Solid-state image pickup device and method of driving the same
AssigneeSony Corporation
InventorKazuyoshi Yamashita
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Imaging sensors, imaging apparatuses, and methods of driving an image sensor are provided. An image sensor can include a semiconductor substrate with a photoelectric conversion element and a charge-conversion element. The sensor can further include a capacitance switch. A charge accumulation element is located adjacent the photoelectric conversion element. At least a portion of the charge accumulation element overlaps a charge accumulation region of the photoelectric conversion element. The charge accumulation element is selectively connected to the charge-voltage conversion element by the capacitance switch.
Claims24
An image sensor, comprising:
- a semiconductor substrate, including:
- a photoelectric conversion element;
- a charge-voltage conversion element;
- a capacitance switch;
- a charge accumulation element adjacent the photoelectric conversion element, wherein at least a portion of the charge accumulation element overlaps a charge accumulation region of the photoelectric conversion element, wherein the charge accumulation element is selectively connected to the charge-voltage conversion element by the capacitance switch.
An imaging apparatus, comprising:
- an optical section;
- a solid-state image pickup device operable to receive light from the optical section, including:
- a photoelectric conversion element;
- a charge-voltage conversion element;
- a capacitance switch;
- a charge accumulation element adjacent the photoelectric conversion element, wherein at least a portion of the charge accumulation element overlaps a charge accumulation region of the photoelectric conversion element, and wherein the charge accumulation element can be selectively connected to the charge-voltage conversion element by the capacitance switch;
- and
- a digital signal processor, wherein the digital signal processor receives a signal from the solid-state image pickup device.
A method of driving an image sensor, comprising:
- providing a solid-state image sensor, including:
- a photoelectric conversion element;
- a charge-voltage conversion element;
- a charge accumulation element adjacent the photoelectric conversion element, wherein at least a portion of the charge accumulation element overlaps a charge accumulation region of the photoelectric conversion element, and wherein a capacitance of the charge accumulation element is capable of being added to a capacitance of the charge-voltage conversion element;
- detecting an illuminance condition;
- in response to determining that the illuminance condition is low, electrically disconnecting the charge-voltage conversion element from the charge accumulation element;
- in response to determining that the illuminance condition is high, electrically connecting the charge-voltage conversion element to the charge accumulation element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.