Solid-state imaging apparatus and its signal reading method
View Patent ↗When pixel signals are separately read from a plurality of horizontal signal lines to achieve high-speed processing, color difference in image signals and stripes are eliminated. In the operation of reading the pixel signals from the (2n)th row, the pixel signals from R pixels on odd columns are output to an output system A through a horizontal signal line ( 60 A). On the other hand, the pixel signals from Gr pixels on even columns are output to an output system B through a horizontal signal line ( 60 B). In the operation of reading the pixel signals from the (2n+1)th row, the pixel signals from Gb pixels on the odd columns are output to the output system B through the horizontal signal line ( 60 B) by the switching operation in a switching circuit ( 50 ). Similarly, the pixel signals from B pixels on the even columns are output to the output system A through the horizontal signal line ( 60 A) by the switching operation in the switching circuit ( 50 ).
1. A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising:
a two-dimensional pixel array that includes a plurality of pixels, each of which has a color component; and
a reading circuit that reads pixel signals generated in the individual pixels in the pixel array through vertical signal lines provided for respective single pixel columns and that outputs the pixel signals to an output unit through first and second horizontal signal lines,
wherein,
the reading circuit (i) outputs the pixel signals having the same color component to the same one of the first or the second horizontal signal lines, (ii) alternately reads odd pixels of odd or even rows in the plurality of pixels into the first horizontal signal line through odd columns and (iii) alternately reads even pixels of the odd or the even rows in the plurality of pixels to the second horizontal signal line through even columns such that each of the plurality of pixels along each of the vertical signal lines is alternately read into a different one of the first horizontal signal line and the second horizontal signal line.
2. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising color filters that are provided on the pixel array and that allow light beam components having respective colors to enter the pixels.
3. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reading circuit includes a switching circuit that separately outputs the pixel signals read through the vertical signal lines to the first and second horizontal signal lines.
4. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 3 , further comprising a timing generating circuit that controls the switching operation of the switching circuit.
5. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the reading circuit includes a signal-processing circuit that performs a predetermined signal processing on the pixel signals read through the vertical signal lines.
6. A method for reading signals from a solid-state imaging apparatus, the apparatus comprising a two-dimensional pixel array that includes a plurality of pixels each having a color component, and a reading circuit that reads pixel signals generated in the individual pixels in the pixel array through vertical signal lines provided for respective single pixel columns and that outputs the pixel signals to an output unit through first and second horizontal signal lines, the method comprising the steps of:
outputting the pixel signals having the same color component to the one of the first or the second horizontal signal lines,
alternately reading odd pixels of odd or even rows in the plurality of pixels into the first horizontal signal line through odd columns, and
alternately reading even pixels of the odd or the even rows in the plurality of pixels to the second horizontal signal line through even columns such that each of the plurality of pixels along each of the vertical signal lines is alternately read into a different one of the first horizontal signal line and the second horizontal signal line.