JPS61144867A - Solid-state image pickup element - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable two kinds of TV system to use commonly by a method wherein horizontal transfer sections, whose transfer step numbers are different, are provided respectively to both edges of vertical transfer section and then each horizontal transfer section is provided with an output section respectively dividing the drive electrode wiring of the vertical transfer section. CONSTITUTION:In case that a horizontal transfer section 3 and an output section 4 are used, light is converted to signal electric charge by a photoelectric conversion and then is supplied to a vertical transfer section 2A, 2B. At this time, a drive electrode wiring for the transfer section 2A, 2B is connected commonly. Accordingly, the horizontal transfer load by the horizontal transfer 3 is deduced from the output section 4 and prescribed TV system image signal is obtained. Subsequently in case that a horizontal transfer section 5 and the output section 6 is used, drive signal phiVB is not impressed to the transfer section 2B. Hence, only electric charge supplied to the transfer section 2A is transferred and is supplied to the horizontal transfer section 5, then is deduced from the output section 6. The step numbers of the vertical transfer section at this time is few by step numbers of the transfer section 2B, so this is applicable to the other TV systems.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a solid-state image sensor, and particularly to a solid-state image sensor for obtaining video signals for television.

Conventionally, this type of solid-state imaging device has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes photoelectric conversion units, which are arranged in a plurality of columns in the vertical direction of the figure, and a plurality of vertical transfer units 2 are provided corresponding to each column of the photoelectric conversion units 1. . One row of horizontal transfer sections 3 is provided at the lower end of this vertical transfer section 2, and one end of this horizontal transfer section 3 (
An output section 4 for deriving the charge transferred by the horizontal transfer section 3 is provided at the left end (in the example shown in the figure).

With this configuration, light is converted into signal charges by the photoelectric conversion section 1 and supplied to the corresponding vertical transfer sections 2, and transferred in the vertical direction by the drive signal φ. The signal charges transferred to the horizontal transfer section 3 are transferred in the horizontal direction by a horizontal drive signal (not shown) in the horizontal transfer section 3, and are derived as a time-series video signal at the output section 4.

Since the conventional solid-state II image element is constructed as described above, when it is desired to obtain a video signal of a different television system, it is necessary to change the number of transfer stages of the vertical transfer section due to the difference in the number of scanning lines. Therefore, in the element having the structure shown in FIG.
It has the disadvantage that it cannot be shared for two types of television systems.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to eliminate the drawbacks of the above-mentioned conventional devices, and its purpose is to provide a solid-state image pickup device that can be used in common for two types of television systems.

Structure of the Invention A solid-state image sensor according to the present invention has a photoelectric conversion section that converts light into an electrical signal, and a vertical transfer section and a horizontal transfer section that transfer signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion section on the same semiconductor substrate. A solid-state imaging device configured to derive signal charges transferred by a horizontal transfer section as a video signal,
The horizontal transfer section is provided at both ends of the vertical transfer section,
One side of the horizontal transfer section is formed shorter than the other,
The vertical transfer section is characterized in that it is divided into two groups and the drive electrode wirings are separated from each other.

Example Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using FIG.

In the figure, parts equivalent to those in FIG. The separately provided horizontal transfer section 5 is shorter than the section 3. An output section 6 is provided to derive a video signal based on the transferred charges from one end of the horizontal transfer section 5 (the right end in the example shown). Although not particularly shown in this example,
It is assumed that a horizontal drive signal is applied to the horizontal transfer section 5 separately from the horizontal transfer section 3.

As shown in the figure, the vertical transfer section is divided into two sections in the charge transfer direction, an upper vertical transfer section 2A and a lower vertical transfer section 2B. It is divided into 1A and 1B. The drive signal φVA is used for the vertical transfer section 2A, and the drive signal φVB is used for the vertical transfer section 2B. Therefore, the drive signal electrode wirings of both vertical transfer sections are separated from each other and connected. It is assumed that Horizontal transfer section 5
A drain electrode 7 is installed between the left end of the vertical transfer section 2A and the leftmost part of the vertical transfer section 2A.

In this configuration, when using the horizontal transfer section 3 and the output section 4, light is converted into signal charges by the photoelectric conversion sections 1A and 2B, and the vertical transfer sections 2A and 2B corresponding to the photoelectric conversion sections of each row, respectively. Supplied to 2B. At this time, the drive electrode wires for the vertical transfer sections 2A and 2B are connected in common, so in this case, the drive signals φVA and φ
V8 is common. Therefore, all areas of the vertical transfer section operate in the same manner as in the example of FIG. 2, and the same operation as in the case of FIG. 2 is performed. The horizontally transferred charges by the horizontal transfer section 3 are derived from the output section 4, and a video signal of a predetermined television system is obtained.

Here, the total number of transfer stages of the vertical transfer units 2A and 2B is assumed to be 1,
Assuming that the number of transfer stages of the horizontal transfer section 3 is Hl, the solid-state image sensor in this case has an imaging area consisting of V1×H1 elements.

Next, a case will be described in which the horizontal transfer section 5 and the output section 6 are used. In this case, the vertical transfer section 2A has a drive signal φ
VA is applied, but the drive signal φ is applied to the vertical transfer section 2B.
is not applied and is in an open state. The light is converted into signal charges by the photoelectric conversion units IA and IB, respectively, and sent to the corresponding direct transfer units 2A and 2B. At this time, since no drive signal is applied to the vertical transfer section 2B, only the charges supplied to the vertical transfer section 2A are transferred by the vertical transfer section 2A and supplied to the horizontal transfer section 5. In this case, the vertical drive signal φVA is a signal that transfers charges upward in the figure.

This transferred charge is supplied to the horizontal transfer section 5, transferred to the right side in the figure by the horizontal transfer section 5, and is led out from the output section 6. The charge transferred by the vertical transfer section 2A without the horizontal transfer '15 on the upper side, that is, Hl-82 (
H2 is a vertical transfer unit 2 corresponding to stage vl of the horizontal transfer unit 5
It is assumed that the charge transferred by A is absorbed by the drain electrode 7.

In this case, the number of stages of the vertical transfer section is smaller than ■1 by the number of stages of the vertical transfer section 2B to which the drive signal φVB is not applied, and if it is defined as ■2, the solid-state image sensor has an imaging area consisting of V2XH2 elements. have Therefore, it can be applied to other television systems. In this case, since the scanning direction is 180 degrees opposite to the first case, it goes without saying that the direction of mounting the solid-state image sensor must also be reversed 180 degrees. As shown in the figure, the output section 4.
6 is preferably installed on the diagonal of the rectangular area formed by the photoelectric conversion section and the vertical transfer section.

According to the present invention, horizontal transfer units having different numbers of transfer stages are installed at both ends of a vertical transfer unit, and the drive electrode wiring of the vertical transfer unit is divided, so that an output unit is provided at one end of each horizontal transfer unit. , the imaging area to be used can be changed. Therefore, there is an effect that it can be used commonly as an image sensor for different television systems.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional solid-state image sensor. Explanation of symbols of main parts 1.1A, 1B...Photoelectric conversion section 2.2A, 2B
... Vertical transfer section 3.5 ... Horizontal transfer section 4.6 ... Output section

Claims (1)

[Claims] A photoelectric conversion section that converts light into an electrical signal, and a vertical transfer section and a horizontal transfer section that transfer signal charges generated by the photoelectric conversion section are provided on the same semiconductor substrate, and the signal transferred by the horizontal transfer section is provided on the same semiconductor substrate. A solid-state imaging device configured to derive electric charge as a video signal, wherein the horizontal transfer section is provided at both ends of the vertical transfer section, and one of the horizontal transfer sections is formed shorter than the other. A solid-state image pickup device, wherein the vertical transfer section is divided into two groups and drive electrode wirings are separated from each other.