Solid-state image pickup device, driving method for solid-state image pickup device and image pickup apparatus

A driving method for a solid-state image pickup device which includes a pixel array section including a plurality of unit pixels, each unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element which converts incident light from the outside into an electric signal, a reference signal production section configured to generate a reference signal of a ramp waveform, a comparison section configured to compare a reset level and a signal level included in an analog signal output from said plurality of unit pixels with the reference voltage, and a counter configured to start a counting action synchronized with supply of the reference signal to said comparison section and continue the counting action until a comparison output of said comparison section indicates a reversal to measure a comparison time period until the comparison by said comparison section comes to an end to obtain a count value corresponding to the reset level and the signal level, said driving method comprising:

• a first step of outputting a predetermined detection value from said reference signal production section to detect a black sun phenomenon;
• a second step of retaining a comparison result from the comparison section when the reset level is equal to the detection value as a result of the detection of a black sun phenomenon for a fixed period of time;
• and
• a third step of preventing a black sun phenomenon based on a result of the detection at the second step by causing said counter to perform the counting action until a full count value corresponding to a white signal level is reached when said detection section detects a black sun phenomenon.

An image pickup apparatus, comprising:

• a solid-state image pickup device;
• and
• an optical system configured to form an image of image light from an image pickup subject on an image pickup plane of said solid-state image pickup device,
• said solid-state image pickup device including
• a pixel array section including a plurality of unit pixels disposed in the pixel array section, each unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element which converts incident light from the outside into an electric signal;
• a reference signal production section configured to generate a reference signal of a ramp waveform and output a predetermined detection value within a period when a black sun phenomenon is to be detected;
• a comparison section configured to compare a reset level and a signal level included in an analog signal output from said plurality of unit pixels with the reference voltage or the detection value;
• a counter configured to start a counting action synchronized with supply of the reference signal to said comparison section and continue the counting action until a comparison output from said comparison section indicates a reversal to measure a comparison time period until the comparison by said comparison section comes to an end to obtain count values corresponding to the reset level and the signal level;
• a detection section configured to retain a comparison result from the comparison section when the reset level is equal to the detection value as a result of the detection of a black sun phenomenon for a fixed period of time;
• and
• a prevention section configured to prevent a black sun phenomenon based on a result of the detection of said detection section by causing said counter to perform the counting action until a full count value corresponding to a white signal level is reached when said detection section detects a black sun phenomenon.