Patent ID: 7471811
Filing Date: 2008-12-30
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. An image pickup apparatus comprising: an irradiating means that irradiates light on an object of image pickup; an image pickup element that comprises a pixel having a photodiode (PD) that receives light reflected from or transmitted through said object of image pickup, and that generates an electric signal according to an amount of received light, a transfer transistor (TX) for transferring the electric signal from the photodiode, a reset transistor (RES) for resetting the electric signal and a transistor (SF) for reading out the electric signal; and control means that controls a length of a period of time between reset and reading of a pixel row within one frame scanning period of time, so that the length of period of time between the reset and the reading of the pixel row receiving a larger quantity of light is shorter than that of another pixel row receiving a smaller quantity of light, wherein a storage time is controlled by controlling the image pickup element with an electronic shutter, for each horizontal line of the image pickup element, to correct shading during a driving of the image pickup element, and wherein the image pickup apparatus further comprises a differential unit for reading the electric signal (S) and also reading a noise signal (N) before reading the electric signal, and for subtracting the noise signal (N) from the electric signal.