Patent ID: 8513710

Claim:
A solid-state imaging device comprising an imaging region section provided with a plurality of pixels and a processing circuit section for processing an image signal output from the imaging region section, wherein: (a) each pixel comprises (1) a photoelectric converting element which generates a signal charge commensurate with a light-receiving amount, (2) a charge holding region of a conductivity type which holds the signal charge, (3) a transfer transistor, coupled to one side of the photoelectric converting element and the charge holding region, which transfers the signal charge generated by the photoelectric converting element to the charge holding region, and (4) a drain transistor, coupled to another side of the photoelectric converting element and a drain line, which drains the signal charge generated by the photoelectric converting element, and (b) the solid state imaging device further comprises a driver configuration unit configured to apply a negative voltage to the drain transistor during an off state of a transfer gate electrode so as to suppress a dark current to the photoelectric converting element.