Abstract A solid state imager device having an electronic shutter function, and suitable for use in video camera or an electronic still camera, has a semiconductor substrate (1) of a first conductivity type, a region (2) of second conductivity type formed on the substrate (1), and a signal charge accumulating region (3) formed on the surface side of the second conductivity type region (2). A predetermined voltage is applied to the substrate (1) of the first conductivity type, and the signal charges accumulated in the signal charge accumulating region (3) are discharged to the substrate (1), whereby the exposure time of the solid state imager device can be controlled.
A solid state imager device comprising: a semiconductor substrate (1) of first conductivity type; a region (2) of second conductivity type formed on said substrate (1); and a signal charge accumulating region (3) formed on a surface side of said second conductivity type region; characterized by: means (16 to 18) for applying a predetermined voltage to said substrate (1) thereby to discharge signal charges accumulated in said signal charge accumulating region (3) to said substrate (1).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A solid state imager device comprising: a semiconductor substrate (1) of first conductivity type; a region (2) of second conductivity type formed on said substrate (1); and a signal charge accumulating region (3) formed on a surface side of said second conductivity type region; characterized by: means (16 to 18) for applying a predetermined voltage to said substrate (1) thereby to discharge signal charges accumulated in said signal charge accumulating region (3) to said substrate (1).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
An imager device according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined voltage is applied to said substrate (1) within a horizontal blanking period so as to cause the signal charges accumulated in said signal charge accumulating region (3) to discharge to said substrate (1) within the horizontal blanking period.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of utilizing a solid state imager device as an electronic shutter for an electronic camera, comprising the step of applying voltage potential across a semiconductor substrate (1) of a first conductivity type and a region (2) of a second conductivity type formed on said substrate (1), thereby to discharge signal charges accumulated in a signal charge accumulating region (3) formed on a surface side of said second conductivity type region (2) to said substrate (1).
Claim 5
Independent Claim
77 words
A method of utilizing a solid state imager device as an electronic shutter for an electronic camera, comprising the step of applying voltage potential across a semiconductor substrate (1) of a first conductivity type and a region (2) of a second conductivity type formed on said substrate (1), thereby to discharge signal charges accumulated in a signal charge accumulating region (3) formed on a surface side of said second conductivity type region (2) to said substrate (1).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said predetermined voltage is applied within a horizontal blanking period so as to cause said signal charges accumulated in said signal charge accumulating region (3) to discharge to said substrate (1) within said horizontal blanking period.
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