Patent ID: 7561197

Claim:
An image sensor comprising a matrix of photosensitive elements, with, in the region where each row and each column of the matrix cross, a pixel comprising: a photosensitive region (N 1 ) of n-type conductivity, capable of storing photosensitive charges for an exposure time; an n-type storage region (N 2 ) capable of receiving and temporarily storing the charges from the photosensitive region; a first transfer gate (G 1 ) for selectively preventing or authorizing a transfer of charges from the photosensitive region (N 1 ) to the storage region (N 2 ); a second transfer gate (G 2 ) for selectively preventing or authorizing a transfer of charges from the photosensitive region (N 1 ) to a supply conductor (Vdd) common to the entire matrix; a third transfer gate (G 3 ) for selectively preventing or authorizing a transfer of charges between the storage region (N 2 ) and the supply conductor (Vdd); a first follower MOS transistor (T 4 ) having its drain connected to the supply conductor, and its gate formed by a fourth transfer gate (G 4 ), said fourth gate being connected to the storage region (N 2 ) whereby the potential of the source of the first MOS transistor, when this transistor is conducting a current, follows the variations in the potential of the storage region; a second MOS transistor (T 5 ) for authorizing a current conduction in the first MOS transistor (T 4 ), the drain of the second transistor being connected to the source of the first transistor, the source of the second transistor being connected to a column conductor (COL) common to all the pixels of one column, and the second transistor having a gate formed by a fifth transfer gate (G 5 ), the sensor further including a first row conductor (SEL) connected to the second and fifth transfer gates of all of the pixels of one row, wherein the second transistor is rendered conductive whenever the fifth transfer gate authorizes said transfer of charges from the photosensitive region to said supply conductor, a second row conductor (RESET) connected to the third transfer gate of all the pixels of said row, and a third conductor (TRA) connected to the first transfer gate of all the pixels of the matrix.