Patent ID: 7898589
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A driving apparatus for driving an imaging device that includes a plurality of pixels and a temporary charge storage area, each pixel generating charges depending on an amount of exposure, the driving apparatus driving the imaging device using a combination mode in which charges generated in a predetermined number of the pixels are read to the temporary charge storage area to be added together, the driving apparatus comprising: a setting unit operable to set a saturation amount in an accumulation period to be equal to when an individual mode is used, the accumulation period being a period in which the pixels generate charges according to an amount of light received by each pixel, the saturation amount being an upper limit of charges that can be accumulated in each pixel, and the individual mode being a mode in which charges generated in each pixel are read to a temporary storage area, and change the saturation amount in a read period to be lower than when the individual mode is used, the read period consisting of a time period during which charges generated in the pixels are read to the temporary charge storage area; and a limitation unit operable to limit the amount of exposure to be lower than when the individual mode is used, wherein the read period and the accumulation period do not overlap, and the setting unit changes the saturation amount in the read period at a same time as a start timing of the read period.