Photoelectric conversion element, image reading device, image forming apparatus, and photoelectric conversion method

A photoelectric conversion method performed by a photoelectric conversion element, the method comprising:

• generating, by a light receiving element, electrical charge according to an amount of light received;
• buffering and outputting, by a buffer unit, a voltage signal according to the electrical charge generated at the light receiving element;
• controlling, by a current control circuit, when the buffer unit outputs the voltage signal, electric current flowing through the buffer unit so as to be a predetermined amount of electric current;
• and
• eliminating, by an elimination circuit, high-frequency components in a band equal to or higher than a predetermined band from the voltage signal output from the buffer unit.

A photoelectric conversion element comprising:

• light receiving means for generating electrical charge according to an amount of light received;
• buffer means for buffering and outputting a voltage signal according to the electrical charge generated by the light receiving means;
• current control means for controlling, when the buffer means outputs the voltage signal, electric current flowing through the buffer means so as to be a predetermined amount of electric current;
• and
• elimination means for eliminating high-frequency components in a band equal to or higher than a predetermined band from the voltage signal output from the buffer means.