Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image sensing device comprising a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels comprises (1) a photodiode for generating an electric signal according to an amount of light projected thereto, (2) a converter capable of logarithmically converting the electric signal into a converted electric signal while a first voltage is biased, and (3) a switching element for electrically connecting and disconnecting the photoelectric converting element and the converter. The switching element electrically disconnects the photodiode and the converter while outputting an electric signal for correcting a sensitivity unevenness among the plurality of pixels. The converting element is temporarily biased by a second voltage before taking the image, the second voltage being suitable for discharging an electric charge from the photodiode and being different from the first voltage.

Abstract: A database obtained based on the photoelectric conversion characteristics for R and G signals and a database obtained based on the photoelectric conversion characteristics for G and B signals are stored in LUTs respectively. Signal value calculators read out the databases from the LUTs respectively and perform white balance processing on the R and B signals respectively.

Abstract: An image capturing apparatus comprises a solid image pickup element having pixels for outputting signals, which are logarithmically varied with respect to an incident light intensity, and a voltage controller. Each of the pixels includes an photoelectric conversion element, and a MOS transistor for logarithmic transformation, in which an output from the photoelectric conversion element is input into a drain. The voltage controller can apply, to a source, a reset voltage for resetting the transistor in such a manner that the photoelectric conversion element is operated in a moving object extraction image pickup mode. Furthermore, the voltage controller applies, to the source, the reset voltage for resetting the transistor to a level selected from a plurality of reset levels for moving object extraction image pickup.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid-state image sensing device having at least one pixel. The pixel comprises a photoelectric conversion section for outputting an electric signal according to a quantity of incident light, and a sample hold circuit for sampling and holding the electric signal from the photoelectric conversion section and outputting the sampled and held electric signal as an image signal. In this device, a reset voltage for resetting the sample hold circuit obtains at least two different values.

Abstract: In order to provide a solid state image pickup device in which an offset voltage in an image signal from which a noise signal is removed is made to be low, when an image pickup operation is performed while the MOS transistor T1 is ON, after a signal &phgr;VD with a value Vh is integrated by a capacitor C, the signal &phgr;VD is Vm (Vm<Vh) and a pulse signal &phgr;V is given so that an image signal is output. When dispersion of sensitivity is detected while the MOS transistor T1 is OFF, after the signal &phgr;VD with the value Vh is integrated by the capacitor C, the signal &phgr;VD is V1 (V1<Vm) and the pulse signal &phgr;V is given so that a noise signal is output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state image sensing device comprising a plurality of pixels. Each of the pixels comprises (1) a photodiode for generating an electric signal according to an amount of light projected thereto, (2) a converter capable of logarithmically converting the electric signal into a converted electric signal while a first voltage is biased, and (3) a switching element for electrically connecting and disconnecting the photoelectric converting element and the converter. The switching element electrically disconnects the photodiode and the converter while outputting an electric signal for correcting a sensitivity unevenness among the plurality of pixels. The converting element is temporarily biased by a second voltage before taking the image, the second voltage being suitable for discharging an electric charge from the photodiode and being different from the first voltage.