Method for driving image capture device, image capture device, and image capture system

Abstract

An image capture device includes multiple pixels, each of which has multiple photoelectric conversion elements. Each of first pixels which are some of the pixels outputs a signal based on charges obtained by adding together the charges generated in the photoelectric conversion elements. Each of second pixels outputs a signal based on charges generated by a photoelectric conversion element disposed at a first position, without outputting charges generated by a photoelectric conversion element disposed at a second position among the photoelectric conversion elements. Each of third pixels outputs a signal based on charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element disposed at the second position, without outputting a signal based on charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element disposed at the first position.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An image capture device comprising:
 a plurality of pixels including a first pixel and a second pixel, each of the plurality of pixels including a microlens and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements generating respective charges based on light passing through the microlens and being disposed at a first position and a second position with respect to the microlens in such a manner as to receive light passing through different respective pupils; and   a control line,   wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes an amplifier unit, a first transfer transistor that transfers the charges in the photoelectric conversion element disposed at the first position to the amplifier unit, and a second transfer transistor that transfers the charges in the photoelectric conversion element disposed at the second position to the amplifier unit, and   wherein the control line is connected to a gate of the first transfer transistor of the first pixel and a gate of the second transfer transistor of the second pixel, without being connected to a gate of the second transfer transistor of the first pixel.   
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the control line is further connected to a gate of the first transfer transistor of the second pixel. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the plurality of pixels further includes a third pixel, and   the control line is further connected to a gate of the first transfer transistor of the third pixel and a gate of the second transfer transistor of the third pixel, without being connected to a gate of the first transfer transistor of the second pixel.   
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the plurality of pixels are arranged in rows and columns, and   the first pixel and the second pixel are arranged in a first row of the rows.   
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein
 the plurality of pixels are arranged in rows and columns, and   the first pixel, the second pixel and the third pixel are arranged in a first row of the rows.   
     
     
         7 . An image capture system comprising:
 an image capture device; and   an output signal processor that processes a signal which is output by the image capture device,   wherein the image capture device comprises:   a plurality of pixels including a first pixel and a second pixel, each of the plurality of pixels including a microlens and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements generating respective charges based on light passing through the microlens and being disposed at a first position and a second position with respect to the microlens in such a manner as to receive light passing through different respective pupils; and   a control line,   wherein each of the plurality of pixels includes an amplifier unit, a first transfer transistor that transfers the charges in the photoelectric conversion element disposed at the first position to the amplifier unit, and a second transfer transistor that transfers the charges in the photoelectric conversion element disposed at the second position to the amplifier unit, and   wherein the control line is connected to a gate of the first transfer transistor of the first pixel and a gate of the second transfer transistor of the second pixel, without being connected to a gate of the second transfer transistor of the first pixel.   
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the plurality of pixels further includes a third pixel, and   the control line is further connected to a gate of the first transfer transistor of the third pixel and a gate of the second transfer transistor of the third pixel, without being connected to a gate of the first transfer transistor of the second pixel.   
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the output signal processor detects focus based on signals which are output from the first pixel and the second pixel, and   wherein the output signal processor forms an image based on signal which is output from the third pixel.