Patent ID: 8797435

Claim:
A photoelectric conversion apparatus, comprising: (1) a plurality of pixels; (2) a first signal readout path configured to read signals from the plurality of pixels, the first signal readout path comprising: a plurality of first memories, each of which holds a first signal from the plurality of pixels; a plurality of first common signal lines for the plurality of first signals, a plurality of first switches; a first signal line; and a plurality of second switches, wherein, in the first signal readout path, the plurality of first switches are positioned between the plurality of first memories and the plurality of first common signal lines, and the plurality of second switches are positioned between the plurality of first common signal lines and the first signal line; (3) a second signal readout path configured to read the signals from the plurality of pixels, the second signal readout path comprising: a plurality of second memories, each of which holds a second signal from the plurality of pixels; a plurality of second common signal lines for the plurality of second signals; a plurality of third switches; a second signal line; a plurality of fourth switches; wherein, in the second signal readout path, the plurality of third switches are positioned between the plurality of second memories and the plurality of second common signal lines, and the plurality of fourth switches are positioned between the plurality of second common signal lines and the second signal line; and (4) a fifth switch configured to control an electrical connection between at least two of the first common signal lines among the plurality of first common signal lines.