Patent ID: 6677997
Filing Date: 2004-01-13
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An amplifying solid-state imaging device comprising:a photoelectric transducing section changing from a first potential state corresponding to a reset operation into a second potential state variable with an intensity of incident light or vice versa; an amplifier for sensing the first and second potential states of the photoelectric transducing section, thereby outputting first and second signals, respectively; and a compensator for receiving the first and second signals from the amplifier and outputting a third signal, wherein the compensator includes: a first storage device implemented as an MOS capacitor with first and second electrodes; a second storage device implemented as another MOS capacitor with first and second electrodes; means for applying a fixed potential to the first electrode of the second storage device; a switching device for electrically connecting or disconnecting the second electrodes of the first and second storage devices to/from each other; means for applying a signal potential, corresponding to the second signal, to the first electrode of the first storage device; means for supplying charge to the respective second electrodes of the first and second storage devices such that the same reference potential is applied to the second electrodes of the first and second storage devices; means for applying a reset potential, corresponding to the first signal, to the first electrode of the first storage device instead of the signal potential; means for turning the switching device ON such that while the reset and fixed potentials are applied to the first electrodes of the first and second storage devices, respectively, charge is transferred between the respective second electrodes of the first and second storage devices to equalize potentials at the respective second electrodes of the first and second storage devices with each other; and means for outputting the third signal, corresponding to a quantity of charge stored on the second storage device, with the switching device turned OFF after the charge has been transferred.