The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 03, 2012
Filed:
Apr. 29, 2009
Toru Koizumi, Yokohama, JP;
Akira Okita, Yamato, JP;
Katsuhito Sakurai, Machida, JP;
Isamu Ueno, Hadano, JP;
Toru Koizumi, Yokohama, JP;
Akira Okita, Yamato, JP;
Katsuhito Sakurai, Machida, JP;
Isamu Ueno, Hadano, JP;
Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A solid-state image pickup device having a pixel includes a photoelectric conversion unit generating and accumulating charge by photoelectric conversion; a charge holding unit being shielded from light, and being adaptable to accumulate a part of charge spilling from the photoelectric conversion unit in a period during which the photoelectric conversion unit generates and accumulates charge; an amplifying unit (SF-MOS) amplifying charge; a first transfer unit (Tx-MOS) transferring the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit to the amplifying unit; and a second transfer unit (Ty-MOS) transferring the charge accumulated in the first charge holding unit to the amplifying unit. A part of charge spilling from the photoelectric conversion unit is caused to flow into the charge holding unit and thereby extend the dynamic range, and at the same time, improve image quality.