Patent ID: 9191572
Filing Date: 2015-11-17
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. An image sensor comprising: a column signal line connected to output terminals of a plurality of pixel sensors; a comparator circuit configured to output a signal corresponding to a comparison result of a signal output to the column signal line and a reference signal at an output terminal thereof; an analog/digital conversion (ADC) circuit configured to convert an analog signal corresponding to an optical signal sensed by the pixel sensor selected from the plurality of pixel sensors connected to the column signal line into digital data based on the signal output from the comparator circuit; and a load circuit directly connected in series to the comparator circuit between the output terminal of the comparator circuit and a ground terminal, such that the comparator circuit is connected between the load circuit and the column signal line, wherein the load circuit is configured as a common load device of the plurality of pixel sensors connected to the column signal line and the comparator circuit; wherein the comparator circuit comprises a transistor, wherein the reference signal is applied to a gate terminal of the transistor, the column signal line is connected to a first terminal of the transistor, and the load circuit is connected to a second terminal of the transistor.