Solid state imaging device with horizontal transfer paths and a driving method therefor

Abstract

In a solid state imaging device, signal charges are branched to be output to in the form of one or plural outputs. At a horizontal transfer speed not lower than a predetermined transfer speed, the imaging device transfers signal charges of color attributes classified by a branching section, to plural horizontal transfer paths, where the signal charges are converted into analog voltage signals, which will be output synchronously. At a horizontal transfer speed lower than the predetermined transfer speed, the analog voltage signal converted is output from, e.g. the horizontal transfer path which has been selected. Output amplifiers arranged on the horizontal transfer paths are differentiated in sensitivities in detecting signal charges, depending on color attributes of signal charges supplied, and output the analog voltage signals.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A solid state imaging apparatus comprising:
 a color filter for color separating the incident light from a field being viewed into a plurality of colors;   a plurality of photosensitive cells for photo-electrically transducing the light transmitted through said color filter, said photosensitive cells being arranged in register with the colors;   a first transfer circuit for transferring signal charges read out from said photosensitive cells in a first direction;   a second transfer circuit for transferring signal charges transferred in said first transfer circuit in a second direction;   a branching circuit arranged at an output end of said second transfer circuit for distributing the signal charges transferred to a plurality of output destinations;   a plurality of third transfer circuits connected as the output destinations to said branching circuit; and   output circuits connected to an output end of said third transfer circuits;   said plural colors being divided into a plurality of groups;   said second transfer circuit, said branching circuit and said third transfer circuits transferring signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with colors of the same group, and subsequently transferring signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with colors of a different group or groups.   
     
     
         2 . The solid state imaging apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the plural colors are three colors of red, green and blue, and the groups are two groups, one being a group composed of red and blue and the other being a group composed of green. 
     
     
         3 . The solid state imaging apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein, in case there are a plurality of colors belonging to one of said groups, the signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the colors are transferred using a plurality of said third transfer circuits;
 in case there is one color belonging to one of said groups, the signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the color being transferred using a specified one of said third transfer circuits. 
 
     
     
         4 . The solid state imaging apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein, in case there are a plurality of colors belonging to one of said groups, the signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with said colors are transferred using a plurality of said third transfer circuits;
 in case there is one color belonging to one of said groups, the signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the color being also transferred using a plurality of said third transfer circuits. 
 
     
     
         5 . The solid state imaging apparatus in accordance with  claim 3  wherein, in case there are a plurality of colors belonging to one of said groups, the signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the colors are transferred using a specified one of said third transfer circuits from one color to another. 
     
     
         6 . The solid state imaging apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising a correction circuit for correcting the difference in characteristics among said output circuits. 
     
     
         7 . The solid state imaging apparatus in accordance with  claim 6  further comprising:
 a holding circuit for holding data for correcting the difference in characteristics among said output circuits; 
 said correction circuit correcting the difference in characteristics using data owned by said holding circuit. 
 
     
     
         8 . The solid state imaging apparatus in accordance with  claim 1  wherein said first transfer circuit transfer the signal charges, readout from the photosensitive cells, related with the color belonging to the same group, to said second transfer circuit, and subsequently transfer signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the color belonging to the different group. 
     
     
         9 . An imaging method comprising the steps of:
 color-separating incident light from a field being imaged by a color filter;   photo-electrically transducing the light transmitted through said color filter by a plurality of photosensitive cells related with the colors;   transferring signal charges read out from said photosensitive cells by first transfer circuit in a first direction;   transferring the signal charges transferred by said first transfer circuits, by a second transfer circuit in a second direction;   distributing the signal charges transferred to a plurality of output destinations, by a branching circuit arranged at an output end of said second transfer circuit; and   outputting the signal charges by a plurality of third transfer circuits, connected as output destinations to said branching circuit, and by output circuits arranged at an output end of said third transfer circuits;   said plural colors being grouped into a plurality of groups; and   said second transfer circuit, said branching circuit and the third transfer circuits transferring the signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the color belonging to the same group, and subsequently transferring signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the color belonging to the different group.   
     
     
         10 . An imaging method comprising the steps of:
 color-separating incident light from a field being imaged by a color filter;   photo-electrically transducing the light transmitted through said color filter by a plurality of photosensitive cells related with the colors;   transferring signal charges read out from said photosensitive cells by first transfer circuit in a first direction;   transferring the signal charges, transferred by said first transfer circuit, by a second transfer circuit in a second direction; and   outputting signal charges via an output circuit arranged at an output end of said second transfer circuit;   said plural colors being grouped into a plurality of groups; and   said second transfer circuits transferring the signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the color belonging to the same group, and subsequently transferring signal charges read out from the photosensitive cells related with the color belonging to the different group.