Image pickup element and control method therefor, and camera

Abstract

An image pickup element includes a plurality of read signal lines; a pixel unit in which a plurality of pixel circuits are arranged in a matrix form, the plurality of pixel circuits in the pixel unit being divided into groups of pixel circuits so that each of the groups is provided in a corresponding one of columns, each of the groups of pixel circuits being connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of read signal lines; and a processing unit configured to process read signals that the plurality of pixel circuits, which are divided into groups, output to the plurality of read signal lines, which are connected to the plurality of pixel circuits.

1 - 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . An imaging device comprising:
 a first plurality of vertical signal lines;   a second plurality of vertical signal lines;   a first pixel array unit including a first plurality of pixel units disposed in columns and rows;   a second pixel array unit including a second plurality of pixel units disposed in columns and rows;   a first column circuit including:
 a first plurality of comparator units configured to respectively connected to the first plurality of the vertical signal lines; and 
   a second column circuit including:
 a second plurality of comparator units configured to respectively connected to the second plurality of the vertical signal lines, wherein 
   the first column circuit is configured to receive signals sequentially only from the first pixel array unit through the first plurality of the vertical signal lines, the second column circuit is configured to receive signals sequentially only from the second pixel array unit through the second plurality of vertical signal lines, and the first pixel array and the second pixel array are configured to be scanned in a predetermined direction so as to reduce a focal plane phenomena.   
     
     
         10 . The imaging device according to  claim 9 , wherein the first column circuit includes a first plurality of counter units. 
     
     
         11 . The imaging device according to  claim 10 , wherein the first plurality of counter units is configured to be respectively connected to the first plurality of the comparator units. 
     
     
         12 . The imaging device according to  claim 11 , wherein the second column circuit includes a second plurality of counter units. 
     
     
         13 . The imaging device according to  claim 12 , wherein the second plurality of counter units is configured to be respectively connected to the second plurality of the comparator units. 
     
     
         14 . The imaging device according to  claim 13 , wherein the first column circuit includes a first switch. 
     
     
         15 . The imaging device according to  claim 14 , wherein the first switch is configured to be respectively connected to the first plurality of the vertical signal lines. 
     
     
         16 . The imaging device according to  claim 15 , wherein the second column circuit includes a second switch. 
     
     
         17 . The imaging device according to  claim 16 , wherein the second switch is configured to be respectively connected to the second plurality of the vertical signal lines. 
     
     
         18 . The imaging device according to  claim 17 , wherein the first column circuit includes a first memory. 
     
     
         19 . The imaging device according to  claim 18 , wherein the first memory is configured to be respectively connected to the first plurality of the vertical signal lines. 
     
     
         20 . The imaging device according to  claim 19 , wherein the second column circuit includes a second memory. 
     
     
         21 . The imaging device according to  claim 20 , wherein the second memory is configured to be respectively connected to the second plurality of the vertical signal lines. 
     
     
         22 . The imaging device according to  claim 9 , wherein the first column circuit is configured to receive the signals in a direction from a first row of the first pixel array unit to a last row of the pixel array unit. 
     
     
         23 . The imaging device according to  claim 10 , wherein the second column circuit is configured to receive the signals in a direction from a first row of the first pixel array unit to a last row of the first pixel array unit. 
     
     
         24 . An electronic apparatus comprising:
 an optical system;   an imaging device including:
 a first plurality of vertical signal lines; 
 a second plurality of vertical signal lines; 
   a first pixel array unit including a first plurality of pixel units disposed in columns and rows;   a second pixel array unit including a second plurality of pixel units disposed in columns and rows;   a first column circuit including:
 a first plurality of comparator units configured to respectively connected to the first plurality of the vertical signal lines; and 
   a second column circuit including:
 a second plurality of comparator units configured to respectively connected to the second plurality of the vertical signal lines, wherein 
 the first column circuit is configured to receive signals sequentially only from the first pixel array unit through the first plurality of the vertical signal lines and the second column circuit is configured to receive signals sequentially only from the second pixel array unit through the second plurality of vertical signal lines.