Patent ID: 8004590
Filing Date: 2011-08-23
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state imaging device comprising: an imaging pixel region where a plurality of imaging pixels is disposed; a vertical selecting circuit for outputting pixel signals from a plurality of imaging pixels of respective columns on a selected row of the imaging pixel region to a plurality of vertical signal lines provided respectively for the columns; a plurality of amplifying units provided respectively for the vertical signal lines of the columns so as to receive inputs of pixel signals from imaging pixels of the respective columns; a plurality of horizontal signal lines; a horizontal selecting circuit for assigning pixel signals held by the amplifying units of the respective columns to the plurality of horizontal signal lines so that the pixel signals are transferred by the plurality of horizontal signal lines; a multiplexer for sequentially selecting the plurality of horizontal signal lines to generate serial data including output pixel signals based on the pixel signals transferred by the plurality of horizontal signal lines; and a reference-potential generating unit for generating a reference potential based on a black level of the pixel signals output through the horizontal signal lines, wherein the reference potential is used as a reference potential for each of the amplifying units.