Image pickup apparatus having photoelectric conversion function
US8947567B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 17, 2013 |
| Grant date | Feb 3, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 17, 2033 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH10F39/813
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An image pickup apparatus that makes it possible to achieve both high picture quality and a wide dynamic range is provided. Each pixel unit included in the image pickup apparatus includes: four photodiodes; four transfer transistors; a charge storage portion (four floating diffusions) for storing electric charges generated at the photodiodes; an amplification transistor; a select transistor; and a reset transistor. The image pickup apparatus further includes multiple coupling transistors. Each coupling transistor couples together the charge storage portions of two pixel units of the pixel units. A scanning circuit switches on or off the coupling transistors according to read mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.