EP0163547A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image sensor
Assignee: Fujitsu Ltd
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Filing: 1985-05-31
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2005-05-31
Abstract
Abstract An image sensor includes charge storage regions which gradually store charges corresponding to the amount of light (hu) received, a plurality of image transfer elements (GR) which gradually transfer the charges, and transfer gates (GT) which transfer the charges in the charge storage regions to the charge transfer elements (GR). The image sensor provides further an arrangement such that the electric potential of an electrode (GST) of the charge storage regions changes in accordance with the amount of charges stored - therein, and a device (10, 21) which detects the electric potential of the electrode GST) and outputs the detected electric potential as a switchover timing control signal (V<sub>T</sub>) of the transfer gates (GT).
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Miida
- 👤 Akira Takei
- 👤 Kiyoshi Tashiro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 14:39
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/71; H03; H03K; H03K3/00; H03K3/01; H04N23/73; H04N25/00; H04N25/70; H04N25/71; H04N25/713; H04N25/745
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An image sensor comprising: charge storage means having MIS capacitors for storing charges corresponding to the amount of light received, each of said MIS capacitors having an electrode; charge transfer means having a plurality of stages for storing charges transferred from said charge storage means, said charges stored in said stages being transferred sequentially; transfer gate means for transfering charges from said charge storage means to said stages of said charge transfer means in response to a timing control signal; means for changing an electric potential of said electrode of each of said MIS capacitor in accordance with the amount of said charge stored in said MIS capacitors; and means for detecting said electric potential of said electrode and for outputting the detected electric potential for generating said timing control signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An image sensor comprising: charge storage means having MIS capacitors for storing charges corresponding to the amount of light received, each of said MIS capacitors having an electrode; charge transfer means having a plurality of stages for storing charges transferred from said charge storage means, said charges stored in said stages being transferred sequentially; transfer gate means for transfering charges from said charge storage means to said stages of said charge transfer means in response to a timing control signal; means for changing an electric potential of said electrode of each of said MIS capacitor in accordance with the amount of said charge stored in said MIS capacitors; and means for detecting said electric potential of said electrode and for outputting the detected electric potential for generating said timing control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said charging means provides a precharge transistor, said precharge transistor is connected to said electrode, said electrode is precharged to a predetermined potential, and said electrode is, after precharging, placed in a floating state.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An image sensor according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said detecting means provides a buffer amplifier and the input of said buffer amplifier is high impedance.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An image sensor according to claim 1,2,3 or 4 wherein MIS capacitors are commonly connected.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image sensor according to claun1,2,3 or 4 wherein a plurality of said MIS capacitors are divided into a plurality of groups, electrodes of said MIS capacitors are commonly connected in each of said groups, and said detecting means provides a plurality of buffers provided corresponding to each of said groups. any preceding
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image sensor according to claun1,2,3 or 4 wherein a plurality of said MIS capacitors are divided into a plurality of groups, electrodes of said MIS capacitors are commonly connected in each of said groups, and said detecting means provides a plurality of buffers provided corresponding to each of said groups. any preceding
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
An image sensor according to claim , further comprising: further transfer gate means having MIS construction, said further transfer gate means providing a gate electrode for applying a constant electric potential, said further transfer gate means being connected between said charge storage means and said charge transfer gate means, and charges stored in said charge storage means being transferred via said further transfer gate means to said transfer gate means. any preceding
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
7 . An image sensor according to claim , further comprising: a pulse generating means connected between said detecting means and said transfer gate means; said pulse generating means generating a timing control signal by responding to the output of said detecting means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
An image sensor according to claim 7, wherein said pulse generating means provides a comparator for comparing the output potential of said detecting means with a reference voltage and a pulse generator circuit for outputting, by receiving the output of said comparator, a pulse having a predetermined width as a timing control signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
An image sensor according to claim 8, wherein the value of said reference potential is set higher than the output potential of said detecting means when the amount of charge which are possible to store in said MIS capacitor are stored therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
An image sensor according to any preceding claim, further comprising: a clear gate means for exhausting surplus charges in said charge storage means, and said further transfer gate means provided with said clear gate means and said charge storage means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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