Patent ID: 8792030
Filing Date: 2014-07-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state imaging apparatus, comprising: an imaging section having n×m pixels arranged in a matrix each configured to store a charge corresponding to incident light, the imaging section outputting, every pixel row of the n×m pixels, n pixel signals corresponding to charges stored in n pixels belonging to the pixel row; a reference signal supply section configured to supply a ramp signal and capable of changing the gradient of the ramp signal; n AD conversion sections corresponding to n pixel columns of the n×m pixels, each configured to count the time taken until the signal level of the ramp signal from the reference signal supply section reaches the signal level of the pixel signal from the corresponding pixel column, thereby converting the pixel signal to a pixel value; and a resolution control section configured to control the reference signal supply section so that, in the case that the gradient of the ramp signal is a first gradient, the gradient be changed to a second gradient steeper than the first gradient when having detected a pixel value larger than a first threshold among the n pixel values obtained by the n AD conversion sections, and control the reference signal supply section so that, in the case that the gradient of the ramp signal is the second gradient, the gradient be changed to the first gradient when having detected that the maximum pixel value among the n pixel values obtained by the n AD conversion sections is smaller than a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold.