IP Library Granted Patent US 8,760,548
Granted Patent B2
US 8,760,548 · App. 13/718,965 · Granted Jun 24, 2014

Solid-state imaging device, imaging apparatus, and method of driving the solid-state imaging device

Inventor: Kimhiko Sato (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: Sony Corporation
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,760,548
App. No.
13/718,965
Granted
Jun 24, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A solid-state imaging device including a semiconductor substrate; plural photoelectric conversion units formed side by side on the semiconductor substrate to form a light receiving unit; a peripheral circuit formed in a portion on an outside of the light receiving unit on the semiconductor substrate; a wiring section formed on the light receiving unit and formed for connecting the plural photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit; and a dummy wiring section formed on an opposite side of the wiring section for at least one photoelectric conversion unit among the plural photoelectric conversion units on the light receiving unit and formed for functioning as a non-connected wiring section not connected to the photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit, wherein the dummy wiring section has a predetermined potential.

Claims (21)

1. An imaging apparatus comprising:

an optical unit that condenses light; and

a solid-state imaging device that receives the light condensed by the optical unit, wherein,

(a) the solid-state imaging device includes

a semiconductor substrate,

plural photoelectric conversion units formed side by side on the semiconductor substrate to form a light receiving unit,

a peripheral circuit formed in a portion on an outside of the light receiving unit on the semiconductor substrate,

a wiring section formed on the light receiving unit and formed for connecting the plural photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuits, and

a dummy wiring section formed on an opposite side of the wiring section for at least one photoelectric conversion unit among the plural photoelectric conversion units on the light receiving unit and formed for functioning as a non-connected wiring section not connected to the photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit, and

(b) the dummy wiring section is held to a predetermined potential.

2. An imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein:

(a) the solid-state imaging device outputs an output signal corresponding to light reception of the plural photoelectric conversion units,

(b) the imaging apparatus further comprises:

a signal processing circuit that processes the output signal of the solid-state imaging device and generates data of a picked-up image; and

a control unit that controls time for charge accumulation by the plural photoelectric conversion units, and

(c) the control unit causes the plural photoelectric conversion units to accumulate charges over several sections or more.

3. A method of driving a solid-state imaging device, comprising the steps of:

receiving light using a solid-state imaging device including (a) a wiring section formed on a light receiving unit comprised of plural photoelectric conversion units formed side by side on a semiconductor substrate (b) a peripheral circuit on the semiconductor substrate, the wiring section connecting the plural photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit; and (c) a dummy wiring section formed on an opposite side of the wiring section with respect to the photoelectric conversion units on the light receiving unit and formed for functioning as non-connected wiring section not connected to the photoelectric conversion units and the peripheral circuit; and

generating an output signal corresponding to light reception of the plural photoelectric conversion units of the solid-state imaging device,

wherein,

in the light receiving step, the light is received in a state in which the wiring section and the dummy wiring section are held to a predetermined potential.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 4, 2013
From: SATO, KIMIHIKO
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029749/0886 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2009-105821 · Apr 24, 2009 · national
Continuity (2)
Division 12762050 · Apr 16, 2010
Related Publication 20130107090A1 · May 2, 2013