Patent ID: 8582009
Filing Date: 2013-11-12
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state image sensor including a pixel array in which a plurality of pixels are two-dimensionally arranged so as to form a plurality of pixel rows and a plurality of pixel columns, and color filters arranged on the pixel array such that signals of colors corresponding to a color arrangement of the color filters are output from the plurality of pixels, wherein a first column readout line and a second column readout line are provided to each pixel column, the plurality of pixel rows of the pixel array are divided into pixel rows of a first group and pixel rows of a second group, the first group is divided into subgroups each formed from pixels of an identical color, the second group is divided into subgroups each formed from pixels of an identical color, signals from pixels belonging to the pixel rows of the first group are output to the first column readout line, and signals from pixels belonging to the pixel rows of the second group are output to the second column readout line, pixels belonging to at least one of the subgroups of the first group and pixels belonging to at least one of the subgroups of the second group being alternately arranged, each pixel includes a photoelectric conversion element and a transfer element, signals of pixels belonging to each subgroup of the first group are output to the first column readout line by a first amplification element arranged between the first column readout line and the photoelectric conversion elements of the pixels belonging to the subgroup of the first group, and signals of pixels belonging to each subgroup of the second group are output to the second column readout line by a second amplification element arranged between the second column readout line and the photoelectric conversion elements of the pixels belonging to the subgroup of the second group, pixels belonging to a same subgroup in a same pixel column share a conversion region, the conversion region including (i) floating diffusion regions, each of the floating diffusion regions being provided to a respective one of the pixels belonging to the same subgroup in the same pixel column and sharing the conversion region, and each of the floating diffusion regions being arranged between the photoelectric conversion element of the pixel belonging to the first group in the same pixel column and the photoelectric conversion element of the pixel belonging to the second group in the same pixel column, and (ii) an electrically conductive member connecting the floating diffusion regions, wherein charges generated in each of the photoelectric conversion elements of the pixels belonging to the same subgroup in the same pixel column and sharing the conversion region are transferred to a corresponding floating diffusion region of the shared conversion region by the transfer elements, the charges transferred to the floating diffusion regions are converted into a voltage in the shared conversion region, the electrically conductive member of the pixels belonging to each subgroup of the first group includes portions extending from the floating diffusion regions toward the first column readout line, and a portion extending along the first column readout line so as to connect the portions extending from the floating diffusion regions toward the first column readout line and the first amplification element, the electrically conductive member of the pixels belonging to each subgroup of the second group includes portions extending from the floating diffusion regions toward the second column readout line, and a portion extending along the second column readout line so as to connect the portions extending from the floating diffusion regions toward the second column readout line and the second amplification element, and a given conversion region does not intersect any other conversion regions included in a pixel column of the given conversion region.