Solid-state imaging device and a method for driving the same

摘要

A method for driving a solid-state imaging device which includes the steps of (1) reading a signal from an i-th pixel in the pixel portion into a vertical charge transfer portion over k bit portions thereof starting from the i-th bit portion thereof; (2) transferring the read signal corresponding to k bits of the vertical charge transfer portion in the vertical direction during one horizontal blanking period; (3) reading a signal from an (i+1)-th pixel of the n pixels arranged in the pixel portion into the vertical charge transfer portion over k bit portions thereof starting from the (i+1)-th bit portion thereof after the completion of the transfer of signal portions corresponding to the (k-1) bits of the read signal corresponding to the k bits of the vertical charge transfer portion; (4) repeating the steps (1) through (3) for the pixels arranged in the pixel portion starting from the first pixel nearest to a horizontal charge transfer portion to a pixel farther therefrom; and (5) repeating the step (2) after an n-th pixel farthest from the horizontal charge transfer portion has been read.