Patent ID: 7619198

Claim:
An imaging device drive method that includes multiple pixels arranged in a two-dimensional array, where each pixel includes a photodiode that receives light to generate a charge, a capacitance element and a transfer transistor connected between the photodiode and the capacitance element, the capacitance of the capacitance element being less than the capacitance of the photodiode, the method comprising the steps of: resetting the capacitance element a first time; accumulating charge in the photodiode by turning the transfer transistor off and isolating the photodiode from the capacitance element; after accumulating charge, turning the transfer transistor on for a first fixed cycle in a first charge transfer and transferring a first charge accumulated in the photodiode to the capacitance element; resetting the capacitance element a second time; after the second resetting, turning the transfer transistor on for a second fixed cycle in a second charge transfer and transferring a second charge accumulated in the photodiode to the capacitance element.