Patent ID: 8988560
Filing Date: 2015-03-24
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A method for driving a solid-state image pickup element having (a) a plurality of pixel circuits, each including (i) an output node, (ii) a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert an optical signal into an electrical signal and accumulate the electrical signal, and (iii) a transfer element configured to be turned ON and OFF in accordance with a drive signal and transfer the electrical signal in the photoelectric conversion element in an ON state to the output node, (b) a pixel driving portion, and (c) a pixel signal reading portion, the method comprising the steps of: performing, with the pixel driving portion, a first read drive with which the transfer element is turned OFF in accordance with the drive signal to output a first signal at the output node; performing, with the pixel driving portion, a second read drive with which the transfer element is turned ON in accordance with the drive signal to transfer the accumulated electrical signal to the output node, thereby outputting a second signal at the output node; and outputting, with the pixel signal reading portion, a signal corresponding to a difference between the second signal read out in accordance with the second read drive and the first signal read out in accordance with the first read drive, wherein,