CMOS image sensor
AssigneeFujitsu Limited
InventorMasatoshi Kokubun
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A low-power CMOS image sensor that gets distinct images in which interference does not occur between adjacent pixels without changing an element in a circuit. Each of pixel circuits arranged like a matrix converts incident light into electrical signals with a photoelectric conversion element. Image signals output from pixel circuits adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction are input to a signal processing circuit in each column, undergo predetermined signal processing, and are switched and output in order by a horizontal scanning circuit. The signal processing circuits are arranged and each of fixed potential wirings parallel to one another is located between adjacent signal processing circuits. Therefore, adjacent signal processing circuits are electrically shielded by a fixed potential wiring.
Claims12
A CMOS image sensor for getting images by outputting in order image signals sensed in each of pixel areas arranged like a matrix on the basis of X-Y addressing, the sensor comprising:
- a plurality of pixel circuits arranged like a matrix and each including a photoelectric conversion element to make the photoelectric conversion of incident light for outputting the image signals corresponding to one pixel;
- a plurality of signal processing circuits arranged by the number equal to that of the pixel circuits arranged in a horizontal direction and connected to all the pixel circuits arranged in a vertical direction for performing predetermined signal processing on the image signals from each of all the pixel circuits arranged in the vertical direction;
- a horizontal scanning circuit for switching and outputting in order the image signals from the plurality of signal processing circuits;
- and
- fixed potential wirings parallel to one another and each located between two of the plurality of signal processing circuits arranged.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.