Patent ID: 8624308

Claim:
A pixel element of an image sensor comprising: A. a photodiode having a first portion connected to a ground potential and a second portion; B. a transfer transistor having a first source/drain portion coupled to the second portion of the photodiode, a second source/drain portion, and a gate coupled to a transfer signal; C. a floating diffusion having a first portion coupled to the second source/drain portion of the transfer transistor and a second portion coupled to the ground potential; D. a coupling transistor having a first source/drain portion coupled to the first portion of the floating diffusion and the second portion of the transfer transistor, a second source/drain portion, and a gate coupled to a couple signal; E. an additive capacitor having a first portion coupled to the second source/drain portion of the coupling transistor and a second portion connected to the ground potential; F. a reset transistor having a first source/drain portion coupled to the first portion of the additive capacitor and the second source/drain portion of the coupling transistor, a second portion coupled to a voltage lead, and a gate connected to a reset signal; G. a select transistor having a first source/drain portion coupled to the voltage lead, a second source/drain portion, and a gate connected to a select signal; and H. an amplifier transistor having a first source/drain portion coupled to the second source/drain portion of the select transistor, a second source/drain portion coupled to an output, and a gate connected to the first portion of the floating diffusion.