Image-sensing-system booster circuit for driving image sensor

Abstract

In a drive circuit of a solid-state imaging device, no specific voltage source exclusively used to set a substrate voltage is required. An external circuit required when the entire drive circuit is fabricated as an integrated circuit, can be eliminated. An image sensing system comprises: a solid-state imaging device formed on a semiconductor body, said solid-state imaging device including a plurality of photo sensors formed in a major surface of said semiconductor body, said photo sensors receiving light incident thereon and generating charges corresponding to said incident light and accumulating said charges therein, a video signal output means for outputting a video signal corresponding to said accumulated charges, and a charge drain discharging said charges from said photo sensors; a timing generator for generating a timing signal; a first power supply source providing a first voltage to said solid-state imaging device; a second power supply source providing a second voltage to said solid-state imaging device, said second voltage being higher than said first voltage; and a driver means for said solid-state imaging device, including a driving circuit for driving said video signal output means in response to said timing signal, a booster circuit for receiving said first and second voltages and for providing a third voltage higher than said second voltage, said booster circuit being driven in synchronism with said timing signal, and a voltage setting means for setting a drive voltage of said charge drain based on said third voltage.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.