CSD type solid-state imaging device with means for draining excess charges

A CSD type solid-state imaging device comprising:

• light-electricity conversion elements arranged in a two dimensional array;
• a scanning circuit for selecting said light-electricity conversion elements;
• vertical transfer means for transferring charges of said selected light-electricity conversion elements in the vertical direction;
• storage electrodes for temporarily storing the charges transferred in the vertical direction;
• horizontal transfer means for transferring charges stored at said storage electrodes in the horizontal direction;
• gates for selecting elements having excess charges and drains for draining excess charges, both provided at said vertical transfer means at the neighbourhood of said storage electrode;
• the charges of a plurality of said light-electricity conversion elements spaced apart from each other by a distance of more than two picture elements in the vertical direction being read out to said vertical transfer means within a same horizontal blanking period;
• and
• signal charges corresponding to at least more than one picture element being swept out to said drain through said gate while transferring the charges in the vertical direction.