Patent ID: 7969485
Filing Date: 2011-06-28
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state imaging device, comprising: a pixel array including a plurality of pixels arranged in rows and columns; and a readout unit configured to read out pixel signals of the pixels included in the pixel array row by row, wherein: the readout unit (i) reads out pixel signals of a row of pixels in column order of the pixel array during a horizontal readout period, except during a readout-standby period that is within the horizontal readout period, and (ii) suspends reading out the pixel signals of the row of pixels in the column order during the readout-standby period, and the readout unit includes: a shift register configured to (i) store therein selective data that selects a target column which is one of the columns in the pixel array, and (ii) selectively shift the selective data in one of (a) a forward direction that corresponds to the column order and (b) a reverse direction that is opposite to the forward direction; an output subunit configured to externally output, out of the pixel signals of the row of pixels, a pixel signal of one of the row of pixels that is in the target column selected by the selective data stored in the shift register; and a shift register control subunit configured to cause the shift register to shift the selective data in (i) the forward direction during the horizontal readout period, except during the readout-standby period,(ii) the reverse direction during a period that is equivalent to half of the readout-standby period, and (iii) the forward direction during a period that is equivalent to the other half of the readout-standby period.