Photoelectric converting apparatus with gain-adjustable amplification
AssigneeCanon Kabushiki Kaisha
InventorHidekazu Takahashi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In an amplification photoelectric conversion apparatus which amplifies charges generated in a photoelectric conversion area by inverting amplification and outputs the charges to an output line, two or more load MOS transistors having different sizes for setting the gain are arranged on each output line, and control is performed by applying a pulse to the gate of the load MOS transistor. In the photoelectric conversion apparatus, a pixel in the photoelectric conversion area is constituted only by a photodiode and a MOS transistor. The photoelectric conversion apparatus incorporates a memory cell constituted by a MOS transistor and a capacitor.
Claims29
A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of pixels each including photoelectric conversion means and amplification means for amplifying charges generated in said photoelectric conversion means by amplification and outputting the charges to an output line;
- first storage means for storing noise signals generated in said pixels via said output line;
- second storage means for storing signals generated by photoelectric conversion in said photoelectric conversion means via said output line;
- and
- load means capable of switching characteristics and arranged on said output line.
A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
- (A) pixels arranged two-dimensionally and connected to respective output lines on a plurality of pixels basis, each of said pixels including photoelectric conversion means, amplification means for amplifying a signal output from said photoelectric conversion means to output the amplified signal to the output line and pixel selection means for selectively outputting the signal output from said amplification means to the output line;
- (B) load means provided to the output lines respectively;
- (C) control means for controlling said pixel selection means so that said amplification means outputs the signal with a gain determined by said amplification means and said load means to the output line;
- and
- (D) adjustment means for adjusting the gain.
A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of pixels each including photoelectric conversion means and amplification means for amplifying a signal output from said photoelectric conversion means to output the amplified signal to an output line;
- a plurality of load means having different characteristics respectively and connected to said output line;
- and
- selection means for selecting one of said plurality of load means.
A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of pixels, each including photoelectric conversion means and amplification means for amplifying a signal output from said photoelectric conversion means and outputting the amplified signal;
- load means provided in common to said plurality of pixels;
- and
- adjustment means for variable-adjustment of a gain which is determined according to said amplification means and said load means.
A photoelectric conversion apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of pixels, each including photoelectric conversion means and amplification means for amplifying a signal output from said photoelectric conversion means and outputting the amplified signal;
- load means provided in common to said plurality of pixels;
- and
- adjustment means for variable-adjustment of said load means,
- wherein the signal output from said photoelectric conversion means is amplified with a gain which is determined according to said amplification means and said load means, and the amplified signal is output.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.