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US 9,287,304 B2Granted
Image sensor including a pixel array each pixel comprising a variable capacitor and a capacitor
AssigneeLG Innotek Co., Ltd.
InventorsSeong Hyung Park, Woon Il Choi, Seung Hoon Sa, Cheong Yong Park, Dong Gyu Lee, Hyun Jong Ji
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Provided are a pixel, a pixel array, and an image sensor including the pixel array. The pixel includes a photoelectric converter, a capacitor, a variable capacitor, and a switching element. The capacitor accumulates electric charges converted by the photoelectric converter. The variable capacitor is connected to the capacitor, and has capacitance varied according to a potential of the capacitor. The switching element outputs the potential of the capacitor.
Claims15
A pixel comprising:
- a plurality of photoelectric converters disposed on a substrate;
- a capacitor connected to the photoelectric converters, and accumulating electric charges converted by the photoelectric converters;
- a variable capacitor connected to the capacitor and connected directly to the substrate, and having capacitance varied according to a potential of the capacitor;
- and
- a switching element outputting the potential of the capacitor,
- wherein the switching element comprises:
- a transfer switching element provided between the photoelectric converters and the capacitor and between the photoelectric converters and the variable capacitor to transfer the electric charges converted by the photoelectric converters to the capacitor;
- a reset switching element provided between a power voltage line and the capacitor to reset the potential of the capacitor;
- and
- an output switching element connected to the power voltage line to output the potential of the capacitor, and
- wherein the capacitor and the variable capacitor are connected to the output switching element.
8 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.