Patent ID: 9030582
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
1. A solid-state image sensor comprising: a pixel area with a plurality of picture elements arranged therein, each picture element including a photodiode, a detection node for converting a photocharge generated by the photodiode from an electric-charge signal into a voltage signal, a transfer gate for controlling a transfer of a photocharge from the photodiode to the detection node, and a buffer circuit for transmitting the voltage signal produced by the detection node to one of the pixel output lines to be described later; a memory area, which is separated from the pixel area, and in which a plurality of memory units whose number is equal to a number of picture elements are arranged, with each memory unit corresponding to one picture element and having a plurality of memory cells provided therein; and pixel output lines whose number is equal to the number of picture elements as well as a number of memory units, with each pixel output line separately connecting one picture element in the pixel area and one memory unit in the memory area, wherein the buffer circuit includes at least one current driver for driving the pixel output line, and the current driver includes a current source which is located inside the picture element concerned and which becomes a load.