensors are divided into a plurality of groups,
wherein clock signals to drive each of the plurality of groups are supplied in different timings,
wherein a first clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a normal drive is provided to a first sensor pair for autofocus of one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive, and
wherein a second clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a power saving drive is provided to other sensor pairs for autofocus of the one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive.
8. An imaging device comprising:
a plurality of sensors for autofocus,
wherein the plurality of sensors are divided into a plurality of groups,
wherein clock signals to drive each of the plurality of groups are supplied in different timings,
wherein a first clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a normal drive is provided to a first sensor pair for autofocus of one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive, and
wherein a second clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a power saving drive is provided to other sensor pairs for autofocus of the one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive.
11. An information processing apparatus comprising:
a plurality of sensor pairs for autofocus in each of a plurality of circuits,
wherein the plurality of circuits are divided into a plurality of groups,
wherein clock signals to drive each of the plurality of groups are supplied in different timings,
wherein a first clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a normal drive is provided to a first sensor pair for autofocus of one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive, and
wherein a second clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a power saving drive is provided to other sensor pairs for autofocus of the one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive.
10. An imaging device comprising:
a plurality of sensor pairs for autofocus in each of a plurality of chips,
wherein the plurality of chips are chips performing processing in relation to imaging and divided into a plurality of groups,
wherein clock signals to drive each of the plurality of chips are supplied in different timings,
wherein a first clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a normal drive is provided to a first sensor pair for autofocus of one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive, and
wherein a second clock signal of the clock signals corresponding to a power saving drive is provided to other sensor pairs for autofocus of the one of the plurality of groups when the first sensor pair is in the normal drive.
2. The image sensor according to
3. The image sensor according to
4. The image sensor according to
5. The image sensor according to
6. The image sensor according to
wherein a pair of the plurality of sensors forms a range finding sensor pair, and
wherein the range finding sensor pair is arranged either in vertical direction or in horizontal direction.
7. The image sensor according to
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The present technology relates to an image sensor, an imaging device, an imaging method and an information processing apparatus and specifically relates to an image sensor, an imaging device, an imaging method and an information processing apparatus of reducing power consumption in autofocusing and the like and a noise component.
Devices such as cameras and scanners employing a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) are prevailing. Their pixels are increasing for improvement of capturing accuracy and attainment of high image quality, this causing increasing power consumption. Thus, it is desired to reduce the power consumption, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-202952 proposes reduction of power consumption by suspending H registers of chips that are not in use as to a contact sensor.
A chip built in a CCD linear sensor for autofocus also tends to include an increase number of built-in pixels for improvement of autofocus accuracy and operate at an increasing frequency for readout in order to reduce readout time. Moreover, such increase of the number of pixels built in the chip leads to an increasing area for CCD shift registers. The area for CCD shift registers is almost proportional to the capacity of CCD shift register parts. The current consumption caused by charging/discharging in the CCD shift register parts is proportional to the following expression:
(capacity of CCD shift register parts)×(readout operation frequency).
The capacity of the CCD shift register parts and the readout operation frequency are both increasing, this causing increase of the power consumption in the CCD shift register parts. Accordingly, the chip built in the CCD linear sensor for autofocus is also desired to operate in a power saving manner.
It is desirable to reduce power consumption in a sensor such as a CCD.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an image sensor including a plurality of sensors for autofocus. The sensors are divided into a plurality of groups. Clock signals for drive in different timings for each group are supplied to the sensors.
Normal drive and power saving drive may be used. The clock signals for the drive in different timings for each group may be supplied to sensors other than the sensors set to the normal drive.
Drive timings of the clock signals may be shifted to a plurality of timings in a manner that the sensors belonging to different groups are not driven in an identical timing.
The clock signals may be set in a manner that a rising edge timing and a falling edge timing of the clock signals supplied to the different groups are not an identical timing.
The sensors may be CCDs.
The sensors may be configured not to be driven in outputting data other than data for the autofocus.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an imaging device including a plurality of sensors for autofocus. The sensors are divided into a plurality of groups. Clock signals for drive in different timings for each group are supplied to the sensors.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an imaging method including providing a plurality of sensors for autofocus, dividing the sensors into a plurality of groups, and supplying clock signals for drive in different timings for each group to the sensors.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an imaging device including a plurality of chips. The chips are chips performing processing in relation to imaging and divided into a plurality of groups. Clock signals for drive in different timings for each chip are supplied to the chips.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an information processing apparatus including a plurality of circuits. The circuits are divided into a plurality of groups. Clock signals for drive in different timings for each circuit are supplied to the circuits.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an image sensor wherein a plurality of sensors for autofocus are divided into a plurality of groups and clock signals are supplied for drive in different timings for the individual groups.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there are provided first imaging device and imaging method wherein a plurality of sensors for autofocus are divided into a plurality of groups and clock signals are supplied for drive in different timings for the individual groups.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided a second imaging device wherein a plurality of chips which are chips performing processing in relation to imaging are divided into a plurality of groups and clock signals are supplied for drive in different timings for the individual chips.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, there is provided an information processing apparatus wherein a plurality of circuits are divided into a plurality of groups and clock signals are supplied for drive in different timings for the individual circuits.
According to an embodiment of the present technology, power consumption in a sensor such as a CCD can be reduced.
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in this specification and the appended drawings, structural elements that have substantially the same function and structure are denoted with the same reference numerals, and repeated explanation of these structural elements is omitted. Incidentally, the description is made in the following order.
1. Configuration of CCD Linear Sensor
2. Range Finding Points
3. Range Finding Sensor Pairs
4. Transfer Clock Signals
5. Grouping of Range Finding Sensor Pairs
6. Readout in 1/2 Cycle
7. Recording Medium
[Configuration of CCD Linear Sensor]
The sensor array 21 is configured of unit pixels each of which has a photoelectric transducer, for example, a photodiode generating photocharge with a charge amount according to an amount of incident light to accumulate inside and which pixels are arranged into a matrix shape. Among sensors included in the sensor array 21, each set of sensors which are arranged in the vertical direction is independently connected to the vertical transfer CCD shift register 22.
The vertical transfer CCD shift register 22 includes a plurality of registers and can independently hold charges accumulated in the sensors connected to each register. Moreover, the vertical transfer CCD shift register 22 is connected to the horizontal transfer CCD shift register 23 and can shift the held charges stage-by-stage to supply to the horizontal transfer CCD shift register 23 sequentially. The charges transferred to the FD 24 by the processing of the horizontal transfer CCD shift register 23 are amplified by the amplification transistor 27, and after that, supplied to a not-shown processing part downstream.
Incidentally, a shift register such as the vertical transfer CCD shift register 22 and the horizontal transfer CCD shift register 23 suffers from charge that leads to a noise component under the influence of heat and the like. Such charge that leads to a noise component should be removed. In the CCD linear sensor 10 illustrated in
As above, there is a possibility of unwanted charge arising and the unwanted charge thus arising should be discharged as one process. Such discharge of the unwanted charge should be performed periodically (at a predetermined interval). Meanwhile, it is proposed that drive signals for sensor arrays not in use are suspended to be supplied in order to reduce power consumption. The unwanted charge, however, arises even in suspending the supply of the drive signals. Hence, upon starting (resuming) the supply of the drive signals, the unwanted charge is to be outputted also in addition to signal charge.
Accordingly, the unwanted charge is preferable to be discharged periodically even during the sensors being not in use in order that the unwanted charge is not outputted in addition to signal charge. Such periodical discharge of the unwanted charge allows the influence of unwanted charge to be minimized.
As described below, according to the embodiment of the present technology, control for discharging unwanted charge periodically can be performed and power consumption for the control can be reduced.
[Range Finding Points]
According to the embodiment of the present technology, power consumption can be reduced, and as one example of such a CCD linear sensor capable of reducing its power consumption, it is exemplified by a CCD linear sensor for autofocus (AF). Herein, it is exemplified by a CCD one, whereas it may also be configured by a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor or the like.
A chip which CCD linear sensors for autofocus are built in receives light incident from an optical system including lenses and the like and outputs the received light as an electric signal according to the amount of the light. The CCD linear sensors for autofocus are, for example, arranged as illustrated in
A CCD linear sensor array is configured by arranging a plurality of sensors. Hereafter, the CCD linear sensor array is also represented as a linear sensor array. A linear sensor array 51 and a linear sensor array 52 are disposed around the range finding point 71. Similarly, a linear sensor array 55 and a linear sensor array 56 are disposed around the range finding point 73.
Around the range finding point 72, a linear sensor array 53 and a linear sensor array 54 are disposed similarly to the above, and in addition, a linear sensor array 57 and a linear sensor array 58 are also disposed. The range finding point 72 is also referred to as a cross range finding point or the like, and around it, two pairs of linear sensor arrays (range finding sensors) are disposed such that they are perpendicular to each other. Moreover, around each of the other range finding points, a pair of range finding sensors is disposed. The range finding point 72 can attain more measurement accuracy of range finding than the other points because the range finding is performed using the two sets of linear sensor arrays arranged in the vertical and horizontal directions.
Detecting displacement between two images in an arrangement direction of such a pair of linear sensor arrays (separating direction) enables range finding operation. Hereafter, linear sensor arrays included in one range finding point is represented as a range finding sensor pair. Moreover, as illustrated in
[Range Finding Sensor Pairs]
The example illustrated in
In the example illustrated in
In the center portion of the figure, sets of a linear sensor array 109 and a linear sensor array 110, a linear sensor array 111 and a linear sensor array 112, a linear sensor array 113 and a linear sensor array 114, a linear sensor array 115 and a linear sensor array 116, and a linear sensor array 117 and a linear sensor array 118 each set of which is arranged in the vertical direction are included in range finding sensor pairs 155 to 159, respectively.
In the right portion of the figure, sets of a linear sensor array 119 and a linear sensor array 120, a linear sensor array 121 and a linear sensor array 122, a linear sensor array 123 and a linear sensor array 124, and a linear sensor array 125 and a linear sensor array 126 each set of which is arranged in the vertical direction are included in range finding sensor pairs 160 to 163, respectively.
In the center portion of the figure, sets of a linear sensor array 127 and a linear sensor array 128, a linear sensor array 129 and a linear sensor array 130, a linear sensor array 131 and a linear sensor array 132, a linear sensor array 133 and a linear sensor array 134, and a linear sensor array 135 and a linear sensor array 136 each set of which is arranged in the horizontal direction are included in range finding sensor pairs 164 to 168, respectively.
The range finding sensor pairs arranged like this are, for example, built in a CCD linear sensor chip for autofocus (AF). Moreover, outputs from the individual range finding sensor pairs are integrated into one line and the linear sensor arrays are switched for output. When the number of range finding sensor pairs built in is large, they are integrated into several lines such as two lines and the linear sensor arrays which are to be readout from the same line are switched for output. Hereafter, the description continues for the eighteen range finding sensor pairs illustrated in
The sensor part 201-1 includes a linear sensor array 101, a linear sensor array 102, a register 202-1, a register 203-1, a CCD shift register 204-1 and an amplification part 205-1. One sensor part 201 can have a configuration including the configuration of the CCD linear sensor 10 illustrated in
The linear sensor array 101 and linear sensor array 102 are linear sensor arrays arranged in the vertical direction as illustrated in
Charge from the linear sensor array 101 in the sensor part 201-1 is once accumulated in the register 202-1 and transferred to the CCD shift register 204-1 in predetermined timing. Similarly, charge from the linear sensor array 102 in the sensor part 201-2 is once accumulated in the register 203-1 and transferred to the CCD shift register 204-1 in predetermined timing.
The register 202-1 and register 203-1 correspond, for example, to the vertical transfer CCD shift register 22 in
The charge accumulated in the CCD shift register 204-1 is transferred to the amplification part 205-1 in predetermined timing, amplified therein and supplied to the output switching part 211. To the output switching part 211, signals outputted from the sensor parts 201-2 to 201-18 are also supplied. The output switching part 211 selects one signal out of the signals from the sensor parts 201-1 to 201-18 according to a selection signal from a not-shown control part to supply to the amplifier circuit 212.
The amplifier circuit 212 amplifies the supplied signal to output to the output switching part 213. To the output switching part 213, a signal regarding temperature (temperature output in
[Transfer Clock Signals]
The description has been made that the sensor part 201 outputs a signal to the output switching part 211 in predetermined timing. This predetermined timing is described additionally. To the CCD shift register 204 in the sensor part 201, a CCD transfer clock signal having a waveform illustrated in
The CCD transfer clock signal illustrated in
In order to suppress power consumption, it can be considered that the CCD transfer clock signal to the linear sensor arrays not for readout is suspended. Suspending the CCD transfer clock signal enables power consumed during the suspension to be 0, suppressing the power consumption.
Suspending the CCD transfer clock signal, however, results in accumulation of unwanted charge in the CCD shift register 204, causing noise to arise. Therefore, in order to suppress noise from arising, discharge operation of the unwanted charge should be performed at a time point before the readout operation. An extra period by this discharge operation of the unwanted charge is expected, possibly causing fast readout to be prevented.
Hence, it can be considered that power saving drive is attained using a CCD transfer clock signal with a waveform as illustrated in
Making the transfer clock signal not for readout low in frequency, that is, ½ or ¼, however, causes 2 times or 4 times the unwanted charge to arise relative to that in normal drive. Due to this, there is a possibility that the influence is larger than in normal drive caused by the noise. Nevertheless, since the charge arising during the suspension of the transfer clock signal is smaller than the charge arising in CCD transfer operation, it can be considered that the influence of the charge arising during the suspension of the transfer clock signals is small. Therefore, the discharge operation of the unwanted charge does not have to be performed at a time point before the readout operation.
When the power saving drive using the CCD transfer clock signal as illustrated in
Hence, a CCD linear sensor chip for AF will be described capable of suppressing current consumption in power saving drive, making discharge operation of unwanted charge unnecessary and preventing fixed pattern noise.
[Grouping of Distance Measurement Sensor Pairs]
The range finding sensor pairs belonging to the first group are a range finding sensor pair 151, a range finding sensor pair 155, a range finding sensor pair 157 and a range finding sensor pair 160. The range finding sensor pairs belonging to the second group are a range finding sensor pair 152, a range finding sensor pair 156, a range finding sensor pair 161, a range finding sensor pair 165 and a range finding sensor pair 168.
The range finding sensor pairs belonging to the third group are a range finding sensor pair 153, a range finding sensor pair 158, a range finding sensor pair 162, a range finding sensor pair 164 and a range finding sensor pair 167. The range finding sensor pairs belonging to the fourth group are a range finding sensor pair 154, a range finding sensor pair 159, a range finding sensor pair 163 and a range finding sensor pair 166.
As above, the range finding sensor pairs are divided into the four groups and the CCD shift registers 204 of the sensor arrays not for readout are driven in timings which are shifted in phase and illustrated in
The waveform presented in the top portion of
The waveform presented in the second portion from the top of
For example, the range finding sensor pair 155 being set to the readout sensor array is described as an example. The range finding sensor pair 155 is a range finding sensor pair belonging to the first group. In such a case, the clock signal in normal drive illustrated in
To the range finding sensor pairs belonging to the first group except the range finding sensor pair 155, for example, the range finding sensor pair 151 and the range finding sensor pair 157, the clock signal in power saving drive presented in the second portion from the top of
The clock signal in power saving drive presented in the third portion from the top of
The clock signal in power saving drive presented in the fourth portion from the top of
The clock signal in power saving drive presented in the fifth portion from the top of
The range finding sensor pairs of the first group that are set to the power saving drive undergo the readout in timing T1 and timing T5. Moreover, the range finding sensor pairs of the second group that are set to the power saving drive undergo the readout in timing T2 and timing 16.
Moreover, the range finding sensor pairs of the third group that are set to the power saving drive undergo the readout in timing 13 and timing 17. Moreover, the range finding sensor pairs of the fourth group that are set to the power saving drive undergo the readout in timing T4 and timing T8.
For example, to the CCD shift register 204-1 of the sensor part 201-1 (
Moreover, for example, to the CCD shift register 204-2 of the sensor part 201-2 (
Moreover, for example, to the CCD shift register 204-3 of the sensor part 201-3 (
Moreover, for example, to the CCD shift register 204-4 of the sensor part 201-4 (
Focusing on one group, the CCD shift register 204 that are set to the power saving drive is driven in a ¼ cycle. Therefore, in this case, the current consumption can be reduced down to ¼ relative to that in the normal drive.
As described in reference to
However, the description in reference to
Driving the CCD shift registers 204 not for readout at frequencies which are ¼ relative to that in the pixel readout as illustrated in
Moreover, since charge/discharge current of the CCD shift registers 204 is made ¼, output coupling noise can be reduced and EMI (Electromagnetic Interference; electromagnetic noise) can be suppressed. The operation can be performed in combination with an SSCG (Spread Spectrum Clock Generator; clock generator with frequency modulation functions), this also enabling EMI to be suppressed as necessary.
When the range finding sensor pairs are divided into the four groups and the CCD shift register 204 of the sensor array for readout is driven in timing which is shifted in phase for each group, a duty ratio is preferable to be considered.
The waveforms illustrated in
The waveforms illustrated in
The waveforms illustrated in
The waveforms illustrated in
As above, range finding sensor pairs are divided into groups and clock signals in different readout timings are supplied for the individual groups, and in such a case, the clock signals should be set in consideration of a duty ratio. In case of no consideration regarding a duty ratio, since load current varies for each drive timing, fixed pattern noise can appear therein. In conclusion, the clock signals illustrated in
As above, according to the embodiment, a plurality of sensors for autofocus are divided into a plurality of groups, and clock signals for drive in different timings for the individual groups are supplied to the sensors. Moreover, normal drive and power saving drive are used, and the clock signals for the drive in different timings for the individual groups are supplied to the sensors except the sensor set to the normal drive, this enabling to prevent unwanted charge from being accumulated and to reduce power consumption.
Moreover, in consideration of a duty ratio and the like, the clock signals supplied to the sensors that are set to the power saving drive are clock signals whose drive timings are shifted to a plurality of timings such that the sensors belonging to the different groups are not driven in the identical timing. Moreover, the clock signals are set such that a rising edge timing and a falling edge timing of the clock signals supplied to the different groups are not the identical timing, this enabling to prevent fixed pattern noise from arising.
In the above-mentioned example, driving the CCD shift registers 204 of the sensor arrays not for readout in a ¼ cycle has been described as an example, whereas there is no limitation to such a ¼ frequency when applying the present technology. For example, as described below, the present technology can be applied also to a case of driving the CCD shift registers 204 of the sensor arrays not for readout in a ½ cycle.
[Readout in ½ Cycle]
The range finding sensor pairs belonging to the first group are a range finding sensor pair 151, a range finding sensor pair 153, a range finding sensor pair 155, a range finding sensor pair 157, a range finding sensor pair 158, a range finding sensor pair 160, a range finding sensor pair 162, a range finding sensor pair 164 and a range finding sensor pair 167.
The range finding sensor pairs belonging to the second group are a range finding sensor pair 152, a range finding sensor pair 154, a range finding sensor pair 156, a range finding sensor pair 159, a range finding sensor pair 161, a range finding sensor pair 163, a range finding sensor pair 165, a range finding sensor pair 166 and a range finding sensor pair 168.
As above, the range finding sensor pairs are divided into the two groups and the CCD shift registers 204 of the sensor arrays for readout are driven in timings which are shifted in phase and illustrated in
The waveforms presented in the second portions from the tops of
When the readout is performed using readout clock signals based on
For example, when the range finding sensor pair 151 belonging to the first group is set to the power saving drive, to the CCD shift register 204-1 of the sensor part 201-1 (
Moreover, for example, when the range finding sensor pair 152 belonging to the second group is set to the power saving drive, to the CCD shift register 204-2 of the sensor part 201-2 (
The waveforms illustrated in
The waveforms illustrated in
Nevertheless, when horizontal transfer clock signals for two-phase drive or the like are used which have a clock signal normally accompanied by its reverse phase counterpart as illustrated in
In power saving drive, two clock signals of a first group H1 and a first group H2 are supplied to the range finding sensor pairs of the first group. The clock signals of the first group H1 and the first group H2 are clock signals reverse in phase to each other.
Similarly, in power saving drive, two clock signals of a second group H1 and a second group H2 are supplied to the range finding sensor pairs of the second group. The clock signals of the second group H1 and the second group H2 are clock signals reverse in phase to each other.
As to relationship between a phase of the clock signals supplied to the range finding sensor pairs of the first group and a phase of the clock signal supplied to the range finding sensor pairs of the second group, they are shifted relative to each other as illustrated in
In addition, when clock signals for two-phase drive or the like are used which are normally reverse in phase to each other as illustrated in
As above, also in case of the range finding sensor pairs divided into two groups, supplying clock signals in consideration of a duty ratio enables to reduce noise caused by unwanted charge and to reduce current consumption without fixed pattern noise arising.
As above, according to the embodiment of the present technology, when a plurality of CCD linear sensors are on the identical chip and part of the sensors perform output, CCD register signal input to the rest of the sensors is made low in rate, their drive timings are shifted to a plurality of timings, and load capacities for the individual drive timings are made as uniform as possible. This enables to suppress current consumption and peak current. Moreover, low EMI can be attained. Moreover, a device can be realized in which a discharge period of unwanted charge for CCD is unnecessary.
The present technology is not limited to application to chips but can also be applied to modules and devices. For example, the present technology can be applied to a module as illustrated in
As to the above-mentioned AF sensor for CCD, control is performed sensor array-by-sensor array in the chip. As to the CIS module 311 illustrated in
For example, the clock signal presented in the second portion from the top of
The output switching part 316 only has to function as the output switching part 211 in
As above, when a plurality of CCD chips are on the identical module and only part of the CCD chips perform output, signal input to the rest of the CCD chips is made low in rate, their drive timings are shifted to a plurality of timings, and loads for the individual timings are made as uniform as possible. This enables to suppress current consumption and peak current. Moreover, low EMI can be attained. Moreover, a device can be realized in which a discharge period of unwanted charge for CCD in the CCD chips is unnecessary.
Moreover, the present technology can be applied also to a case of a plurality of circuits on the identical device. When a plurality of circuits are on the identical device, only part of the circuits operate, the rest of the circuits can be set to a standby mode, input clock signals thereto are hardly suspended but operate slowly for stabilizing the operation of the circuits in the standby mode, clock signal timings of the rest of the circuits during the standby are shifted to a plurality of timings, and loads of the circuits driven in the individual timings are made as uniform as possible. This enables to suppress current consumption and peak current and to attain low EMI.
Moreover, rising edge and falling edge timings of input/output clock signals for a plurality of circuits in the identical device are set such that loads of operations at the rising edges and falling edges are dispersed to be made as uniform as possible for all the driving. This enables to suppress peak current and to attain low EMI.
Referring to
For example, as to the clock signals supplied to the sensor parts 201, for example, as to the clock signals illustrated in
[Recording Medium]
The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware but can also be executed by software. When the series of processes is executed by software, a program that constructs such software is installed into a computer. Here, the expression “computer” includes a computer in which dedicated hardware is incorporated and a general-purpose personal computer or the like that is capable of executing various functions when various programs are installed.
The input unit 1006 is configured from a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone or the like. The output unit 1007 is configured from a display, a speaker or the like. The storage unit 1008 is configured from a hard disk, a non-volatile memory or the like. The communication unit 1009 is configured from a network interface or the like. The drive 1010 drives a removable medium 1011 such as a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a semiconductor memory or the like.
In the computer configured as described above, as one example the CPU 1001 loads a program stored in the storage unit 1008 via the input/output interface 1005 and the bus 1004 into the RAM 1003 and executes the program to carry out the series of processes described earlier.
Programs to be executed by the computer (the CPU 1001) are provided being recorded in the removable medium 1011 which is a packaged medium or the like. Also, programs may be provided via a wired or wireless transmission medium, such as a local area network, the Internet or digital satellite broadcasting.
Regarding the computer, by inserting the removable medium 1011 into the drive 1010, the program can be installed in the storage unit 1008 via the input/output interface 1005. Further, the program can be received by the communication unit 1009 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and installed in the storage unit 1008. Moreover, the program can be installed in advance in the ROM 1002 or the storage unit 1008.
It should be noted that the program executed by a computer may be a program that is processed in time series according to the sequence described in this specification or a program that is processed in parallel or at necessary timing such as upon calling.
Further, in this specification, “system” refers to a whole device including a plurality of devices.
The embodiment of the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiment. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
(1) An image sensor including:
a plurality of sensors for autofocus,
wherein the sensors are divided into a plurality of groups, and
wherein clock signals for drive in different timings for each group are supplied to the sensors.
(2) The image sensor according to (1),
wherein normal drive and power saving drive are used, and
wherein the clock signals for the drive in different timings for each group are supplied to sensors other than the sensors set to the normal drive.
(3) The image sensor according to (1) or (2),
wherein drive timings of the clock signals are shifted to a plurality of timings in a manner that the sensors belonging to different groups are not driven in an identical timing.
(4) The image sensor according to any one of (1) to (3),
wherein the clock signals are set in a manner that a rising edge timing and a falling edge timing of the clock signals supplied to the different groups are not an identical timing.
(5) The image sensor according to any one of (1) to (4),
wherein the sensors are CCDs,
(6) The image sensor according to any one of (1) to (5),
wherein the sensors are not driven in outputting data other than data for the autofocus.
(7) An imaging device including:
a plurality of sensors for autofocus,
wherein the sensors are divided into a plurality of groups, and
wherein clock signals for drive in different timings for each group are supplied to the sensors.
(8) An imaging method including:
providing a plurality of sensors for autofocus;
dividing the sensors into a plurality of groups; and
supplying clock signals for drive in different timings for each group to the sensors.
(9) An imaging device including:
a plurality of chips,
wherein the chips are chips performing processing in relation to imaging and divided into a plurality of groups, and
wherein clock signals for drive in different timings for each chip are supplied to the chips.
(10) An information processing apparatus including:
a plurality of circuits,
wherein the circuits are divided into a plurality of groups, and
wherein clock signals for drive in different timings for each circuit are supplied to the circuits.
The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2012-206836 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Sep. 20, 2012, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
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