Photoelectric-conversion device, focus detection apparatus, and image-pickup system for performing an operation to monitor an amount of light

摘要

A photoelectric-conversion device that allows for both of widening the dynamic range and performing an operation to monitor the amount of received light is achieved. A sensor-cell unit that can operate in low-sensitivity mode and high-sensitivity mode, a transfer unit transferring a signal outputted from a unit pixel, and a monitoring unit monitoring a signal transmitted from the sensor-cell unit, the signal being output from the transfer unit, are provided.

主权项

1. A device comprising:
a plurality of unit pixels including a sensor-cell unit configured to output a signal obtained by photoelectric conversion and selectively operate in low-sensitivity mode and high-sensitivity mode; a plurality of transfer units configured to transfer a signal output from a unit pixel; a monitoring unit configured to monitor the transferred signal; a detection unit configured to detect a maximum value and a minimum value of signals that are output from the transfer units; a first comparator configured to determine whether or not a difference between the maximum value and the minimum value exceeds a threshold value; and a second comparator configured to determine whether or not the maximum value reaches a first level, wherein when the difference does not exceed the threshold value and the maximum value reaches the first level before a predetermined time elapses after the monitoring period is started, the sensor-cell unit enters the low-sensitivity mode.