Patent ID: 6449014
Filing Date: 2002-09-10
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image sensor comprising:a plurality of data lines; a plurality of pixels arranged in a two-dimensional form, each pixel to which both a horizontal address and a vertical address are allocated and including a light receiving element and a switching element for drivingly connecting the light receiving element to one of the data lines which is connected to the same pixel; a plurality of horizontal address lines, each horizontal address line being connected to the pixels to which the same horizontal address is allocated; a plurality of vertical address lines, each vertical address line being connected to the pixels to which the same vertical address is allocated, the switching element connecting the light receiving element in the same pixel to one of the data lines which is connected to the same pixel when both of the horizontal address and the vertical address allocated to the same pixel are assigned through one of the horizontal address lines which is connected to the same pixel and one of the vertical address lines which is connected to the same pixel; an output line connected to the data lines and having one end serving as an output terminal; and a reading block interposed between each of the data lines and the output line and having a predetermined low input impedance with respect to a connection of an input end thereof to each of the data lines, wherein the switching element in each pixel comprises: a first switching element for drivingly connecting the light receiving element in the same pixel to the one of the data lines which is connected to the same pixel; and a second switching element for forcefully turning the first switching element to a conducted state so that the light receiving element is connected to the one of the data lines which is connected to the same pixel when both of the one of the horizontal address lines which is connected to the same pixel and the one of the vertical address lines which is connected to the same pixel become active so as to assign the horizontal address and the vertical address allocated to the same pixel, and wherein the second switching element comprises a transistor having a drive electrode connected to either one of the one of the horizontal address lines which is connected to the same pixel or the one of the vertical address lines which is connected to the same pixel, a first electrode connected to the other of the one of the horizontal address lines which is connected to the same pixel or the one of the vertical address lines which is connected to the same pixel, a second electrode connected to a drive electrode of the first switching element.