Patent ID: 7639298
Filing Date: 2009-12-29
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An imaging device comprising: a pixel circuit comprising: multiple pixels each having a photoelectric conversion unit and transfer means for transferring signal charges output from the photoelectric conversion units; capacitance means for storing the signal charges transferred from the transfer means; signal amplifying means for amplifying and outputting signals corresponding to the signal charges stored in the capacitance means; reset means for resetting the signal charges stored in the capacitance means; and pixel selection means for selecting each pixel to read a signal from, wherein the imaging device has an all-pixel read mode for reading signals from all the pixels and a pixel downsampling read mode for reading signals of pixels by discarding signals of the other pixels, wherein adjacent ones of the pixels use the capacitance means, the signal amplifying means, the reset means and the pixel selection means in common, wherein the transfer means in each pixel has a first gate provided on the photodiode side and a second gate provided on the capacitance means side, wherein in the pixel downsampling read mode, the voltage of the first gate and the voltage of the second gate in each of the pixels to be discarded are brought to a high level, and subsequently the voltage of the first gate and the voltage of the second gate in each of the pixels to read a signal from are brought to a high level, so as to transfer charge, which is generated in the photoelectric conversion unit in each of the pixels to read a signal from, to the capacitance means and the photoelectric conversion unit in each of the pixels to be discarded, and wherein in the pixel down sampling read mode, not only the capacitance means but also channel portions of the transfer means and the photoelectric conversion units of the pixels to be discarded are used as capacitances for storing the signal charges transferred from the transfer means so as to lower potential of the capacitance means as compared with the case of using only the capacitance means as a capacitance for storing signal charges transferred from the transfer means, thereby reducing sensitivity of the pixels.