Patent ID: 6545776
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for successively reading from respective photodiodes of an image sensor having a plurality of photoelectric conversion circuits each having a photodiode and a first amplifier, the outputs of the photoelectric conversion circuits being connected to a common signal line, the method comprising the steps of:reading an image output signal of a photodiode of a first photoelectric conversion circuit, and thereafter resetting an output terminal of the photodiode to a reference voltage; after resetting the output terminal of the photodiode, reading a reset output signal of the photodiode as a reference voltage output; then reading an image output signal of a photodiode of a second photoelectric conversion circuit; resetting the output terminal of the photodiode of the second photoelectric conversion circuit to the reference voltage; and after resetting the output terminal of the photodiode of the second photoelectric conversion circuit, reading an output signal of the photodiode of the second photoelectric conversion circuit as a reference voltage output.