US6091449A — MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus

Claim 1

Independent Claim 117 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus comprising: unit cells arranged in an array; a first selector for selecting a row of the unit cells at a first interval; a second selector for selecting a column of the unit cells at a second interval which is shorter than the first interval; wherein each of said unit cells comprises: photoelectric converters; plural selection means respectively connected to said photoelectric converters and selecting one of output signals from said photoelectric converters; and output means for receiving one of the output signals from said photoelectric converters which is selected by said plural selection means, amplifying the output signal, and outputting an amplified signal, the output means being activated at the first interval.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 117 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus comprising: unit cells arranged in an array; a first selector for selecting a row of the unit cells at a first interval; a second selector for selecting a column of the unit cells at a second interval which is shorter than the first interval; wherein each of said unit cells comprises: photoelectric converters; plural selection means respectively connected to said photoelectric converters and selecting one of output signals from said photoelectric converters; and output means for receiving one of the output signals from said photoelectric converters which is selected by said plural selection means, amplifying the output signal, and outputting an amplified signal, the output means being activated at the first interval.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 22 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said photoelectric converters are connected in parallel to said output means.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 22 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 2, in which said photoelectric converters are connected in series to said output means.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 36 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said unit cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and said photoelectric converters are arrayed in the vertical direction in each of said unit cells.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 4, in which said first selector controls said plural selection means.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 36 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said unit cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and said photoelectric converters are arrayed in the horizontal direction in each of said unit cells.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 19 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 6, in which said first selector controls said plural selection means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 36 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said unit cells are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, and said photoelectric converters are arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in each of said unit cells.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 19 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 8, in which said first selector controls said plural selection means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said unit cells are arranged in a one-dimensional array, and said photoelectric converters are arrayed in a direction perpendicular to the array of the unit cells in each of said unit cells.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 43 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said unit cells are arranged in a one-dimensional array, and said photoelectric converters are arrayed in a direction parallel to the array of the unit cells in each of said unit cells.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 38 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said unit cells are arranged in a one-dimensional array, and said photoelectric converters are arranged in the form of a matrix in each of said unit cells.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 58 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said unit cell comprising an amplification transistor for amplifying one of the output signals from said photoelectric converters which is selected by said plural selection means, a reset transistor for resetting the output signal from said photoelectric converter, and a selection transistor for selecting said amplification transistor.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 58 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, in which said unit cell comprising an amplification transistor for amplifying one of the output signals from said photoelectric converters which is selected by said plural selection means, a reset transistor for resetting the output signal from said photoelectric converter, and a selection capacitor for selecting said amplification transistor.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 56 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus comprising unit cells each of which includes a photoelectric converter and is formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises a p - -type impurity base layer and a p + -type impurity layer formed thereon, and said unit cells are formed in said p + -type impurity layer.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 56 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus comprising unit cells each of which includes a photoelectric converter and is formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises a p - -type impurity base layer and a p + -type impurity layer formed thereon, and said unit cells are formed in said p + -type impurity layer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 94 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus comprising unit cells formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises a p - -type impurity base layer and a p + -type impurity layer formed thereon, and in each of said unit cells comprises photoelectric converters, plural selection means respectively connected to said photoelectric converters and selecting one of output signals from said photoelectric converters, and output means for receiving one of the output signals from said photoelectric converters which is selected by said plural selection means, amplifying the output signal, and outputting an amplified signal.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 94 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus comprising unit cells formed on a semiconductor substrate, wherein said semiconductor substrate comprises a p - -type impurity base layer and a p + -type impurity layer formed thereon, and in each of said unit cells comprises photoelectric converters, plural selection means respectively connected to said photoelectric converters and selecting one of output signals from said photoelectric converters, and output means for receiving one of the output signals from said photoelectric converters which is selected by said plural selection means, amplifying the output signal, and outputting an amplified signal.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 160 words

A driving method for a MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus comprising unit cells formed on a surface region of a semiconductor substrate, a first selector for selecting a row of the unit cells at a first interval, a second selector for selecting a column of the unit cells at a second interval which is shorter than the first interval, each of said unit cells comprising photoelectric converters for generating charges corresponding to incident light, plural selection means respectively connected to said photoelectric converters and selecting one of output signals from said photoelectric converters, and signal output means for receiving one of the output signals from said photoelectric converters which is selected by said plural selection means, amplifying the output signal, and outputting an amplified signal, the output means being activated in synchronization with the first selector, in which said signal output means performs an operation of outputting the amplified signal at least twice in one frame interval of a television signal.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 160 words

A driving method for a MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus comprising unit cells formed on a surface region of a semiconductor substrate, a first selector for selecting a row of the unit cells at a first interval, a second selector for selecting a column of the unit cells at a second interval which is shorter than the first interval, each of said unit cells comprising photoelectric converters for generating charges corresponding to incident light, plural selection means respectively connected to said photoelectric converters and selecting one of output signals from said photoelectric converters, and signal output means for receiving one of the output signals from said photoelectric converters which is selected by said plural selection means, amplifying the output signal, and outputting an amplified signal, the output means being activated in synchronization with the first selector, in which said signal output means performs an operation of outputting the amplified signal at least twice in one frame interval of a television signal.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 27 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for compensating for variations in amplification characteristics of said output means of said unit cells.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 33 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 18, in which said means for compensating comprises a noise canceler for subtracting a noise component from an output from each of said unit cells.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 39 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 18, in which said means for compensating comprises a noise canceler for subtracting a charge representing a noise component from a charge representing an output from each of said unit cells.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 79 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 18, in which said means for compensating comprises a source follower circuit to which an output signal from each of said unit cells is supplied, a sample/hold capacitor to which an output signal from said source follower circuit is supplied through a sample/hold transistor and a clamp capacitor, and the sample/hold transistor connected to a connection point between said sample/hold capacitor and said clamp capacitor to turn on/off the connection point.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 23 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 21, in which said sample/hold capacitor and said clamp capacitor are stacked on each other.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 63 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 18, in which said means for compensating comprises a sample/hold capacitor to which an output signal from each of said unit cells is supplied through a clamp capacitor and a sample/hold transistor, and a clamp transistor connected to a connection point between said clamp capacitor and said sample/hold transistor to turn on/off said clamp capacitor.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 33 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 23, in which said means for compensating comprises correction means for reducing a difference between impedances of said clamp capacitor in ON and OFF periods.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 32 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 24, in which said correction means comprises a correction capacitor for increasing a capacitance of said clamp capacitor when said clamp transistor is off.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 78 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 18, in which said compensation means comprises a source follower circuit to which an output signal from each of said unit cells is supplied, a sample/hold capacitor to which an output signal from said source follower circuit is supplied through a clamp capacitor and a sample/hold transistor, and a clamp transistor connected to a connection point between said clamp capacitor and said sample/hold transistor to turn on/off said clamp capacitor.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 76 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 18, in which said means for compensating comprises a slice transistor having a gate to which an output signal from each of said unit cells is supplied, a slice capacitor and a slice reset transistor which are connected to a source of said slice transistor, and a slice charge transfer capacitor and a drain reset transistor which are connected to a drain of said of said slice transistor.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 63 words

A MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus according to claim 18, in which said means for compensating comprises a sample/hold capacitor to which an output signal from each of said unit cells is supplied through a sample/hold transistor and a clamp capacitor, and the sample/hold transistor connected to a connection point between said sample/hold capacitor and said clamp capacitor to turn on/off the connection point.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-07-18	2004-01-17	2004-07-18	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-07-18	2008-01-17	2008-07-18	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-07-18	2012-01-17	2012-07-18	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus

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