Photoelectric conversion device and image capturing device with variable amplifier for amplifying signal by a selected gain
US7812876B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 25, 2007 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 22, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04N25/78
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A photoelectric conversion device includes a pixel output line, a pixel which outputs a signal to the pixel output line, an amplifier unit which amplifies the signal output to the pixel output line, and a holding capacitor which holds the signal output from the amplifier unit. The photoelectric conversion device outputs a pixel signal based on the signal held by the holding capacitor. The amplifier unit includes a variable amplifier stage which amplifies a signal output to the pixel output line at a gain selected from a plurality of gains, and a buffer stage which amplifies the signal output from the variable amplifier stage, the amplified signal being held by the holding capacitor to hold the signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.