Patent ID: 7268812
Filing Date: 2007-09-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state image pickup device comprising: a pixel unit including a plurality of unit pixels that perform photoelectric conversion; a driving circuit for driving said pixel unit to control output of a pixel output signal, said driving circuit having a function of performing a normal reading operation for selecting pixels at a normal speed and a high-speed reading operation for selecting pixels at a higher speed that that under said normal reading operation; an output signal processing circuit for subjecting the pixel output signal outputted from said pixel unit during said normal reading operation performed by said driving circuit to predetermined signal processing, and outputting a resulting pixel output signal; a pixel defect determining circuit for capturing the pixel output signal outputted from said pixel unit during said high-speed reading operation performed by said driving circuit, and determining a pixel defect by comparing the pixel output signal with a predetermined reference signal, wherein in parallel with a defect test on said pixel unit, a predetermined test signal is inputted to other circuits mounted on a same chip and a defect test on said other circuits is performed; and a timing generator for supplying a predetermined operating pulse to said driving circuit, said output signal processing circuit, and said pixel defect determining circuit.