Patent ID: 8860860
Filing Date: 2014-10-14
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A device comprising: a plurality of unit pixels including a sensor-cell unit configured to output a signal obtained by photoelectric conversion and selectively operate in low-sensitivity mode and high-sensitivity mode; a plurality of transfer units configured to transfer a signal output from a unit pixel; a monitoring unit configured to monitor the transferred signal; a detection unit configured to detect a maximum value and a minimum value of signals that are output from the transfer units; a first comparator configured to determine whether or not a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value exceeds a threshold value; and a second comparator configured to determine whether or not the maximum value reaches a first level, wherein when the difference does not exceed the threshold value and the maximum value reaches the first level before a predetermined time elapses after the monitoring period is started, the sensor-cell unit enters the low-sensitivity mode.