Two-branch outputting solid-state imaging device, driving method for the same and imaging apparatus

A method for driving a solid-state imaging device, comprising:

• reading out signal charges accumulated on a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional array;
• transferring the signal charges read out from the photoelectric conversion elements through a plurality of vertical charge transfer paths;
• receiving the signal charges transferred through the vertical charge transfer paths in a line memory;
• performing pixel addition at different timings for odd and even rows of a reproduced image to generate a checkerboard pattern of signal charges corresponding to branching residual charges on the reproduced image;
• transferring the signal charges to a horizontal charge transfer path;
• distributing the signal charges on the horizontal charge transfer path to one of two branch transfer paths;
• and
• transferring the signal charges from the branch transfer paths to an output end of the solid-state imaging device.

A solid-state imaging device, comprising:

• a semiconductor substrate;
• a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a two-dimensional array, the photoelectric conversion elements accumulating signal charges in accordance with a received amount of light;
• a plurality of vertical transfer paths transferring the signal charges in a vertical direction along a surface of the semiconductor substrate;
• a line memory that receives the signal charges transferred through the vertical transfer paths, performs pixel addition at different timings for odd and even rows of a reproduced image to generate a checkerboard pattern of signal charges corresponding to branching residual charges on the reproduced image, and outputs the added signal charges to a horizontal transfer path;
• the horizontal transfer path that receives the signal charges from the line memory and transfers the signal charge to a charge branching part along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the vertical direction;
• two branch transfer paths, each receiving the signal charge transferred through the horizontal charge transfer path and transferring the signal charge to an output end of the solid-state imaging device;
• and
• the charge branching part in a connecting portion between the horizontal transfer path and the two branch transfer paths, the charge branching part distributing the signal charge toward one of the two branch transfer paths.