Patent ID: 6097509
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
An image sensor comprising:a plurality of photodiodes each having one electrode connected to a power source line;a plurality of switching transistors;a plurality of amplifying transistors for amplifying output signals from said photodiodes, each of said amplifying transistors having a control electrode connected to another electrode of a corresponding one of said photodiodes, having another electrode connected to said power source line, and having still another electrode connected to a corresponding one of said switching transistors;a shift register having a plurality of output terminals that are so connected as to drive said switching transistors, said shift register feeding a switching pulse successively to each of said output terminals in synchronism with a clock supplied thereto;a capacitor for storing output signals from said photodiodes, said capacitor receiving said output signals through said amplifying transistors and said switching transistors;a clearing transistor connected in parallel with said capacitor for clearing said capacitor;a clock input terminal from which said shift register receives the clock; anda delay circuit connected between said clock input terminal and a control electrode of said clearing transistor for supplying the clock to said clearing transistor with a delay,wherein said capacitor is cleared over a predetermined period including periods before and after said switching transistors are turned on.