Image sensor and electronic camera
摘要
說明書
In this situation, if the difference between the potential at the FD 14 in the pixel 10 (1, 1) and the potential at the FD 14 in the pixel 10 (3, 1) is small, the first electric current source 25 provides substantially equal electric currents to the pixel 10 (1, 1) and the pixel 10 (3, 1). As a result, the combined pixel signal output on the first vertical signal line VL1 assumes a signal level (voltage) corresponding to the average (value) of the potentials at the FDs 14 in the pixel 10 (1, 1) and the pixel 10 (3, 1).
If, on the other hand, the difference between the potentials at the FDs 14 in the pixel 10 (1, 1) and the pixel 10 (3, 1) is significant, a greater electric current will flow from the electric current source 25 to the amplifier unit 15 of the pixel with the FD 14 thereof at the higher potential. This means that when the signals are combined on the first vertical signal line VL1, a greater weight is applied the signal from the pixel with the FD 14 thereof at the higher potential in comparison to the weight applied to the signal from the pixel with the FD 14 thereof at the lower potential. Namely, the combined pixel signal output on the first vertical signal line VL1 will have a signal level closer to the signal level corresponding to the potential at the FD 14 in the pixel with the FD 14 thereof at the higher potential, instead of a signal level corresponding to the average of the potentials at the FDs 14 in the pixel 10 (1, 1) and the pixel 10 (3, 1).
