Patent ID: 8284277
Filing Date: 2012-10-09
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state imaging device comprising: a pixel array section having an effective pixel region formed by a plurality of pixels which are disposed in the form of a matrix, each of which includes a photoelectric conversion device and a transistor reading out an electric charge obtained by photoelectric conversion at the photoelectric conversion device, and which are illuminated by light and a light-shielded pixel region formed by a plurality of pixels which are shielded from light; a row scan section selecting and controlling each row of pixels of the pixel array section to output a signal from each of the pixels of the selected row of pixels to a column signal line provided in association with the row of pixels; and an A-D conversion section converting the signal output from the signal line into a digital signal, wherein the light-shielded pixel region includes an optical black pixel region formed by pixels generating a signal serving as a reference for a black level and a dummy pixel region which is formed by pixels whose signal output path to the column signal line is interrupted to discharge an electrical charge generated at the photoelectric conversion device to a power supply and which is provided between the optical black pixel region and the effective pixel region, each of the effective pixel region, the optical black pixel region, and the dummy pixel region is formed by a group of pixels including a plurality of pixels arranged in a column direction and sharing the floating diffusion portion, and the row scan section does not select the dummy pixel region of the light-shielded pixel region.