JPH11127380A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an image pickup device with a built-in video sensor without requiring an external sensor and a memory unit for detecting a change in an object by detecting the movement of the target object by an image pickup device main body and outputting a trigger signal to the outside. SOLUTION: This image pickup device is provided with an image pickup lens 1, an image pickup element 2 for converting an optical image formed by the lens 1 into an electric signal, a signal processing part 5 for converting an output signal from the element 2 into a video signal, a gain control part 6 for adjusting the output signal from the processing part 5 to a proper level, a movement detection part 8 for detecting a focus signal expressing the degree of focusing on an object from the video signal outputted from the control part 6 and detecting a change in the focus signal and a movement discrimination part 9 for comparing the change in the focus signal outputted from the detection part 8 with a prescribed reference value and judging the existence of image movement in an objective visual field.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a function of discriminating a change in a subject in an image pickup apparatus, particularly, an image pickup apparatus having a monochrome or color light receiving section.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional image pickup apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. H10-207, in which 1 is an image pickup lens, 201 is a shutter for controlling passage / blocking of optical information to be imaged, and 2 is an appropriate amount of light. Reference numeral 202 denotes transmitted light wavelength selection means for selecting wavelengths corresponding to at least three different colors of light, 3 denotes an image sensor, 203 denotes a buffer, 7 denotes an A / D converter, 204 denotes a signal processing circuit, 205 Is a storage device, 20
Reference numeral 7 denotes a timing control device, reference numeral 206 denotes a mechanism driving device that controls the movement of the movable portion of the shutter 201 and the transmitted light wavelength selection means 202 based on a timing signal output from the timing control device 207, and reference numeral 208 denotes an external trigger input terminal. .

Next, the operation will be described. Now, it is assumed that a trigger signal like 241 in FIG. 19 is applied to the external trigger input terminal 208. At this time, the timing control device 207 calculates the shutter speed and the aperture value based on the light amount of the subject, the sensitivity of the image sensor, the imaging conditions set from the outside, and the like, and opens the shutter 201 as indicated by 242 in FIG. The signal indicating the time is transmitted to the mechanism driving device 20.
To 6. 19 shows a period in which the shutter 201 opens the shutter 201. The mechanism system driving device 206 outputs the control signal 24
2, the opening and closing of the shutter 201 is controlled, and the diaphragm 2 is controlled so as to obtain an appropriate amount of light. Therefore, the light from the subject passes through the imaging lens 1 and the amount of light is limited by the aperture 2 only when the shutter 201 is open, and enters the transmitted light wavelength selection unit 202.

The transmitted light wavelength selecting means 202 is composed of, for example, color filters corresponding to R (red), G (green) and B (blue) as shown in FIG. Rotate. TR, TG, and TB in FIG. 15 show periods in which the color filters corresponding to R, G, and B operate. That is, the timing control device 207 divides the period TS during which the shutter 201 is opened into three, TR, TG, and TB.
And control signals 243, 244 including those information,
245 to the mechanism drive device 206. The mechanism drive unit 206 controls the transmitted light wavelength selection unit 202 based on the control signals 243, 244, and 245, and sets the R in the period TR.
The light having the spectral component of G, the light having the spectral component of G in the period TG, and the light having the spectral component of B in the period TB are transmitted.

The image pickup device 3 receives light having the above-mentioned respective spectral components of R, G, and B, sequentially converts them into electric signals, and outputs the electric signals through a buffer 203 and an A / D converter 7. The signal is transmitted to the signal processing device 204. The signal processing device 204 receives an electric signal corresponding to each of the lights having the R, G, and B spectral components, performs a predetermined process, synthesizes the signals, and generates a color image. Storage device 205
Records the color image.

[0006]

Since the conventional imaging apparatus is configured as described above, an external sensor must be provided to secure a video signal of a specific event for security use or the like. It is necessary to control the imaging device and a recording medium connected to the imaging device with a trigger signal output from the sensor, and there is a problem that the system becomes expensive and large-scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. In an image pickup apparatus, a change in a luminance signal level, a change in a video signal frequency component, a change in a chrominance signal level, a high luminance / low By detecting the movement of the target subject from information such as a change in the ratio of the luminance signal component and a change in the imaging illuminance, and outputting a trigger signal to the outside, the imaging device alone is connected to the imaging device or the imaging device. An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive imaging device that does not require an external sensor or a memory unit for detecting a change in a subject by controlling a recording medium or the like, and that does not particularly require an external additional circuit.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: an image pickup lens; an image pickup element having a light receiving section for converting an optical image formed by the image pickup lens into an electric signal; An image sensor driving unit for driving the element,
A signal processing unit that converts the output signal of the image sensor into a video signal; and a gain control unit that attenuates or amplifies the output signal of the signal processing unit to an appropriate level. The gain control unit adjusts the signal level to an appropriate level. A focus signal indicating the degree of focusing on the subject is detected from the obtained video signal, and a motion detection unit for detecting the change is provided, and the change in the focus signal output by the motion detection unit is set in advance. This is to determine the presence or absence of the movement of the image within the target visual field by comparing with the reference value.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device including an image pickup lens, a light receiving section for converting an optical image formed by the image pickup lens into an electric signal, and an image pickup element for driving the image pickup element. A drive unit, a signal processing unit that converts an output signal of the image sensor into a video signal, and a gain control unit that attenuates or amplifies the output signal of the signal processing unit to an appropriate level. A color signal detection unit that detects a color signal or a primary color component from the video signal adjusted to the signal level; and a motion detection unit that extracts a temporal change in the ratio of the color signal or the primary color component output by the color signal detection unit. The time change of the color signal or the primary color component ratio output from the motion detecting section is compared with a preset reference value to determine the presence or absence of motion of the video within the target visual field.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup device including an image pickup lens, a light receiving section for converting an optical image formed by the image pickup lens into an electric signal, and an image pickup element for driving the image pickup element. A driving unit, a signal processing unit that converts an output signal of the image sensor into a video signal, and a gain control unit that attenuates or amplifies an output signal of the signal processing unit to an appropriate level, and an output signal of the signal processing unit. A lighting condition detecting unit for identifying an environmental change unrelated to the movement of the subject such as a change in lighting conditions based on a change in a frequency component of a specific band and an area occupied by a high luminance component and a low luminance component of a video signal; Is provided with a motion identification unit that determines only the presence / absence of the motion.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus including an image pickup lens, a light receiving section for converting an optical image formed by the image pickup lens into an electric signal, and an image pickup element for driving the image pickup element. A driving unit, a signal processing unit that converts an output signal of the image sensor into a video signal, a light amount control unit that adjusts an amount of light incident on the image sensor from the imaging lens, and an output signal of the signal processing unit. A gain control unit that attenuates or amplifies to an appropriate level, determines an environmental change unrelated to the movement of the subject, such as a change in illumination conditions, based on the outputs of the light amount control unit and the gain control unit, and actually within the intended field of view. Only the presence or absence of the movement of the subject is determined.

An image pickup apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention includes a detection range setting section that can change a detection range of a motion detection section with respect to a visual field in advance from an image captured by an image pickup device. An output signal is generated only from the range of the subject set by the detection range setting unit, and the motion discrimination unit determines from this signal whether or not the video of the target subject moves within a predetermined range.

An imaging apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention has a level setting section capable of changing a reference value for determination by the motion identification section.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an imaging apparatus, comprising: a motion discriminator for outputting a trigger signal which is a signal for judging the presence or absence of a motion of a target object; Wherein the trigger signal synthesizing section superimposes a trigger signal on a video signal and outputs the signal.

The imaging apparatus according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, wherein the motion identification unit includes an evaluation value filter unit that executes a filter process for determining a temporal resolution with respect to the signal output from the motion detection unit. The output of the motion detection unit is subjected to filtering processing by the evaluation value filter unit, and is compared with a set reference value to determine whether or not the target subject has a video motion.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, an imaging environment such as an illumination condition of a subject to be imaged is detected from a control amount of a gain control unit, and the level is set in advance to a level setting unit from a luminance signal. The range of the signal level higher or lower than the reference value is extracted, and the range of the subject to be determined by the detection range setting unit is automatically set to the range. Is to judge.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1 FIG. Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an imaging lens, 2 is an imaging device that converts an optical image formed by the imaging lens 1 into an electric signal, 3 is an imaging device driving circuit that drives the imaging device 2, 4 is an imaging device from the imaging lens 1 to the imaging device 2 A light amount control unit that adjusts the amount of light incident on the device, a signal processing unit that converts an output signal of the image sensor 2 into a video signal, and 6 controls an output signal of the signal processing unit 5 to a video signal of an appropriate level. A gain control unit 7 extracts a luminance signal from a video signal output from the signal processing unit 5 and generates a focus signal. A focus signal detection unit 8 generates a focus signal.
A motion detection unit 9 detects a change in the video signal from the output signal of the motion detection unit 9, and a motion identification unit 9 detects the motion of the subject from the output signal of the motion detection unit 8.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. An optical image incident through the imaging lens 1 is converted into an electric signal by the imaging device 2. At this time, the light amount control unit 4
AL detects the output signal of the image sensor 2 and adjusts the amount of incident light to an appropriate level for a subject to be imaged.
It operates as a C circuit (auto light control circuit). Next, the signal output from the image sensor 2 is amplified by the signal processing unit 5 and output as a video signal of an appropriate level. The gain control unit 6 operates as an AGC circuit (auto gain control circuit) that controls the degree of amplification of the signal processing unit 5 so that the output signal of the signal processing unit 5 always has an appropriate level. Further, the focus signal detection unit 7 calculates a signal from the signal output from the signal processing unit 5
A focus signal for calculating the degree of focusing on a subject is extracted as a luminance signal component. The motion detector 8 calculates an evaluation value for the motion of the subject from the focus signal output from the focus signal detector 7. The motion identification unit 9 calculates the focus evaluation value calculated by the motion detection unit 8
It is determined whether or not the target subject has moved.

The operation of the focus signal detecting section 7, the motion detecting section 8, and the motion identifying section 9 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4. FIG. 2 shows the focus signal detecting unit 7.
It is a figure which shows the detail of. In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a low-pass filter that removes a color signal component from the output signal of the signal processing unit 5, reference numeral 11 denotes a horizontal aperture signal generation unit that extracts a frequency component of a specific band from the output signal of the low-pass filter 10, and reference numeral 12 denotes A vertical aperture signal generator for extracting a vertical frequency component from the output signal of the low-pass filter 10;
Reference numerals 3 and 14 denote a horizontal aperture signal control unit for adjusting output signals of the horizontal aperture signal generation unit 11 and the vertical aperture signal generation unit 12 to appropriate levels, and a vertical aperture signal control unit. Reference numeral 15 denotes a horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and a vertical A focus signal generation unit that outputs a focus signal indicating a degree of focusing on a target subject from an output signal of the aperture signal control unit 14.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the details of the motion detecting section 8. In FIG. 3, 16 is an A / D converter for converting an analog output signal of the focus signal generating section 15 into a digital signal, and 17 is an A / D converter. 16 is an integration circuit for integrating the output signal of 16; 18 is a time counter for setting a time constant of the integration circuit 17; 19 is a focus for calculating a focus evaluation value indicating a temporal change of the focus signal from the output signal of the integration circuit 17; It is an evaluation value calculation unit.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the motion discriminating section 9. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a motion parameter setting unit for setting a detection sensitivity for a motion of a subject, 21 denotes an output signal of the motion parameter setting unit 20 and a focus evaluation value calculation unit 1
The comparator 22 compares the output of the comparator 9 with the output signal of the comparator 21. The comparator 22 determines the movement of the target subject from the output signal of the comparator 21.
Reference numeral 23 denotes a microcomputer that controls the motion parameter setting unit 20 and the determination unit 22.

Next, the operation of FIG. 2 will be described. In the signal output from the signal processing unit 5, a chrominance signal component is multiplexed in addition to the luminance signal component. The low-pass filter 10
Modulated and multiplexed color signal components are removed, and only luminance signal components, which are low frequency components, are extracted. The output signal of the low-pass filter 10 is applied to a horizontal aperture signal generator 1
1. The vertical aperture signal generation unit 12 detects a horizontal frequency component and a vertical frequency component of a video signal of a target subject, and extracts a contour component of the target subject. The horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and the vertical aperture signal control unit 14 adjust the output signals of the horizontal aperture signal generation unit 11 and the vertical aperture signal generation unit 12 to appropriate levels. Further, the focus signal generation unit 15 combines the output signals of the horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and the vertical aperture signal control unit 14 and outputs a focus signal as a pattern signal of a target subject.

Referring now to FIG. The A / D converter 16 converts the focus signal output from the focus signal generator 15 of the focus signal detector 7 into a digital signal. The integrating circuit 17 integrates the time-varying focus signal output from the A / D converter 16 for a certain period of time under the control of the time counter 18, and calculates the amount of integration per unit time. The focus evaluation value calculation unit 19
Calculates a focus evaluation value signal indicating the in-focus state of the focus signal from the output signal of the integration circuit 17. When capturing an image of a subject, the focus is first set on the target subject, so that a change in the focus evaluation value indicates the movement of the target subject, and the focus signal is It is possible to detect the presence or absence of the movement of the subject by calculating the evaluation value of.

Referring now to FIG. The motion parameter setting unit 20 stores a reference pattern for performing motion detection with respect to a change in the output signal of the focus evaluation value calculation unit 19 of the motion detection unit. This reference pattern is a specific gravity at the time of motion detection for the image area being imaged,
Processing such as lightening the specific gravity in the peripheral portion of the imaging range and lightening the specific gravity in the central portion is stored. The comparator 21 compares the output signal of the focus evaluation value calculation unit 19 with the pattern stored in the motion parameter setting unit 20, and outputs a signal indicating the degree of motion. The microcomputer 23 outputs an imaging environment detection signal for determining whether or not the signal output from the comparator 21 is a target movement of the subject. The determination unit 22 determines whether the target subject has actually moved based on the output signal of the comparator 21 and the output signal of the microcomputer 23. In this manner, by changing the criterion for determining the focus evaluation value in the image area being imaged, it is possible to focus on a target subject to perform motion detection.

Embodiment 2 Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 24 denotes a color signal detection unit. FIG. 6 shows the color signal detection unit 2
FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing details of the motion detection unit 8 in the present embodiment. In FIG.
Reference numeral 25 denotes a color signal detection circuit for detecting a color signal component from the output signal of the signal processing unit 5; 26, a color separation circuit for detecting R, G, B color signals from the output signal of the color signal detection circuit 25;
Is a white balance adjustment circuit that performs white balance adjustment from the output signal of the color separation circuit 26, and 28 is a color signal that detects the ratio of each of the R, G, and B color signals from the image signal of the subject after being adjusted by the white balance adjustment circuit 27. Arithmetic unit, 2
Reference numeral 9 denotes a ratio signal output unit that outputs a ratio signal of each color signal calculated by the color signal calculation unit 28.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 30 denotes an A / D converter for converting the output signal from the ratio signal output unit 29 of the color signal detection unit 5 into a digital signal, and 31 integrates the output signal of the A / D converter 30. An integrating circuit, 32 is a time counting unit for setting a time constant of the integrating circuit 31, and 33 is a color signal evaluation value calculating unit for indicating a temporal change of a color signal ratio signal from the output signal of the integrating circuit 31.

Next, the operation of the color signal detector 24 according to the second embodiment will be described. In FIG. 6, a color signal detection circuit 25 detects a modulated color signal multiplexed on an output signal of the signal processing unit 5 and detects a color signal. Next, the color separation circuit 26 separates the output signal of the color signal detection circuit 25 into R, G, and B color signal components. White balance adjustment circuit 27
Executes white balance adjustment according to the illumination condition of the subject from the R, G, B color signal components color-separated by the color separation circuit 26. The color signal calculator 28 calculates the R, G, B of the output signal of the color separation circuit 26 after the white balance adjustment.
Is calculated. The result of the calculation is the ratio signal output unit 2
9, the color information of the subject is output, and thus changes when the target subject moves, and the motion of the subject is calculated by the motion detection unit 8 from the ratio of the changed ratio.

Next, FIG. 7 will be described. The A / D converter 30 converts the ratio signal of the color signal output from the ratio signal output unit 29 of the color signal detection unit 24 into a digital signal. The integration circuit 31 integrates the ratio signal of the time-varying color signal under the control of the time measurement unit 32 to calculate the amount of integration per unit time. The color signal evaluation value calculator 33 calculates a color signal evaluation value indicating a change in the ratio of the color signal from the output signal of the integration circuit 31. When capturing an image of a subject, the white balance is adjusted, and the color information of the subject is represented by the ratio of the R, G, and B color signals. A change in the evaluation value of the color information within a unit time indicates the movement of the subject.

The color information evaluation value detected by the color signal evaluation value calculation section 33 is input to the motion identification section shown in FIG. The motion parameter 20 in the present embodiment stores a reference pattern for making a determination on a change in the output signal of the color signal evaluation value calculation unit 33. This reference pattern is a specific gravity at the time of detection with respect to the image area being imaged, the peripheral portion of the imaged range has a lighter specific gravity at the time of detection, and the central portion of the imaged range is a specific gravity at the time of detection. Is stored. The comparator 21 compares the output signal of the color signal evaluation value calculation unit 33 with the pattern stored in the motion parameter setting unit 20, and outputs a signal indicating the degree of motion. The microcomputer 23 outputs an imaging environment detection signal for determining whether the level of the signal output from the comparator 21 is actually a movement of the subject. The determination unit determines whether the subject is moving based on the output signal of the comparator 21 and the output signal of the microcomputer 23, and determines the movement of the subject. In this way, by changing the reference of the color signal evaluation value in the image area, it is possible to perform the motion detection with emphasis on the target subject.

Embodiment 3 Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an imaging apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an imaging lens, 2 is an imaging device that converts an optical image formed by the imaging lens 1 into an electric signal, 3 is an imaging device driving circuit that drives the imaging device 2, 4 is an imaging device from the imaging lens 1 to the imaging device 2 A light amount control unit that adjusts an amount of light incident on the image pickup device; a signal processing unit that converts an output signal of the image sensor 2 into a video signal;
Is a gain control unit that controls the output signal of the signal processing unit 5 to a video signal of an appropriate level, and 7 is a focus signal detection unit that extracts a luminance signal from the video signal output from the signal processing unit 5 and generates a focus signal. , 47 are illumination condition detection units for extracting illumination conditions from frequency components and luminance components of the video signal output from the signal processing unit 5, and 8 detects a change in the video signal from the output signal of the focus signal detection unit 7. The motion detecting unit 9 is a motion identifying unit that detects the motion of the subject from the output signal of the motion detecting unit 8.

Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. An optical image incident through the imaging lens 1 is converted into an electric signal by the imaging device 2. At this time, the light amount control unit 4
AL detects the output signal of the image sensor 2 and adjusts the amount of incident light to an appropriate level for a subject to be imaged.
It operates as a C circuit (auto light control circuit). Next, the signal output from the image sensor 2 is amplified by the signal processing unit 5 and output as a video signal of an appropriate level. The gain control unit 6 operates as an AGC circuit (auto gain control circuit) that controls the degree of amplification of the signal processing unit 5 so that the output signal of the signal processing unit 5 always has an appropriate level. Further, the focus signal detection unit 7 calculates a signal from the signal output from the signal processing unit 5
A focus signal for calculating the degree of focusing on a subject is extracted as a luminance signal component. The illumination condition detection unit 47
From the signal output from the signal processing unit 5, a frequency component, a high luminance component and a low luminance component are detected. Motion detector 8
Calculates an evaluation value for the movement of the subject from the focus signal output from the focus signal detection unit 7. The motion identification unit 9 determines whether or not the target subject has moved based on the focus evaluation value calculated by the motion detection unit 8.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the illumination condition detecting section 47. In the figure, 10 is a low-pass filter for removing a color signal component from the output signal of the signal processing unit 5, 40 is a frequency component detection unit for detecting the frequency component of the image signal from the output signal of the low-pass filter 10, and 41 is a low-pass filter. A high-brightness detecting section for detecting the area of a high-brightness portion of the image signal output from the reference numeral 10, a low-brightness detecting section for detecting the area of a low-luminance portion of the image signal output from the low-pass filter 10, and 43 a frequency component It is an illumination condition evaluation unit that detects the illumination condition of the subject being imaged from the detection unit 40, the high luminance detection unit 41, and the low luminance detection unit 42.

Next, the operation of FIG. 9 will be described. In the signal output from the signal processing unit 5, a chrominance signal component is multiplexed in addition to the luminance signal component. The low-pass filter 10
Modulated and multiplexed color signal components are removed, and only luminance signal components, which are low frequency components, are extracted. For the output signal of the low-pass filter 10, the frequency component detection unit 40 extracts a signal of a frequency component in a specific band, and, based on the magnitude of the signal, the illumination condition being imaged and the magnitude of the contrast of the subject. Is detected. In addition, the high brightness detection unit 4
1. The low-luminance detection unit 42 detects a high-luminance component and a low-luminance component from the luminance signal from the low-pass filter 10, thereby determining whether the illumination condition is overall illumination, spot illumination, or night imaging. Or whether there is a target subject in the shadow area in the daytime. From these pieces of information, the illumination condition evaluation unit 43 can determine the imaging environment of the subject in detail, determine whether or not the target subject has moved, and output an illumination condition evaluation signal.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing details of the focus signal detecting section 7 and the relationship between the focus signal detecting section 7 and the luminance component detecting section 47. In the figure, 10 is a signal processing unit 5
A low-pass filter for removing a color signal component from the output signal of the low-pass filter 10; a horizontal aperture signal generator 11 for extracting a frequency component of a specific band from the output signal of the low-pass filter 10; A vertical aperture signal generator for extracting frequency components,
Reference numerals 3 and 14 denote a horizontal aperture signal generation unit 11 and a vertical aperture signal generation unit 1 according to a control signal of the illumination condition detection unit 47.
The horizontal aperture signal control unit and the vertical aperture signal control unit 15 for adjusting the output signal of the second to an appropriate level and the output signal of the horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and the vertical aperture signal control unit The focus signal generator outputs a focus signal indicating the degree of focus.

Next, the operation of FIG. 10 will be described. In the signal output from the signal processing unit 5, a chrominance signal component is multiplexed in addition to the luminance signal component. Low-pass filter 10
Removes modulated and multiplexed color signal components and extracts only luminance signal components that are low frequency components. For the output signal of the low-pass filter 10, the horizontal aperture signal generator 11 and the vertical aperture signal generator 12 detect the horizontal frequency component and the vertical frequency component of the video signal of the target subject, and detect the target subject. Is extracted.
In this case, a horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and a vertical aperture signal control unit 14 are inserted in order to prevent a malfunction due to a change in the illumination condition of the subject. The horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and the vertical aperture signal control unit 14 operate according to the control signal of the illumination condition detection unit 47, and suppress the output fluctuation of the extracted contour component in response to the change of the illumination condition. It operates to detect only when the subject moves. That is, when the output signals of the horizontal aperture signal generation unit 11 and the vertical aperture signal generation unit 12 fluctuate, the target object does not change based on the signal from the illumination condition detection unit 47, but the imaging environment in which the image is captured changes. It is determined that the determination has been made, and a malfunction of the determination is prevented. Further, the focus signal generation unit 15 combines the output signals of the horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and the vertical aperture signal control unit 14 and outputs a focus signal as a pattern signal of a target subject. In this manner, by estimating the imaging environment of the object being imaged in detail, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the motion of the target object.

Embodiment 4 FIG. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 shows Embodiment 4 of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an imaging device that is a. In the figure,
1 is an imaging lens, 2 is an imaging device that converts an optical image formed by the imaging lens 1 into an electric signal, 3 is an imaging device 2
, A light amount control unit that adjusts the amount of light incident from the imaging lens 1 on the imaging device 2, a signal processing unit that converts an output signal of the imaging device 2 into a video signal, and 6. A gain control unit that controls an output signal of the signal processing unit 5 to a video signal of an appropriate level; a focus signal detection unit that extracts a luminance signal from a video signal output from the signal processing unit 5 and generates a focus signal; Reference numeral 8 denotes a motion detection unit that detects a change in a video signal from an output signal of the focus signal detection unit 7, and 9 denotes a motion identification unit that detects a motion of a subject from an output signal of the motion detection unit 8.

Next, the operation of the fourth embodiment will be described. An optical image incident through the imaging lens 1 is converted into an electric signal by the imaging device 2. At this time, the light amount control unit 4
AL detects the output signal of the image sensor 2 and adjusts the amount of incident light to an appropriate level for a subject to be imaged.
It operates as a C circuit (auto light control circuit). Next, the signal output from the image sensor 2 is amplified by the signal processing unit 5 and output as a video signal of an appropriate level. The gain control unit 6 operates as an AGC circuit (auto gain control circuit) that controls the degree of amplification of the signal processing unit 5 so that the output signal of the signal processing unit 5 always has an appropriate level. Further, the focus signal detection unit 7 calculates a signal from the signal output from the signal processing unit 5
A focus signal for calculating the degree of focusing on a subject is extracted as a luminance signal component. The motion detector 8 calculates an evaluation value for the motion of the subject from the focus signal output from the focus signal detector 7. The motion identification unit 9 calculates the focus evaluation value calculated by the motion detection unit 8
It is determined whether or not the target subject has moved.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing details of the focus signal detector 7 and the relationship between the focus signal detector 7 and the light amount controller 4 and the gain controller 6. In the drawing, reference numeral 10 denotes a low-pass filter that removes a color signal component from the output signal of the signal processing unit 5, reference numeral 11 denotes a horizontal aperture signal generation unit that extracts a frequency component of a specific band from the output signal of the low-pass filter 10, and reference numeral 12 denotes Vertical aperture signal generators 13 and 14 for extracting vertical frequency components from the output signal of the low-pass filter 10 are controlled by control signals of the light amount controller 4 and the gain controller 6 to generate a horizontal aperture signal generator 11 and a vertical aperture signal generator 12.
The horizontal aperture signal control unit and the vertical aperture signal control unit 15 for adjusting the output signal to an appropriate level focus on a target object from the output signals of the horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and the vertical aperture signal control unit 14. Is a focus signal generation unit that outputs a focus signal indicating the degree of the focus signal.

Next, the operation of FIG. 12 will be described. In the signal output from the signal processing unit 5, a chrominance signal component is multiplexed in addition to the luminance signal component. Low-pass filter 10
Removes modulated and multiplexed color signal components and extracts only luminance signal components that are low frequency components. For the output signal of the low-pass filter 10, the horizontal aperture signal generator 11 and the vertical aperture signal generator 12 detect the horizontal frequency component and the vertical frequency component of the video signal of the target subject, and detect the target subject. Is extracted.
In this case, a horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and a vertical aperture signal control unit 14 are inserted in order to prevent a malfunction due to a change in the illumination condition of the subject. The horizontal aperture signal control unit 13 and the vertical aperture signal control unit 14 operate according to the control signals of the light amount control unit 4 and the gain control unit 6, and suppress the output fluctuation of the contour component to be extracted in response to a sudden change in the illumination condition. Then, it operates so as to detect only when the target subject actually moves. That is, when the output signals of the horizontal aperture signal generation unit 11 and the vertical aperture signal generation unit 12 fluctuate, and the signal of the light amount control unit 4 or the gain control unit 6 greatly changes, the target object may have changed. Instead, it is determined that the imaging environment in which the image is being captured has changed, thereby preventing a malfunction in the determination. Further, the focus signal generation unit 15 includes the horizontal aperture signal control unit 1.
3, and the output signal of the vertical aperture signal control unit 14 is synthesized, and a focus signal is output as a pattern signal of a target subject. In this manner, by estimating the imaging environment of the object being imaged in detail, it is possible to improve the accuracy of detecting the motion of the target object.

Embodiment 5 Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 13, reference numeral 34 denotes a range designating unit for setting an image range to be processed by the motion detecting unit 8, and reference numeral 35 denotes a level setting unit for setting a range of a detection level to be processed by the motion detecting unit 8. FIG. 13 will be described in detail. The range specifying unit 34 specifies a specific range of the image range being captured, and invalidates image information other than the target subject.
If the place where the image is to be taken is fixed, it is possible to specify an area to be detected by the motion detection unit 8 and prevent malfunction due to an external factor such as a window or sky. In addition, the detection level setting unit 35 responds to a subtle movement of the object being imaged.
It operates to control the detection sensitivity of the motion detection unit 8. A change with a small amount of change, such as a subtle vibration of a grove due to the wind, is cut, and is not detected by the motion detection unit 8 as a target motion of the subject. Further, the setting of the detection level setting unit 35 can be limited to the area specified by the range specifying unit 34 and operated.

Embodiment 6 FIG. Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 14, reference numeral 36 denotes a trigger signal generator for outputting a signal for determining that the subject has moved based on the output signal of the motion discriminator 9; 37, a video signal generator for generating a television signal from the output signal of the signal processor 5; ,
38, a trigger signal synthesizing unit for adding the output signal of the trigger signal generating unit 36 and the output signal of the video signal generating unit 37;
Is a video signal output terminal.

FIG. 14 will be described in detail. When the motion discriminating unit 9 determines that the subject has moved, the trigger signal generating unit 36 outputs a discrimination signal to the outside under the control of the motion discriminating unit 9. The signal obtained by imaging the subject is converted into a television signal by the video signal generator 37. When recording this television signal with a VTR (video tape recorder) or the like, there are cases where recording is desired only when the subject changes. In this case, the trigger signal determined to have moved the subject is combined with the video signal by the trigger signal combining unit 38, and the trigger signal is detected on the recording side of the VTR or the like, so that the recording can be performed in accordance with the movement of the subject. As described above, since the trigger signal corresponding to the movement of the subject is multiplexed with the video signal, it is possible to record an image without using an external sensor and no extra wiring is required.

Embodiment 7 FIG. Hereinafter, the seventh embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 15, the evaluation value filter 44
With respect to the output signal of the focus evaluation value calculation unit 19,
In order to remove an error in the evaluation value, a filtering process for extracting only valid data of the output signal is performed. Further, the microcomputer 23 detects the imaging environment / condition from the signals of the light amount control unit 4, the gain control unit 6, and the time counting unit 18, and sends a determination criterion value setting unit 45 with an evaluation criterion as to whether the subject is moving. Set the value. The criterion value setting unit 45 inputs the output signal of the microcomputer 23 for a fixed sampling period, sets a criterion value for the evaluation value, and outputs the criterion value to the comparator 21. The comparator 21 outputs the output signal of the evaluation value filter 44,
The output signals of the criterion value setting unit 45 are compared to detect the movement of the subject. That is, the amount of change in the evaluation value within a certain sampling period is measured, and when the amount of change becomes larger than this set value, it is determined that the target subject has moved. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the motion detection from reacting to a small change in the shooting environment of the subject such as a change in the lighting condition.

Embodiment 8 FIG. Hereinafter, the eighth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of the motion detection unit 8 according to the eighth embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 46 denotes an output of the light amount control unit 4, the gain control unit 6, the high luminance detection unit 41, and the low luminance detection unit 42. A detection range setting unit that sets a range for automatically detecting motion and a level from a signal.

Next, the operation will be described. The detection range setting unit 46 estimates the current imaging conditions from the output signals of the lens aperture setting unit 4 and the gain control unit 6, and estimates the pattern of the image of the subject from the high luminance detection unit 41 and the low luminance detection unit 42. Is performed, and a specific imaging area and a range equal to or higher than a specific signal level are automatically set according to the imaging conditions.
That is, the range of motion detection according to the subject is automatically limited to a bright place or a dark place, and the level setting of the amount of movement when detecting the movement is automatically performed. The detection range setting can also be controlled by the microcomputer 23. For example, when automatically detecting a range brighter than a certain brightness and detecting the movement of a subject within the range, the microcomputer 23 sets the detection range. It is possible to perform the function of detecting the movement of the subject only when the brightness is higher than the arbitrarily set brightness, and not to perform this function when the brightness is low.

[0046]

According to the present invention, a frequency component of a luminance signal is extracted from an output signal of an image pickup device that images a subject, and a change in an aperture control signal of a lens and a gain control signal of a signal processing circuit are obtained. Since the focus evaluation value for the subject can be accurately calculated, the motion detection unit that detects only the motion of the target subject is provided, so that the motion of the video can be detected without installing an external video sensor. There is an effect that a signal can be output from the imaging device.

Further, a color signal component is extracted from an output signal of the image pickup device, decomposed into R, G, and B color signal components after white balance adjustment, and a ratio of a color component to a subject is extracted. Since the color signal evaluation value for the subject can be accurately calculated from the change in the aperture control signal and the gain control signal of the signal processing circuit, by providing a motion detection unit that detects only the motion of the target subject, There is an effect that a signal for detecting a motion of a video can be output from the imaging device without installing a video sensor in the camera.

Further, since a detection range setting unit for setting a range for detecting a motion based on a focus evaluation value extracted from a luminance signal of the image sensor and a color signal evaluation value extracted from a color signal is provided, a detection range setting unit is provided. In addition, it is possible to set an area of a target subject, and it is possible to prevent a malfunction in motion detection due to a change in background other than the motion of the target subject.

A level setting section for setting an evaluation value level indicating a change amount for determining motion detection based on a focus evaluation value extracted from a luminance signal of an image sensor and a color signal evaluation value extracted from a color signal. Because of the provision, the detection sensitivity to the amount of movement of the subject in the area to be imaged can be set.

Further, a detection range setting section for setting a range for detecting motion and a level setting section for setting an evaluation value level indicating a change amount for judging motion detection are provided, so that a subject to be imaged can be set. There is an effect that the motion can be accurately detected without being affected by the motion other than the target subject.

Also, since a trigger signal synthesizing unit for multiplexing a motion identification signal, which has detected the motion of a subject, with a picked-up video signal and outputting the same is provided. It is possible to convey to equipment etc.,
There is an effect that connection to another video sensor becomes unnecessary.

Further, by providing a high-luminance detecting section and a low-luminance detecting section for detecting information on the object being imaged, the detection of the illumination state of the object by the light amount control section and the gain control section can be performed. Since the state of the target subject can be accurately detected, there is an effect that accurate motion detection can be performed.

An evaluation value filter section for executing a filtering process for removing an error of the motion identification section of the subject;
Since a change amount detection unit for judging the movement of the target subject is actually provided, the sensitivity for detecting the speed of the movement of the subject and the magnitude of the movement can be arbitrarily set. effective.

The frequency detecting section, the high luminance detecting section, the low luminance detecting section, the light quantity controlling section, and the gain controlling section detect the imaging condition such as the illumination condition of the subject, and accurately determine the state of the target subject. By doing so, there is an effect that the range can be automatically designated for the target subject, and the level for determining the amount of movement of the subject to be detected can be automatically set.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a first embodiment and a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating details of a focus signal detection unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating details of a motion detection unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating details of a motion identification unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating details of a color signal detection unit in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating details of a motion detection unit in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating details of an illumination condition detection unit in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating details of a focus signal detection unit in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating details of a focus signal detection unit in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a rotating color filter in a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing operation signal waveforms in a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 imaging lens, 2 imaging element, 3 imaging element driving circuit, 4 light quantity control section, 5 signal processing section, 6 gain control section,
7 focus signal detector, 8 motion detector, 9 motion discriminator, 10 low-pass filter, 11 horizontal aperture signal generator, 12 vertical aperture signal generator, 13
Horizontal aperture signal controller, 14 Vertical aperture signal controller, 15 Focus signal generator, 16 A / D
Converter, 17 integration circuit, 18 time counting unit, 19 focus evaluation value calculation unit, 20 motion parameter setting unit,
21 comparator, 22 determination unit, 23 microcomputer, 24
Color signal detection section, 25 color signal detection circuit, 26 color separation circuit, 27 white balance adjustment circuit, 28 color signal calculation section, 29 ratio signal output section, 30 A / D converter, 3
1 integration circuit, 32 time counting section, 33 color signal evaluation value calculation section, 34 range designation section, 35 level setting section, 36
Trigger signal generator, 37 Video signal generator, 38 Trigger signal synthesizer, 39 Video signal output, 40 Frequency component detector, 41 High luminance detector, 42 Low luminance detector, 43 Lighting condition evaluation unit, 44 Evaluation value Filters, 4
5 evaluation value level determination reference value setting unit, 46 detection range setting unit, 47 illumination condition detection unit.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Koura 8-23 Asahimachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture Mitsubishi Electric Engineering Corporation Nagasaki Office

Claims (9)

[Claims] An imaging device including an imaging lens, a light receiving unit that converts an optical image formed by the imaging lens into an electric signal, an imaging device driving unit that drives the imaging device, and an output of the imaging device. A signal processing unit for converting a signal into a video signal; a gain control unit for attenuating or amplifying an output signal of the signal processing unit to an appropriate level; and a subject from the video signal adjusted to an appropriate signal level by the gain control unit. While detecting a focus signal representing the degree of focus to, a motion detection unit that detects the change, comparing the change of the focus signal output by the motion detection unit with a previously set reference value, An imaging apparatus comprising: a motion identification unit that determines whether or not a video moves within a target visual field. 2. An image pickup device comprising: an image pickup lens; a light receiving section for converting an optical image formed by the image pickup lens into an electric signal; an image pickup element driving section for driving the image pickup element; and an output of the image pickup element A signal processing unit that converts a signal into a video signal; a gain control unit that attenuates or amplifies an output signal of the signal processing unit to an appropriate level; and a video signal adjusted to an appropriate signal level by the gain control unit. A color signal detector that detects a signal or a primary color component; a motion detector that extracts a temporal change in the ratio of the color signal or the primary color component output by the color signal detector; and a color that is output from the motion detector. An image pickup apparatus comprising: a motion identification unit that compares a time change of a signal or a primary color component ratio with a reference value set in advance to determine whether or not an image moves in a target visual field. 3. An image pickup device comprising: an image pickup lens; a light receiving unit for converting an optical image formed by the image pickup lens into an electric signal; an image pickup device driving unit for driving the image pickup device; A signal processing unit that converts a signal into a video signal; a gain control unit that attenuates or amplifies an output signal of the signal processing unit to an appropriate level; and a change in a frequency component of a specific band from the output signal of the signal processing unit. An illumination condition detection unit that identifies an environmental change unrelated to the movement of the subject such as a change in illumination conditions based on the area occupied by the high luminance component and the low luminance component of the video signal; and a motion identification unit that determines only the presence or absence of the movement of the subject. The imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising: 4. An image pickup device comprising: an image pickup lens; a light receiving unit for converting an optical image formed by the image pickup lens into an electric signal; an image pickup device driving unit for driving the image pickup device; A signal processing unit that converts a signal into a video signal; a light amount control unit that adjusts an amount of light incident on the imaging device from the imaging lens; and a gain that attenuates or amplifies an output signal of the signal processing unit to an appropriate level. A control unit, determining an environmental change unrelated to the movement of the subject, such as a change in lighting conditions, based on outputs of the light amount control unit and the gain control unit;
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a motion identification unit configured to determine only whether or not the subject has actually moved in a target visual field. 5. A detection range setting unit that can change a detection range of a motion detection unit with respect to a visual field from an image captured by an image sensor in advance, wherein the motion detection unit sets the subject set by the detection range setting unit. 5. An output signal is generated only from the range, and the motion discriminating unit determines from this signal whether or not the image of the target subject moves within a predetermined range. Imaging device. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a level setting unit capable of changing a reference value for the motion identification unit to make a determination. 7. A motion identification unit that outputs a trigger signal that is a determination signal of the presence or absence of a motion of a target subject, and a trigger signal synthesis unit that synthesizes a video signal and the trigger signal.
7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the trigger signal synthesizing unit superimposes a trigger signal on a video signal and outputs the video signal. 8. The motion discriminating unit includes an evaluation value filter unit that performs a filtering process for determining a temporal resolution on a signal output from the motion detecting unit. By performing a filtering process in the evaluation value filter unit and comparing with a set reference value,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the image of the target subject is moving. 9. An imaging environment such as an illumination condition of an object to be imaged is detected from a control amount of the gain control unit, and a signal level higher or lower than a reference value previously set in a level setting unit from a luminance signal is detected. A range of the subject determined by the detection range setting unit is automatically set to the range, thereby determining whether or not the image of the target subject is moving. Item 6. The imaging device according to Item 5.