SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE, METHOD OF DRIVING SOLID-STATE IMAGING DEVICE AND IMAGING APPARATUS
First Claim
1. A solid-state imaging device, comprising:
- a pixel array area in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form;
a supply voltage control means for supplying plural first control voltages sequentially to a control electrode of the transfer gate; and
a driving means for performing driving of reading out signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural first control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A solid-state imaging device includes a pixel array area in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form, a supply voltage control means for supplying plural first control voltages sequentially to a control electrode of the transfer gate, and a driving means for performing driving of reading out signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural first control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more.
36 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A solid-state imaging device, comprising:
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a pixel array area in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form;
a supply voltage control means for supplying plural first control voltages sequentially to a control electrode of the transfer gate; and
a driving means for performing driving of reading out signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural first control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A solid-state imaging device, comprising:
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a pixel array area in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form; and
a control means for performing control of reading out signal charges obtained by transfers by the transfer gate when one of, or all plural voltages are applied, which are sequentially applied to the control electrode of the transfer gate, after filling the photoelectric element with electrons or holes.
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17. A method of driving a solid-state imaging device in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form, comprising the steps of:
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supplying plural control voltages sequentially to a control electrode of the transfer gate; and
reading out signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A method of driving a solid-state imaging device in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form, comprising the steps of:
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supplying plural first control voltages to a control gate of the transfer gate;
reading out first signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural first control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more;
reading out second signal charges obtained by transfers by the transfer gate when one of, or all plural second control voltages are applied, which are sequentially applied to the control electrode of the transfer gate, after filling the photoelectric element with electrons or holes; and
performing processing of eliminating fixed pattern noise of an image with respect to a signal based on the first signal charges by using a signal based on the second signal charges.
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20. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
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a solid-state imaging device in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form; and
an optical system guiding light from a subject to an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device, wherein the solid-state imaging device includes;
a supply voltage control means for supplying plural control voltages sequentially to a control electrode of the transfer gate; and
a driving means for performing driving of reading out signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more.
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21. A solid-state imaging device, comprising:
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a pixel array area in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form;
a supply voltage control unit configured to supply plural first control voltages sequentially to a control electrode of the transfer gate; and
a driving unit configured to perform driving of reading out signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural first control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more.
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22. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
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a solid-state imaging device in which an unit pixel including a photoelectric conversion element converting optical signals to signal charges and a transfer gate transferring the signal charges which have been photoelectrically converted in the photoelectric conversion element is two-dimensionally arranged in a matrix form; and
an optical system guiding light from a subject to an imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device, wherein the solid-state imaging device includes;
a supply voltage control unit configured to supply plural control voltages sequentially to a control electrode of the transfer gate; and
a driving unit configured to perform driving of reading out signal charges transferred by the transfer gate when the plural control voltages are sequentially applied twice and more.
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23. A solid-state imaging device comprising:
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an imaging area in which plural pixels each including a photoelectric conversion part configured to receive incident light and generate signal charges, a transfer gate configured to read out signal charges from the photoelectric conversion part, and a storage part storing signals read out from the transfer gate are arranged, wherein the transfer gate reads out a first signal charge to the storage part by an incomplete transfer, wherein the first signal charge is thrown out from the storage part, wherein a second charge remained at the photoelectric conversion part at the time of the incomplete transfer is added to a third charge generated by light entered after the incomplete transfer in the photoelectric conversion part, and wherein a charge obtained by adding the second charge and third charge is read out by the transfer gate to the storage part.
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24. An imaging apparatus, comprising:
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a solid-state imaging device having an imaging area in which plural pixels each including a photoelectric conversion part configured to receive incident light and generate signal charges, a transfer gate configured to read out signal charges from the photoelectric conversion part, and a storage part configured to store signals read out from the transfer gate; and
a control element controlling the solid-state imaging device, wherein the control element supplies control signals to the solid-state imaging device, wherein the transfer gate is driven by pulses generated based on the control signals, wherein the transfer gate reads out a first signal charge to the storage part by an incomplete transfer, wherein the first signal charge is thrown out from the storage part, wherein a second charge remained at the photoelectric conversion part at the time of the incomplete transfer is added to a third charge generated by light entered after the incomplete transfer in the photoelectric conversion part, and wherein a charge obtained by adding the second charge and third charge is read out by the transfer gate to the storage part.
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Specification