Patent ID: 8169494
Filing Date: 2012-05-01
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image sensing apparatus having an operation mode in which images of successive frames are acquired, and an operation mode in which a still image is acquired, the apparatus comprising: a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels arrayed in a row direction and a column direction, the pixel array including a first pixel group and a second pixel group, wherein the first pixel group and the second pixel group are comprised of different pixels with each other; a first readout unit which reads out a first signal from the first pixel group in a readout period which remains constant regardless of the operation modes; a second readout unit which reads out a second signal from the second pixel group in a readout period selected in accordance with a switched operation mode between the operation modes; and a control unit which performs a predetermined control operation based on an evaluation value generated by using the first signal of the first pixel group, when the second signal is output from the second pixel group for at least one of image displaying and image recording; a determination unit which determines whether the readout period of the first readout unit is equal to the selected readout period of the second readout unit; and a signal generation unit which generates an image signal of one frame by using the first signal and the second signal when the determination unit determines that the readout period of the first readout unit is equal to the selected readout period of the second readout unit, and which generates an image signal of one frame by using the second signal when the determination unit determines that the readout period of the first readout unit is different from the selected readout period of the second readout unit.