Patent ID: 6710803
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A CMOS image sensor including a pixel array with M(row line)Ã—N(column line) unit pixels, M and N being a positive integer, respectively, each unit pixel comprising:a light sensing means, coupled to a sensing node, for receiving light from an object to generate photoelectric charges; a resetting means, coupled to the sensing node, for making a fully depleted region within the light sensing means and providing a reset voltage level to the sensing node in response to a first control signal, wherein the reset voltage level corresponds to a level of the first control signal and is supplied to a unit pixel of a next row line as a power source, arranged on the same column line; an amplifying means for amplifying the voltage level of the sensing node to generate an amplified signal, wherein a power source of the amplifying means is derived from a unit pixel of a previous row line, arranged on the same column line; and a switching means, coupled between the amplifying means and an output terminal, for performing a switching operation to transfer the amplified signal to the output terminal in response to a second control signal, wherein the resetting means of a current unit pixel is coupled to the amplifying means of a next unit pixel.