Patent ID: 8153954
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: H03K

Abstract:
1. A photoelectric conversion device comprising: a photoelectric conversion element capable of generating a photocurrent; a ramp-wave output circuit configured to output a ramp-wave signal having frequency corresponding to an amount of the photocurrent; a first comparator configured to compare the ramp-wave signal and a first potential; a second comparator configured to compare the ramp-wave signal and a second potential; a flip-flop circuit configured to receive a first output signal of the first comparator and a second output signal of the second comparator and generate a clock signal having a frequency depending upon the amount of the photocurrent, a NOR circuit configured to receive the first output signal of the first comparator and the second output signal of the second comparator; a counter circuit configured to count a pulse number of the clock signal; and a pulse output circuit including a switch, the pulse output circuit being configured to generate a period during which the pulse number is counted in the counter circuit, wherein the switch is configured to stop generation of the period during which the pulse number is counted in accordance with an output signal of the NOR circuit.