METHOD OF DRIVING AN IMAGE SENSOR

• Main Author: AHN, JUNG CHAK
• Format: Patent
• Language: English; Korean
• Published: 01.10.2013
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

PURPOSE: A driving method of an image sensor is provided to have a large dynamic range by accumulating electric charges in a floating diffusion area based on the intensity of incident light. CONSTITUTION: An image sensor resets a floating diffusion area to a first voltage which has a lower level than a power voltage (S1100). The image sensor generates electric charges of a photoelectric conversion area which is included in a unit pixel by converting incident light in an optical integrated mode (S1200). The image sensor accumulates at least one of collected electric charges, first overflow charges, and second overflow charges in the floating diffusion area (S1300). A pixel array generates an electric signal by converting incident light. The pixel array includes multiple unit pixels which are arranged in a matrix form. [Reference numerals] (AA) Start; (BB) End; (S1100) Floating diffusion area is reset in a reset mode to a first voltage lower than a power voltage; (S1200) Electric charges are generated in an optical integrated mode within a photoelectric conversion area by converting incident lights; (S1300) Collected charges, which include first overflow charges within a charge-saving capability and at least one out of second overflow charges exceeding the charge-saving capability in the floating diffusion area, are accumulated in the floating diffusion area based on the illumination of the incident lights