Patent ID: 6559889
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising:a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of sensor sections that have an overflow drain structure and are arranged in matrix form, and a charge transfer section for transferring signal charges read out from the sensor sections; a shutter effective to prevent light from irradiating the sensor sections; and a driving system for performing a drive operation so as to lower an overflow drain bias of the solid-state imaging device directly in response to a timing signal, in anticipation of a decrease in a saturation signal charge amount of said sensor sections, and regardless of the amount of incident light during an exposure period, wherein said overflow drain bias is lowered at least during a signal charge readout period in a given operating mode during which said signal charges are read out from said sensor sections, said shutter being closed during said readout period, thereby increasing the saturation signal charge amount of said sensors sections.