Patent ID: 8130296
Filing Date: 2012-03-06
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state image pickup apparatus, comprising: a plurality of pixels; a reading unit to which the plurality of the pixels are connected and which holds signals from the pixels; and a control unit capable of controlling operations of the plurality of the pixels and the reading unit, wherein the control unit controls the plurality of the pixels and the reading unit in a first operation mode in which addition is not performed, in a second operation mode in which signals from aa of the plurality of the pixels are added, aa being an integer greater than one, and in a third operation mode in which signals from bb of the plurality of the pixels are added, bb being an integer greater than aa, and bb is not a multiple of aa, wherein the reading unit includes a holding unit having a capacitance value of C, wherein the holding unit includes a first capacitor having a capacitance value of C/bb and a second capacitor having a capacitance value of C/p, p being a common multiple of aa and bb, wherein the control unit, in the second operation mode, controls the first and second capacitors such that groups each constituted of one of the first capacitors and one or more of the second capacitors or constituted of a plurality of the second capacitors so that each of the groups has a capacitance value of C/aa, and the control unit causes the groups to each hold the respective signal from the pixel, and wherein the control unit, in the third operation mode, causes groups each constituted of p/bb of the second capacitors to each hold the respective signal from the pixel and causes the first capacitors to each hold the respective signal from the pixel.