Device and method for generating timing signals of different kinds

A timing signal generating device for generating timing signals in accordance with set data, comprising:

• a setting circuit for selectively outputting first set data or second set data to be used to generate the timing signals;
• a generating circuit for generating timing signals to be used to drive an image pickup device, which generates pixel signals representative of an optical image;
• a controller for defining a timing for setting said second set data in said generating circuit;
• and
• a transferring circuit for selectively transferring said first set data at a first speed or said second set data at a second speed to said generating circuit and transferring the timing signals to the image pickup device;
• wherein said setting circuit controls a direction of data transfer effected via said transferring circuit, and wherein said generating circuit generates first timing signals in accordance with said first set data output from said setting circuit, generates second timing signals in accordance with said second set data transferred at the timing defined by said controller, and selectively feeds said first timing signals or said second timing signals to the image pickup device, which is connected to said generating circuit via said transferring circuit, and
• wherein at a time of power-up of the image pickup device, said controller selects the first speed for transferring the first timing signals to the image pickup device, and after the power-up, said controller selects the second speed for transferring the second timing signals to the image pickup device, wherein the first speed is higher than the second speed, and
• wherein when said generating circuit feeds said first timing signals or said second timing signals to the image pickup device, said setting circuit controls an output of said setting circuit to a high impedance state.