Patent ID: 8730365
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image sensor comprising: a plurality of pixels, each having a photoelectric conversion element therein, which are arranged in a row direction and a column direction; a row selection unit configured to select a row of the plurality of pixels arranged in the row direction; a plurality of column output lines configured to read out signals from the row of the plurality of pixels selected by the row selection unit in the column direction; a plurality of gain circuits, each of which is connected to each column output line, and is configured to amplify the signals readout by the column output line by a plurality of different gains; a plurality of signal holding units configured to separately hold signals amplified by the plurality of different gains by the gain circuit, wherein the plurality of signal holding units are connected to each column output line; and a row output line configured to read the signals held in the plurality of signal holding units of the plurality of column output lines in the row direction.