Solid-state image sensor, driving method thereof, and camera

A solid-state image sensor including a plurality of pixels arrayed so as to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, the sensor comprising:

• a driving unit configured to drive, based on a first synchronizing signal, the plurality of pixels while scanning the pixels for each row;
• a readout unit configured to read out pixel signals from the plurality of pixels driven by the driving unit;
• a transferring unit configured to transfer, based on a second synchronizing signal, the pixel signals read out by the readout unit while scanning the pixel signals for each column;
• an output unit configured to output the pixel signals transferred by the transferring unit;
• a power supply unit configured to supply power to the readout unit and the output unit;
• and
• a control unit,
• wherein the control unit
• increases, in a first case in which a readout of the pixel signals is started, a power supply amount to at least one of the readout unit and the output unit by the power supply unit at a timing when a first period based on at least one of the first synchronizing signal and the second synchronizing signal has elapsed after setting the power supply unit from a non-operating state to an operating state, and
• sets, in a second case in which the readout of the pixel signals is completed, the power supply unit from the operating state to the non-operating state at a timing when a second period based on at least one of the first synchronizing signal and the second synchronizing signal has elapsed after decreasing the power supply amount to the at least one of the readout unit and the output unit by the power supply unit.

A camera comprising:

• a solid-state image sensor;
• and
• a processor configured to process a signal from the solid-state image sensor,
• wherein the solid-state image sensor includes
• a plurality of circuit groups each of which assume an operating state and a non-operating state,
• a storage unit configured to store an order of switching the plurality of circuit groups from the non-operating state to the operating state, and
• a control unit configured to receive, from outside the solid-state image sensor, a control signal for switching the plurality of circuit groups from the non-operating state to the operating state and common to the plurality of circuit groups,
• wherein after receiving the control signal, the control unit sequentially switches, according to the order stored in the storage unit, the plurality of circuit groups from the non-operating state to the operating state at an interval of a period corresponding to an integer multiple of a cycle of a clock signal.

A camera comprising:

• a solid-state image sensor including a plurality of pixels arrayed so as to form a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns;
• and
• a processor configured to process a signal from the solid-state image sensor,
• wherein the solid-state image sensor includes
• a driving unit configured to drive, based on a first synchronizing signal, the plurality of pixels while scanning the pixels for each row,
• a readout unit configured to read out pixel signals from the plurality of pixels driven by the driving unit,
• a transferring unit configured to transfer, based on a second synchronizing signal, the pixel signals read out by the readout unit while scanning the pixel signals for each column,
• an output unit configured to output the pixel signals transferred by the transferring unit,
• a power supply unit configured to supply power to the readout unit and the output unit, and
• a control unit,
• the control unit
• increases, in a first case in which a readout of the pixel signals is started, a power supply amount to at least one of the readout unit and the output unit by the power supply unit at a timing when a first period based on at least one of the first synchronizing signal and the second synchronizing signal has elapsed after setting the power supply unit from a non-operating state to an operating state, and
• sets, in a second case in which the readout of the pixel signals is completed, the power supply unit from the operating state to the non-operating state at a timing when a second period based on at least one of the first synchronizing signal and the second synchronizing signal has elapsed after decreasing the power supply amount to the at least one of the readout unit and the output unit by the power supply unit.

A driving method of a solid-state image sensor,

• the solid-state image sensor including a plurality of circuit groups each of which assume an operating state and a non-operating state, and
• a storage unit configured to store an order of switching the plurality of circuit groups from the non-operating state to the operating state,
• the method comprising steps of:
• receiving, from outside the solid-state image sensor, a control signal for switching the plurality of circuit groups from the non-operating state to the operating state, the control signal being a common signal to the plurality of circuit groups;
• and
• sequentially switching, according to the order stored in the storage unit and the control signal received from the outside, the plurality of circuit groups from the non-operating state to the operating state based on an elapse of a period corresponding to an integer multiple of a cycle of a clock signal.