Patent ID: 7470911

Claim:
A photoelectric conversion device, comprising: a plurality of pixels each having, as one unit, photoelectric conversion means for converting light into an electrical signal to accumulate therein electric charges, and transfer means for transferring the electric charges accumulated in said photoelectric conversion means, said plurality of pixels being disposed in a matrix; and means for sweeping out the electric charges accumulated in said photoelectric conversion means through a control line for said transfer means of said pixels disposed along a line adjacent to said photoelectric conversion means concerned, wherein said photoelectric conversion means has at least a first electrode and a second electrode connected to said transfer means, said means for sweeping out uses a capacitor between said second electrode of said photoelectric conversion means and said control line for said transfer means of said pixels disposed along the line adjacent to said photoelectric conversion means, and a voltage change of said control line in a reading operation for said pixels disposed along the adjacent line, to sweep out the electric charges accumulated in said photoelectric conversion means.