US 2015/0319384 A1 · SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND METHOD OF DRIVING THE SAME

Abstract

A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel that includes a photoelectric conversion element that generates signal charges by photoelectric conversion, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and an amplifier transistor. At least a part of charges of the signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element are held by the first capacitor and are not held by the second capacitor. The amplifier transistor outputs a first signal based on the part of the charges that the first capacitor holds. The part of the charges of the first capacitor are reset, and a combined capacitor of the first capacitor and second capacitor holds other part of charges of the signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element. The amplifier transistor outputs a second signal based on the other part of the charges that the combined capacitor holds.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A method of driving a solid-state imaging device having a pixel including a photoelectric conversion element that generates signal charges by photoelectric conversion, a first capacitor, a second capacitor, and an amplifier transistor, the method comprising:

holding at least a part of charges of the signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element by the first capacitor without holding by the second capacitor;
outputting by the amplifier transistor a first signal based on the part of the charges that the first capacitor holds;
resetting the first capacitor holding the part of the charges, and holding other part of the charges of the signal charges by a combined capacitor of the first capacitor and the second capacitor;
and
outputting by the amplifier transistor a second signal based on the other part of the charges that the combined capacitor holds.

2 more elements

A solid-state imaging device comprising:

a pixel including
a photoelectric conversion element that generates signal charges by photoelectric conversion;
an amplifier transistor;
a first capacitor electrically connected to an input node of the amplifier transistor;
a second capacitor electrically connectable to the input node;
a transfer transistor electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion element and the input node;
and
a reset transistor electrically connected to the input node;
and
a control unit, wherein
the control unit is configured to
cause the transfer transistor to transfer at least a part of charges of the signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion element to the first capacitor without transferring to the second capacitor;
cause the amplifier transistor to output a first signal based on the part of the charges that the first capacitor holds;
cause the reset transistor to reset the first capacitor holding the part of the charges;
cause the transfer transistor to transfer other part of charges of the signal charges to a combined capacitor of the first capacitor and the second capacitor that is constituted by causing the second capacitor to electrically connect to the input node;
and
cause the amplifier transistor to output a second signal based on the other part of the charges that the combined capacitor holds.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Solid-state imaging device and method of driving the same

Life of this patent

Solid-state imaging device and method of driving the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16