Patent ID: 7911519
Filing Date: 2011-03-22
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state image pickup device comprising: a pixel array including pixels arranged in a matrix, wherein each pixel is configured to perform photoelectric conversion; a pixel signal readout unit for reading out a pixel signal from the pixel array in units of a plurality of pixels; and a timing control unit for controlling processing of the pixel signal readout unit by using a timing signal, wherein the pixel signal readout unit includes: wherein the timing control unit (a) divides a predetermined processing period into at least a first-time readout period, a first comparison period in which a comparison is performed by the comparator, a second-time readout period, and a second-time comparison period in which a comparison is performed by the comparator, (b) classifies the periods into a period required as a fixed period and a period set with an arbitrary period width, and (c) generates a timing signal of processing of each divided period by counting for each divided period in the counter.