Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a solid state imaging device used in digital cameras etc., and in particular to technology for increasing dynamic range. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The dynamic range of conventional solid state imaging devices is approximately 60 dB to 80 dB. There is a desire to increase the dynamic range of solid state imaging devices to approximately 100 dB to 120 dB, which compares with the human eye and silver salt film, or to even higher levels depending on use in vehicle-mounted cameras, surveillance cameras, etc. In view of this, patent document 1 discloses technology for capturing a plurality of frames at different exposure period lengths and compositing the captured frames. The range of luminance that can be captured in a frame varies according to the length of the exposure period. In the technology of patent document 1, the dynamic range is increased by compositing the plurality of frames that have different capturable luminance ranges. 
         [0005]    Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-15298 
         [0006]    However, in the technology of patent document 1, both a frame memory for storing the frames and a signal composition unit for compositing the frames are provided externally to the solid state imaging device, which increases the chip area and raises power consumption. Also, since the pixel signals of a plurality of frames must be read from the solid state imaging device in order to create a single frame, a lack of sufficient reading speed will reduce the frame rate. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In view of this, an aim of the present invention is to provide a solid state imaging device and camera that have an increased dynamic range while minimizing the occurrence of the above problems. 
         [0008]    The present invention is a solid state imaging device including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including: a photodiode that generates a charge in accordance with an intensity of incident light; a signal generation unit whose circuit structure includes a source follower, the signal generation unit being operable to, in a frame period, output from the source follower (i) a first voltage signal that corresponds to an amount of charge generated by the photodiode in a first exposure period and (ii) a second voltage signal that corresponds to an amount of charge generated by the photodiode in a second exposure period whose length is different from a length of the first exposure period; and a signal composition unit whose circuit structure includes one or more capacitors that hold the first voltage signal and second voltage signal output from the source follower, the signal composition unit being operable to composite the first voltage signal and second voltage signal held in the one or more capacitors. 
         [0009]    The present invention is also a camera including a solid state imaging device, the solid state imaging device including a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photodiode that generates a charge in accordance with an intensity of incident light; a signal generation unit whose circuit structure includes a source follower, the signal generation unit being operable to, in a frame period, output from the source follower (i) a first voltage signal that corresponds to an amount of charge generated by the photodiode in a first exposure period and (ii) a second voltage signal that corresponds to an amount of charge generated by the photodiode in a second exposure period whose length is different from a length of the first exposure period; and a signal composition unit whose circuit structure includes one or more capacitors that hold the first voltage signal and second voltage signal output from the source follower, the signal composition unit being operable to composite the first voltage signal and second voltage signal held in the one or more capacitors. 
         [0010]    According to the above structure, the first voltage signal and second voltage signal are composited, thereby enabling a wider dynamic range. Also, the first and second voltage signals are composited in the pixel, thereby eliminating the need for a frame memory and signal composition unit that are external to the solid state imaging device. Furthermore, it is the composited pixel signal that is read from the pixel, thereby suppressing a reduction in frame rate. 
         [0011]    Also, the first and second voltage signals are output from the source follower, which has the additional effect of suppressing variations between the levels of the held voltage signals even if there are variations between the capacitances of capacitors in the same pixel or capacitors in different pixels. 
         [0012]    Also, the signal composition unit may (i) cause the first voltage signal to be held in a first capacitor from among the one or more capacitors, (ii) cause the second voltage signal to be held in a second capacitor from among the one or more capacitors, the first capacitor and the second capacitor having a same capacitance, and (iii) cause the first capacitor holding the first voltage signal and the second capacitor holding the second voltage signal to be connected in parallel. 
         [0013]    According to this structure, the capacitances of the first and second capacitors are the same, thereby making the contribution rates of the first and second voltage signals the same. 
         [0014]    Also, when performing the composition, the signal composition unit may give a predetermined weight to the first voltage signal and a predetermined weight to the second voltage signal. 
         [0015]    This structure enables setting the contributions rates of the first and second voltage signals to desired contribution rates in the composited pixel signal. This enables raising the contrast in the high luminance range, raising the contrast in the low luminance range, etc. 
         [0016]    Also, the signal composition unit may (i) cause the first voltage signal to be held in a first capacitor from among the one or more capacitors, (ii) cause the second voltage signal to be held in a second capacitor from among the one or more capacitors, the first capacitor and second capacitor having a different capacitance, and (iii) cause the first capacitor holding the first voltage signal and the second capacitor holding the second voltage signal to be connected in parallel. 
         [0017]    According to this structure, the capacitances of the first and second capacitors are different, thereby enabling giving the first and second voltage signals different contribution rates in the composited pixel signal. 
         [0018]    Also, the signal composition unit may include a plurality of the capacitors, each of the plurality of capacitors having a same capacitance, the first capacitor may be connected in parallel with a first number of capacitors from among the plurality of capacitors, and the second capacitor may be connected in parallel with a second number of capacitors from among the plurality of capacitors, the first number of capacitors and second number of capacitors being different in number. 
         [0019]    According to this structure, the capacitances of the first and second capacitors are different, thereby enabling giving the first and second voltage signals different contribution rates in the composited pixel signal. 
         [0020]    Also, the signal composition unit may be further operable to arbitrarily change the predetermined weight of the first voltage signal and the predetermined weight of the second voltage signal. 
         [0021]    This structure enables dynamically changing the contribution rates of the first and second voltage signals. This enables raising the contrast in the high luminance range, low luminance range, etc. according to imaging conditions. 
         [0022]    Also, in a first mode of the signal composition unit, the signal composition unit may (i) cause the first voltage signal to be held in a first capacitor from among the one or more capacitors, (ii) cause the second voltage signal to be held in a second capacitor from among the one or more capacitors, a capacitance of the second capacitor being smaller than a capacitance of the first capacitor, and (iii) cause the first capacitor holding the first voltage signal and the second capacitor holding the second voltage signal to be connected in parallel, and in a second mode of the signal composition unit, the signal composition unit may cause the first voltage signal to be held in the second capacitor, causes the second voltage signal to be held in the first capacitor, and cause the first capacitor holding the second voltage signal and the second capacitor holding the first voltage signal to be connected in parallel. 
         [0023]    This structure enables dynamically changing the contribution rates of the first and second voltage signals by merely switching the capacitors that are to hold the first and second voltage signals. 
         [0024]    Also, the signal composition unit may include a plurality of the capacitors, each of the plurality of capacitors having a same capacitance, in a first mode of the signal composition unit, the signal composition unit may (i) cause the first voltage signal to be held in a first number of capacitors from among the plurality of capacitors, (ii) cause the second voltage signal to be held in a second number of capacitors from among the plurality of capacitors, the second number of capacitors being smaller in number than the first number of capacitors, and (iii) cause the first number of capacitors holding the first voltage signal and the second number of capacitors holding the second voltage signal to be connected in parallel, and in a second mode of the signal composition unit, the signal composition unit may (iv) cause the first voltage signal to be held in a third number of capacitors from among the plurality of capacitors, (v) cause the second voltage signal to be held in a fourth number of capacitors from among the plurality of capacitors, the fourth number of capacitors being greater in number than the third number of capacitors, and (vi) cause the third number of capacitors holding the first voltage signal and the fourth number of capacitors holding the second voltage signal to be connected in parallel. 
         [0025]    This structure enables dynamically changing the contribution rates of the first and second voltage signals by merely causing the number of capacitors that are to hold the first voltage signals to be different from the number of capacitors that are to hold the second voltage signals. 
         [0026]    Also, in the signal composition unit, one of the one or more capacitors may be a signal holding capacitor, and another one of the one or more capacitors may be a signal composition capacitor, and the signal composition unit may (i) cause the first voltage signal to be held in the signal holding capacitor, (ii) in a first charging period, cause the signal composition capacitor to be charged by a first current that corresponds to the first voltage signal held in the signal holding capacitor, (iii) cause the second voltage signal to be held in the signal holding capacitor after the first charging period has elapsed, and (iv) in a second charging period whose length is the same as a length of the first charging period, cause the signal composition capacitor to be further charged by a second current that corresponds to the second voltage signal. 
         [0027]    According to this structure, since the first and second voltage signals are successively composited using a signal composition capacitor, only one signal holding capacitor need be provided for holding the first and second voltage signals, which enables reducing the size of the pixel. Also, the first and second charging periods are the same length, thereby making the contribution rates of the first and second voltage signals the same. 
         [0028]    Also, in the signal composition unit, one of the one or more capacitors may be a signal holding capacitor, and another one of the one or more capacitors may be a signal composition capacitor, and the signal composition unit may (i) cause the first voltage signal to be held in the signal holding capacitor, (ii) in a first charging period, cause the signal composition capacitor to be charged by a first current that corresponds to the first voltage signal held in the signal holding capacitor, (iii) cause the second voltage signal to be held in the signal holding capacitor after the first charging period has elapsed, and (iv) in a second charging period whose length is different from the first charging period, cause the signal composition capacitor to be further charged by a second current that corresponds to the second voltage signal held in the signal holding capacitor. 
         [0029]    According to this structure, since the first and second voltage signals are successively composited using a signal composition capacitor, only one signal holding capacitor need be provided for holding the first and second voltage signals, which enables reducing the size of the pixel. Also, the first and second charging periods are different, thereby enabling giving the first and second voltage signals different contribution rates in the composited pixel signal. 
         [0030]    Also, in the signal composition unit, one of the one or more capacitors may be a signal holding capacitor, and another one of the one or more capacitors may be a signal composition capacitor, and the signal composition unit may (i) cause the first voltage signal to be held in the signal holding capacitor, (ii) cause the signal composition capacitor and the signal holding capacitor that is holding the first voltage signal to be connected in parallel for only a certain time period, (iii) after the time period has elapsed, cause the second voltage signal to be held in the signal holding capacitor, and (iv) cause the signal composition capacitor holding a voltage signal based on the first voltage signal and the signal holding capacitor holding the second voltage signal to be connected in parallel. 
         [0031]    According to this structure, since the first and second voltage signals are successively composited using a signal composition capacitor, only one signal holding capacitor need be provided for holding the first and second voltage signals, which enables reducing the size of the pixel. 
         [0032]    Also, the signal composition unit may cause the first voltage signal to be held in a first capacitor from among the one or more capacitors, cause the second voltage signal to be held in a second capacitor from among the one or more capacitors, and cause the first capacitor holding the first voltage signal and the second capacitor holding the second voltage signal to be connected in series. 
         [0033]    This structure enables increasing the signal level of the composited voltage signal while making the contribution rates of the first and second voltage signals the same. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE CHARACTERS 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               90  imaging pixel 
               91  MOS transistor 
               92  shared vertical signal line 
               93  noise cancelling circuit 
               94  MOS transistor 
               95  shared signal line 
               96  vertical scanning circuit 
               97  signal output line 
               98  horizontal scanning circuit 
               99  signal output line 
               100  MOS solid state imaging device 
               101  timing generation unit 
               102  imaging chip 
               103  signal processing chip 
               104  mode selection unit 
               105  optical series 
           
         
       
     
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0050]    These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0051]    In the drawings: 
           [0052]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram showing the structure of an MOS solid state imaging device  100  pertaining to embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 2  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 1 of the present invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 3  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 1, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals; 
           [0055]      FIG. 4  shows a relationship between exposure time and accumulated charge in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 1; 
           [0056]      FIG. 5  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (before composition) in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 1; 
           [0057]      FIG. 6  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 1; 
           [0058]      FIG. 7  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 2 of the present invention; 
           [0059]      FIG. 8  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 2, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals; 
           [0060]      FIG. 9  shows a relationship between exposure time and accumulated charge in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 2; 
           [0061]      FIG. 10  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 3 of the present invention; 
           [0062]      FIG. 11  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 3; 
           [0063]      FIG. 12  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to a modification of the present invention; 
           [0064]      FIG. 13  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to another modification of the present invention; 
           [0065]      FIG. 14  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 4 of the present invention, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals; 
           [0066]      FIG. 15  shows the structure of a camera pertaining to embodiment 4 of the present invention; 
           [0067]      FIG. 16  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 5 of the present invention; 
           [0068]      FIG. 17  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 5, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals; 
           [0069]      FIG. 18  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 5; 
           [0070]      FIG. 19  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 6 of the present invention, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals; 
           [0071]      FIG. 20  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 6; 
           [0072]      FIG. 21  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 7 of the present invention; 
           [0073]      FIG. 22  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 7, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals; 
           [0074]      FIG. 23  shows the contribution rates of signal levels V 1 , V 2  and V 3  from exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  respectively; 
           [0075]      FIG. 24  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 7; 
           [0076]      FIG. 25  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 8 of the present invention; and 
           [0077]      FIG. 26  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 8, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0078]    Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the drawings. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0079]      FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram showing the structure of an MOS solid state imaging device  100  pertaining to embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         [0080]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , (L×M) imaging pixels  90 ( 11 ) to  90 (LM) have been provided in a matrix pattern in the MOS solid state imaging device  100  of the present embodiment. The imaging pixels  90 ( 11 ) to  90 (LM) are respectively connected to shared vertical signal lines  92 ( 1 ) to  92 (L) via MOS transistors  91 ( 11 ) to  91 (LM). 
         [0081]    The shared vertical signal lines  92 ( 1 ) to  92 (L) are connected to a shared signal line  95  via noise cancelling circuits  93 ( 1 ) to  93 (L) and MOS transistors  94 ( 1 ) to  94 (L) respectively. 
         [0082]    In the MOS solid state imaging device  100 , a vertical scanning circuit  96  and a horizontal scanning circuit  98  have been provided on a periphery of the matrix of (L×M) imaging pixels  90 ( 11 ) to  90 (LM). Signal output lines  97 ( 1 ) to  97 (M) extend out from the vertical scanning circuit  96  in the X axis direction, and are connected to gates of the MOS transistors  91 ( 11 ) to  91 (LM). 
         [0083]    Signal output lines  99 ( 1 ) to  99 (L) extend out from the horizontal scanning circuit  98  in the Y axis direction, and are connected to gates of the MOS transistors  94 ( 1 ) to  94 (L). 
         [0084]      FIG. 2  shows the structure of the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 1. 
         [0085]    The imaging pixel  90  includes a photodiode  1 , a signal generation unit and a signal composition unit. 
         [0086]    The signal generation unit includes MOS transistors  2 ,  4 ,  6  and  7 , and a floating diffusion F. The MOS transistor  2  is provided on a path connecting the photodiode  1  and the floating diffusion F. The MOS transistor  4  is provided on a path connecting the floating diffusion F and a reference voltage power supply. The MOS transistors  6  and  7  constitute a source follower. A voltage VF is supplied from the floating diffusion F to the gate of the MOS transistor  6 , and a power supply voltage VDD is supplied to the drain of the MOS transistor  6 . A bias voltage is supplied to the gate of the MOS transistor  7 , and a ground voltage is supplied to the source of the MOS transistor  7 . The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  6  and  7  outputs a voltage signal resulting from multiplication of the voltage VF from the floating diffusion F by the gain. 
         [0087]    The signal composition unit includes MOS transistors  9 ,  11 ,  13  and  14 , memories M 1  to Mn, and a signal composition capacitor C 0 . The MOS transistor  9  is provided on a path connecting the drain of the MOS transistor  7  and point M. The MOS transistor  11  is provided on a path connecting point M and the reference voltage power supply. The MOS transistors  13  and  14  constitute a source follower. The power supply voltage VDD is supplied to the drain of the MOS transistor  13 , and a voltage VM is supplied from point M to the gate of the MOS transistor  13 . A bias voltage is supplied to the gate of the MOS transistor  14 , and a ground voltage is supplied to the source of the MOS transistor  14 . The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14  outputs a voltage V 16 , which is the voltage VM at point M multiplied by the gain. The memory M 1  includes a capacitor  19 ( 1 ) and an MOS transistor  17 ( 1 ). The MOS transistor  17 ( 1 ) is provided on a path connecting the capacitor  19 ( 1 ) and point M. The memories M 2  to Mn have the same structure as the memory M 1 , and the capacitances of the capacitors  19 ( 1 ) to  19 ( n ) are the same. The signal composition capacitor C 0  holds a floating capacitance. 
         [0088]      FIG. 3  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 1, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals. 
         [0089]    In  FIG. 3 , period A is a period during which read voltage signals are held in the memories, period B is a period during which the read voltage signals held in the memories are output, period C is a period during which reset voltage signals are held in the memories, and period D is a period during which the reset voltage signals held in the memories are output. 
         [0090]    A driving signal S 10  is a signal supplied to a gate  10  of the MOS transistor  9 , a driving signal S 12  is a signal supplied to a gate  12  of the MOS transistor  11 , a driving signal  5  is a signal supplied to a gate  5  of the MOS transistor  4 , a driving signal S 3  is a signal supplied to a gate  3  of the MOS transistor  2 , a driving signal S 18 ( 1 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 1 ) of the MOS transistor  17 ( 1 ), a driving signal S 18 ( 2 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 2 ) of the MOS transistor  17 ( 2 ), and a driving signal S 18 ( 3 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 3 ) of the MOS transistor  17 ( 3 ). 
         [0091]    A voltage signal VF is a signal that appears at the floating diffusion F, a voltage signal V 19 ( 1 ) is a signal that appears at the capacitor  19 ( 1 ), a voltage signal V 19 ( 2 ) is a signal that appears at the capacitor  19 ( 2 ), a voltage signal V 19 ( 3 ) is a signal that appears at the capacitor  19 ( 3 ), a voltage signal VM is a signal that appears at point M, and a voltage signal V 16  is a signal that appears at the output node of the source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14 . 
         [0092]    At time t 2 , the MOS transistor  2  is in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  4  is turned to an ON state for a predetermined time period. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F is brought to a reference level VR. 
         [0093]    From time t 3  to time t 4 , the MOS transistor  4  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  2  is in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 1  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 1 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 1 . At this time, the MOS transistors  11 ,  17 ( 2 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  9  and  17 ( 1 ) are in an ON state. Therefore, the voltage VM at point M is brought to level VM 1 , which is the read level VF 1  multiplied by the gain of the source follower, and the voltage V 19 ( 1 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 1 ) is brought to level V 19 ( 1 ) 1 , which is substantially the same as level VM 1 . When the MOS transistor  17 -( 1 ) is turned to an OFF state after time t 4 , the voltage V 19 ( 1 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 1 ) is held at level V 19 ( 1 ) 1 . 
         [0094]    Then at time t 5 , the MOS transistor  2  is in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  4  is turned to an ON state for a predetermined time period. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion is brought to the reference level VR. 
         [0095]    From time t 6  to time t 7 , the MOS transistor  4  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  2  is in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 2  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 2 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 2 . At this time, the MOS transistors  11 ,  17 ( 1 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  9  and  17 ( 2 ) are in an ON state. Therefore, the voltage VM at point M is brought to level VM 2 , which is the read level VF 2  multiplied by the gain of the source follower, and the voltage V 19 ( 2 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 2 ) is brought to level V 19 ( 2 ) 1 , which is substantially the same as level VM 2 . When the MOS transistor  17 ( 2 ) is turned to an OFF state after time t 7 , the voltage V 19 ( 2 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 2 ) is held at level V 19 ( 2 ) 1 . 
         [0096]    Then at time t 8 , the MOS transistor  2  is in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  4  is turned to an ON state for a predetermined time period. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion is brought to the reference level VR. 
         [0097]    From time t 9  to time t 10 , the MOS transistor  4  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  2  is in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 3  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 3 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 3 . At this time, the MOS transistors  11 ,  17 ( 1 ) and  17 ( 2 ) are in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  9  and  17 ( 3 ) are in an ON state. Therefore, the voltage VM at point M is brought to level VM 3 , which is the read level VF 3  multiplied by the gain of the source follower, and the voltage V 19 ( 3 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 3 ) is brought to level V 19 ( 3 ) 1 , which is substantially the same as level VM 3 . When the MOS transistor  17 ( 3 ) is turned to an OFF state after time t 10 , the voltage V 19 ( 3 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 3 ) is held at level V 19 ( 3 ) 1 . 
         [0098]    At time t 12 , the MOS transistor  9  is in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  11  is turned to an ON state for a predetermined time period. As a result, the voltage VM at point M is brought to a reference level VB. 
         [0099]    From time t 13  to time t 14 , the MOS transistors  9  and  11  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  17 ( 1 ),  17 ( 2 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are in an ON state. At this time, the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ),  19 ( 3 ), and C 0  become connected in parallel. As a result, the voltage VM at point M is brought to voltage VM 4 , which is an average of levels V 19 ( 1 ) 1 , V 19 ( 2 ) 1 , V 19 ( 3 ) 1 , and VB. 
         [0100]    Then from time t 16  to time t 17  the MOS transistor  2  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  4  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F is brought to the reference level VR. At this time, the MOS transistor  11  is in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  9 ,  17 ( 1 ),  17 ( 2 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are in an ON state. Therefore, the voltage VM at point M is brought to level VM 5 , which is the reference level VR multiplied by the gain of the source follower. Also, the voltage V 19 ( 1 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 1 ), the voltage V 19 ( 2 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 2 ), and the voltage V 19 ( 3 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 3 ) are brought to levels V 19 ( 1 ) 3 , V 19 ( 2 ) 3 , and V 19 ( 3 ) 3  respectively, each of which is substantially the same as level VM 5 . When the MOS transistors  17 ( 1 ),  17 ( 2 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are turned to an OFF state after time T 17 , the voltages of the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ) and  19 ( 3 ) are held at levels V 19 ( 1 ) 3 , V 19 ( 2 ) 3 , and V 19 ( 3 ) 3  respectively. 
         [0101]    Then at time t 19 , the MOS transistor  9  is in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  11  is turned to an ON state for a predetermined time period. As a result, the voltage VM at point M is brought to the reference level VB. 
         [0102]    From time t 20  to time t 21 , the MOS transistors  9  and  11  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  17 ( 1 ),  17 ( 2 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are in an ON state. At this time, the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ),  19 ( 3 ), and C 0  become connected in parallel. As a result, the voltage VM at point M is brought to voltage VM 6 , which is an average of levels V 19 ( 1 ) 3 , V 19 ( 2 ) 3 , V 19 ( 3 ) 3 , and VB. 
         [0103]    The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14  outputs the voltage V 16 , which is the voltage VM at point M multiplied by the gain. The voltage V 16  is sampled by the noise cancelling circuit  93  at time t 16  and time t 21 . The noise cancelling circuit  93  obtains a pixel signal by calculating a difference between level V 161  at time t 16  and level V 162  at time t 21 . 
         [0104]      FIG. 4  shows a relationship between exposure time and accumulated charge in the image pixel  90  of embodiment 1. 
         [0105]    An upper limit d of the accumulated charge in the image pixel  90  is determined by the capacitance of the floating diffusion F or the photodiode  1 . The slope of line a indicates an upper limit of light intensity at which the charge does not reach saturation during exposure period T 1 . Similarly, the slopes of lines b and c indicate the upper limits of light intensity at which the charge does not reach saturation during exposure periods T 2  and T 3  respectively. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , the shorter the exposure period, the less readily the charge reaches saturation even when the light intensity is strong. 
         [0106]      FIG. 5  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (before composition) in the image pixel  90  of embodiment 1. 
         [0107]    An upper limit h of the signal level in the image pixel  90  is determined in correspondence with the upper limit d of the accumulated charge. Line e indicates signal level with respect to light intensity in the case of exposure period T 1 . Similarly, lines f and g indicate signal level with respect to light intensity in the cases of exposure periods T 2  and T 3  respectively. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the shorter the exposure period, the less readily the signal level reaches saturation even when the light intensity is strong. 
         [0108]      FIG. 6  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in the image pixel  90  of embodiment 1. 
         [0109]    A bent line i indicates signal level with respect to light intensity in the case of compositing the signal levels of exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3 . As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , compositing the signal levels of different exposure periods enables ensuring a sufficient signal level even when the light intensity is weak, while preventing the signal level from reaching saturation even when the light intensity is strong. This means that the dynamic range is increased. Note that in embodiment 1, the capacitors  19 ( 1 ) to  19 ( n ) all have the same capacitance. The signal levels in exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  therefore all have the same contribution rate in the composited signal level. 
         [0110]    In the structure pertaining to embodiment 1 of the present invention, pixel signals in exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  are output from the source follower and held in the capacitors  19 . Therefore, variations do not occur in the voltage levels of the held pixel signals even if there are variations between the capacitances of the capacitors  19 . In other words, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of fixed pattern noise that originates from variations in the capacitances of capacitors. In addition to the effect of increasing the dynamic range, this has the superior effect of suppressing image roughness so as to obtain a high-quality image. 
       Embodiment 2 
       [0111]    Embodiment 2 describes an AMI (Amplified MOS Imager) solid state imaging device. 
         [0112]      FIG. 7  shows the structure of an image pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         [0113]    The image pixel  90  includes a photodiode  1 , a signal generation unit and a signal composition unit. A description of the structure of the signal composition unit has been omitted due to being the same as in embodiment 1. 
         [0114]    The signal generation unit includes MOS transistors  4 ,  6  and  7 . The MOS transistor  4  is provided on a path connecting the photodiode  1  and a reference voltage power supply. The MOS transistors  6  and  7  constitute a source follower. A voltage V 1  is supplied from the photodiode  1  to the gate of the MOS transistor  6 , and a power supply voltage VDD is supplied to the drain of the MOS transistor  6 . A bias voltage is supplied to the gate of the MOS transistor  7 , and a ground voltage is supplied to the source of the MOS transistor  7 . The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  6  and  7  outputs a voltage signal that corresponds to the voltage V 1  at the photodiode  1 . 
         [0115]      FIG. 8  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 2, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals. 
         [0116]    In  FIG. 8 , period A is a period during which read voltage signals are held in the memories, period B is a period during which the read voltage signals held in the memories are output, period C is a period during which reset voltage signals are held in the memories, and period D is a period during which the reset voltage signals held in the memories are output. 
         [0117]    A driving signal S 10  is a signal supplied to a gate  10  of the MOS transistor  9 , a driving signal S 12  is a signal supplied to a gate  12  of the MOS transistor  11 , a driving signal  5  is a signal supplied to a gate  5  of the MOS transistor  4 , a driving signal S 18 ( 1 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 1 ) of the MOS transistor  17 ( 1 ), a driving signal S 18 ( 2 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 2 ) of the MOS transistor  17 ( 2 ), and a driving signal S 18 ( 3 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 3 ) of the MOS transistor  17 ( 3 ). 
         [0118]    A voltage signal V 1  is a signal that appears at the photodiode  1 , a voltage signal V 19 ( 1 ) is a signal that appears at the capacitor  19 ( 1 ), a voltage signal V 19 ( 2 ) is a signal that appears at the capacitor  19 ( 2 ), a voltage signal V 19 ( 3 ) is a signal that appears at the capacitor  19 ( 3 ), a voltage signal VM is a signal that appears at point M, and a voltage signal V 16  is a signal that appears at the output node of the source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14 . 
         [0119]    At time t 2 , the MOS transistor  4  is turned to an ON state for a predetermined time period. As a result, the voltage V 1  of the photodiode  1  is brought to a reference level VR. 
         [0120]    From time t 3  to time t 4 , the MOS transistor  11  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  9  and  17 ( 1 ) are in an ON state. This causes the voltage V 1  of the photodiode  1  to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 1 , that is to say, the voltage V 1  falls to a read level V 11 . At this time, the voltage VM at point M is brought to level VM 1 , which is the read level V 11  multiplied by the gain of the source follower, and the voltage V 19 ( 1 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 1 ) is brought to level V 19 ( 1 ) 1 , which is substantially the same as level VM 1 . When the MOS transistor  17 ( 1 ) is turned to an OFF state after time t 4 , the voltage V 19 ( 1 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 1 ) is held at level V 19 ( 1 ) 1 . 
         [0121]    From time t 5  to time t 6 , the MOS transistor  11  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  9  and  17 ( 2 ) are in an ON state. This causes the voltage V 1  of the photodiode  1  to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 2 , that is to say, the voltage V 1  falls to a read level V 12 . At this time, the voltage VM at point M is brought to level VM 2 , which is the read level V 12  multiplied by the gain of the source follower, and the voltage V 19 ( 2 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 2 ) is brought to level V 19 ( 2 ) 1 , which is substantially the same as level VM 2 . When the MOS transistor  17 ( 2 ) is turned to an OFF state after time t 6 , the voltage V 19 ( 2 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 2 ) is held at level V 19 ( 2 ) 1 . 
         [0122]    From time t 7  to time t 8 , the MOS transistor  11  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  9  and  17 ( 3 ) are in an ON state. This causes the voltage V 1  of the photodiode  1  to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 3 , that is to say, the voltage V 1  falls to a read level V 13 . At this time, the voltage VM at point M is brought to level VM 3 , which is the read level V 13  multiplied by the gain of the source follower, and the voltage V 19 ( 3 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 3 ) is brought to level V 19 ( 3 ) 1 , which is substantially the same as level VM 3 . When the MOS transistor  17 ( 3 ) is turned to an OFF state after time t 8 , the voltage V 19 ( 3 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 3 ) is held at level V 19 ( 3 ) 1 . 
         [0123]    At time t 10 , the MOS transistor  9  is in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  11  is turned to an ON state for a predetermined time period. As a result, the voltage VM at point M is brought to a reference level VB. 
         [0124]    From time t 11  to time t 12 , the MOS transistors  9  and  11  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  17 ( 1 ),  17 ( 2 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are in an ON state. At this time, the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ),  19 ( 3 ), and C 0  become connected in parallel. As a result, the voltage VM at point M is brought to voltage VM 4 , which is an average of levels V 19 ( 1 ) 1 , V 19 ( 2 ) 1 , V 19 ( 3 ) 1 , and VB. 
         [0125]    Then from time t 14  to time t 15  the MOS transistor  11  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  4  and  9  are in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 1  of the photodiode  1  is brought to the reference level VR. Furthermore, the voltage VM at point M is brought to level VM 5 , which is the reference level VR multiplied by the gain of the source follower. Also, the voltage V 19 ( 1 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 1 ), the voltage V 19 ( 2 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 2 ), and the voltage V 19 ( 3 ) of the capacitor  19 ( 3 ) are brought to levels V 19 ( 1 ) 3 , V 19 ( 2 ) 3 , and V 19 ( 3 ) 3  respectively, each of which is substantially the same as level VM 5 . When the MOS transistors  17 ( 1 ),  17 ( 2 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are turned to an OFF state after time T 15 , the voltages of the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ) and  19 ( 3 ) are held at levels V 19 ( 1 ) 3 , V 19 ( 2 ) 3 , and V 19 ( 3 ) 3  respectively. 
         [0126]    Then at time t 17 , the MOS transistor  9  is in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  11  is turned to an ON state for a predetermined time period. As a result, the voltage VM at point M is brought to the reference level VB. 
         [0127]    From time t 18  to time t 19 , the MOS transistors  9  and  11  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  17 ( 1 ),  17 ( 2 ) and  17 ( 3 ) are in an ON state. At this time, the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ),  19 ( 3 ), and C 0  become connected in parallel. As a result, the voltage VM at point M is brought to voltage VM 6 , which is an average of levels V 19 ( 1 ) 3 , V 19 ( 2 ) 3 , V 19 ( 3 ) 3 , and VB. 
         [0128]    The noise cancelling circuit  93  obtains a pixel signal by calculating a difference between level V 161  at time t 12  and level V 162  at time t 19 . 
         [0129]      FIG. 9  shows a relationship between exposure time and accumulated charge in the image pixel  90  of embodiment 2. 
         [0130]    An upper limit d of the accumulated charge in the image pixel  90  is determined by the capacitance of the photodiode  1 . The slope of line a indicates an upper limit of light intensity at which the charge does not reach saturation during exposure period T 3 . Similarly, the slopes of lines b and c indicate the upper limits of light intensity at which the charge does not reach saturation during exposure period T 2  and T 1  respectively. In embodiment 1, the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  are progressively shorter in the stated order. In embodiment 2, however, the lengths of the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  are progressively longer in the stated order. A relationship between the lines a, b and c and the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  is different between embodiments 1 and 2. However, it is true in both embodiments 1 and 2 that the shorter the exposure period, the less readily the charge reaches saturation even when the light intensity is strong. 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0131]    In embodiment 3, the capacitance of the capacitor  19 ( 1 ) in the memory M 1  is different from the capacitances of the capacitors  19 ( 2 ) to  19 ( n ) in the memories M 2  to Mn. A description of other aspects has been omitted due to being the same as in embodiment 1. 
         [0132]      FIG. 10  shows the structure of an image pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         [0133]    The capacitor  19 ( 1 ) of the memory M 2  has a capacitance of 2 pF, and the capacitors  19 ( 2 ) to  19 ( n ) of the memories M 2  to Mn each have a capacitance of 1 pF. Since the capacitance of the capacitor  19 ( 1 ) is larger than the capacitance of the capacitors  19 ( 2 ) to  19 ( n ), when compositing the voltage signals corresponding to the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3 , the contribution rate of the voltage signal corresponding to the exposure period T 1  is larger than the contribution rate of the voltage signals corresponding to the exposure periods T 2  and T 3 . 
         [0134]      FIG. 11  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in the image pixel  90  of embodiment 3. 
         [0135]    A bent line j indicates signal level with respect to light intensity in the case of compositing the signals levels of exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3 . In embodiment 3, the capacitance ratio of the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ) and  19 ( 3 ) is 2:1:1. The contribution rates of the signal levels of exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  in the composited signal level are therefore in a ratio 2:1:1. This enables increasing the contrast in the region of low light intensity (low luminance range). 
         [0136]    Note that if the capacitance ratio of the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ) and  19 ( 3 ) is made 1:2:1, the contribution rates of the signal levels of exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  in the composited signal level are in a ratio of 1:2:1 (see  FIG. 12 ). This enables increasing the contrast in the mid luminance range. Also, if the capacitance ratio of the capacitors  19 ( 1 ),  19 ( 2 ) and  19 ( 3 ) is made 1:1:2, the contribution rates of the signal levels of exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  in the composited signal level are in a ratio of 1:1:2 (see  FIG. 13 ). This enables increasing the contrast in the high luminance range. 
       Embodiment 4 
       [0137]    In embodiment 4, the number of capacitors that hold voltage signals corresponding to the exposure period T 1  is different from the number of capacitors that hold voltage signals corresponding to the exposure periods T 2  and T 3 . A description of other aspects has been omitted due to being the same as in embodiment 1. 
         [0138]      FIG. 14  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 4 of the present invention, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals. 
         [0139]    A driving signal S 18 ( 1 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 1 ) of an MOS transistor  17 ( 1 ), a driving signal S 18 ( 2 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 2 ) of an MOS transistor  17 ( 2 ), a driving signal S 18 ( 3 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 3 ) of an MOS transistor  17 ( 3 ), and a driving signal S 18 ( 4 ) is a signal supplied to a gate  18 ( 4 ) of an MOS transistor  17 ( 4 ). 
         [0140]    A voltage signal V 19 ( 1 ) is a signal that appears at a capacitor  19 ( 1 ), a voltage signal V 19 ( 2 ) is a signal that appears at a capacitor  19 ( 2 ), a voltage signal V 19 ( 3 ) is a signal that appears at a capacitor  19 ( 3 ), and a voltage signal V 19 ( 4 ) is a signal that appears at a capacitor  19 ( 4 ). 
         [0141]    In embodiment 4, signal levels of the exposure period T 1  are held in the capacitors  19 ( 1 ) and  19 ( 2 ), signal levels of the exposure period T 2  are held in the capacitor  19 ( 3 ), and signal levels of the exposure period T 3  are held in the capacitor  19 ( 4 ). Since the ratio of the number of capacitors that hold the signal levels of the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  is 2:1:1, the contribution rates of the signal levels of the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  in the composited signal level are in a ratio of 2:1:1 (see  FIG. 11 ). 
         [0142]    Note that if the ratio of the number of capacitors corresponding to the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  is 1:2:1, the contribution rates of the signal levels of the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  in the composited signal level are in a ratio of 1:2:1 (see  FIG. 12 ). Also, if the ratio of the number of capacitors corresponding to the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  is 1:1:2, the contribution rate of the signal levels of the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  in the composited signal level is 1:1:2 (see  FIG. 13 ). 
         [0143]    Depending on the use of the solid state imaging device, there are cases in which it is desirable to dynamically change, according to imaging conditions, the luminance range for which to increase contrast. Examples include increasing the contrast of the high luminance range in high luminance imaging mode, and increasing the contrast of the low luminance range in low luminance imaging mode. In the case of the high luminance imaging mode, the driving signals S 18 ( 1 ) to S 18 ( 4 ) may be supplied such that the ratio of the number of capacitors corresponding to the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  is 2:1:1. In the case of the low luminance imaging mode the driving signals S 18 ( 1 ) to S 18 ( 4 ) may be supplied such that the ratio of the number of capacitors corresponding to the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  is 1:1:2. The following describes a structure for dynamically changing, in accordance with imaging conditions, the luminance range for which contrast is raised. 
         [0144]      FIG. 15  shows the structure of a camera pertaining to embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
         [0145]    The camera includes an imaging chip  102 , a signal processing chip  103 , and an optical series  105 . An MOS solid state imaging device  100  and a timing generation unit  101  have been mounted on the imaging chip  102 . A mode selection unit  104  has been mounted on the signal processing chip  103 . The timing generation unit  101  generates driving signals in accordance with a mode selected by the mode selection unit  104 . The generated driving signals are supplied to the MOS solid state imaging device  100 . This structure enables dynamically changing, in accordance with imaging conditions, the luminance range for which contrast is to be increased. 
       Embodiment 5 
       [0146]    Embodiment 5 describes an MOS solid state imaging device that successively composites signal levels from the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3 . 
         [0147]      FIG. 16  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 5 of the present invention. 
         [0148]    The structure of the signal composition unit in embodiment 5 is different from embodiment 1. A description of other structures has been omitted due to being the same as in embodiment 1. 
         [0149]    In the present embodiment, the signal composition unit includes MOS transistors  13 ,  14 ,  21 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27  and  30 , and capacitors  29 ,  32  and  33 . A bias voltage is supplied to a gate  26  of the MOS transistor  25 , and a power supply voltage VDD is supplied to the drain of the MOS transistor  25 . The drains of the MOS transistors  27  and  30  are both connected to the source of the MOS transistor  25 , the source of the MOS transistor  27  is connected to a ground, and the source of the MOS transistor  30  is connected to the capacitor  33 . The MOS transistors  25 ,  27  and  30  constitute a differential amplifier circuit. The MOS transistor  21  is provided on a path connecting the output node of a source follower constituted from MOS transistors  6  and  7 , and a gate  28  of the MOS transistor  27 . The MOS transistor  23  is provided on a path connecting the output node of the source follower constituted from the MOS transistors  6  and  7 , and a gate  31  of the MOS transistor  30 . The capacitor  33  is provided on a path connecting the source of the MOS transistor  30  and a ground. The MOS transistors  13  and  14  constitute a source follower. The power supply voltage VDD is supplied to the drain of the MOS transistor  13 , and a voltage V 33  is supplied from the capacitor  33  to the gate of the MOS transistor  13 . The bias voltage is supplied to the gate of the MOS transistor  14 , and a ground voltage is supplied to the source of the MOS transistor  14 . The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14  outputs a voltage V 16 , which is the voltage V 33  of the capacitor  33  multiplied by the gain. The capacitors  29  and  32  both hold a floating capacitance. 
         [0150]      FIG. 17  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 5, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals. 
         [0151]    A driving signal S 5  is a signal supplied to the gate  5  of an MOS transistor  4 , a driving signal S 24  is a signal supplied to the gate  24  of the MOS transistor  23 , a driving signal S 3  is a signal supplied to the gate  3  of an MOS transistor  2 , a driving signal S 22  is a signal supplied to the gate  22  of the MOS transistor  21 , and a driving signal S 26  is a signal supplied to the gate  26  of the MOS transistor  25 . 
         [0152]    A voltage signal VF is a signal appearing at a floating diffusion F, a voltage signal V 32  is a signal appearing at the capacitor  32 , a voltage signal V 29  is a signal appearing at the capacitor  29 , a voltage signal V 33  is a signal appearing at the capacitor  33 , and a voltage signal V 16  is a signal appearing at the output node of the source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14 . 
         [0153]    From time t 1  to time t 2 , the MOS transistor  2  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  4 ,  21 ,  23  and  25  are in an ON state. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F is brought to a reference level VR. A voltage V 29  of the capacitor  29  and a voltage V 32  of the capacitor  32  are brought to levels V 291  and V 321  respectively, which are the reference level VR multiplied by the gain of the source follower. Since the levels V 291  and V 321  are supplied to the gates of the MOS transistors  27  and  30  respectively, both of the MOS transistors  27  and  30  are turned to an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 33  of the capacitor  33  is brought to an initial level V 331 . When the MOS transistors  21  and  23  are turned to an OFF state after time t 2 , the voltages V 29  and V 32  of the capacitors  29  and  32  are held at the levels V 291  and V 321 . 
         [0154]    From time t 3  to time t 4 , the MOS transistors  4 ,  23  and  25  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  2  and  21  are in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 1  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 1 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 2 . At this time, the MOS transistor  21  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 29  of the capacitor  29  is brought to a level V 292 , which is the read level VF 2  multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistor  21  is turned to an OFF state after time t 4 , the voltage V 29  of the capacitor  29  is held at the level V 292 . 
         [0155]    From time t 5  to time t 6 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  4 ,  21  and  23  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  25  is in an ON state. At this time, the level V 292  held in the capacitor  29  is supplied to the gate  28  of the MOS transistor  27 , and the level V 321  held in the capacitor  32  is supplied to the gate  31  of the MOS transistor  30 . As a result, a current corresponding to the difference between the levels V 321  and V 292  flows to the MOS transistor  30 , and the capacitor  33  is charged by the flowing current. The voltage V 33  of the capacitor  33  rises from the initial level V 331  by an amount corresponding to the magnitude of the charged current and a charging period T 4 , that is to say, the voltage V 33  rises to a level V 332 . 
         [0156]    From time t 7  to time t 8 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  21  and  25  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  4  and  23  are in an ON state. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F is brought to the reference level VR. The voltage V 32  of the capacitor  32  is brought to the level V 322 , which is the reference level VR multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistor  23  is turned to an OFF state after time t 8 , the voltage V 32  of the capacitor  32  is held at the level V 322 . 
         [0157]    From time t 9  to time t 10 , the MOS transistors  4 ,  23  and  25  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  2  and  21  are in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 2  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 2 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 3 . At this time, the MOS transistor  21  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 29  of the capacitor  29  is brought to a level V 293 , which is the read level VF 3  multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistor  21  is turned to an OFF state after time t 10 , the voltage V 29  of the capacitor  29  is held at the level V 293 . 
         [0158]    From time t 11  to time t 12 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  4 ,  21  and  23  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  25  is in an ON state. At this time, the level V 293  held in the capacitor  29  is supplied to the gate  28  of the MOS transistor  27 , and the level V 322  held in the capacitor  32  is supplied to the gate  31  of the MOS transistor  30 . As a result, a current corresponding to the difference between the levels V 322  and V 293  flows to the MOS transistor  30 , and the capacitor  33  is charged by the flowing current. The voltage V 33  of the capacitor  33  rises from the level V 332  by an amount corresponding to the magnitude of the charged current and a charging period T 5 , that is to say, the voltage V 33  rises to a level V 333 . 
         [0159]    From time t 13  to time t 14 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  21  and  25  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  4  and  23  are in an ON state. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F is brought to the reference level VR. The voltage V 32  of the capacitor  32  is brought to the level V 323 , which is the reference level VR multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistor  23  is turned to an OFF state after time t 14 , the voltage V 32  of the capacitor  32  is held at the level V 323 . 
         [0160]    From time t 15  to time t 16 , the MOS transistors  4 ,  23  and  25  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  2  and  21  are in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 3  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 3 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 4 . At this time, the MOS transistor  21  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 29  of the capacitor  29  is brought to a level V 294 , which is the read level VF 4  multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistor  21  is turned to an OFF state after time t 16 , the voltage V 29  of the capacitor  29  is held at the level V 294 . 
         [0161]    From time t 17  to time t 18 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  4 ,  21  and  23  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  25  is in an ON state. At this time, the level V 294  held in the capacitor  29  is supplied to the gate  28  of the MOS transistor  27 , and the level V 323  held in the capacitor  32  is supplied to the gate  31  of the MOS transistor  30 . As a result, a current corresponding to the difference between the levels V 323  and V 294  flows to the MOS transistor  30 , and the capacitor  33  is charged by the flowing current. The voltage V 33  of the capacitor  33  rises from the level V 333  by an amount corresponding to the magnitude of the charged current and a charging period T 6 , that is to say, the voltage V 33  rises to a level V 334 . 
         [0162]    The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14  outputs the voltage V 16 , which is the voltage V 33  of the capacitor  33  multiplied by the gain. The voltage V 16  is sampled by the noise cancelling circuit  93  at time t 2  and time t 18 . The noise cancelling circuit  93  obtains a pixel signal by calculating a difference between level V 161  at time t 2  and level V 162  at time t 18 . 
         [0163]      FIG. 18  shows a relationship between light intensity and signal level (after composition) in the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 5. 
         [0164]    A bent line i indicates signal level with respect to light intensity in the case of compositing the signal levels of exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3 . In embodiment 5, the lengths of the charging periods T 4 , T 5  and T 6  are the same. The signal levels in exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  therefore all have the same contribution rate in the composited signal level. 
       Embodiment 6 
       [0165]    In embodiment 6, the lengths of the charging periods T 4 , T 5  and T 6  are different. A description of other aspects has been omitted due to being the same as in embodiment 5. 
         [0166]      FIG. 19  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 6 of the present invention, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals. 
         [0167]    In embodiment 6, the lengths of the charging periods T 4 , T 5  and T 6  are different. Making the lengths of the charging periods enables making the signal levels of the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  have different contribution rates in the composited signal level (see  FIG. 20 ). 
       Embodiment 7 
       [0168]      FIG. 21  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 7 of the present invention. The structure of the signal composition unit in embodiment 7 is different from embodiment 1. A description of other structures has been omitted due to being the same as in embodiment 1. 
         [0169]    In the present embodiment, the signal composition unit includes MOS transistors  13 ,  14 ,  41  and  44 , and capacitors  43  and  46 . The MOS transistor  41  and capacitor  43  are provided on a path connecting the output node of a source follower constituted from the MOS transistors  6  and  7 , and a ground. The MOS transistor  44  and capacitor  46  are provided on a path connecting a connection node between the MOS transistor  41  and the capacitor  43 , and a ground. The MOS transistors  13  and  14  constitute a source follower. A power supply voltage VDD is supplied to the drain of the MOS transistor  13 , and a voltage V 46  is supplied from the capacitor  46  to the gate of the MOS transistor  13 . A bias voltage is supplied to a gate  15  of the MOS transistor  14 , and a ground voltage is supplied to the source of the MOS transistor  14 . The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14  outputs a voltage V 16 , which is the voltage V 46  of the capacitor  46  multiplied by the gain. 
         [0170]      FIG. 22  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 7, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals. 
         [0171]    A driving signal S 5  is a signal supplied to the gate  5  of an MOS transistor  4 , a driving signal S 3  is a signal supplied to the gate  3  of an MOS transistor  2 , a driving signal S 42  is a signal supplied to a gate  42  of the MOS transistor  41 , and a driving signal S 45  is a signal supplied to a gate  45  of the MOS transistor  44 . 
         [0172]    A voltage signal VF is a signal appearing at a floating diffusion F, a voltage signal V 43  is a signal appearing at the capacitor  43 , a voltage signal V 46  is a signal appearing at the capacitor  46 , and a voltage signal V 16  is a signal appearing at the output node of the source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14 . 
         [0173]    From time t 1  to time t 2 , the MOS transistor  2  remains in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  4 ,  41  and  44  are in an ON state. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F is brought to a reference level VR. At this time, the voltage V 43  of the capacitor  43  and the voltage V 46  of the capacitor  46  are brought to levels V 431  and V 461  respectively, which are the reference level VR multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistor  44  is turned to an OFF state after time t 2 , the voltage V 46  of the capacitor  46  is held at the level V 461 . 
         [0174]    From time t 3  to time t 4 , the MOS transistors  4  and  44  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  2  and  41  are in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 1  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 1 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 2 . At this time, the MOS transistor  41  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 43  of the capacitor  43  is brought to a level V 432 , which is the read level VF 2  multiplied by the gain of the source follower. 
         [0175]    From time t 5  to time t 6 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  4  and  41  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  44  is in an ON state. At this time, the capacitors  43  and  46  become connected in parallel. As a result, the voltage V 46  in the capacitor  46  is brought to a level V 462 , which is an average of the levels V 432  and V 461 . When the MOS transistor  44  is turned to an OFF state after time t 6 , the voltage V 46  of the capacitor  46  is held at level V 462 . 
         [0176]    From time t 7  to time t 8 , the MOS transistors  4  and  44  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  2  and  41  are in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 2  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 2 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 3 . At this time, the MOS transistor  41  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 43  of the capacitor  43  is brought to a level V 433 , which is the read level VF 3  multiplied by the gain of the source follower. 
         [0177]    From time t 9  to time t 10 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  4  and  41  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  44  is in an ON state. At this time the capacitors  43  and  46  become connected in parallel. As a result, the voltage V 46  in the capacitor  46  is brought to a level V 463 , which is an average of the levels V 433  and V 462 . When the MOS transistor  44  is turned to an OFF state after time t 10 , the voltage V 46  of the capacitor  46  is held at level V 463 . 
         [0178]    From time till to time t 12 , the MOS transistors  4  and  44  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  2  and  41  are in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 3  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 3 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 4 . At this time, the MOS transistor  41  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 43  of the capacitor  43  is brought to a level V 434 , which is the read level VF 4  multiplied by the gain of the source follower. 
         [0179]    From time t 13  to time t 14 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  4  and  41  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  44  is in an ON state. At this time, the capacitors  43  and  46  become connected in parallel. As a result, the voltage V 46  in the capacitor  46  is brought to a level V 464 , which is an average of the levels V 434  and V 463 . When the MOS transistor  44  is turned to an OFF state after time t 14 , the voltage V 46  of the capacitor  46  is held at level V 464 . 
         [0180]    The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14  outputs the voltage V 16 , which is the voltage V 46  of the capacitor  46  multiplied by the gain. The voltage V 16  is sampled by the noise cancelling circuit  93  at time t 2  and time t 14 . The noise cancelling circuit  93  obtains a pixel signal by calculating a difference between level V 161  at time t 2  and level V 162  at time t 14 . 
         [0181]      FIG. 23  shows the contribution rates of signal levels V 1 , V 2  and V 3  from exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3  respectively. 
         [0182]    The contribution rates of the signals levels V 1 , V 2  and V 3  vary in correspondence with a capacitance ratio N of the capacitor  43  to the capacitor  44 . For example, when N is 2, that is to say when the capacitance of the capacitor  46  is twice the capacitance of the capacitor  43 , the contribution rates of the signal levels V 1 , V 2  and V 3  are in a ratio of 21:32:47 (see  FIG. 24 ). 
       Embodiment 8 
       [0183]    Embodiment 8 describes an MOS solid state imaging device that combines the signals levels from the exposure periods T 1 , T 2  and T 3 . 
         [0184]      FIG. 25  shows the structure of an imaging pixel  90  pertaining to embodiment 8 of the present invention. 
         [0185]    The structure of the signal composition unit in embodiment 8 is different from embodiment 1. A description of other structures has been omitted due to being the same as in embodiment 1. 
         [0186]    In the present embodiment, the signal composition unit includes MOS transistors  13 ,  14 ,  51 ,  54 ,  57  and  59 , and capacitors  53  and  56 . The MOS transistor  51  and capacitor  53  are provided on a path connecting the output node of a source follower constituted from MOS transistors  6  and  7 , and a ground. The MOS transistor  54 , the capacitor  56 , and the MOS transistor  57  are provided on a path connecting the output node of the source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  6  and  7 , and a ground. The MOS transistor  59  is provided on a path connecting a power supply terminal of the capacitor  53  and a ground terminal of the capacitor  56 . The MOS transistors  13  and  14  constitute a source follower. A power supply voltage VDD is supplied to the drain of the MOS transistor  13 , and a voltage V 56  is supplied from the capacitor  56  to the gate of the MOS transistor  13 . A bias voltage is supplied to the gate of the MOS transistor  14 , and a ground voltage is supplied to the source of the MOS transistor  14 . The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14  outputs a voltage V 16 , which is the voltage V 56  of the capacitor  56  multiplied by the gain. 
         [0187]      FIG. 26  is a timing chart showing driving signals for driving the imaging pixel  90  of embodiment 8, and voltage signals appearing at units of the imaging pixel  90  when being driven by the driving signals. 
         [0188]    A driving signal S 5  is a signal supplied to a gate  5  of an MOS transistor  4 , a driving signal S 3  is a signal supplied to a gate  3  of an MOS transistor  2 , a driving signal S 52  is a signal supplied to a gate  52  of the MOS transistor  51 , a driving signal S 55  is a signal supplied to a gate  55  of the MOS transistor  54 , a driving signal S 58  is a signal supplied to a gate  58  of the MOS transistor  57 , and a driving signal S 60  is a signal supplied to a gate  60  of the MOS transistor  59 . 
         [0189]    A voltage signal VF is a signal appearing at a floating diffusion F, a voltage signal V 53  is a signal appearing at the capacitor  53 , a voltage signal V 56  is a signal appearing at the capacitor  56 , and a voltage signal V 16  is a signal appearing at the output node of the source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14 . 
         [0190]    From time t 1  to time t 2 , the MOS transistors  2  and  59  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  4 ,  51 ,  54  and  57  are in an ON state. As a result, the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F is brought to a reference level VR. The voltage V 53  of the capacitor  53  and the voltage V 56  of the capacitor  56  are brought to levels V 531  and V 561  respectively, which are the reference level VR multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistors  51  and  54  are turned to an OFF state after time t 2 , the voltage V 56  of the capacitor  56  is held at the level V 561 . 
         [0191]    From time t 3  to time t 4 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  4 ,  51 ,  54  and  57  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  59  is in an ON state. At this time, the capacitors  53  and  56  become connected in series. As a result, the voltage V 56  of the capacitor  56  is brought to a level V 562 , which is a combination of the levels V 531  and V 561 . 
         [0192]    From time t 5  to time t 6 , the MOS transistors  4 ,  51  and  59  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  2 ,  54  and  57  are in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 1  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 1 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 2 . At this time, the MOS transistor  54  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 56  of the capacitor  56  is brought to a level V 563 , which is the read level VF 2  multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistor  54  is turned to an OFF state after time t 6 , the voltage V 56  of the capacitor  56  is held at the level V 563 . 
         [0193]    From time t 7  to time t 8 , the MOS transistors  4 ,  54 ,  57  and  59  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistors  2  and  51  are in an ON state. As a result, a charge generated by the photodiode  1  during exposure period T 2  is transferred to the floating diffusion F. This causes the voltage VF of the floating diffusion F to fall from the reference level VR by an amount that corresponds to the amount of charge generated during the exposure period T 2 , that is to say, the voltage VF falls to a read level VF 3 . At this time, the MOS transistor  51  is in an ON state. As a result, the voltage V 53  of the capacitor  53  is brought to a level V 532 , which is the read level VF 3  multiplied by the gain of the source follower. When the MOS transistor  51  is turned to an OFF state after time t 8 , the voltage V 53  of the capacitor  53  is held at the level V 532 . 
         [0194]    From time t 9  to time t 10 , the MOS transistors  2 ,  4 ,  51 ,  54  and  57  remain in an OFF state, and the MOS transistor  59  is in an ON state. At this time, the capacitors  53  and  56  become connected in series. As a result, the voltage V 56  of the capacitor  56  is brought to a level V 564 , which is a combination of the levels V 532  and V 563 . 
         [0195]    The source follower constituted by the MOS transistors  13  and  14  outputs the voltage V 16 , which is the voltage V 56  of the capacitor  56  multiplied by the gain. The voltage V 16  is sampled by the noise cancelling circuit  93  at time t 3  and time t 9 . The noise cancelling circuit  93  obtains a pixel signal by calculating a difference between level V 161  at time t 3  and level V 162  at time t 9 . 
         [0196]    The present invention is applicable to the fields of digital cameras, mobile phone internal cameras, vehicle-mounted cameras, surveillance cameras, and the like. 
         [0197]    Although the present invention has been fully described by way of examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, unless such changes and modifications depart from the scope of the present invention, they should be construed as being included therein.

Technology Category: 5