Solid state imaging device, method of controlling solid state imaging device, and program for controlling solid state imaging device
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.
1. An imaging device comprising:
a pixel array comprising a plurality of pixel units arranged in a matrix pattern, wherein the plurality of pixel units includes a first pixel unit configured to generate a first analog signal and a second pixel unit configured to generate a second analog signal;
a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference signal;
a first comparator coupled to the first pixel unit and configured to compare the reference signal with the first analog signal;
a second comparator coupled to the second pixel unit and configured to compare the reference signal with the second analog signal;
a first switching circuitry coupled to an output terminal of the first comparator and an input terminal of a first counter;
a second switching circuitry coupled to an output terminal of the second comparator and an input terminal of a second counter;
a third switching circuitry coupled to the output terminal of the first comparator and the input terminal of the second counter; and
a fourth switching circuitry coupled to the output terminal of the second comparator and the input terminal of the first counter.
2. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the first pixel unit includes a plurality of photodiodes, wherein at least one of the plurality of photodiodes is configured to receive light through a filter configured to transmit red, blue and green light.
3. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein a first terminal of the first switching circuitry is coupled to the output terminal of the first comparator;
wherein a second terminal of the first switching circuitry is coupled to the input terminal of the first counter;
wherein a first terminal of the second switching circuitry is coupled to the output terminal of the second comparator;
wherein a second terminal of the second switching circuitry is coupled to the input terminal of the second counter;
wherein a first terminal of the third switching circuitry is coupled to the output terminal of the first comparator;
wherein a second terminal of the third switching circuitry coupled to the input terminal of the second counter;
wherein a first terminal of the fourth switching circuitry is coupled to the output terminal of the second comparator; and
wherein a second terminal of the fourth switching circuitry is coupled to the input terminal of the first counter.
4. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the first comparator is coupled to the first pixel unit via a first signal line extended in a first direction; and
wherein the first comparator is disposed adjacent to the second comparator in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
5. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the first pixel unit includes a plurality of photodiodes; and
wherein the plurality of photodiodes share at least one of a floating diffusion, an amplification transistor and a selection transistor.
6. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the matrix pattern is a Bayer pattern.
7. The imaging device of claim 1 , further comprising:
a switching circuitry controller configured to control the first, second, third and fourth switching circuitry;
wherein the switching circuitry controller is configured to selectively activate the first switching circuitry or the third switching circuitry; and
wherein the switching circuitry controller is configured to selectively activate the second switching circuitry or the fourth switching circuitry.
8. The imaging device of claim 7 , wherein the switching circuitry controller is configured to control the first, second, third and fourth switching circuitry in a first switching state or a second switching state;
wherein in the first switching state the first switching circuitry and the second switching circuitry are activated; and
wherein in the second switching state the third switching circuitry and the fourth switching circuitry are activated.
9. An imaging device comprising:
a pixel array having a first pixel unit configured to generate a first analog signal and a second pixel unit configured to generate a second analog signal;
wherein each of the first pixel unit and the second pixel unit includes a plurality of photodiodes configured to receive light through (i) a first color filter configured to transmit red light, (ii) a second color filter configured to transmit blue light, (iii) a third color filter configured to transmit green light or (iv) a fourth color filter configured to transmit red, blue and green light;
wherein at least one of the plurality of photodiodes in the first pixel unit is configured to receive light through the fourth color filter;
wherein the plurality of photodiodes in the first pixel unit are configured to share at least one of a floating diffusion, an amplification transistor and a selection transistor;
a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference signal;
a first comparator coupled to the first pixel unit and configured to compare the reference signal with the first analog signal;
a second comparator coupled to the second pixel unit and configured to compare the reference signal with the second analog signal;
a first switching circuitry coupled to an output terminal of the first comparator and an input terminal of a first counter;
a second switching circuitry coupled to an output terminal of the second comparator and an input terminal of a second counter;
a third switching circuitry coupled to the output terminal of the first comparator and the input terminal of the second counter; and
a fourth switching circuitry coupled to the output terminal of the second comparator and the input terminal of the first counter.
10. The imaging device of claim 9 , wherein a first terminal of the first switching circuitry coupled to the output terminal of the first comparator;
wherein a second terminal of the first switching circuitry is coupled to the input terminal of the first counter;
wherein a first terminal of the second switching circuitry is coupled to the output terminal of the second comparator;
wherein a second terminal of the second switching circuitry is coupled to the input terminal of the second counter;
wherein a first terminal of the third switching circuitry is coupled to the output terminal of the first comparator;
wherein a second terminal of the third switching circuitry is coupled to the input terminal of the second counter;
wherein a first terminal of the fourth switching circuitry is coupled to the output terminal of the second comparator; and
wherein a second terminal of the fourth switching circuitry is coupled to the input terminal of the first counter.
11. The imaging device of claim 9 , wherein the first comparator is coupled to the first pixel unit via a first signal line extended in a first direction; and
wherein the first comparator is disposed adjacent to the second comparator in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.
12. The imaging device of claim 9 , further comprising:
a switching circuitry controller configured to control the first, second, third and fourth switching circuitry;
wherein the switching circuitry controller is configured to selectively activate the first switching circuitry or the third switching circuitry; and
wherein the switching circuitry controller is configured to selectively activate the second switching circuitry or the fourth switching circuitry.
13. The imaging device of claim 12 , wherein the switching circuitry controller is configured to control the first, second, third and fourth switching circuitry in a first switching state or a second switching state;
wherein in the first switching state the first switching circuitry and the second switching circuitry are activated; and
wherein in the second switching state the third switching circuitry and the fourth switching circuitry are activated.