Solid-state imaging apparatus

1. A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising:

a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix for generating a signal by a photoelectric conversion;

a column amplifying unit arranged corresponding to each of columns of the pixels, for outputting a first signal generated by amplifying the signal from the plurality of pixels at a first gain, and for outputting a second signal generated by amplifying the signal from the plurality of pixels at a second gain larger than the first gain;

an analog to digital converter for converting the first and second signals from an analog signal to a digital signal;

a comparing unit for receiving the digital signal from the analog to digital converter, level-shifting into the same gain level the first and second signals, and thereafter detecting a gain error between the level-shifted first and second signals; and

a correction unit for correcting the first and second signals based on the gain error.

2. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the comparing unit detects the gain error when the second signal is in a signal level lower than a saturation start signal level.

3. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

an identical one of the column amplifying units amplifies and outputs successively the first and second signals of one of the pixels.

4. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

an identical one of the same analog to digital converters successively converts the first and second signals of one of the pixels from the analog signal to the digital signal.

5. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

different column amplifying units amplify and output separately the first and second signals of one of the pixels.

6. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

different analog to digital converters separately convert the first and second signals from the analog signal to the digital signal of one of the pixels.

7. The solid-state imaging apparatus according claim 1 , further comprising

a correction data memory unit for storing a correction factor or an offset voltage correction value based on the gain error detected by the comparing unit,

the correction unit performs the correction based on the correction factor or the offset voltage correction value.

8. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising

a bit shifting unit for selecting a signal corrected by the correction unit or the first or second signal not corrected by the correction unit.

9. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein

the bit shifting unit selects the signal corrected by the correction unit when the second signal is in the signal level lower than the saturation start signal level, and the bit shifting unit selects the first signal when the second signal is in the signal level higher than the saturation start signal level.

10. A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising:

a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix for generating a signal by a photoelectric conversion;

a reference signal input unit for generating a reference signal;

a column amplifying unit arranged corresponding to each of columns of the pixels, for outputting a first signal generated by amplifying the signal from the plurality of pixels or the reference signal at a first gain, and for outputting a second signal generated by amplifying the signal from the plurality of pixels or the reference signal at a second gain larger than the first gain;

an analog to digital converter for converting the first and second signals from an analog signal to a digital signal;

a comparing unit for receiving the digital signal from the analog to digital converter, level-shifting into the same gain level the first and second signals, and thereafter detecting a gain error between the first and second signals, when the column amplifying unit outputs the first and second signal by amplifying the reference signal; and

a correction unit for correcting, based on an output of the first and second signal by amplifying the reference signal from the column amplifying unit, the first and second signals based on the gain error.

11. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 10 , further comprising

a signal line for connecting the plurality of pixels each one to each one of the plurality of column amplifying units, wherein

the reference signal input unit outputs the reference signal selectively to the signal line.

12. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein

the pixel comprises:

a photoelectric conversion element for generating the signal by the photoelectric conversion;

a transfer switch connected to the photoelectric conversion element; and

a field effect transistor being connected through the transfer switch to the photoelectric conversion element, and having a drain connected to a power source voltage node and a source outputting the signal to the column amplifying unit, and

the reference signal input unit outputs the reference signal selectively to the gate of the field effect transistor.

13. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein

when a power source is turned on, the column amplifying unit outputs the first and second signals generated by amplifying the reference signal, and the comparing unit detects the gain error.

14. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to according to claim 10 , further comprising

a bit shifting unit for selecting the signal corrected by the correction unit, or first or second signal not corrected by the correction unit.

15. The solid-state imaging apparatus according to according to claim 14 , wherein

the bit shifting unit selects the signal corrected by the correction unit when the second signal is at a level lower than a level of the first signal, and the bit shifting unit selects the first signal when the second signal is at a level higher than the level of the first signal.