Photoelectric conversion element, photoelectric conversion device, photoelectric conversion method, and computer program

The photoelectric conversion element addresses counting errors from blinking or moving light sources by using adjacent pixel comparisons, improving accuracy and image quality through logical operations on pixel count values.

JP2026109646APending Publication Date: 2026-07-02CANON KK
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
CANON KK
Filing Date
2024-12-20
Publication Date
2026-07-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing photoelectric conversion elements suffer from significant counting errors when using light sources that blink within a single frame or move within a frame, leading to decreased accuracy in photon counting and deteriorated image quality.

Method used

A photoelectric conversion element with an avalanche photodiode and a first counter that counts the output signals of two adjacent pixels, a calculation unit to generate a third output signal, and a second counter circuit to determine counting errors by comparing the count values of individual pixels with those obtained by logical operations such as AND or XOR with adjacent pixels.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively identifies and corrects counting errors due to blinking or moving light sources, enhancing the accuracy of photon counting and improving image quality.

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Abstract

This provides a photoelectric conversion element, etc., capable of determining whether counting errors are occurring due to flashing light sources or light sources moving within a frame. [Solution] The photoelectric conversion element includes an avalanche photodiode, a first counter that counts the output signals of the avalanche photodiode of a first pixel and the avalanche photodiode of a second pixel, a calculation unit that generates a third output signal from the output signals of the avalanche photodiode of the first pixel and the avalanche photodiode of the second pixel, and a second counter circuit that counts the number of the third output signals.
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