Patent ID: 8754970

Claim:
A solid-state image capture device comprising: a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light into signal charge and first to fourth switch elements; a reference-signal generator configured to generate a reference signal that changes with time; and an analog-to-digital converter configured to generate a digital signal corresponding to an analog signal output by the pixel, by using a comparator having a first input terminal connected to the pixel and a second input terminal connected to the reference-signal generator, wherein the photoelectric conversion element is connected to a predetermined connection point via the first switch element, the predetermined connection point is connected to a predetermined constant-voltage source via the second switch element and is connected to the first input terminal via the third switch element, and the first input terminal and the second input terminal are connected via the fourth switch element; and wherein, during acquirement of a digital signal corresponding to an amount of light received by the photoelectric conversion element, the second switch element is turned on to reset a voltage of the predetermined connection point, the fourth switch element is turned on while a connection degree of the second switch element is in an intermediate state between an on state and an off state to cause the first input terminal and the second input terminal to reach a same potential, the second switch element is not turned on and the third switch element is turned on to cause the analog-to-digital converter to convert the reset voltage of the predetermined connection point into a digital signal, and the second switch element is not turned on and the first switch element and the third switch element are turned on to cause the analog-to-digital converter to convert a voltage corresponding to the signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element into a digital signal.