US 12,294,791 B2
Image sensor and imaging device with photoelectric converters, readout circuits, and transistors
Wataru Funamizu, Yokohama (JP); Masahiro Juen, Yokohama (JP); and Atsushi Komai, Tokorozawa (JP)
Assigned to NIKON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed by NIKON CORPORATION, Tokyo (JP)
Filed on May 23, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/200,794.
Application 18/200,794 is a continuation of application No. 17/235,536, filed on Apr. 20, 2021, granted, now 11,696,047.
Application 17/235,536 is a continuation of application No. 16/580,322, filed on Sep. 24, 2019, granted, now 11,012,644, issued on May 18, 2021.
Application 16/580,322 is a continuation of application No. 15/764,157, granted, now 10,965,892, issued on Mar. 30, 2021, previously published as PCT/JP2016/078497, filed on Sep. 27, 2016.
Claims priority of application No. 2015-195284 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2015.
Prior Publication US 2023/0292018 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. H04N 25/533 (2023.01); H04N 25/709 (2023.01); H04N 25/75 (2023.01); H04N 25/77 (2023.01); H04N 25/79 (2023.01)
CPC H04N 25/533 (2023.01) [H04N 25/709 (2023.01); H04N 25/75 (2023.01); H04N 25/77 (2023.01); H04N 25/79 (2023.01)] 29 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An image sensor, comprising:
a first pixel having a first photoelectric converter that converts light into an electric charge;
a second pixel having a second photoelectric converter that converts light into an electric charge and is located next to the first photoelectric converter in a first direction;
a third pixel having a third photoelectric converter that converts light into an electric charge and is located next to the first photoelectric converter in a second direction that intersects the first direction;
a first signal line that is electrically connected to the first pixel and to which a first signal based on the electric charge converted by the first photoelectric converter is output;
a second signal line that is electrically connected to the second pixel and to which a second signal based on the electric charge converted by the second photoelectric converter is output;
a third signal line that is electrically connected to the third pixel and to which a third signal based on the electric charge converted by the third photoelectric converter is output;
a first transistor having a first drain terminal electrically connected to the first pixel via the first signal line, a first gate terminal electrically connected to a first current source circuit, and a first source terminal electrically connected to ground;
a second transistor having a second drain terminal electrically connected to the second pixel via the second signal line, a second gate terminal electrically connected to a second current source circuit, and a second source terminal electrically connected to ground; and
a third transistor having a third drain terminal electrically connected to the third pixel via the third signal line, a third gate terminal electrically connected to a third current source circuit, and a third source terminal electrically connected to ground.