Patent ID: 6288744
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A solid-state image pickup device for converting an image into a time-serial electrical signal and outputting the signal, said solid-state image pickup device comprising:a plurality of pixels including odd-numbered and even-numbered pixel columns, said pixels generating information charges in response to an image;a plurality of vertical shift registers for vertically transferring the information charges generated by said plurality of pixels, said vertical shift registers including odd-numbered and even-numbered columns which respectively correspond to said odd-numbered and said even-numbered pixel columns;a horizontal shift register coupled to and shared by both the odd-numbered and even-numbered columns of the plurality of vertical shift registers without any intervening temporary registers for receiving the information charges from said plurality of vertical shift registers and horizontally transferring the information charges; andan output unit for converting the information charges from said horizontal shift register into a voltage value,wherein said plurality of vertical shift registers includevertical transfer electrodes extending over said odd-numbered and even-numbered columns of said plurality of vertical shift registers for vertically transferring the information charges in each of said plurality of vertical shift registers andfirst and second output-control electrodes disposed at an output end thereof partially overlapping each other and the first output-control electrode partially overlapping a last vertical transfer electrode, the first and second output-control electrodes extending over said plurality of vertical shift registers for controlling a transfer time of the information charges from both the odd-numbered and even-numbered columns of the plurality of vertical shift registers by suspending transfer of the information charges to said horizontal shift register independently of vertical transfer of the information charges by the vertical transfer electrodes, such that the information charges are transferred from odd-numbered and even-numbered columns of said plurality of vertical shift registers to the horizontal shift register at different times.