Patent ID: 7755687
Filing Date: 2010-07-13
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image pickup device, comprising: an electron multiplying image pickup device for converting an image into an electrical signal; a temperature detection unit for detecting a temperature of said electron multiplying image pickup device; a control unit for controlling an electron multiplication factor of said electron multiplying image pickup device in response to said temperature detected; and a thermoelectric element for cooling or heating said electron multiplying image pickup device, wherein said control unit comprises: a temperature control unit for controlling an electric current to be supplied to said thermoelectric element, thereby to control said temperature of said electron multiplying image pickup device to be maintained within a predetermined range, and an electron-multiplication-factor modification unit for modifying said electron multiplication factor by changing a control voltage to be applied to said electron multiplying image pickup device in response to a value of said detected temperature, when said value of said detected temperature deviates from said predetermined range, and when a value of said electric current being supplied to said thermoelectric element is larger than a predetermined limit value.