US 2004/0201760 A1 · Solid-state imaging element and digital camera

Abstract

A solid-state imaging element capable of acquiring an image signal having high resolution and a wide dynamic range is provided, while suppressing an occurrence of an artificial color and an occurrence of color moiré. A solid-state imaging element of the present invention contains a plurality of photoelectric converting regions 111 to 157, vertical transfer portions 201 to 208, a horizontal transfer portion 300, and an output portion 400. These plural photoelectric converting regions 111 to 157 are arranged on a surface of a semiconductor substrate along a row direction (namely, direction indicated by arrow “X”) and a column direction (direction indicated by arrow “Y”) located perpendicular to this row direction. The photoelectric converting regions 111 to 157 are subdivided into main regions “m” having relatively wide light-receiving areas, and sub-regions “s” having relatively narrow light-receiving areas. These main areas “m” and sub-areas “s” produce signal electron charges corresponding to light having predetermined spectral sensitivities, and then store thereinto the produced signal electron charges. A partial photoelectric converting region within the photoelectric converting regions 111 to 157 corresponds to different color light with respect to the main region “m” and the sub-region “s.”

Claims8

Dependent claims

A solid-state imaging element comprising a plurality of photoelectric converting regions which are arranged on a surface of a semiconductor substrate along a row direction and a column direction perpendicular to the row direction,

wherein:
each of the photoelectric converting regions contains a main region having a relatively wide light-receiving area and a sub-region having a relatively narrow light-receiving area;
and
a partial photoelectric converting region within the plurality of photoelectric converting regions outputs photoelectric converting signals having different spectral sensitivities with respect to the main region and the sub-region.

1 more element

each of said photoelectric converting regions contains a main region having a relatively wide light-receiving area and a sub-region having a relatively narrow light-receiving area;
and
the photoelectric converting regions includes:
a first sort of photoelectric converting region in which both the main region and the sub-region output photoelectric converting signals having a first spectral sensitivity;
a second sort of photoelectric converting region in which the main region outputs a photoelectric converting signal having a second spectral sensitivity and the sub-region outputs a photoelectric converting signal having a third spectral sensitivity;
and
a third sort of photoelectric converting region in which the main region outputs a photoelectric converting signal having a third spectral sensitivity and the sub-region outputs a photoelectric converting signal having a second spectral sensitivity.

4 more elements

each of said photoelectric converting regions contains a main region having a relatively wide light-receiving area and a sub-region having a relatively narrow light-receiving area;
and
the photoelectric converting regions includes:
a first sort of photoelectric converting region in which both the main region and the sub-region store thereinto signal electron charges having a first spectral sensitivity;
a second sort of photoelectric converting region in which the main region stores thereinto signal electron charges having a second spectral sensitivity and the sub-region stores thereinto signal electron charges having a third spectral sensitivity;
and
a third sort of photoelectric converting region in which the main region stores thereinto signal electron charges having a third spectral sensitivity and the sub-region stores therein signal electron charges having a second spectral sensitivity;
a vertical transfer portion for independently transferring the signal electron charges from the photoelectric converting regions to the main region and the sub-region along the column direction;
a horizontal transfer portion transferring the signal electron charges from the vertical transfer portion along the row direction;
and
an output portion for outputting a signal corresponding to the signal electron charges transferred by said horizontal transfer portion.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solid-state imaging element and digital camera

Life of this patent

Solid-state imaging element and digital camera

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims8