Patent ID: 7286170
Filing Date: 2007-10-23
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state image sensor for outputting, from one line of a sensor array including an array of pixel photosensor cells or from one of a plurality of lines, which is selected in sequence from the sensor array including the array of the pixel photosensor cells, an optical signal and a noise signal from each of the pixel photosensor cells, n optical signal common output lines and n noise-signal common output lines (where n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2); means for separately reading out the output optical signals and the noise signals at the n optical-signal common output lines and the n noise-signal common output lines; and n differential output means for outputting differential signals between the optical signals and the noise signals output from the corresponding pixel photosensor cells, respectively, to which the optical-signal common output lines and the noise-signal common output lines are connected, the n differential output means including first differential output means and second differential output means, wherein the n optical-signal common output lines and the n noise-signal common output lines are arranged parallel to each other, and, of the n optical-signal common output lines and the n noise-signal common output lines, a first optical-signal common output line, a first noise-signal common output line, a second optical-signal common output line, and a second noise-signal common output line are arranged in the sequence of the first optical-signal common output line, the first noise-signal common output line, the second noise-signal common output line, and the second optical-signal common output line, and wherein the first optical-signal common output line and the first noise-signal common output line are connected to the first differential output means, and the second optical-signal common output line and the second noise-signal common output line are connected to the second differential output means.