Solid-state imaging device
View Patent ↗A solid-state imaging device and a charge transfer method are provided. The solid-state imaging device includes light receiving portions arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, vertical transfer portions, and a horizontal transfer portion. The vertical transfer portions are formed for each column of the matrix of the light receiving portions, for transferring charges transferred from the light receiving portions in a vertical direction. The horizontal transfer portion transfers the charges transferred from the vertical transfer portions in a horizontal direction. The vertical transfer portions divide the charges transferred to the vertical transfer portions and transfer the divided charges in the vertical direction. The horizontal transfer portion transfers the divided charges in a mixed state in the horizontal direction.
1. A solid-state imaging device comprising: a plurality of light receiving portions arranged in a matrix of rows and columns; a plurality of vertical transfer portions, formed for each column of the matrix of the light receiving portions, for transferring charges transferred from the light receiving portions in a vertical direction; a horizontal transfer portion for transferring the charges transferred from the vertical transfer portions in a horizontal direction; wherein, transferred signals from a timing signal generating circuit divide substantially evenly the charges transferred to the vertical transfer portions into two after an elapse of more than 5 microseconds from the completion of the transfer of charges to the vertical transfer portions and transfer the divided charges in the vertical direction.
2. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein (a) the transfer of charges from the light receiving portions to the vertical transfer portions is performed by dividing into n fields (n≧4), and (b) the vertical transfer portions perform vertical transfer by n-phase driving.
3. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1 , wherein the horizontal transfer portion transfers the divided charges in a mixed state in the horizontal direction.
4. A method for transferring charge by multi-field readout in a solid state imaging device which includes a plurality of light receiving portions arranged in a matrix of rows and columns, a plurality of vertical transfer portions, formed for each column of the matrix of the light receiving portions, for transferring charges transferred from the light receiving portions in a vertical direction, and a horizontal transfer portion for transferring the charges transferred from the vertical transfer portions in a horizontal direction, the method comprising the steps of: transferring the charges from the light receiving portions to a high-level potential portion in the vertical transfer portion; thereafter, after an elapse of more than 5 microseconds from completion of the transfer of the charges to the vertical transfer portions, dividing substantially evenly the charges transferred to the vertical transfer portions into two and transferring the divided charges in the vertical direction, using transferred signals from a timing signal generating circuit; and thereafter, transferring the divided charges in a mixed state in the horizontal direction in the horizontal transfer portion.