# US 10,771,724 B2 · Image capturing apparatus

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- Number: US 10,771,724 B2
- Document ID: US10771724B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/240,095
- Filed: 2019-01-04
- Published: 2019-05-09
- Granted: 2020-09-08
- Earliest claimed: 2016-03-10
- Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Applicants: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
- Inventors: Norio Negishi
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10771724B2

## CPC

- H04N 23/84: for processing colour signals
- H04N 25/65: applied to reset noise, e.g. KTC noise related to CMOS structures by techniques other than CDS
- H04N 25/704: Pixels specially adapted for focusing, e.g. phase difference pixel sets
- H04N 25/78: Readout circuits for addressed sensors, e.g. output amplifiers or A/D converters
- H04N 25/76: Addressed sensors, e.g. MOS or CMOS sensors
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

An image capturing apparatus is provided with a pixel array that has a plurality of image forming pixels and a plurality of focus detection pixels, a readout unit that reads out a pixel signal from the pixel array, an A/D conversion unit that has a first mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a first resolution and a second mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution, and a control unit that switches between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with the pixel signal read out from the pixel array.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An image capturing apparatus comprising:
a pixel array that has a plurality of unit pixels that each include a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that receive light beams that have passed through different areas of an exit pupil of an imaging optical system; and
one or more circuits configured to function as:
a readout unit that reads out a pixel signal from the pixel array;
an A/D conversion unit that has a first mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a first resolution and a second mode for A/D converting the pixel signal read out by the readout unit with a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution; and
a control unit that switches between the first mode and the second mode in accordance with a magnitude relationship between a signal level of the pixel signal read out from the pixel array and a reference level,
wherein the control unit changes the reference level between a case of combining signals of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in the unit pixel and reading out the combined signal and a case of independently reading out at least one signal of the plurality of photoelectrice conversion elements in the unit pixel.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit performs A/D conversion in the first mode in a case where the signal level of the pixel signal is higher than or equal to the reference level.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit changes the reference level between a case of combining signals of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in the unit pixel and reading out the combined signal and a case of independently reading out at least one signal of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in the unit pixel.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit changes the reference level depending on an f-number of an aperture of an imaging optical system.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The image capturing apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the control unit sets the reference level to high in a case where the f-number of the aperture of the imaging optical system is larger than a predetermined value.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit changes the reference level in accordance with a scene of a subject to be shot.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The image capturing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the control unit changes the reference level based on a defocus amount.