Amplifying solid-state imaging device, and method for driving the same

• Main Authors: KURODA TAKAO, MASUYAMA MASAYUKI
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 13.01.2004
• Edition: 7
• Subjects: ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE; ELECTRICITY; PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

A plurality of pixels, each including a photodiode that can make a transition from a first potential state (reset state) into a second potential state variable with the quantity of incident light or vice versa, are provided. A unit compensator includes first and second storage devices implementable as respective MOS capacitors. The first storage device stores thereon charge in a quantity proportional to a difference between a signal potential phis corresponding to the second potential state of each pixel and a reference potential phi0. The second storage device stores thereon charge in a quantity proportional to a difference between a fixed potential phid and the reference potential phi0. When a reset potential phir is supplied from an associated pixel, these storage devices are short-circuited with each other, thereby transferring charge in a quantity proportional to a potential difference (phis-phir) between these storage devices. After these storage devices have been electrically isolated from each other, the potential difference (phis-phir) is sensed based on the quantity of residual charge in the second storage device and then output. In this manner, a variation in threshold voltage among the amplifying transistors within the pixels can be compensated for.