Patent ID: 7626618
Filing Date: 2009-12-01
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state image pickup device, comprising: a pixel array section including a plurality of unit pixels, each unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element which converts incident light from the outside into an electric signal; a reference signal production section configured to generate a reference signal of a ramp waveform and output a predetermined detection value within a period when a black sun phenomenon is to be detected; a comparison section configured to compare a reset level and a signal level included in an analog signal output from said plurality of unit pixels with the reference voltage or the detection value; a counter configured to start a counting action synchronized with supply of the reference signal to said comparison section and continue the counting action until a comparison output of said comparison section indicates a reversal to measure a comparison time period until the comparison by said comparison section comes to an end to obtain count values corresponding to the reset level and the signal level; a detection section configured to retain a comparison result from the comparison section when the reset level is equal to the detection value as a result of the detection of a black sun phenomenon for a fixed period of time; and a prevention section configured to prevent a black sun phenomenon based on a result of the detection of said detection section by causing said counter to perform the counting action until a full count value corresponding to a white signal level is reached when said detection section detects a black sun phenomenon.