Infrared imaging element comprising temperature detection pixels, drive lines, signal lines, vertical scanning circuit, signal line selection circuit, and one or more read circuits, and air conditioner equipped with the same

Abstract

A thermal infrared imaging element includes: a pixel array unit () that includes a plurality of temperature detection pixels () each of which includes a diode () and generates an electric signal in accordance with infrared rays received from an outside, the temperature detection pixels being arrayed in a two-dimensional fashion in a row and column directions; a plurality of drive lines () that are provided in rows and that commonly connect one ends of the temperature detection pixels () in units of the rows; a plurality of signal lines () that are provided in columns and that commonly connect the other ends of the temperature detection pixels () in units of the columns; a vertical scanning circuit () that sequentially selects the drive lines; a signal line selection circuit () that sequentially selects the signal lines; and one or more read circuits () that amplify an electric signal from a temperature detection pixel connected to both one of the drive lines which is selected by the vertical scanning circuit and one of the signal lines which is selected by the signal line selection circuit. The number of the read circuits () is smaller than the number of the signal lines provided in the respective columns.