초록 ▼

A solid-state image pickup device wherein, in order to obtain an output of large amplitude from a low-contrast object without using a bottom detecting circuit to thereby increase a capturing rate, an accumulation end is determined when a maximum value signal in a photosensor array reaches a predeter

A solid-state image pickup device wherein, in order to obtain an output of large amplitude from a low-contrast object without using a bottom detecting circuit to thereby increase a capturing rate, an accumulation end is determined when a maximum value signal in a photosensor array reaches a predetermined accumulation end level, and an amplifier circuit unit is provided for amplifying a signal, which is outputted from each of the pixels of the photosensor array, with reference to the maximum value signal of the photosensor array and for outputting the signal.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A solid state image pickup device, comprising: a pair of a plurality of photosensor arrays, each array including pixels;a control unit for determining an accumulation end of photocarrier accumulation of the plurality of photosensor arrays when a maximum value signal among signals outputted from e

1. A solid state image pickup device, comprising: a pair of a plurality of photosensor arrays, each array including pixels;a control unit for determining an accumulation end of photocarrier accumulation of the plurality of photosensor arrays when a maximum value signal among signals outputted from each of the pixels of the plurality of photosensor arrays reaches an accumulation end voltage;a level shifter for level-shifting a signal outputted from each of the pixels of the plurality of photosensor arrays such that the maximum value signal is set to be an output reference voltage; andan amplifier for amplifying a plurality of signals, which have been level-shifted by the level shifter, and for outputting amplified signals,wherein the level shifter includes: an operational amplifier;a level shift capacitor electrically connected between a non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier and one of the pixels;a switch having a first terminal electrically connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier;a first circuit element electrically connected between an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier and a second terminal of the switch;a second circuit element electrically connected between the inverting input terminal and an output terminal of the operational amplifier; andan input terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the switch and supplied with the output reference voltage,wherein a gain of the amplifier is varied by the first and second circuit elements. 2. The solid state image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second circuit elements are variable resistors. 3. The solid state image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second circuit elements are variable capacitors.