Patent ID: 6201573
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A solid-state imaging apparatus for imaging a two-dimensional optical image comprising:a light receiving unit including a first number of vertical light receiving sections arranged along a first direction, each of the vertical light receiving sections including a second number of light receiving devices arranged in a second direction, each of the light receiving device being composed of a photoelectric conversion element for converting an input optical signal to a current signal and a switching element, the switching element having a first terminal connected to a signal output terminal of the photoelectric conversion element and a second terminal to output the current signal generated by the photoelectric conversion element in response to a vertical scanning signal, and each of said vertical light receiving sections having a signal output terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of said switching element;a first number of integration circuits for receiving individually an output signal from the corresponding vertical light receiving section, each of the integration circuits enabling, in response to a reset instruction signal, a variable capacitor section either to perform an integration for the current signal output from corresponding vertical light receiving section or not to perform the integration for the current signal, said variable capacitor section being connected between input and output terminals of a charge amplifier, and the variable capacitor section varying a capacitance value in response to a capacitance instruction signal;the first number of comparing circuits for comparing an integration signal output from the corresponding integration circuit with a reference value to output a comparing result;the first number of capacitance control sections, each receiving a comparing result signal from the corresponding comparing circuit and for outputting a capacitance instruction signal for informing a capacitance variation value to said variable capacitor section in accordance with a value of the comparing result signal, and outputting a first digital signal in response to said capacitance instruction signal when it is judged from said comparing result signal that a value of the integration signal agrees with said reference value at a predetermined resolution; andthe first number of horizontal reading-out sections, each receiving said first digital signal from the corresponding capacitance control section, and outputting a second digital signal in response to a horizontal scanning signal.