JPH0738810A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain high picture quality by performing a signal processing against noise mixture for the purpose of high reliability as to the image pickup device which processes the signal of input image data. CONSTITUTION:Plural image pickup devices 221-22N are provided successively and a scanned image of an object 25 to be picked up is supplied to the devices through a scanning line 26. Then output data of the respective image pickup devices 221-22N are compared by the pixcles of the scanned image to select optimum data which are sent to a signal processing circuit 27 outputting the data as image data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device which performs signal processing of captured image data.

In recent years, image pickup devices such as infrared ray image pickup devices using CCDs (charge coupled devices) are required to have high image quality. Therefore, it is necessary to output error-free image data even when noise is mixed.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional image pickup apparatus. In the image pickup apparatus 11 in FIG. 7, a one-dimensional CCD 12 is used as an image pickup device, and a scanning mirror 14 and a reflecting mirror 15 are arranged for an image pickup target 13.

That is, in the image pickup device 11 shown in FIG. 7, an image of a predetermined portion of the image pickup object 13 is formed on a predetermined point on the one-dimensional CCD 12 via the scanning mirror 14 and the reflecting mirror 15. Then, one line is scanned by the one-dimensional CCD 12. While scanning the scanning mirror 14, imaging is performed on all lines.

In this case, the one-dimensional CCD 12 outputs the image data line by line as it is.

[0006]

However, as described above, outputting the image data from the CCD 12 as it is is
Noise due to the influence of extraneous noise or CCD 12 is generated 1
When low frequency noise such as / f noise is mixed, noise is also mixed in the output image data. Therefore,
There is a problem in that an error occurs in the output image data, which causes a deterioration in quality.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus which achieves high image quality by performing signal processing for the purpose of high reliability against noise contamination.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image pickup means arranged in parallel, an optical means for supplying a scanning image of an image pickup object to each of the plurality of image pickup means, and the plurality of image pickup means. The respective output data from the image pickup means of (1) are compared for each pixel of the scanning image to select the optimum data,
Signal processing means for outputting as image data.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a single image pickup means for scanning and picking up the image pickup object a plurality of times, and an optical means for supplying a scan image of the image pickup object to the single image pickup means.
Output data for each scan from the image pickup means is stored, and a plurality of storage means provided corresponding to the number of scans and output data from the storage means are provided for each pixel of the scanning line. And a signal processing means for comparing and selecting the most suitable data and outputting it as image data.

According to the third aspect of the invention, a plurality of light receiving means arranged in parallel and one pixel of the scanning image of the object to be imaged are provided.
Optical means for sequentially scanning and supplying to the plurality of light receiving means,
Signal processing means for comparing the respective output data from the plurality of light receiving means, selecting the optimum data for the one pixel, performing these with respect to the scanning image and outputting as the image data.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the invention, optimum data is selected from a plurality of data obtained by using a plurality of image pickup means.

According to the second aspect of the invention, optimum data is selected from a plurality of data obtained from a single image pickup means.

Further, in the third aspect of the invention, the optimum data is selected from a plurality of data for one pixel obtained by using a plurality of light receiving means.

As described above, by performing the signal processing with high reliability, noise is prevented from being abruptly mixed in the image data, no error occurs in the output image data, and high quality image data is obtained. It becomes possible to obtain.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of the infrared image pickup device 21 _A , in which N image pickup devices (for example, one-dimensional CCDs) 22 _{1 to} 22 _N, which are image pickup means, are arranged in parallel. Corresponding to the image pickup devices 22 _{1 to} 22 _N , concave reflecting mirrors 23 ₁ to
23 _N are provided.

A planar reflecting mirror 24 ₁ is arranged corresponding to the reflecting mirror 23 ₁ , and half mirrors 24 _{2 to} 24 _N are arranged corresponding to the reflecting mirrors 23 ₂ to 23 _N , respectively. Then, the respective half mirrors 24 _{2 to} 24 _N ,
The imaging device 2 via the reflecting mirrors 24 ₁ and 23 ₁ to 23 _N
Pivotable scanning mirror 26 for supplying a scanned image of the imaging object 25 is disposed in 2 ₁ through 22 _N.

The reflection mirrors 23 ₁ to 23 _N and 24 ₁ , the half mirrors 24 _{2 to} 24 _N , and the scanning mirror 26 constitute an optical means.

On the other hand, the output data of each of the image pickup devices 22 _{1 to} 22 _N is signal processing circuit 2 which is a signal processing means.
7, and the signal processing circuit 27 outputs image data by predetermined signal processing (described later).

The signal processing circuit 27 is not shown,
It is composed of a logic circuit, a processor, a DSP (digital signal processor), a comparison circuit, an average value circuit, etc., compares the output data of the image pickup devices 22 _{1 to} 22 _N , selects the optimum data and outputs it as image data. To do.

Therefore, FIG. 2 shows a flow chart of the signal processing algorithm in the signal processing circuit of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of the histogram of FIG.

In FIG. 2, first, the signal processing circuit 27.
Acquires new data from the respective output data from the imaging devices 22 _{1 to} 22 _N (step (ST)
1), create a histogram for each pixel in the scan image of the imaging target 25 (ST2). For example, 0.2 in terms of temperature
Collect data for each ° C.

Each image pickup device 22 in this case₁~ 22_N
The output data from is shown in FIG. 3 (A) as an example.
In FIG. 3A, the columns (1 to 5) are the image pickup devices 22.₁~
22 _NIt means a one-dimensional array of
The speculum 26 targets the imaging target 25 to each imaging device 22.₁~ 22
_NThe scanning is performed on the rows (A to E) in one column.
The infrared detection image in this case is indicated by diagonal lines.

For example, it is assumed that only C-5 of the image pickup device 22 ₃ has a detection state due to noise. In this case, the histogram (the horizontal axis is temperature (° C.) and the vertical axis is the number of dots (number) is shown in FIG. 3). 3B is obtained, that is, FIG. 3B is obtained as a comparison result of the C-5 portion in each of the image pickup devices 22 _{1 to} 22 _N.

Therefore, returning to ST1 in FIG. 2, a histogram is created for the pixel and each temperature data is summarized. It is determined whether or not the number of data in each group is the same (ST3). If the number is the same, it is determined that there are many pixels in which noise is mixed, the process returns to ST1, new data is acquired, and the histogram is recreated.

If the number of data in each group is not the same,
It is assumed that the collection of temperature data with a large number of data is the most probable collection of data, and ± 0.
The data at 5 ° C is selected as the most suitable and consistent data (ST4). In this case, the imaging device 22 of FIG.
The C-5 pixel of ₃ is excluded as a mismatch detection pixel.

Then, the average value of the selected data is calculated and output as the image data of the pixel (ST5). Then, this algorithm is performed for all pixels.

The optimum data described above may be selected by majority instead of being selected by coincidence / disagreement.

In this way, it is possible to prevent noise, such as 1 ° C. in terms of temperature, from being accidentally mixed in the output image data. That is, even if noise is mixed in the output data of the image pickup device due to noise due to the influence of external noise or low-frequency noise such as 1 / f noise, the reliability that the error does not occur in the output image data. It is possible to perform high-quality signal processing and obtain high-quality image data.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, an image data storage unit 28 for temporarily storing image data (immediately preceding image data) output from the signal processing circuit 27 is provided and is output to the signal processing circuit 27 when necessary. Is the same as in FIG.

The image data storage unit 28 stores the image data output immediately before the signal processing. For example, in the example of FIG.
Although C-5 of a pixel of 2 ₃ the average value described above in a state of being excluded is calculated by mismatch, the data of the pixel of the C-5 mismatch in Figure 4, read from the image data storage unit 28 of the partial Then, the most probable data of the image pickup device 22 _{3 is used as} the most probable data, a group of data including this is selected, and the average value is calculated.

Then, the image data output from the signal processing circuit 27 is updated and stored in the image data storage unit 28.

Next, FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 4 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 5A, the infrared imaging device 21 _B
Is a single image pickup device (one-dimensional CCD) 22a and reflecting mirrors 23a and 24a constituting optical means corresponding thereto.
And the scanning mirror 26 are arranged, and the scanning image of the imaging target 25 is supplied to the imaging device 22a by the scanning of the scanning mirror 26. That is, the imaging target 25 is scanned by the scanning mirror 26 a plurality of times.

On the other hand, storage units 31 _{1 to} 31 _N corresponding to the number of scans of the scanning mirror 26 are provided to store output data for each scan and store the stored data in the signal processing circuit 2.
Output to 7.

The signal processing circuit 27 includes storage units 31 _{1 to} 31.
Signal processing similar to that in FIG. 2 is performed on the data from _N (the description is omitted), and the image data is output. That is, regarding the data input to the signal processing circuit 27,
It is similar to FIG. 2 and has the same effect.

Further, the infrared imaging device 2 shown in FIG.
1 _B is intended for providing the same image data storage unit 28 and 4, and supplies the image data immediately before a mismatch is stored when it is detected in the signal processing circuit 27.

Next, FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention. 5, those parts that are the same as those corresponding parts in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals, and a description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 6A, the infrared imaging device 21 _C
Includes a plurality of light receiving elements 32 _{1 to} 32 _N, which are light receiving means, arranged in parallel, and constitutes a reflecting mirror 23 a and a scanning mirror 2 which constitute an optical means.
6, each pixel of the scanning image of the imaging target 25 is scanned by each light receiving element 32 ₁ . The output data of each of the light receiving elements 32 _{1 to} 32 _N is output to the signal processing circuit 27. The signal processing by the signal processing circuit 27 is the same as that shown in FIG.

This infrared imaging device 21 _C is a so-called T
The DI (Time Delay and Integration) method is adopted. In this TDI method, image data for one pixel of the imaging target 25 is sequentially supplied to a plurality of light receiving elements 32 _{1 to} 32 _N. By comparing the output data of each light receiving element 32 _{1 to} 32 _N , As in the case of FIG. 2, the optimum data of the pixel portion can be selected.

Further, the infrared image pickup device 2 shown in FIG.
1 _C is provided in the image data storage unit 28 similar to that in FIG. 4, and supplies the immediately preceding image data stored to the signal processing circuit 27 when a mismatch is detected.

[0041]

As described above, according to the present invention, optimum data is selected from a plurality of data obtained by using a plurality of image pickup means, or a plurality of data obtained by a plurality of image pickups by a single image pickup means. An image that is output even when noise is mixed in the image pickup unit or the light receiving unit by selecting the optimum data from the data or selecting the optimum data from the data for one pixel obtained by the plurality of light receiving units. It is possible to perform highly reliable signal processing in which no error occurs in data, and it is possible to obtain high-quality image data.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flowchart of a signal processing algorithm in the signal processing circuit of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a histogram in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

21 _{A to} 21 _C Infrared imaging device 22 _{1 to} 22 _N , 22 a Imaging device 23 ₁ to 23 _N , 24 ₁ , 23 a, 24 a Reflecting mirror 24 _{2 to} 24 _N Half mirror 25 Imaging target 26 Scanning mirror 27 Signal processing circuit 28 image Data storage unit 31 _{1 to} 31 _N Storage unit 32 _{1 to} 32 _N Light receiving element

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A juxtaposed plurality of image pickup means (22 21 _to
2 _N ) and a scanning image of the imaging target (25), and a plurality of imaging means (22
_{1 to} 22 _N ) optical means (23 ₁ to
And _{23 N, 24 1 ~24 N,} 26), the respective output data from the plurality of imaging means (22 ₁ ~22 _N) compared for each pixel of the scanned image elect the best data, An image pickup apparatus comprising: a signal processing unit (27) for outputting as image data. 2. A single image pickup means (22a) for scanning and picking up an image pickup target (25) a plurality of times, and a scanning image of the image pickup target (25) by the single image pickup means (22).
a) for storing the optical data (23a, 24a, 26) supplied to a) and the output data for each scan from the image pickup means (22a), and a plurality of storage means (corresponding to the number of scans). 31 _{1 to} 31 _N ) and output data from the storage means (31 _{1 to} 31 _N ) are compared for each pixel of the scanning line to select optimum data and output as image data. Means (2
7) and an imaging device comprising: 3. juxtaposed plurality of light receiving means (32 _1-3
And 2 _N), the one pixel of the scanned image of the imaging target (25), and optical means (23a, 26) supplies sequentially scans the plurality of light receiving means (32 ₁ to 32 _N), the plurality of A signal processing means (27) for comparing the respective output data from the light receiving means (32 _{1 to} 32 _N ) and selecting the optimum data for the one pixel, performing these for the scanning image and outputting as the image data. An imaging device comprising: 4. The image data storage unit, wherein the signal processing means (27) stores the image data obtained immediately before, and outputs the image data immediately before when the comparison of the respective output data does not match. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising (28).