Patent ID: 9497403
Filing Date: 2016-11-15
CPC Classification: H04N

Claim Text:
1. A solid-state imaging apparatus, comprising: a pixel array in which a plurality of pixel units are arranged to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns; a plurality of column signal lines, arranged to respectively correspond to the plurality of columns, each configured to read out a signal from each pixel unit in the corresponding column; a plurality of current sources, arranged to respectively correspond to the plurality of column signal lines, including a plurality of controlling terminals and being configured to supply currents corresponding to potentials of the plurality of controlling terminals to the plurality of column signal lines, respectively; a control signal line is commonly connected to the plurality of controlling terminals; a first potential generation unit configured to generate a first potential; a second potential generation unit configured to generate a second potential different from the first potential; a first switch unit configured to, in a first mode in which a signal readout operation from the pixel array is performed, connect an output of the first potential generation unit to the control signal line and to set the plurality of controlling terminals to the first potential; and a second switch unit configured to, in a second mode in which the signal readout operation is paused, connect an output of the second potential generation unit to the control signal line and to set the plurality of controlling terminals to the second potential, wherein, before the potential of the plurality of controlling terminals reaches the first potential, the first potential generation unit supplies, to the control signal line via the first switch unit, a current larger than a current supplied after the potential reaches the first potential, and wherein, before the potential of the plurality of controlling terminals reaches the second potential, the second potential generation unit supplies, to the control signal line via the second switch unit, a current larger than a current supplied after the potential reaches the second potential.