Patent ID: 9224766
Filing Date: 2015-12-29
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup device configured to accumulate electric charge corresponding to an amount of light incident on said image pickup device; an amplification unit configured to amplify a signal obtained as a result of accumulating electric charge in said image pickup apparatus; a control unit configured to control an electric charge accumulation time period in said image pickup device; and an adjustment unit configured to adjust an amplification factor for said amplification unit, wherein in a case where said control unit changes the electric charge accumulation time period from an electric charge accumulation time period which is shorter than a predetermined time period to another electric charge accumulation time period which is shorter than the predetermined time period while said image pickup device is repeatedly accumulating electric charge, said adjustment unit adjusts an amplification factor for said amplification unit in accordance with the amount of change in the electric charge accumulation time period, and after the amplification factor for said amplification unit is adjusted in accordance with the amount of change in the electric charge accumulation time period, said adjustment unit gradually brings the amplification factor for said amplification unit close to an amplification factor, within a predetermined adjustment time period, before adjustment in steps, and wherein in a case where said control unit changes the electric charge accumulation time period from an electric charge accumulation time period which is longer than the predetermined time period to another electric charge accumulation time period which is longer than the predetermined time period while said image pickup device is repeatedly accumulating electric charge, said adjustment unit does not adjust the amplification factor for said amplification unit in accordance with the amount of change in the electric charge accumulation time period.