CN101171835A - Solid-state imaging pickup device, camera, automobile and monitoring device - Google Patents

Solid-state imaging pickup device, camera, automobile and monitoring device Download PDF

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Publication number
CN101171835A
CN101171835A CNA200680015905XA CN200680015905A CN101171835A CN 101171835 A CN101171835 A CN 101171835A CN A200680015905X A CNA200680015905X A CN A200680015905XA CN 200680015905 A CN200680015905 A CN 200680015905A CN 101171835 A CN101171835 A CN 101171835A
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China
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unit
camera head
solid camera
reference signal
photoelectric conversion
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CNA200680015905XA
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CN100525403C (en
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武田胜见
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Panasonic Holdings Corp
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Matsushita Electric Industrial Co Ltd
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Abstract

A solid-state image pickup device is provided with a plurality of photoelectric conversion means for generating a signal corresponding to an incoming light quantity; a plurality of read out means for reading out the signal generated by each of the photoelectric conversion means; a transmission path for transmitting the signal read out by each of the read out means; an output means for outputting each signal transmitted through the transmission path from each of the read out means; and a generating means for generating a constant reference signal. The reference signal is outputted from the output means through at least a part of the transmission path.

Description

Solid camera head, video camera, automobile and monitoring arrangement
Technical field
The present invention relates to solid camera head, video camera, automobile and monitoring arrangement, described solid camera head, video camera, automobile and monitoring arrangement comprise: a plurality of photoelectric conversion parts, and it generates signal according to incident light quantity; A plurality of portions of reading, it reads the signal that each photoelectric conversion part generates; And efferent, its output is read portion by signal that transmission path transmitted.
Background technology
In recent years, along with the microminiaturization of solid camera head and being on the increase of pixel count, when pursuit is miniature, also needed to improve reliability.
For the checkout gear of the reliability that detects solid-state imager, patent documentation 1 disclosed technology for example.This checkout gear comes each one of testing circuit by making the solid-state imager on the probe contact wafer.
Patent documentation 1 spy of Japan opens the 2001-8237 communique
Yet, for example solid camera head is installed under the first-class situation of automobile, compare with numeral quiet video camera or DITEC Digital Television Camera etc. mutually, in the very severe situation of environment for use or need then to need to have quite high quality requirement under the situation of long service life.But problem is: also will satisfy quality requirement and be unusual difficulty when satisfying such requirement, and keep away unavoidably and raise the cost.
Summary of the invention
The object of the present invention is to provide a kind of solid camera head, video camera, automobile and monitoring arrangement, in the very severe situation of environment for use or need under the situation of long service life the level of also can on the basis that does not increase cost, relatively easily ensuring the quality of products.
In order to achieve the above object, solid camera head of the present invention comprises: a plurality of photoelectric conversion units generate signal according to incident light quantity; A plurality of sensing elements are read the signal that described each photoelectric conversion unit generates; Transmission path is used to transmit the signal that described each sensing element is read; Output unit is exported each signal, and this each signal passes through transmission path by described each sensing element; And generation unit, generate fixing reference signal; Described reference signal is exported by described output unit by the part of described transmission path at least.
Constitute according to this, the level of the reference signal by checking output, thus can easily detect the unusual fault that waits solid camera head of transmission path.For this reason, when after delivery, detecting the fault of solid camera head, in having the system of this solid camera head, by the solid camera head that is out of order is replaced by new solid camera head, quality level is replied, even thereby system is in the severe environment for use, also can reach long durable years.Like this,, also can reach system desired service life even the product life of solid camera head is shorter than system, and, even in the environment for use of sternness, also can relatively easily keep quality level by changing.
At this, also can be that described fixing reference signal has the fixed level between first level and second level; First level is an incident light quantity when being zero, the level of the signal that photoelectric conversion unit generated; Second level is that described first level is generated by described photoelectric conversion unit than the high level of described first level.
According to this formation, reference signal for example can be the median of first level and second level etc., owing to be in the scope of the signal level that generates at photoelectric conversion unit, therefore can export not changing under the specified situation of output unit, thereby the cost that can avoid output unit increases.
At this, also can be that described solid camera head further comprises judging unit, judge that reference signal that described output unit exports is whether in normal range (NR), when under extraneous situation, output detection signal, described normal range (NR) is meant the scope between higher limit and the lower limit.
According to this formation,, therefore can easily urge the solid camera head that is out of order is replaced by new solid camera head owing to can learn fault by output detection signal.
At this, also can be that described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units is arranged as rectangular; Described transmission path comprises a plurality of vertical transfer unit and horizontal transport unit, and described a plurality of vertical transfer unit is corresponding with respectively being listed as of described photoelectric conversion unit, the signal charge that transmission is read from the photoelectric conversion unit of the row of correspondence; The signal charge that the transmission of described horizontal transport unit is come by the transmission of described a plurality of vertical transfer unit; Described reference signal is at least by a vertical transfer unit and horizontal transport unit, by described output unit output.
Constitute according to this, occur under the work condition of poor at least one the vertical transfer unit of the described reference signal of transmission and the somewhere of horizontal transport unit, relatively easily detection failure.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected into some in the photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal.
Constitute according to this, the work that can further detect photoelectric conversion unit is bad, photoelectric conversion unit read bad fault.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected into following photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal, promptly be positioned near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of vertical transfer unit, and this vertical transfer unit is connected near the upstream of horizontal transport unit.
Constitute according to this because reference signal is to be transmitted by path the longest in the transmission path, therefore can detect longest path at least which place work to have occurred bad.And, can make the circuit scale of described generation unit drop to minimum.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of each vertical transfer unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal.
Constitute according to this, because reference signal can be transmitted by all paths of transmission path, it is bad therefore can to detect in the transmission path work in all places.That is to say, though the circuit scale of generation unit increase to some extent,, can detect the work in all paths is bad.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected at least corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal near the upstream of a vertical transfer unit in a plurality of vertical transfer unit.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected into the vertical transfer unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal, this vertical transfer unit is connected near the upstream of horizontal transport unit.
Constitute according to this, because reference signal can be transmitted by the longest path that vertical transfer unit in the transmission path and horizontal transport unit are constituted, therefore can detecting in the longest path which place, work to have occurred bad.And can make the circuit scale of described generation unit drop to minimum.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected into corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal near the upstream of each vertical transfer unit.
Constitute according to this, reference signal is almost transmitted by paths all in the transmission path, and therefore, it is bad to detect in the transmission path work in each place.That is to say,, can detect the work of all transmission paths is bad though the circuit scale of generation unit increases to some extent.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected into following photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal, near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of at least one the vertical transfer unit in promptly a plurality of vertical transfer unit.
According to this formation, reference signal can be transmitted by path in the transmission path, that be made of described photoelectric conversion unit and at least one vertical transfer unit and horizontal transport unit, therefore, can detect the path that comprises photoelectric conversion unit which place work to have occurred bad.And, the circuit scale of described generation unit can be dropped to minimum.
At this, also can be that described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units is arranged as rectangular; Described transmission path comprises a plurality of vertical transfer unit and horizontal transport unit, and the row selected cell is selected the delegation in the described photoelectric conversion unit; The row in the described photoelectric conversion unit are selected in the column selection unit; And the output line of each row, the signal that transmission is read by photoelectric conversion unit, this photoelectric conversion unit is selecteed row and is the photoelectric conversion unit of selecteed row; Described reference signal is exported by described output unit by a certain output line.
Constitute according to this, work occurs in the somewhere of the transmission path that comprises an output line at least of the described reference signal of transmission when bad, can relatively easily detect fault.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected into some in the photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal.
Constitute according to this, further can detect the faults such as bad of reading of the bad and photoelectric conversion unit of the work of photoelectric conversion unit.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected into following photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal, promptly be positioned at last selecteed row and the last selecteed photoelectric conversion unit that lists.
According to this formation, reference signal is endowed on the in the end selected photo-electric conversion element, therefore, only proceed at last in scanning by row selected cell and column selection unit, just export reference signal, like this, can be to bad detection of working after having confirmed normal scanning.And, the circuit scale of described generation unit can be dropped to minimum.
At this, also can be that described generation unit will be injected near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of an output line at least corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal.
Constitute according to this, reference signal is endowed near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of output line, therefore, can detect output line which place work to have occurred bad.And, under the situation that reference charge is injected near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of an output line, the circuit scale of generation unit can be dropped to minimum.On the contrary, under the situation that reference charge is injected near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of all outputs, though the circuit scale of generation unit can increase to some extent, the work that can detect all output lines is bad.
At this, also can be to accept the photoelectric conversion unit of described reference signal by shading.
Constitute according to this, though the system with solid camera head under the situation that does not possess mechanical shutter, also input reference signal correctly.
At this, also can be that described solid camera head further comprises the warning unit, this warning unit is under the situation of described judging unit output detection signal, and the matters that fault will take place are warned to the outside.
According to this formation, solid camera head is changed by warning to urge in time.
At this, also can be, described judging unit is under the situation of having exported described detection signal, and the indication power supply unit stops the part power supply to described solid camera head.
Constitute according to this, can prevent that two tasks that cause because of powering to the solid camera head that is out of order are bad.
At this, also can be that described solid camera head further comprises: shutter unit, control is to the light of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion unit incidents; And control unit, control described shutter unit, thereby described shutter unit is covered light, and control described generation unit, thereby described reference signal is injected in each of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units.
Constitute according to this, can detect the fault that each occurred in a plurality of photoelectric conversion units, and can detect the unusual of each transmission path till the output unit from a plurality of photoelectric conversion units.That is to say, not only to having the optical black area territory of photomask in the sensitive surface, and to not having the effective pixel area of photomask, also can obtain being almost 100% fault detect rate.
At this, also can be that described control unit is controlled described shutter unit, thereby described shutter unit is covered light with a certain timing, in the power supply that described a certain timing is solid camera head has at least just been opened and power supply some in will closing, described control unit is controlled described generation unit simultaneously, thereby makes described generation unit inject described reference signal.
Constitute according to this, though the time delay till can occurring from power supply opening to the shooting beginning can detect the fault before will starting, and can detect the fault that is occurred in the shooting process, efficient is higher for the user.
At this, also can be that described solid camera head is installed on the automobile; Described control unit is controlled described shutter unit, is that threshold value is carried out a shading action when following at least thereby make described shutter unit in the speed of a motor vehicle, controls described generation unit simultaneously, thereby makes described generation unit inject described reference signal.
Constitute according to this,, shooting occurs and interrupt for the moment, the fault that is taken place in also can in time finding to walk or when stopping even during the low speed below threshold value.
At this, also can be that described control unit is controlled described shutter unit, thereby make described shutter unit carry out the shading action termly that described control unit is controlled described generation unit simultaneously, thereby makes described generation unit inject described reference signal.
Constitute according to this,, also must find the beginning certain hour to take place with interior fault from fault even the shooting of carrying out according to certain cycle has taken place to interrupt for the moment.
At this, also can be that described generation unit comprises: a plurality of reference signal generating unit and a plurality of selected cell, described a plurality of reference signal generating unit are corresponding with described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units; Described a plurality of selected cell is corresponding with described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units; Described solid camera head comprises the selection control unit, and this selects control unit control selected cell when shooting; Each reference signal generating unit generates described reference signal; Each selected cell is set between photoelectric conversion unit and the described sensing element, and a certain side in signal and the reference signal is selected, and described signal is generated by photoelectric conversion unit, and described reference signal is generated by the reference signal generating unit.
According to this formation, needn't carry out shading to a plurality of photoelectric conversion units, will begin the shooting in and begin the shooting in, select reference signal by selected cell, can detect from each selected cell to the pairing sensing element of each selected cell and to by the fault on the path till the output unit of transmission path.
At this, it also can be described selection control unit control selected cell, thereby making selected cell is that unit is alternately selected to signal and reference signal with the quantity of stipulating, described signal is generated by photoelectric conversion unit, and described reference signal is generated by the reference signal generating unit.
According to this formation, when once making a video recording, can carry out the signal of video signal in desirable zone in the effective pixel area and handle, can also carry out other regional fault detect simultaneously.And, the system design degree of freedom in desirable zone is improved.And, in shooting, can detect from each selected cell to by with the output unit of corresponding sensing element of this each selected cell and transmission path till the path on whether break down.
At this, also can be, the quantity of described regulation is some in the following quantity, that is: 1; The quantity that is equivalent to the photoelectric conversion unit of delegation; The multiple of quantity that is equivalent to the photoelectric conversion unit of delegation; The quantity that is equivalent to the photoelectric conversion unit of row; The multiple that is equivalent to the photoelectric conversion unit quantity of row; The quantity of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units; And the multiple of the quantity of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units.
Constitute according to this, in shooting, can detect from each selected cell to by with the output unit of corresponding sensing element of this each selected cell and transmission path till the path on whether break down.
At this, also can be that the number of a plurality of reference signal generating unit and the number of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units are much at one; Each selected cell is connected with a described reference signal generating unit.
Constitute according to this, not only to having the optical black area territory of photomask in the sensitive surface, and to not having the effective pixel area of photomask, also can obtain being almost 100% fault detect rate.
And, also can be that the number of a plurality of reference signal generating unit is lacked than the number of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units; At least one described reference signal generating unit is connected with plural selected cell.
Constitute according to this, can obtain being almost 100% fault detect rate, and can suppress the increase of circuit scale.
At this, also can be that each reference signal generating unit is connected with N selected cell, and N be more than 2.
According to this formation, every N selected cell is common to use a reference signal generating unit by making, thereby can suppress the increase of circuit scale.
And, also can be that described selection control unit is optionally controlled first work and second work, described first work is meant: do not make selected cell select described reference signal, and make selected cell select the signal that is generated by photoelectric conversion unit, and make a video recording; Described second work is meant: to described reference signal and the signal that generated by photoelectric conversion unit, be that unit is alternately selected with the quantity of regulation, and make a video recording.
According to this formation, can dual-purpose camera work and fault detect work, and can in time find fault.
At this, also can be that described selection control unit is at described first work and the identical work clock of the described second work employing speed.
According to this formation, can make work clock rapid, and can dual-purpose camera work and fault detect work.
At this, the work clock that also can be described selection control unit adopt in described second work is than fast at the work clock of described first work.
Constitute according to this, can make the rapid solid camera head of work clock, can dual-purpose camera work and fault detect work, and, can obtain the frame rate that equates with common camera work.
At this, also can be that described selection control unit is further optionally controlled the 3rd work, described the 3rd work is meant: make selected cell select described reference signal, and the signal of not selecting photoelectric conversion unit and being generated, and make a video recording.
Constitute according to this, can when not having influence on shooting, carry out fault detect work.
At this, also can be that described a plurality of reference signal generating unit comprises first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit, described first signal generating unit produces as first fixed level with reference to signal, described secondary signal generating unit produces as second fixed level with reference to signal, and the arrangement of first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit is well-regulated.According to this formation,, therefore can detect the fault that is fixed to the level identical once in a while with first or second fixed level by carrying out fault detect work with reference to signal by two kinds.
At this, also can be that first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit are arranged on the line direction of described photoelectric conversion unit regularly.
According to this formation,, therefore can detect the fault that is fixed to the level identical once in a while with first or second fixed level by carrying out fault detect work with reference to signal by two kinds.
At this, also can be that first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit are arranged on the column direction of described photoelectric conversion unit regularly.
Constitute according to this,, can more correctly detect fault reading under the situation of order for the order of line direction of pixel portions.
At this, also can be, described solid camera head further comprises: first judging unit, with judge reference signal that described output unit exported as described first fixed level whether in normal range (NR), described normal range (NR) is meant the scope between higher limit and the lower limit; Second judging unit judges that reference signal that described output unit exports is as described second fixed level scope between higher limit that is regarded as normal range (NR) and lower limit whether; And abnormal deciding means, according to the queueing discipline of first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit and the judged result of first and second judging unit, output detection signal under the unusual situation is taking place.
And video camera of the present invention comprises: M described solid scooped up the picture device, and M is more than 2; Judging unit comes failure judgement according to the reference signal that a described M solid camera head is exported; Signal processing unit is handled the output signal of m solid camera head in M the solid camera head, and m is more than 1; And switch control unit, when a described m solid camera head some is judged as fault,, switch to the solid camera head that is not judged as fault from the solid camera head that is judged as fault as output source to signal processing unit.
According to this formation, when detecting fault, can remedy at once, the user entrusts repairing, thus can remove because of forced can't use during.
At this, also can be that described switch control unit is made as non operating state with the solid camera head beyond the described m solid camera head; When described switch control unit some in a described m solid camera head is judged as fault, the solid camera head that is judged as fault is changed to non operating state, the solid camera head that will not be judged as fault changes to operating state.
At this, also can be that described switch control unit changes operating state and non operating state by controlling powering to solid camera head.
At this, also can be that described switch control unit changes operating state and non operating state by the drive signal of giving solid camera head is controlled.
At this, also can be that described switch control unit will be made as power supply state often to the power supply of M solid camera head power supply, and by beginning or stopping to provide drive signal to solid camera head, change operating state and non operating state.
According to this formation,, can switch to operating state from non operating state apace by being in power supply state often.
At this, also can be that described switch control unit is fixed by the level to the drive signal of giving solid camera head, thereby operating state is changed to non operating state.
At this, also can be, described video camera at least also comprises an optical system, this optical system imports to incident light in the plural solid camera head.
And video camera of the present invention, automobile, monitoring arrangement also have unit same as described above.
By solid camera head of the present invention,, can easily detect the unusual fault that waits solid camera head of transmission path according to the reference signal that is output.For this reason, when after delivery, detecting the fault of solid camera head, in having the system of this solid camera head, by the solid camera head that is out of order is replaced by new solid camera head, thereby quality level is raise, even system is under the environment for use of sternness like this, also can satisfy permanent durable years.Like this,, also can satisfy the desired durable years of system,, also can keep quality level by more bringing even in the environment for use of sternness even the life cycle of solid camera head is shorter than system.
And, can avoid cost to raise, and can easily urge the solid camera head that is out of order is replaced by new solid camera head.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the formation block diagram of the camera chain among the embodiment 1.
Fig. 2 A is the side view of an automobile, when this automobile side illustrates vehicle-mounted vidicon, and an example of camera position.
Fig. 2 B is the front elevation of an automobile, and the front elevation of this automobile shows an example of camera position.
Fig. 2 C is the vertical view of an automobile, and the vertical view of this automobile shows an example of camera position.
Fig. 3 is the formation block diagram of solid-state imager.
Fig. 4 shows the pairing output waveform of pixel portions P1.
Fig. 5 shows the pairing output waveform of pixel portions B1.
Fig. 6 A shows the pairing output waveform of pixel portions S1.
Fig. 6 B shows the output waveform when pixel portions S1 is pairing to break down.
Fig. 6 C shows another output waveform when pixel portions S1 is pairing to break down.
Fig. 7 is the block diagram that judging part constitutes in detail.
Fig. 8 is the block diagram of the detailed formation of pixel portions S1.
Fig. 9 is the sequential chart when reference signal takes place pixel portions S1.
Figure 10 is the potential diagram that electrode IS, electrode IG and photodiode are shown.
Figure 11 shows exemplary plot.
Figure 12 is the block diagram of the variation of camera chain.
Figure 13 is the formation block diagram of the solid-state imager among the embodiment 2.
Figure 14 is the formation block diagram of the solid-state imager among the embodiment 3.
Figure 15 A is the detailed forming circuit figure of pixel portions S3.
Figure 15 B is another detailed forming circuit figure of pixel portions S3.
Figure 16 is the formation block diagram of the variation of solid-state imager.
Figure 17 is another formation block diagram of the variation of solid-state imager.
Figure 18 is the block diagram that the camera system among the embodiment 4 constitutes.
Figure 19 is the formation block diagram of solid-state imager.
Figure 20 is the formation block diagram of other solid-state imager.
Figure 21 A is the exemplary plot that detects out of order first timing.
Figure 21 B is the exemplary plot that detects out of order second timing.
Figure 21 C is the exemplary plot that detects out of order the 3rd timing.
Figure 22 A is the exemplary plot that detects out of order the 4th timing.
Figure 22 B is another exemplary plot that detects the 4th timing.
Figure 23 is the formation block diagram of the camera system among the embodiment 5.
Figure 24 is the block diagram of the pixel portions of solid-state imager.
Figure 25 A is the figure that first of output reference signal drives example.
Figure 25 B is the figure that second of output reference signal drives example.
Figure 25 C is the figure that the 3rd of output reference signal drives example.
Figure 25 D is other the figure of driving example of output reference signal.
Figure 26 is the figure that first of solid-state imager drives example.
Figure 27 is the figure that second of solid-state imager drives example.
Figure 28 is the forming circuit figure of the pixel portions among the embodiment 6.
Figure 29 is other the circuit diagram of formation of pixel portions.
Figure 30 A is the formation block diagram of MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS)) the type solid-state imager among the embodiment 7.
Figure 30 B is the block diagram of the variation of AMOS type solid-state imager.
Figure 31 is the formation block diagram of CCD (the pale pinkish purple device of electric charge) type solid-state imager.
Figure 32 is the formation block diagram of judging part.
Figure 33 is the formation block diagram of the video camera among the embodiment 8.
Symbol description
2 vertical transfer portions
3 horizontal transport portions
4 output amplifiers
5 reference signal generating units
6 vertical scanning portions
7 horizontal sweep portions
8 output amplifiers
11,21,32 solids are scooped up the picture device
12 drive divisions
13 signal processing parts
14 judging parts
20 display parts
30 display control units
40 power supply units
101 video cameras
S1, S3, B1, B3, P1, P3 pixel portions
The Tr1 transmission transistor
The Tr2 reset transistor
The Tr3 output transistor
Tr4 selects transistor
Tr5 injects transistor
R1 resistance
Embodiment
(embodiment 1)
Fig. 1 is the block diagram that the camera chain among the embodiment 1 constitutes.Camera chain among this figure comprises: n video camera 101~10n, display part 20, display control unit 30 and power supply unit 40.Each video camera comprises: solid-state imager 11, drive division 12, signal processing part 13 and judging part 14.
The various drive signals that solid-state imager 11 is provided according to drive division 12 are exported the signal of a plurality of pixels.Contain the reference signal with fixed level in the signal of a plurality of pixels, it is bad that the reference signal of this fixed level is used for testing, promptly is used for failure judgement.Drive division 12 drives solid-state imager 11 by exporting various drive signals.Signal processing part 13 generates image according to the signal of a plurality of pixels, and the signal of described a plurality of pixels is exported by solid-state imager 11.Judging part 14 carries out whether suitable judgement by the level of reference signal that solid-state imager 11 is exported, thereby detects as the fault of the unusual solid-state imager 11 such as grade of transmission path.Like this, video camera 101 is under the situation that solid-state imager 11 breaks down, and the detection signal of this failure message is represented in output.Other video camera also is same formation.
The image of 20 pairs of each video cameras of display part shows rightly, under the situation of the detection signal of having imported the expression fault from some video cameras, then show and urge message, this urgency message illustrates: be that fault has taken place which video camera, and should check which video camera which video camera maybe should change.
The demonstration of display control unit 30 control display parts 20, particularly to monitor the detection signal that whether has from n platform video camera, when having under the situation of detection signal from some video camera inputs, make display part 20 show described message, and lighting or the flicker of emergency warning lamp by loud speaker output message in the car or emergency warning lamp, the matters of warning video camera to break down are checked or replacing thereby urge.
Power supply unit 40 is having under the situation of detection signal from some video camera inputs, just stops solid-state imager 11 and drive division 12 power supplies to this video camera.In view of the above, just can prevent the harmful effect that the unsettled work because of the solid-state imager 11 that breaks down causes to normal part.
The camera chain that Fig. 2 A~Fig. 2 C shows respectively in Fig. 1 is carried under the situation of automobile side view, front elevation and the vertical view of an example of the vehicle-mounted position of video camera.Showing video camera 101~10n illustrated in fig. 1 at Fig. 2 A~Fig. 2 C is under the situation of eight video cameras 101~108, the exemplary plot of the vehicle-mounted position c1~c8 of video camera 101~108.The vehicle-mounted position of video camera 101~108 is respectively: the bottom of right back visor or anterior c1, the bottom of left-hand mirror or anterior c2, near the c8 of center upper portion of front bumper right side c3, front bumper left side c4, the right c5 of rear bumper arm, a rear bumper arm left side c6, Room Mirror position c7, back glass etc.In addition, vehicle-mounted position can also be the central authorities of front bumper, right side, left side or the central authorities etc. in roof the place ahead, gets final product so long as can photograph positions such as the position at dead angle, visual angle of human pilot or monitored object.
Fig. 3 is the formation block diagram of solid-state imager 11 shown in Figure 1.Solid-state imager 11 among Fig. 3 comprises: a plurality of pixel portions, a plurality of vertical transfer portion 2, horizontal transport portion 3 and output amplifier 4.Described a plurality of vertical transfer portion 2, corresponding with respectively being listed as of described pixel portions, and the signal charge read from the pixel portions of corresponding row of transmission; Described horizontal transport portion 3, the signal charge that transmission transmit from a plurality of vertical transfer portion 2; And described output amplifier 4, the signal charge that horizontal transport portion 3 is exported is converted to voltage signal.
A plurality of pixel portions comprise three kinds of pixel portions.A plurality of pixel portions P1 that note is made P among the figure generate signal for not by the common pixel portions of shading according to incident light quantity.A plurality of pixel portions B1 that note is made B are identical with the structure of pixel portions P1, but owing to by shading, therefore export optic black pixel.A plurality of pixel portions S1 that note is made S also have reference charge injection portion except that having the structure identical with pixel portions P1, thereby by by shading output reference electric charge.This reference charge is meant, when being output by output amplifier 4, becomes the electric charge of the amount that reaches described reference signal.In Fig. 3, though pixel portions B1 and pixel portions S1 by shading, have at video camera under the situation of mechanical shutter, pixel portions S1 also can be by shading.And the pixel S1 that has reference charge injection portion in Fig. 3 is set on the location of pixels of upstream of all vertical transfer portions 2.Therefore in view of the above, reference signal can be transmitted by all transmission paths, and can easily detect is which place work of transmission path is bad.But, in this case because the pixel S1 in the delegation will possess reference charge injection portion, so can cause circuit scale to become big.And the pixel S1 with reference charge injection portion also can be set at the upstream of vertical transfer 2 that the place, upstream of horizontal transport portion 3 connects.In this case, because transmit in the longest path that reference signal is made up of vertical transfer portion 2 in the transmission path and horizontal transport 3, therefore, can detecting in the longest path which place at least, that work has taken place is bad, so or because of reference signal be output at last can to detect the work that is taken place till the output bad.And the circuit scale that reference charge can be injected portion is reduced to minimum.And pixel S1 also can be set in the vertical transfer portion 2 at least.
Fig. 4 shows the output waveform of the pairing output amplifier 4 of signal charge of pixel portions P1.Though in this figure, show the output waveform of the maximum level of signal charge when saturated of pixel portions P1, also can be signal charge according to pixel portions P1, according to quantity of incident light, the value of signal level can be got maximum level from zero.
Fig. 5 shows the output waveform of the pairing output amplifier 4 of signal charge of pixel portions B1.In this figure, the signal charge of pixel portions B1 is almost nil, so the signal level of output waveform is also almost nil.
Fig. 6 A shows the pairing output waveform of pixel portions S1.In this figure, the signal charge of pixel portions S1 is injected by the reference signal generating unit.This output waveform is the signal level of reference signal, for the value that makes signal level is in median between the zero-sum maximum, and the quantity of electric charge that injects from the reference signal generating unit is stipulated.
Fig. 6 B and Fig. 6 C show the output waveform when pixel portions S1 is pairing to break down.In the output waveform shown in Fig. 6 B, the signal level of reference signal is less, and in the output waveform shown in Fig. 6 C, the signal level of reference signal is bigger.No matter the reference signal of which example all represents from pixel portions S1 to output amplifier 4 not by normal transmission.I.e. expression, the action of appearance somewhere from pixel portions S1 to output amplifier 4 the transmission path is bad, and fault has taken place.
Fig. 7 is the example block diagram of the detailed formation of judging part 14.In this figure, judging part 14 comprises comparator 15,16 and OR circuit 17.Input signal is the signal from the pairing output amplifier 4 of pixel portions S1.15 pairs of input signals of comparator and higher limit ThH compare, if input signal is than the big then output " 1 " of higher limit.16 pairs of input signals of comparator and lower limit ThL compare, if input signal is than the little then output " 1 " of lower limit.At input signal is outside the scope of higher limit ThH and lower limit ThL the time, OR circuit 17 outputs " 1 ".The detection signal that this output signal breaks down for expression.
Fig. 8 is the block diagram of the detailed formation of pixel portions S1.There is shown pixel portions S1 and vertical transfer portion 2 and read grid RG at this, this is read grid RG electric charge is read into vertical transfer portion 2 from pixel portions S1.Photodiode PD among the pixel portions S1 has been applied in IS electrode and IG electrode.The IS electrode is the electrode that is used to provide iunjected charge, and as shown in Figure 9, the IS electrode is applied in negative pulse, and this negative pulse makes voltage VH become voltage VM.At this, voltage VH is the voltage higher than voltage VM.The IG electrode is the electrode that iunjected charge that the IS electrode is provided becomes the fixing quantity of electric charge, as shown in Figure 9, is applied in fixing voltage always.
Fig. 9 is the sequential chart that the voltage of IS electrode under the situation of iunjected charge among the pixel portions S1 and IG electrode is shown.And Figure 10 shows the current potential of electrode IS, electrode IG and photodiode.In Figure 10, interval A and B are corresponding with the wide B of the wide A of the IS electrode of Fig. 8 and IG electrode respectively.The right side of interval B is illustrated in the current potential that extends to the substrate depth direction among the photodiode PD from substrate surface.And, on substrate, be applied in substrate biasing voltage VSUB, what be formed with current potential on photodiode PD overflows potential barrier (OBF:overflowbarrier).At the interval I of the A-stage of Fig. 9 and Figure 10 (state usually), because the current potential of IG electrode is than the current potential height of IS electrode, so electric charge is not injected into.At the interval II that reference signal is injected, because the current potential of IG electrode is lower than the current potential of IS electrode, so electric charge is injected into photodiode PD from the IS electrode.At the interval III of the next one, the electric charge of injection is accumulated in photodiode PD.At interval IV, by being applied to, high voltage pulse reads grid RG (from voltage VM to VH), and electric charge then is read out vertical transfer portion 2 by reading grid RG from pixel portions S1.
Like this, electric charge is injected into the photodiode PD of pixel portions S1 from the IS electrode, and is read out vertical transfer portion 2.And, the electric charge that is saturation charge in Figure 10 is injected into photodiode PD, by the potential setting with the IG electrode is the current potential lower than the peak value of OBF, thereby can set arbitrarily the quantity of electric charge that injects, for example the iunjected charge amount can be that electric charge is the median of zero or saturation charge etc.
And the electric charge to pixel portions S1 among Figure 10 injects and can carry out at the image pickup mode of common solid-state imager 11, also can carry out in the pattern of only reference signal being read.These drive by drive division 12.
Figure 11 shows a demonstration example of display part 20.The demonstration example of the display part 20 when this there is shown detection signal and is output, described detection signal shows the fault that a certain video camera takes place.There is shown automobile and the icon of the video camera of fault has taken place in expression at this, but also show alert message, be i.e. " video camera 2 takes place unusual, please check ".At this moment, the icon that the video camera of fault has taken place in expression can show for flicker, also can adopt noticeable color to show.And, also can export with voice alert message.Warning is waited light or glimmer.And display part 20 also can be also used as the display screen of auto-navigation system.
Figure 12 is the block diagram of the variation of camera chain.In this figure, the monitoring arrangement that camera chain can be used as in the family uses.The position c11 that is provided with of video camera is a ceiling, and this video camera is rotatable, guarantees that with this this video camera makes a video recording in 360 degree scopes.In view of the above, can be used for monitoring the people who needs nurse.Video camera the top that position c12 is the doorway is set.Video camera the top that position c12 is window or bathroom is set.Other be provided with that the position also can be in roof, the roof, underfloor etc., can strengthen the criminal of preventing.
And monitoring arrangement not only goes for family, but also goes for enterprise's building, station, school and government bodies etc.
And, in the present embodiment,, also can be arranged on the position of approaching upstream though exemplified the upstream that reference charge injection portion is arranged on the vertical transfer portion 2 that the upstream connected of horizontal transport portion 3.
And the tcp seq number of horizontal transport portion 3 is under 1000 sections the situation, even reference charge injection portion is arranged on till swim over to most about tens of sections, also can obtain the effect same with present embodiment.
(embodiment 2)
The formation of the camera chain in the present embodiment is almost identical with Fig. 1, and difference is that what to replace solid-state imager 11 is to possess solid-state imager shown in Figure 13 21.Below, difference is elaborated, something in common is omitted explanation.
Figure 13 is the formation block diagram of the solid-state imager 21 among the embodiment 2.Solid-state imager 11 among this figure is compared with solid-state imager 11 illustrated in fig. 3, and difference is: increased reference signal generating unit 5 newly and replaced all pixel portions S1 with pixel portions B1.
Reference signal generating unit 5 is injected into the pairing reference charge of reference signal the upstream of each vertical transfer portion 2.In view of the above, the electric charge injection portion that does not then need pixel portions S1.Reference signal generating unit 5 has IS electrode and IG electrode as shown in Figure 8, and a plurality of vertical transfer portion 2 is injected reference charge simultaneously.And the details of reference signal generating unit 5 for example Japan Patent " spy opens 2004-364235 communique (Fig. 3) " is disclosed.
Constitute in view of the above, reference charge is not to be injected into pixel portions but to be injected into vertical transfer portion 2.Reference charge is transferred to the path of all except that pixel portions in the transmission path, and therefore, it is bad to detect in the transmission path work of all positions.
And reference signal generating unit 5 also can be injected into reference charge any vertical transfer portion 2.Can reduce the circuit scale of reference signal generating unit 5 in this case.And reference signal generating unit 5 also can be injected into reference charge the vertical transfer portion 2 that the upstream connected of horizontal transport portion 3.
And, among described Fig. 8 and Figure 13,,, also can relatively easily keep and export stable signal level by Vsub (base electrode) is controlled even the injection rate of the reference charge that reference signal takes place is uneven.
(embodiment 3)
The formation of the camera chain in the present embodiment is almost identical with Fig. 1, and difference is that what to replace solid-state imager 11 is to have solid-state imager shown in Figure 14 31.Below, will be that the center describes with the difference, omit the explanation of something in common.
Figure 14 is the formation block diagram of the solid-state imager 31 among the embodiment 3.Solid-state imager 31 among this figure comprises: be arranged as rectangular a plurality of photoelectric conversion parts, vertical scanning portion 6, horizontal sweep portion 7 and output amplifier 8, described vertical scanning portion 6 selects the row of photoelectric conversion part in order, described horizontal sweep portion 7 selects the row of photoelectric conversion part in order, described output amplifier 8 is by the output line output signal of each row, and described each column output line is used to transmit the signal that the photoelectric conversion unit of selecteed row and selecteed row is read.
A plurality of pixel portions are made of three kinds of pixel portions.Remember among the figure that a plurality of pixel portions P3 that make P are not by the common pixel portions of shading, and generate signal according to incident light quantity.A plurality of pixel portions B3 that note is made B are identical with pixel portions P3 structure, but owing to by shading, therefore export optic black pixel.It is identical with pixel portions P3 structure that note is made a plurality of pixel portions S3 of S, and increased reference charge injection portion, by by shading and the output reference electric charge.When this reference charge is output by output amplifier 8, be the electric charge that becomes the amount that reaches described reference signal.In Figure 14, pixel portions B3 and pixel portions S3 are had at video camera under the situation of mechanical shutter by shading, and pixel portions S3 also can be by shading.And in Figure 14, the pixel S3 with reference charge injection portion is that the pixel as the top delegation is set up, and also can be used as bottom, the pixel of delegation is set up.Pixel S3 also can be set at vertical scanning portion 6 last selected row.In this case, because reference signal is by the pixel portions S3 of the row of last selection output, therefore, having only till the scanning to the last of vertical scanning portion 6 all is under the normal situation, reference signal just is output, and the work that can detect after confirming normal vertical scanning like this is bad.And because in the last scanning of horizontal sweep portion 7, reference signal is exported successively, therefore, it is bad to detect action when confirming normal horizontal sweep.
Fig. 1 5A is the circuit diagram that the detailed formation of pixel portions S3 is shown.In this figure, pixel portions S3 comprises: photodiode PD, transmission transistor Tr1, float diffusion layer FD, reset transistor Tr2, output transistor Tr3, selection transistor Tr 4, resistance R 1 and injection transistor Tr 5.Wherein, the circuit part of removing resistance R 1 and injecting transistor Tr 5 constitutes identical with the circuit of pixel portions P3.In other words, P3 compares with pixel portions, and pixel portions S3 has increased resistance R 1 and injected transistor Tr 5 on constituting.
Resistance R 1 and injection transistor Tr 5 constitute reference charge injection portions.Be applied in first voltage on the grid of injection transistor Tr 5, therefore at drain electrode output second voltage by resistance R 1.This second voltage is a value, and this value is the value that the quantity of electric charge of reference charge is injected into photodiode PD.By this second voltage is applied to photodiode PD, thereby photodiode PD accumulates reference charge.And second voltage is to be set according to the resistance value of voltage V1, resistance R 1 and first voltage.Voltage V1 can be fixed value (for example VDD (supply voltage)), and the pulse that also can be used as when iunjected charge applies.
When being switched on because of transmission signals TR transmission transistor Tr1, the reference charge of being accumulated among the photodiode PD is transferred to the diffusion layer FD that floats.Before this transmission, when making reset transistor Tr2 conducting because of reset signal RESET, the diffusion layer FD that floats is reset to current potential VDD.After the diffusion layer FD that floats was reset, reference charge was transferred to the diffusion layer FD that floats by transmission transistor Tr1 from photodiode PD.And will the float charge conversion of diffusion layer FD of output transistor Tr3 is a voltage.After selecting transistor Tr 4 to be selected by vertical scanning portion 6, the voltage after output transistor Tr3 will change outputs on the output line.This output voltage is exported by output amplifier 8 as the reference signal.
Figure 16, Figure 17 are the forming circuit figure that the variation of solid-state imager 31 is shown.Pixel portions S3 among Figure 16, Figure 17 all has reference charge injection portion, on the location of pixels of intersection point with row of being expert at a described pixel portions S3 only is set, and described row and row are last selecteed row and row.In the case, reference signal is exported from last selecteed pixel, therefore, and only in the scanning of vertical scanning portion 6 and horizontal sweep portion 7 to the last under all normal situation in position, reference signal just can be output, and the work that can detect after confirming normal scanning like this is bad.And pixel portions S3 has only one, thereby can make the increase of circuit scale drop to minimum.
And pixel portions S3 also can be in upstream () the location of pixels from output amplifier 8 farthest of at least one output line.In view of the above, because reference signal is from the pixel portions S3 output of the upstream of output line, therefore, bad which place that occurs in output line of the work that can detect.And, because only have a pixel portions S3, so can make the increase of circuit scale drop to minimum.Otherwise if pixel portions S3 is arranged on the upstream of all output lines, though circuit scale can increase, the work that can detect all output lines is bad.
(embodiment 4)
The formation of the camera chain in the present embodiment is, for the place of breaking down in order to detect as much as possible, thereby have machinery shutter (hereinafter referred to as mechanical shutter), by to cover the state of incident light, electric charge is injected into the pixel portions that is reset from the reference signal generating unit, thereby reference signal can be by described pixel portions output.
Figure 18 is the formation block diagram that the camera chain among the embodiment 4 is shown.This figure compared to Figure 1 difference is that what to replace video camera 101~10n is to have possessed video camera 401~40n.Below, will be that the center describes with the difference, something in common is omitted explanation.
Video camera 401~40n comprises respectively: solid-state imager 411, drive division 412, signal processing part 413, judging part 414, mechanical shutter 415 and optical lens 416.Solid-state imager 411 comprises the reference signal generating unit, and this reference signal generating unit is not only at one part of pixel and at all pixels, the iunjected charge in order to produce reference signal.Drive division 412 is also controlled except that carrying out common camera work driving, closes mechanical shutter 415 in the fault detect pattern, makes reference signal be injected into all pixels.Signal processing part 413 is identical with signal processing part 13.Judging part 414 judges to all pixels that in the fault detect pattern this judgement is identical with the work of the judging part 14 shown in the embodiment 1.
Figure 19 is the block diagram that the formation of solid-state imager 411 is shown.Be that solid-state imager 411 is the formation of the solid-state imager 411m under the situation of MOS (metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS)) type shown in this figure.As shown in this figure, all pixels of solid-state imager 411m all are formed pixel portions S3s.But, not only optic in the present embodiment black pixel, and all pixels in the effective pixel area are all additional that reference charge injection portion arranged, described optic black pixel is meant the zone (OB zone) that is covered by photomask, and described effective pixel area is meant the inboard zone that is not covered by photomask, OB zone.Each pixel portions S3s is formed in shown in Figure 15 B.Figure 15 B compares with Figure 15 A, and difference is to have increased switch SW 1.Identical with former described content except that this point, the Therefore, omited explanation will be that the center describes with the difference at this.Switch SW 1 is a switching transistor, when reference signal is injected into photodiode PD, and conducting or by injection work, described reference signal is produced by reference signal generating unit (be resistance R 1 and inject transistor Tr 5).Switch SW 1 is in conducting state when detection failure.Switch SW 1 is when being in conducting state, and mechanical shutter 415 must will be in closed condition.
To the injection length of the photodiode PD of reference signal, preferably all pixel portions S3s are the identical time among the pixel portions S3s.For example, after the signal charge of in each photodiode PD that resets, being accumulated, make switch SW 1 in the regular hour, be in conducting state.Perhaps, also can be after the signal charge of in each photodiode PD that resets, being accumulated, make switch SW 1 in the regular hour, be in conducting state, and under this conducting state, when having passed through certain hour, reference signal can be read by output transistor Tr3.
Figure 20 is the block diagram that other configuration example of solid-state imager is shown.There is shown the formation of solid-state imager 411 at this for the solid-state imager 411c under the situation of CCD (charge coupled cell) type.As shown in this figure, all pixels of solid-state imager 411c all are formed pixel portions S2.Identical with Figure 19, not only optic black pixel, and all pixels in the effective pixel area are all additional that reference charge injection portion arranged, described optic black pixel is meant the zone (OB zone) that is covered by photomask, and described effective pixel area is meant the inboard zone that is not covered by photomask, OB zone.The formation of each pixel portions S2 is identical with Fig. 8.To the injection length of the photodiode PD of reference signal, preferably all pixel portions S3 are the identical time among this pixel portions S3.For example, can be that when having passed through certain hour, reference signal can be read by output transistor Tr3 after the signal charge of being accumulated in each photodiode PD that resets.And the injection to the photodiode PD of reference signal among the pixel portions S2 is also same as described above.
Secondly, will describe the work timing of drive division 412 when the fault detect pattern.
Figure 21 A shows the example of first timing of carrying out fault detect after opening camera power supply at once.The longitudinal axis of this figure is represented the open and close state (going up for closing, down for opening) of mechanical shutter 415.The transverse axis express time.During this time T1 be from opening power to operation till stable during, this moment, mechanical shutter 415 was in closed condition.During this time T2 for during detection failure and during being provided with, 412 pairs of mechanical shutters 415 of drive division are controlled at once after the T1, if mechanical shutter 415 is in open mode it is closed, during T2 through later mechanical shutter 415 being opened.Drive division 412 is controlled reference charge injection portion in the T2 during this period, reference charge is injected into all pixel portions, thereby fault detect work is carried out once at least, and driven, thereby make reference signal output to judging part 414 from each pixel.T3 is for during making a video recording during this time, and drive division 412 drives during this period, thereby camera work is carried out with common state.And when power-off was operated, 412 of drive divisions made mechanical shutter 415 close end process.
According to described first regularly the example, can detect the fault that camera power supply is taken place before will being opened, but till being opened to the shooting beginning from camera power supply, some time delays can take place in what.
Figure 21 B shows the example that carries out second timing of fault detect before the power-off of video camera.Be that T2 is duration of existence T4 during the replacement with Figure 21 A difference.If power-off operation is arranged, then drive division 412 is closed mechanical shutter 415, and the driving malfunction testing, and fault detect work is worked once at least, during T4 through end process later.
According to the example of described second timing, till being opened to the shooting beginning, camera power supply can not postpone by time of origin.And the time delay that was taken place before power-off is out of question to the user.But the fault that was taken place before to power supply opening behind the power-off for last time can not detect, so camera work is to carry out under the state that fault has taken place.
Figure 21 C shows after the power supply opening of video camera and before the power-off, carries out the example of the 3rd timing of fault detect.This figure is the figure that the latter half of the first half of Figure 21 A and Figure 21 B combines.
Example according to the 3rd timing, although postponing from opening power time of origin till begin shooting,, can detect the fault before will starting, and also can detect for the fault that is taken place in the shooting process, therefore efficient is higher for the user.
And, can be used in combination Figure 21 A, Figure 21 B, Figure 21 C comes the work timing of the fault detect pattern of drive division 412 is described.
Figure 22 A shows the example of the 4th timing of fault detect.The longitudinal axis of this figure represents to be equipped with the speed of the automobile of video camera.The open and close state of transverse axis express time and mechanical shutter 415 (solid line for open, dotted line is for closing).For the fault detect speed among the figure, also can represent speed as safe as a house even interrupt shooting, certainly, this also depends on the purposes of video camera.For example, if be used to monitor the video camera in the place ahead, then speed is a few km/h~30km/h, if be used to monitor the rear video camera, then speed is several km/h, if be used to monitor the video camera of the existence whether people is arranged, then speed is 0km/h or approaches 0km/h.As shown in this figure, if the speed of a motor vehicle is lower than under the situation of fault detect speed, then drive division 412 is closed mechanical shutter 415, if the speed of a motor vehicle is higher than under the situation of fault detect speed, then drive division is opened mechanical shutter 415.And drive division 412 is (closing Ts after second) driving malfunction testing at once after mechanical shutter 415 is closed, under mechanical shutter 415 closing state, from last fault detect when having passed through certain time interval T r, the driving malfunction testing.
According to the 4th regularly example, during the low velocity of the speed of a motor vehicle below fault detect speed, although the shooting meeting interrupted for the moment, can the early detection walking in or the fault that taken place when stopping.
Figure 22 B shows fault detect the 5th example regularly.In this figure, drive division 412 is under the situation of not considering the speed of a motor vehicle, and (time T t) just makes mechanical shutter 415 close during certain, and the driving malfunction testing.Owing in common shooting, carried out periodic fault detect forcibly, therefore wished to shorten the shut-in time of mechanical shutter 415 as far as possible.
According to the 5th regularly example,,, can in the certain hour that beginning takes place from fault, find fault for the fault that is taken place in the walking or when stopping although periodically the shooting meeting is interrupted for the moment.
(embodiment 5)
To describe a kind of like this camera chain in the present embodiment,, also can be in use the fault of all pixels be detected even this camera chain can also not used mechanical shutter.
Figure 23 is the block diagram of the formation of the camera chain among the embodiment 5.This figure compares with Figure 18, and difference is to replace video camera 401~40n and have video camera 501~50n.Below will be that the center describes with the difference, omit explanation for something in common.
Video camera 501 is compared with the video camera 401 of Figure 18, and what replace solid-state imager 411 and drive division 412 is to have solid-state imager 511 and drive division 512.The formation of solid-state imager 411 is, the reference charge generating unit is injected into pixel with the reference signal electric charge, in the formation of solid-state imager 511 then is, the reference charge generating unit is not injected into pixel with the reference signal electric charge, but the output reference signal.In view of the above, do not having can to export reference signal under the situation of mechanical shutter yet.
Figure 24 is the detailed formation block diagram of the pixel portions in the solid-state imager 511.This figure compares difference with Figure 15 A, has increased capacitor C1 and selection portion SEL1 newly.
Capacitor C1 and resistance R 5, transistor Tr 5 constitute the reference signal generating unit, and capacitor is preserved reference charge.Selection portion SEL1 selects the end of photodiode PD and capacitor C1.Selecteed signal charge or reference charge are read out the diffusion layer FD that floats by transmission transistor Tr1.512 couples of selection portion SEL1 of drive division control, and make to select capacitor C1 by selective light electric diode PD in common shooting in fault detect work.
Because photodiode PD is disconnected in fault detect work,, also can detect from the reference signal generating unit to solid-state imager 511 the lead-out terminal unusual each path even therefore shutter is in the state of opening.
Figure 25 A shows first of drive division 512 and drives example.Transverse axis express time among this figure.Drive division 512 is the control selection portion SEL1 of unit with the frame, thereby the output of the reference signal of the signal output of photodiode PD and reference signal generating unit is switched.Promptly, the output of drive division below 512 pairs drives, that is: constitute (n-1) frame each pixel photodiode PD signal output, constitute (n-1) frame each pixel the reference signal generating unit reference signal output, constitute the n frame each pixel photodiode PD signal output, constitute the n frame each pixel the reference signal generating unit reference signal output, constitute (n+1) frame each pixel photodiode PD signal output, constitute the reference signal output of reference signal generating unit of each pixel of (n+1) frame ...
Figure 25 B shows second example that drives of drive division 512.Drive division 512 is with behavior unit control selection portion SEL1 in this figure, thereby the output of the reference signal of the signal output of photodiode PD and reference signal generating unit is switched.Promptly, the output of drive division below 512 pairs drives, that is: constitute (n-1) row each pixel photodiode PD signal output, constitute (n-1) row each pixel the reference signal generating unit reference signal output, constitute the photodiode PD of each capable pixel of n signal output, constitute the reference signal generating unit of each capable pixel of n reference signal output, constitute (n+1) row each pixel photodiode PD signal output, constitute the reference signal output of reference signal generating unit of each pixel of (n+1) row ...
Figure 25 C shows the 3rd example that drives of drive division 512.Drive division 512 is with the unit of classifying as control selection portion SEL1, and the output of the reference signal of the signal output of photodiode PD and reference signal generating unit is switched.Promptly, the output of drive division below 512 pairs drives, that is: constitute (n-1) row each pixel photodiode PD signal output, constitute (n-1) row each pixel the reference signal generating unit reference signal output, constitute the photodiode PD of each capable pixel of n signal output, constitute the reference signal generating unit of each capable pixel of n reference signal output, constitute (n+1) row each pixel photodiode PD signal output, constitute the reference signal output of reference signal generating unit of each pixel of (n+1) row ...
And the driving example of Figure 25 A, Figure 25 B, Figure 25 C can be used as common camera work often to carry out, and the shooting that also can be used as other different with common camera work or the fault detect work fault detect pattern of holding concurrently is carried out.
Figure 26 shows the moving example of 4 wheel driven of drive division 512.The driving that drive division 512 among this figure carries out is that the double fault detect pattern (b) of common image pickup mode (a) and shooting is switched.Drive division 512 in the double fault detect pattern (b) of shooting is a unit with the individual pixel of N (N=3 among this figure), and SEL1 controls to selection portion, thereby the signal output of photodiode PD and the reference signal of reference signal generating unit are switched.
Figure 27 is the 5th example that drives of drive division 512.The driving that drive division 512 carries out is that double fault detect pattern (b) of common image pickup mode (a) and shooting and times fast mode (c) are switched.Drive division 512 in the double fault detect pattern (b) of shooting is a unit with the individual pixel of N (N=1 in this figure), control selection portion SEL1, thus the signal output of photodiode PD and the reference signal of reference signal generating unit are switched.The hold concurrently driving of fault detect pattern (b) of times fast mode (c) and shooting is identical, and just work clock is the hold concurrently twice of fault detect pattern (b) of shooting.Times fast mode (c) is identical with common image pickup mode (a), can make a video recording with frame rate.
And, also can be in the present embodiment, will carry out that image signal is handled and to other regional fault detect to the desirable zone in the effective pixel area, carry out with shooting once.For example, if desirable zone is the zone of odd-numbered line, then other zone is the even number line zone.Like this, when obtaining 1/2 image, can carry out the fault detect in 1/2 zone.The driving example of the drive division 512 of this moment has shown in Figure 25 D.And when carrying out next one shooting, if desirable zone is the zone of even number line, then other zone is the odd-numbered line zone.Like this, just can detect with the fault of twice shooting to all pixels.And, desirable zone can be set to arbitrarily effective pixel area up and down or about half or central portion grade.In view of the above, can once carry out the detection and the obtaining simultaneously of image of fault in the shooting.And, if the desirable zone of change then can be detected the fault of all pixels.And, can improve the system design degree of freedom to desirable zone.
(embodiment 6)
Pixel portions and reference signal generating unit are man-to-man in embodiment 4, but pixel portions and reference signal generating unit are many-ones in the present embodiment, below will describe this many-to-one example.
Figure 28 is the forming circuit figure of two pixel portions among the embodiment 6.In this figure, two pixel portions T1, T2 are connected with a reference signal generating unit (resistance R 1 and transistor Tr 5).Switch SW 1 is the switch that is used for reference charge is injected into pixel portions T1.Switch SW 2 is the switches that are used for reference charge is injected into pixel portions T2.By such switch is set, can makes reference signal generating unit of the common use of a plurality of pixel portions, thereby can reduce circuit scale.And, be configured to one to one in embodiment 5 pixel portions and reference signal generating unit, but also can be identical with Figure 28, promptly pixel portions and reference signal generating unit are set to many-one.Formation example in this case as shown in figure 29.Among this figure, two pixel portions K1, K2 are connected with a reference signal generating unit (resistance R 1, transistor Tr 5 and capacitor C1).Selection portion SEL11 selects one in photodiode PD and reference signal generating unit between the two, and will a selected side as a side who sends transmission to unsteady diffusion layer FD.Selection portion SEL2SW2 also is same.By such selection portion is set, can makes reference signal generating unit of the common use of a plurality of pixel portions, thereby can reduce circuit scale.
And the common quantity of the pixel portions of a reference charge generating unit of using is not limited only to two among Figure 28,29, so long as in the reference charge generating unit can provide the scope of electric charge, the quantity of pixel portions is no matter several can.And, consider the electric charge providing capability of reference signal generating unit, preferably these common pixel portions of using are not read simultaneously.For example, preferably belong to different row or different row.
(embodiment 7)
Having exemplified reference signal in described embodiment is a kind of situation, will the formation that adopt multiple reference signal be described in the present embodiment.In view of the above, even output signal level is fixed to level with reference signal when identical and under the situation about breaking down, also can detect once in a while.
Figure 30 A is the formation block diagram of the MOS type solid-state imager among the embodiment 7.This figure is identical with the formation of Figure 19, but difference is to have three kinds with reference to signal generation.Below will be that the center describes with the difference, omit explanation for something in common.Added the first reference signal generating unit among the pixel portions S3a among Figure 30 A, this first reference signal generating unit produce first fixed level (be called reference signal a), and with this first fixed level as the reference signal.Added the secondary signal generating unit among the pixel portions S3b, this secondary signal generating unit produces second fixed level (being called reference signal b), and with this second fixed level as the reference signal.Added the 3rd signal generation among the pixel portions S3c, the 3rd signal generation produces the 3rd fixed level (being called reference signal c), and with this 3rd fixed level as the reference signal.The first fixed level a is different with the second fixed level b and the 3rd fixed level c level each other.First, second, third reference signal generating unit can be identical with the formation among Figure 24, Figure 28 and Figure 29, by the resistance value of adjustment resistance R 1, thereby can produce reference signal a, b, c.And the pixel portions that the note among Figure 30 A is made Sa, Sb, Sc is identical with pixel portions S3a, S3b, S3c respectively.
Pixel portions Sa, Sb, Sc arrange comparison rule.Among Figure 30 A, pixel portions is with the order repeated arrangement of Sa, Sb, Sc on line direction.When pixel portions read the order be that then the arrangement of this rule is relatively good under the situation of carrying out with line direction.
Figure 30 B is the block diagram of other formation of MOS type solid-state imager.This figure compares with Figure 30 A, and pixel portions is with the order repeated arrangement of Sa, Sb, Sc on column direction.When pixel read the order be that then the arrangement of this rule is relatively good under the situation of carrying out with column direction.
Figure 31 is the formation block diagram of CCD type solid-state imager.Added the first reference signal generating unit among the pixel portions S2a among Figure 31, this first reference signal generating unit produce first fixed level (be called reference signal a), and with this first fixed level as the reference signal.Pixel portions S2b and pixel portions S2c also are same, and additional have the second reference signal generating unit and the 3rd reference signal generating unit, produces reference signal b and reference signal c respectively.This figure and Figure 30 B are same, and pixel portions is with the order repeated arrangement of Sa, Sb, Sc on column direction.
Figure 32 is three kinds of formation block diagrams with reference to the pairing judging part of signal (hereinafter referred to as the expansion judging part).The expansion judging part of this figure comprises: judging part 14a, 14b, 14c, selector 15 and selection control part 16.Judging part 14a is identical with the formation of judging part 14 shown in Figure 7, and higher limit ThH and lower limit ThL stipulate according to reference signal a.Judging part 14b and 14c also are same, and higher limit ThH and lower limit ThL are according to reference signal b and c regulation.Selector 15 is selected one from the judged result of judging part 14a, 14b, 14c.Select control part 16 control selectors 15, thereby make the queueing discipline of selector 15, select reference signal a, b, the pairing judging part 14a of c, 14b, 14c according to the pixel portions Sa in the solid-state imager, Sb, Sc.Select this moment control part 16 to make among judging part 14a, 14b, the 14c and start, judging part is in addition ended with the corresponding judging part of present reference signal.
And the kind of reference signal is not limited only to three kinds.And, though pixel portions Sa, Sb, Sc according to regularly arranged, also can be random.Under the situation of randomize, selection control part 16 selects judging part 14a, 14b, 14c to get final product according to the result of randomize.
(embodiment 8)
In the present embodiment will be to describing when detecting the camera chain that to recover immediately under the out of order situation.
Figure 33 is the formation block diagram of the video camera among the embodiment 8.This figure comprises: at least one among video camera 101~10n illustrated in fig. 1, or among video camera 401~40n illustrated in fig. 18 at least one.Figure 33 compares difference with the video camera 401 of Figure 18, solid-state imager 811, prism 817, switch portion 818 and 819 have been increased newly, what replace judging part 414 is to have increased judgement-switch control portion 814, and replacement drive division 412 is to have increased drive division 812.Below will be that the center describes with the difference, omit explanation for something in common.
Solid-state imager 811 also can be the solid-state imager identical with solid-state imager 411.In the present embodiment, solid-state imager 811 is substituted element explanation as solid-state imager 411 when breaking down.
Prism 817 is the optical systems that incident light are transmitted to solid-state imager 411 and solid-state imager 811.
Switch 818 is diverter switches, and it makes the drive signal from drive division 812 output to solid-state imager 411 or solid-state imager 811.
Switch 819 is selector switches, selects the output signal of solid-state imager 411 or the output signal of solid-state imager 811.Selecteed output signal is imported into signal processing part 413.
Judgement-switch control portion 814 is except that the function with judging part shown in Figure 32, and it also when solid-state imager 411 is judged as fault, switches to non operating state with solid-state imager 411, and solid-state imager 811 is switched to operating state.Need fix level changing to non operating state from operating state to the drive signal of solid camera head 411.For example, I/O (I/O) terminal can be set at low level, or GND (ground connection) is set at high level, or VDD (supply voltage) is set at high impedance status.And power supply is disconnected by power supply unit 40.
Drive division 812 is identical with the function of drive division 412, and a selecteed side in solid-state imager 411 and the solid-state imager 811 is driven.Under the type of solid-state imager 411 and solid-state imager 811 situation inequality, then can drive according to different types.
And, be incident light to be transmitted to each solid-state imager among Figure 33, but so long as incident light can be transmitted to solid-state imager and get final product, also can be the optical system that does not comprise prism therefore by the optical system that comprises prism.And, also can not be dispensed into and penetrate light, but make each solid-state imager possess lens.
And, in Figure 33, be that example is illustrated, but also can be two to have two solid-state imagers.For example, can be to possess the individual solid-state imager of M (M is more than 2), the individual output signal of m (m is more than 1) that switch 819 is selected in M the solid-state imager, signal processing part 413 is handled m output signal.And, also can be to judge and switch control portion 814 which in judging m solid-state imager when being out of order, switch to and be judged as the solid camera head that does not have fault being judged as out of order solid camera head, with this as output to signal processing part 413.
Judgement-switch control portion 814 is controlled by the power supply of subtend solid-state imager, thereby can change operating state and non operating state, drive signal by the transmission of subtend solid-state imager is controlled, thereby also can change operating state and non operating state.And, also can with to the power supply of M solid-state imager as state often is provided, and by beginning or stop to transmit drive signal, thereby can change operating state and non operating state to solid-state imager.
And, be to be installed in camera chain on the automobile in the various embodiments described above and be that example is illustrated, but automobile is not limited only to car, also can be bus, truck etc. with the automobile, or also can be that cart, aircraft, carrying are with robot etc., so long as mobile object can.
And in described embodiment, for example signal processing part 13 and judging part 14 are as display part 20, are independent to constitute, but also solid-state imager 11 and judging part 14 or drive division 12 or signal processing part 13 etc. can be arranged on the chip.By being arranged on the chip, thereby can subduing amount of parts or shorten distance between wiring, like this, effects such as the processing speed that can be improved.
And, if not can not conflict in described each embodiment, then can independent assortment.
And, owing to from embodiment 4~8, can detect the fault of both full-pixel, can be that defective is easily distinguished by unit therefore with the pixel.Like this,, can eliminate influence, make various signal processing become possibility signal of video signal according to this defect pixel.
The present invention is applicable to solid camera head, video camera, the automobile that image is made a video recording and builds device.

Claims (48)

1. a solid camera head is characterized in that, comprising:
A plurality of photoelectric conversion units generate signal according to incident light quantity;
A plurality of sensing elements are read the signal that described each photoelectric conversion unit generates;
Transmission path is used to transmit the signal that described each sensing element is read;
Output unit is exported each signal, and this each signal passes through transmission path by described each sensing element; And
Generation unit generates fixing reference signal;
Described reference signal is exported by described output unit by the part of described transmission path at least.
2. solid camera head as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that,
Described fixing reference signal has the fixed level between first level and second level;
First level is an incident light quantity when being zero, the level of the signal that photoelectric conversion unit generated;
Second level is that described first level is generated by described photoelectric conversion unit than the high level of described first level.
3. solid camera head as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that,
Described solid camera head further comprises judging unit, judges reference signal that described output unit exports whether in normal range (NR), when under extraneous situation, and output detection signal, described normal range (NR) is meant the scope between higher limit and the lower limit.
4. as each described solid camera head in the claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that,
Described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units is arranged as rectangular;
Described transmission path comprises a plurality of vertical transfer unit and horizontal transport unit,
Each row of described a plurality of vertical transfer unit and described photoelectric conversion unit are provided with the signal charge that transmission is read from the photoelectric conversion unit of the row of correspondence accordingly;
The signal charge that the transmission of described horizontal transport unit is come by the transmission of described a plurality of vertical transfer unit;
Described reference signal is at least by a vertical transfer unit and horizontal transport unit, by described output unit output.
5. solid camera head as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described generation unit will be injected into some in the photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal.
6. solid camera head as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that,
Described generation unit will be injected into following photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal, promptly be positioned near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of vertical transfer unit, and this vertical transfer unit is connected near the upstream of horizontal transport unit.
7. solid camera head as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described generation unit will be injected near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of each vertical transfer unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal.
8. solid camera head as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described generation unit will be injected at least corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal near the upstream of a vertical transfer unit in a plurality of vertical transfer unit.
9. solid camera head as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described generation unit will be injected into the vertical transfer unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal, and this vertical transfer unit is connected near the upstream of horizontal transport unit.
10. solid camera head as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that, described generation unit will be injected into corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal near the upstream of each vertical transfer unit.
11. solid camera head as claimed in claim 4 is characterized in that,
Described generation unit will be injected into following photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal, near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of at least one the vertical transfer unit in promptly a plurality of vertical transfer unit.
12. as each described solid camera head in the claim 1 to 3, it is characterized in that,
Described a plurality of photoelectric conversion unit is arranged as rectangular;
Described transmission path comprises:
The row selected cell is selected the delegation in the described photoelectric conversion unit;
The row in the described photoelectric conversion unit are selected in the column selection unit; And
The output line of each row, the signal that transmission is read by photoelectric conversion unit, this photoelectric conversion unit is selecteed row and is the photoelectric conversion unit of selecteed row;
Described reference signal is exported by described output unit by a certain output line.
13. solid camera head as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, described generation unit will be injected into some in the photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal.
14. solid camera head as claimed in claim 12, it is characterized in that, described generation unit will be injected into following photoelectric conversion unit corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal, promptly be positioned at last selecteed row and the last selecteed photoelectric conversion unit that lists.
15. solid camera head as claimed in claim 12 is characterized in that, described generation unit will be injected near the photoelectric conversion unit the upstream of an output line at least corresponding to the reference charge of described reference signal.
16. each the described solid camera head as in the claim 5 to 7,13 to 15 is characterized in that the photoelectric conversion unit of accepting described reference signal is by shading.
17. each the described solid camera head as in the claim 3 to 16 is characterized in that,
Described solid camera head further comprises the warning unit, and this warning unit is under the situation of described judging unit output detection signal, and the matters that fault will take place are warned to the outside.
18. each the described solid camera head as in the claim 3 to 16 is characterized in that, described judging unit is under the situation of having exported described detection signal, and the indication power supply unit stops the part power supply to described solid camera head.
19. solid camera head as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that,
Described solid camera head further comprises:
Shutter unit, control is to the light of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion unit incidents; And
Control unit is controlled described shutter unit, thereby described shutter unit is covered light, and controls described generation unit, thereby described reference signal is injected in each of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units.
20. solid camera head as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that,
Described control unit is controlled described shutter unit, thereby described shutter unit is covered light with a certain timing, in the power supply that described a certain timing is solid camera head has at least just been opened and power supply some in will closing, described control unit is controlled described generation unit simultaneously, thereby makes described generation unit inject described reference signal.
21. solid camera head as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that,
Described solid camera head is installed on the automobile;
Described control unit is controlled described shutter unit, is that threshold value is carried out a shading action when following at least thereby make described shutter unit in the speed of a motor vehicle, and described control unit is controlled described generation unit simultaneously, thereby makes described generation unit inject described reference signal.
22. solid camera head as claimed in claim 19 is characterized in that,
Described control unit is controlled described shutter unit, thereby makes described shutter unit carry out the shading action termly, and described control unit is controlled described generation unit simultaneously, thereby makes described generation unit inject described reference signal.
23. solid camera head as claimed in claim 1 or 2 is characterized in that,
Described generation unit comprises: a plurality of reference signal generating unit and a plurality of selected cell,
Described a plurality of reference signal generating unit is corresponding with described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units;
Described a plurality of selected cell is corresponding with described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units;
Described solid camera head comprises the selection control unit, and this selects control unit control selected cell when shooting;
Each reference signal generating unit generates described reference signal;
Each selected cell is set between photoelectric conversion unit and the described sensing element, and a certain side in signal and the reference signal is selected, and described signal is generated by photoelectric conversion unit, and described reference signal is generated by the reference signal generating unit.
24. solid camera head as claimed in claim 23, it is characterized in that, described selection control unit control selected cell, thereby making selected cell is that unit is alternately selected to signal and reference signal with the quantity of stipulating, described signal is generated by photoelectric conversion unit, and described reference signal is generated by the reference signal generating unit.
25. solid camera head as claimed in claim 24 is characterized in that,
The quantity of described regulation is some in the following quantity, that is:
1;
The quantity that is equivalent to the photoelectric conversion unit of delegation;
The multiple of quantity that is equivalent to the photoelectric conversion unit of delegation;
The quantity that is equivalent to the photoelectric conversion unit of row;
The multiple that is equivalent to the photoelectric conversion unit quantity of row;
The quantity of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units; And
The multiple of the quantity of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units.
26. as claim 23,24 or 25 described solid camera heads, it is characterized in that,
The number of a plurality of reference signal generating unit is identical with the number of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units;
Each selected cell is connected with a described reference signal generating unit.
27. as claim 23,24 or 25 described solid camera heads, it is characterized in that,
The number of a plurality of reference signal generating unit is lacked than the number of described a plurality of photoelectric conversion units;
At least one described reference signal generating unit is connected with plural selected cell.
28. solid camera head as claimed in claim 27 is characterized in that, each reference signal generating unit is connected with N selected cell, and N is more than 2.
29. each the described solid camera head as in the claim 23 to 28 is characterized in that,
Described selection control unit is optionally controlled first work and second work, and described first work is meant: do not make selected cell select described reference signal, and make selected cell select the signal that is generated by photoelectric conversion unit, and make a video recording; Described second work is meant: to described reference signal and the signal that generated by photoelectric conversion unit, be that unit is alternately selected with the quantity of regulation, and make a video recording.
30. solid camera head as claimed in claim 29 is characterized in that, described selection control unit is at described first work and the identical work clock of the described second work employing speed.
31. solid camera head as claimed in claim 29 is characterized in that, the work clock that described selection control unit adopts in described second work is than fast at the work clock of described first work.
32. solid camera head as claimed in claim 29 is characterized in that,
Described selection control unit is further optionally controlled the 3rd work, and described the 3rd work is meant: make selected cell select described reference signal, and the signal of not selecting photoelectric conversion unit and being generated, and make a video recording.
33. solid camera head as claimed in claim 23 is characterized in that,
Described a plurality of reference signal generating unit comprises first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit, described first signal generating unit produces as first fixed level with reference to signal, and described secondary signal generating unit produces as second fixed level with reference to signal.
34. solid camera head as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit are arranged on the line direction of described photoelectric conversion unit regularly.
35. solid camera head as claimed in claim 33 is characterized in that, first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit are arranged on the column direction of described photoelectric conversion unit regularly.
36. as claim 33,34 or 35 described solid camera heads, it is characterized in that,
Described solid camera head further comprises:
First judging unit, judge reference signal that described output unit exports as described first fixed level whether between higher limit that is regarded as normal range (NR) and lower limit;
Second judging unit judges that reference signal that described output unit exports is as described second fixed level scope between higher limit that is regarded as normal range (NR) and lower limit whether; And
Output detection signal under the unusual situation according to the arrangement of first signal generating unit and secondary signal generating unit and the judged result of first and second judging unit, is taking place in abnormal deciding means.
37. each the described solid camera head as in the claim 19 to 32 is characterized in that,
Described solid camera head further comprises:
Judging unit is judged reference signal that described output unit exports whether in normal range (NR), when under extraneous situation, and output detection signal, described normal range (NR) is meant the scope between higher limit and the lower limit; And
The warning unit, under the situation of described judging unit output detection signal, the matters that fault will take place are warned to the outside.
38. solid camera head as claimed in claim 37 is characterized in that, described judging unit is under the situation of having exported described detection signal, and the indication power supply unit stops the part power supply to described solid camera head.
39. a video camera is characterized in that, comprising:
M solid camera head, wherein each solid camera head is each described solid camera head in the claim 1,2,19 to 35, and M is more than 2;
Judging unit comes failure judgement according to the reference signal that a described M solid camera head is exported;
Signal processing unit is handled the output signal of m solid camera head in M the solid camera head, and m is more than 1; And
Switch control unit when a described m solid camera head some is judged as fault, as the output source to signal processing unit, switches to the solid camera head that is not judged as fault from the solid camera head that is judged as fault.
40. video camera as claimed in claim 39 is characterized in that,
Described switch control unit is made as non operating state with the solid camera head beyond the described m solid camera head;
When described switch control unit some in a described m solid camera head is judged as fault, the solid camera head that is judged as fault is changed to non operating state, the solid camera head that will not be judged as fault changes to operating state.
41. video camera as claimed in claim 40 is characterized in that, described switch control unit changes operating state and non operating state by controlling powering to solid camera head.
42. video camera as claimed in claim 40 is characterized in that, described switch control unit changes operating state and non operating state by the drive signal of giving solid camera head is controlled.
43. video camera as claimed in claim 40 is characterized in that,
Described switch control unit will be made as power supply state often to the power supply of M solid camera head power supply, and by beginning or stopping to provide drive signal to solid camera head, change operating state and non operating state.
44., it is characterized in that described switch control unit is fixed by the level to the drive signal of giving solid camera head, thereby operating state is changed to non operating state as claim 42 or 43 described video cameras.
45. each the described video camera as in the claim 39 to 44 is characterized in that described video camera at least also comprises an optical system, this optical system imports to incident light in the plural solid camera head.
46. a video camera is characterized in that, comprises each the described solid camera head in the claim 1 to 38.
47. an automobile is characterized in that, comprises each described solid camera head in the claim 1 to 38 or each the described solid camera head in the claim 39 to 45.
48. a monitoring arrangement is characterized in that, comprises each described solid camera head in the claim 1 to 38 or each the described solid camera head in the claim 39 to 45.
CNB200680015905XA 2005-05-11 2006-04-04 Solid-state imaging pickup device, camera, automobile and monitoring device Expired - Fee Related CN100525403C (en)

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