Solid state imaging device, method of controlling solid state imaging device, and program for controlling solid state imaging device
First Claim
1. A solid state imaging device comprising:
- a pixel array unit that has a plurality of pixels 2-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a plurality of signal lines arranged along a column direction;
A/D conversion units that are provided corresponding to the respective signal lines and are configured to convert an analog signal output from a pixel through the signal line into a digital signal; and
a switching unit configured to switch the analog signal output through each signal line into a digital signal using any of an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, and an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to a signal line other than the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, wherein the A/D conversion unit has a comparator that is configured to compares a time-variable reference signal with an analog signal obtained from the pixel, and a counter that counts a time until the comparison is completed in the comparator, andwherein the switching unit includes a first switch that is configured to connect an output terminal of the comparator in the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to each signal line to an input terminal of the counter, a second switch that is configured to connects the output terminal of the comparator in the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to each signal line to an input terminal of the counter of the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the other signal line, and a switching control unit that controls switching of the first switch and the second switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solid state imaging device includes: a pixel array unit that has a plurality of pixels 2-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a plurality of signal lines arranged along a column direction; A/D conversion units that are provided corresponding to the respective signal lines and convert an analog signal output from a pixel through the signal line into a digital signal; and a switching unit that switches or converts the analog signal output through each signal line into a digital signal using any of an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, and an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to a signal line other than the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted.
42 Citations
8 Claims
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1. A solid state imaging device comprising:
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a pixel array unit that has a plurality of pixels 2-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a plurality of signal lines arranged along a column direction; A/D conversion units that are provided corresponding to the respective signal lines and are configured to convert an analog signal output from a pixel through the signal line into a digital signal; and a switching unit configured to switch the analog signal output through each signal line into a digital signal using any of an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, and an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to a signal line other than the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, wherein the A/D conversion unit has a comparator that is configured to compares a time-variable reference signal with an analog signal obtained from the pixel, and a counter that counts a time until the comparison is completed in the comparator, and wherein the switching unit includes a first switch that is configured to connect an output terminal of the comparator in the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to each signal line to an input terminal of the counter, a second switch that is configured to connects the output terminal of the comparator in the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to each signal line to an input terminal of the counter of the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the other signal line, and a switching control unit that controls switching of the first switch and the second switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of controlling a solid state imaging device including a pixel array unit that has a plurality of pixels 2-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a plurality of signal lines arranged along a column direction, and A/D conversion units that are provided corresponding to the signal lines and convert an analog signal output from a pixel through the signal line into a digital signal, the method comprising:
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switching conversion of the analog signal output through each signal line into a digital signal using any of an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, and an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to a signal line other than the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, wherein the A/D conversion unit has a comparator that compares a time-variable reference signal with an analog obtained from the pixel, and a counter that counts a time comparison is completed in the comparator, and wherein the switching conversion includes connecting the output terminal of the comparator in the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to each signal line to an input terminal of the counter through a first switch, and connecting the output terminal of the comparator in the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to each signal line to an input terminal of the counter of the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the other signal line through a second switch, and controlling switching of the first switch and the second switch through a switching control unit.
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8. A non-transitory computer readable medium, having stored thereon, a set of computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform a method of controlling a solid state imaging device including a pixel array unit that has a plurality of pixels 2-dimensionally arranged in a matrix and a plurality of signal lines arranged along a column direction, and A/D conversion units that are provided corresponding to the signal lines and convert an analog signal output from a pixel through the signal line into a digital signal, the method comprising:
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a switching function of switching conversion of the analog signal output through each signal line into a digital signal using any of an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, and an A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to a signal line other than the signal line through which the analog signal is transmitted, wherein the A/D conversion unit has a computer that compares a time-variable reference signal with an analog signal obtained from the pixel, and a counter that counts a time until the comparison is completed in the comparator, and wherein the switching function includes connecting an output terminal of the comparator in the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to each signal to an input terminal of the counter through a first switch, and connecting the output terminal of the comparator in the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to each signal line to an input terminal of the counter of the A/D conversion unit provided corresponding to the other signal line through a second switch, and controlling switching of the first switch and the second switch through a switching control unit.
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Specification