Patent ID: 8212902
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus comprising: pixels arranged in the form of a matrix, each pixel including a photoelectric conversion part, a charge storage part configured to store a signal charge received from the photoelectric conversion part, a charge discharging part configured to control conduction between the photoelectric conversion part and an overflow drain region, a transfer part configured to transfer the charge stored in the charge storage part, an amplifier part configured to amplify a signal based on the charge transferred by the transfer part, and a reset part configured to reset the photoelectric conversion part and the charge storage part; a shutter part configured to control an amount of light incident on the photoelectric conversion part; a scanning unit configured to supply a driving pulse to the transfer part, the reset part, and the charge discharging part; and a control unit configured to supply a control signal to the scanning unit to switch a driving mode between a first mode and second mode, and supply a control signal to the shutter part, the first mode being performed such that the photoelectric conversion part and the charge storage part are released from a reset state for all pixels included in an image acquisition area to start a period, and, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the photoelectric conversion part and the overflow drain region of each pixel are turned on to end the period, and finally the stored charge is transferred to the amplifier part, the second mode being performed such that the shutter part is opened to start a period, and, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the shutter part is closed to end the period, and finally the stored charge is transferred to the amplifier part.