Patent ID: 8053718
Filing Date: 2011-11-08
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method of driving a photoelectric conversion apparatus including a) a plurality of pixels, each of the plurality of pixels including at least one photoelectric conversion element, b) a first signal storage portion including a plurality of groups, each of the plurality of groups of the first signal storage portion including a plurality of first memories, c) a second signal storage portion including a plurality of groups, each of the plurality of groups of the second signal storage portion including a plurality of second memories, d) a plurality of first signal lines connected to the plurality of groups of the first signal storage portion on a one-to-one basis, e) a plurality of second signal lines connected to the plurality of groups of the second signal storage portion on a one-to-one basis, f) a plurality of first switches connected to the plurality of first signal lines on a one-to-one basis, g) a plurality of second switches connected to the plurality of second signal lines on a one-to-one basis, h) a third signal line connected to the plurality of first switches, i) a fourth signal line connected to the plurality of second switches, j) a reset unit configured to reset potentials of the third signal line and the fourth signal line, and k) a plurality of third switches configured to connect the plurality of the first signal lines and the plurality of the second signal lines on a one-to-one basis and to control the connection between the plurality of first signal lines and the plurality of second signal lines, the method comprising the steps of: operating the reset unit, wherein the operating of the reset unit includes simultaneously turning on one of the plurality of first switches, one of the plurality of second switches, and one of the plurality of third switches that connect a first signal line to which the one of the plurality of first switches is connected and a second signal line to which the one of the plurality of second switches is connected.