Patent ID: 8294798
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels arranged into rows and columns each pixel containing at least a photoelectric conversion device for converting an incident light into signal electric charges, a transfer device for transferring said signal electric charges generated at said photoelectric conversion device, and an amplification device for amplifying said transferred signal electric charges; vertical signal lines provided in common for each column to read outputs of said pixels; constant current supplies each connected to respective one of said vertical signal lines; an amplification section for amplifying an image signal obtained from said pixels via a horizontal signal line connected to an input of said amplification section; a clip section for clipping a voltage on said vertical signal line so that said voltage on said vertical signal line does not fall below a predetermined voltage in a read period for outputting said signal electric charges generated at said photoelectric conversion device onto said vertical signal line; and a control section for setting of an amplification factor at said amplification section and changing a clip level at said clip section based on said amplification factor set at said amplification section connected to said horizontal signal line.