Abstract: The present invention is mainly aimed at obtaining excellent sensor output free from periodic fixed pattern noise even if the pieces of holding capacity are converted into blocks, and the specific solution unit is described below. The signal readout unit includes: a line memory; first switches each connected to a holding capacity; a first common signal line comprising eight switches connected together; and second switches for connecting the first common signal line to the second common signal line. The control unit controls opening/closing of both switches. Between the electrode of the second switch and the second common signal line, there is provided outgoing wiring. From the control unit, control wiring a1. . . , b1. . . is connected to the first switch. To each wiring a1. . . , b1. . . , a pair of a positive signal and an anti-signal in which the logical level has been reversed with respect to each other is supplied respectively. Each wiring a1. . . , b1. . .

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device formed on a single semiconductor substrate, including: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a read-out circuit including a switch for reading out analog signals from the photoelectric conversion elements; a buffer circuit for driving the switch; and a logic circuit for processing digital signals. A first semiconductor area to which a ground level for the buffer circuit is supplied and a second semiconductor area to which a ground level for the logic circuit is supplied are electrically separated from each other.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit which converts incident light into an electrical signal and accumulates the electrical signal, an amplifier transistor which amplifies and outputs the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor which transfers the electrical signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifier transistor, and a processing transistor which performs predetermined processing, and a control circuit which sets the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the transfer transistor in order to turn off the transfer transistor to be lower than the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the processing transistor in order to turn off the processing transistor.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus including a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit which converts incident light into an electrical signal and accumulates the electrical signal, an amplifier transistor which amplifies and outputs the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor which transfers the electrical signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifier transistor, and a processing transistor which performs predetermined processing, and a control circuit which sets the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the transfer transistor in order to turn off the transfer transistor to be lower than the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the processing transistor in order to turn off the processing transistor.

Abstract: The output voltages of dark pixels and optical black (OB) pixels are different between a row including a pixel which receives strong light and another row. An image formed upon receiving a strong light spot suffers whitish bands on the right and left of the spot. To solve this problem, this invention provides an image pickup apparatus including a pixel containing a photodiode which converts a photo-signal into a signal charge and accumulates the signal charge and an amplifier transistor which amplifies the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode, and a control element adapted to limit the output of the amplifier transistor so as to prevent the output from falling to below a determined voltage.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device formed on a single semiconductor substrate, including: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a read-out circuit including a switch for reading out analog signals from the photoelectric conversion elements; a buffer circuit for driving the switch; and a logic circuit for processing digital signals. A first semiconductor area to which a ground level for the buffer circuit is supplied and a second semiconductor area to which a ground level for the logic circuit is supplied are electrically separated from each other.

Abstract: In order to reduce the noise in the readout signal, the invention provides an image pickup apparatus comprising a pixel including a photoelectric conversion unit for converting the incident light and accumulating a resulting electrical signal, and a transfer switch reading the electrical signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit or a signal based on such electrical signal, and potential control means for maintaining the potential of the signal line higher than that of the photoelectric conversion unit while the photoelectric conversion unit accumulates the electrical signal.

Abstract: The output voltages of dark pixels and optical black (OB) pixels are different between a row including a pixel which receives strong light and another row. An image formed upon receiving a strong light spot suffers whitish bands on the right and left of the spot. To solve this problem, this invention provides an image pickup apparatus including a pixel containing a photodiode which converts a photo-signal into a signal charge and accumulates the signal charge and an amplifier transistor which amplifies the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode, and a control element adapted to limit the output of the amplifier transistor so as to prevent the output from falling to below a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: The present invention is mainly aimed to obtain excellent sensor output free from periodic fixed pattern noise even if the pieces of holding capacity are converted into blocks, and the specific solution unit is described below. The signal readout unit includes: a line memory; first switches each connected to each holding capacity CT101 to CT116; first switches connected to each holding capacity thereof CT101 to CT116; a first common signal line comprising eight switches connected together; and second switches for connecting the first common signal line to the second common signal line. The control unit controls opening/closing of both switches. Between the electrode of the second switch and the second common signal line, there is provided the outgoing wiring. From the control unit, control wiring a1 . . . , b1 . . . is connected to the first switch. To each wiring a1 . . . , b1 . . .

Abstract: A solid image pick-up apparatus having a plurality of sensor cells each of the sensor cells having a photoelectric converting device, includes a plurality of holding capacitances for holding signals from the plurality of sensor cells, a plurality of first switches for transferring signals of the plurality of holding capacitances, a plurality of blocking areas for connecting outputs of the plurality of first switches each blocking area connecting the outputs of a predetermined number of at least two of the first switches, a common signal line, and a plurality of second switches for transferring signals of the plurality of blocking areas to the common signal line.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device formed on a single semiconductor substrate, including: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements; a read-out circuit including a switch for reading out analog signals from the photoelectric conversion elements; a buffer circuit for driving the switch; and a logic circuit for processing digital signals. A first semiconductor area to which a ground level for the buffer circuit is supplied and a second semiconductor area to which a ground level for the logic circuit is supplied are electrically separated from each other.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device having a substrate, a light reception area formed on a surface of the substrate, the light reception area having at least one unit pixel, an insulating layer formed on the substrate including the light reception area, and a light shielding group made of a plurality of light shieldings and formed through the insulating layer along a direction perpendicular to the substrate, the light shielding group surrounding the light reception area.

Abstract: The output voltages of dark pixels and optical black (OB) pixels are different between a row including a pixel which receives strong light and another row. An image formed upon receiving a strong light spot suffers whitish bands on the right and left of the spot. To solve this problem, this invention provides an image pickup apparatus including a pixel containing a photodiode which converts a photo-signal into a signal charge and accumulates the signal charge and an amplifier transistor which amplifies the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode, and a control element adapted to limit the output of the amplifier transistor so as to prevent the output from falling to below a predetermined voltage.

Abstract: A signal processing device is provided which is capable of suppressing a voltage change of a power supply when output signals from a plurality of signal sources are read, and capable of outputting a stable signal at a high sensitivity, and an image pickup apparatus using such a signal processing device is also provided. The signal processing device has: a plurality of terminals connectable to a plurality of signal sources; and a read circuit for converting signals input from the terminals into serial signals and outputting the serial signals, wherein: the read circuit comprises a holding capacitor connected to each of the terminals, a transfer switch for transferring a signal held in the holding capacitor to a common signal line, and a shift register for driving the transfer switch; and a semiconductor layer under the common signal line has a conductivity type opposite to a first conductivity type of a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A solid image pick-up apparatus having a plurality of sensor cells each of the sensor cells having a photoelectric converting device, includes a plurality of holding capacitances for holding signals from the plurality of sensor cells, a plurality of first switches for transferring signals of the plurality of holding capacitances, a plurality of blocking areas for connecting outputs of the plurality of first switches each blocking area connecting the outputs of a predetermined number of at least two of the first switches, a common signal line, and a plurality of second switches for transferring signals of the plurality of blocking areas to the common signal line.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including: a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements for photoelectrically converting light from an object, a first output line to which signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are successively outputted, a plurality of first switches connected to the first output line to output the signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements to the first output line, a second output line to which a reference signal is supplied, a plurality of second switches connected to the second output line to supply the reference signal to the second output line, a scanning circuit which controls the plurality of first switches and the plurality of second switches, and a differential circuit which obtains a difference between the signal from the first output line and the signal from the second output line.

Abstract: In order to reduce the noise in the readout signal, the invention provides an image pickup apparatus comprising a pixel including a photoelectric conversion unit for converting the incident light and accumulating a resulting electrical signal, and a transfer switch reading the electrical signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit or a signal based on such electrical signal, and potential control means for maintaining the potential of the signal line higher than that of the photoelectric conversion unit while the photoelectric conversion unit accumulates the electrical signal.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device having a substrate, a light reception area formed on a surface of the substrate, the light reception area having at least one unit pixel, an insulating layer formed on the substrate including the light reception area, and a light shielding group made of a plurality of light shieldings and formed through the insulating layer along a direction perpendicular to the substrate, the light shielding group surrounding the light reception area.

Abstract: There is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising a plurality of pixels each including a photoelectric conversion unit which converts incident light into an electrical signal and accumulates the electrical signal, an amplifier transistor which amplifies and outputs the signal from the photoelectric conversion unit, a transfer transistor which transfers the electrical signal accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifier transistor, and a processing transistor which performs predetermined processing, and a control circuit which sets the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the transfer transistor in order to turn off the transfer transistor to be lower than the signal level supplied to the control electrode of the processing transistor in order to turn off the processing transistor.