Patent ID: 8208053
Filing Date: 2012-06-26
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An imaging device comprising: plural pixel blocks with a predetermined number of pixel circuits of respective pixel blocks set as one unit, the pixel blocks being obtained by dividing a pixel area formed by arraying plural pixel circuits, which convert incident light into charges according to photoelectric conversion, in a matrix shape; and a selection control unit that selects desired ones of the pixel blocks and collectively executes reset control for discharging charges accumulated by the respective pixel circuits in the selected pixel blocks, wherein the selection control unit changes timing for executing the reset control for each of the selected pixel blocks and allocates different charge accumulating times to the pixel circuits, the selection control unit adjusts the charge accumulating times based on illuminance calculated from luminance levels of each of the pixel blocks, the pixel circuits respectively include transfer switches for transferring accumulated charges to predetermined nodes, the selection control unit includes, one for each of the pixel blocks, switch circuits for executing reset control on the pixel circuit in the selected pixel block, the switch circuits are arranged in the same column and connected to first and second control lines for controlling states of the switch circuits to be on or off, and the selection control unit simultaneously switches, on the basis of a first control signal supplied to the first control line and a second control signal supplied to the second control line, all the transfer switches of the pixel circuits in the pixel blocks, and each of the pixel blocks is formed by N×N (N=2, 3, . . .) pieces of the pixel circuits such that the pixel block is formed in a substantial regular square shape.