Solid-state imaging device, method of driving solid-state imaging device, camera device, and camera system

A method of driving a solid-state imaging device having an imaging unit comprising a matrix of photodetectors as pixels for photoelectrically converting incident light from a subject into signal charges depending on the amount of the incident light, and color filters arranged on the imaging unit in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the pixels, comprising the steps of:

• transferring signal charges stored in the respective pixels in each line to a horizontal shift register based on a group of first transfer pulses supplied in a horizontal blanking period;
• and
• transferring signal charges stored in the respective pixels in each two lines to the horizontal shift register based on a group of second transfer pulses supplied in said horizontal blanking period,
• wherein,
• said group of second transfer pulses comprises said group of first transfer pulses which is supplied in two cycles, and horizontal transfer pulses are supplied to said horizontal shift register for transferring the signal charges transferred to the horizontal shift register by said predetermined number of pixels after said group of first transfer pulses is supplied in the first cycle.

A camera device comprising:

• a solid-state imaging device having an imaging unit comprising a matrix of photodetectors as pixels for photoelectrically converting incident light from a subject into signal charges depending on the amount of the incident light, and color filters arranged no the imaging unit in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the pixels;
• a first timing generating circuit for generating a group of first transfer pulses for transferring signals charges stored in the respective pixels in a horizontal blanking period in each line to a horizontal shift register, based on a reference clock signal;
• a second timing generating circuit for generating a group of second transfer pulses for transferring signals charges stored in the respective pixels in said horizontal blanking period in each two lines to the horizontal shift register, based on the reference clock signal;
• and
• selecting means for selecting said group of first transfer pulses as a group of transfer pulses to be supplied to said solid-state imaging device based on an external command for a noninteriaced signal, and selecting said group of second transfer pulses as a group of transfer pulses to be supplied to said solid-state imaging device based on an external command for an interlaced signal,
• wherein,
• said group of second transfer pulses comprises said group of first transfer pulses which is supplied in two cycles, and horizontal transfer pulses are supplied to said horizontal shift register for transferring the signal charges transferred to the horizontal shift register by said predetermined number of pixels after said group of first transfer pulses is supplied in the first cycle.

A camera system comprising:

• a camera device having a solid-state imaging device having an imaging unit comprising a matrix of photodetectors as pixels for photoelectrically converting incident light from a subject into signal charges depending on the amount of the incident light and color filters arranged on the imaging unit in a predetermined pattern corresponding to the pixels, a first timing generating circuit for generating a group of first transfer pulses for transferring signals charges stored in the respective pixels in a horizontal blanking period in each line to a horizontal shift register, based on a reference clock signal, a second timing generating circuit for generating a group of second transfer pulses for transferring signals charges store din the respective pixels in said horizontal blanking period in each two lines to the horizontal shift register, based on the reference clock signal, and a selecting means for selecting said group of second transfer pulses as a group of transfer pulses to be supplied to said solid-state imaging device in normal operation, and selecting said group of first transfer pulses as a group of transfer pulses to be supplied to said solid-state imaging device based on an interrupt signal from an external shutter control key;
• an external memory device having a memory for storing an imaging signal of at least one frame which is outputted from said solid-state imaging device;
• a display device for converting the imaging signal outputted from said solid-state imaging device into a video signal and displaying the video signal on a screen;
• and
• switching means for supplying the imaging signal outputted from said solid-state imaging device to said display device in the normal operation, and switching to supply the imaging signal outputted from said solid-state imaging device to said external memory device based on the interrupt signal from the external shutter control,
• wherein,
• said group of second transfer pulses comprises said group of first transfer pulses which is supplied in two cycles, and horizontal transfer pulses are supplied to said horizontal shift register for transferring the signal charges transferred to the horizontal shift register by said predetermined number of pixels after said group of first transfer pulses is supplied in the first cycle.