JP2000165739A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device for setting a desired operation mode without generating any time lag without making a photographer feel a sense of incompatibility or the like. SOLUTION: This image pickup device is provided with an image pickup element 1 for reading a pixel signal, an operation controlling means 6 for controlling the operation of the image pickup element 1, and a mode setting means 8 for setting the operator mode of the operation controlling means 6. The mode setting means 8 ends the mode setting within one time of vertical blanking period in the image pickup element 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device capable of reading out a pixel signal, such as an electronic still camera or a video camera, and more particularly to a so-called electronic shutter function for electrically controlling an exposure time. The present invention relates to an imaging device having the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the CCD 51 and the timing generator (T
G) 52 and a controller (CPU) 53, and mode setting data and CC for setting an operation mode from the CPU 53 to the TG 52 during the vertical blanking period.
A configuration has been proposed in which mode data is set by transmitting setting data such as an exposure time (AE) as control information calculated based on a pixel signal from D51, thereby controlling the operation of the CCD 51. .

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the operation of the conventional image pickup apparatus. In FIG.
VD indicates a vertical synchronizing signal, TGP indicates a transfer gate pulse pulse that determines the timing of transferring charges accumulated in each pixel of the CCD 51 to the vertical shift register, and SUB discharges charges generated in each pixel of the CCD 51 to the substrate. The sub-pulse is for discharging the electric charge while the sub-pulse SUB is being output. The CCD signal indicates an image signal obtained from the CCD 51.

In a conventional image pickup apparatus, for example, an AE operation is performed based on a CCD signal, and setting data based on the operation result is combined with mode setting data for setting an operation mode in a sequential vertical blanking period of the vertical synchronizing signal VD. Then, the mode is set by transmitting from the CPU 53 to the TG 52, thereby controlling the operation of the CCD 51. Here, the mode setting data is used to set an operation mode such as a mode for displaying a moving image on a liquid crystal display device built in the imaging device or a mode for performing main exposure. Become. For example, the setting data based on the AE operation includes shutter V setting upper data and data for setting the exposure time of the long shutter by the number of frames, which are divided into upper and lower parts and each data is 12 bits per word. Similarly, the shutter V setting lower data and the shutter SUB setting upper data and the shutter SUB are divided into upper and lower parts, and the data for setting the timing of the SUB pulse for determining the shutter speed are divided into 12-bit data per word. And setting lower-order data.

[0005] That is, in FIG. 13, for example, during the vertical blanking period of the frame V 1, the setting data obtained by the AE operation performed in the frame V 1, for example,
4 (a), a mode setting data transmission (step S500), a shutter V setting upper data transmission (step S501), and a shutter V setting lower data transmission (step S502) are sequentially performed. In the vertical blanking period of the next frame V2, the subroutine of data communication 2 shown in FIG. 14B is called to transmit the mode setting data (step S5).
03), the shutter SUB setting upper data transmission (step S504) and the shutter SUB setting lower data transmission (step S505) are sequentially performed. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15, five types of data are sequentially transmitted to the frames V1 and V2.
In the vertical blanking period, all the data is transmitted as serial data, the mode setting is completed, and the driving of the CCD 51 is controlled in the operation mode set by the TG 52.

[0006]

However, in the above-described conventional imaging apparatus, data communication is performed by dividing mode setting data and setting data such as shutter speed into a plurality of vertical blanking periods. For example, in FIG. 13, the information acquired in the frame V1, for example, the AE information is not reflected in the next frame V2 and the next frame V3 in FIG.
Will be reflected in For this reason, the frame V2 becomes a useless operation, and the time lag increases.
When the pixel signal from 51 is displayed as a moving image on a built-in liquid crystal display device, there is a problem that a photographer feels strange.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an imaging apparatus capable of setting a desired operation mode without causing a time lag without giving a photographer an uncomfortable feeling or the like. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device capable of reading out pixel signals, the operation control means for controlling the operation of the image pickup device. Mode setting means for setting an operation mode of the operation control means, wherein the mode setting means is configured to end the mode setting within one vertical blanking period in the image sensor. It is characterized by the following.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is based on claim 1.
In the imaging device according to the aspect, the mode setting means performs mode setting so that control information obtained based on a pixel signal from the imaging element in a frame including the vertical blanking period is reflected in a frame immediately thereafter. It is characterized by the following.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is based on claim 2
In the imaging device described above, the control information is an exposure time of the imaging device.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is based on claim 1.
In the above described imaging apparatus, the mode setting means is configured to perform mode setting by serial communication.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 1.
In the imaging device described above, the data for mode setting within the vertical blanking period includes operation mode setting data for setting an operation mode and a data group corresponding to the operation mode. is there.

Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device capable of reading out a pixel signal.
Operation control means for controlling the operation of the image sensor, and mode setting means for setting an operation mode of the operation control means, wherein the mode setting means sets a mode within a vertical blanking period in the image sensor. If the setting for one unit of numerical data cannot be completed within the one vertical blanking period in setting the mode,
It is characterized in that it is configured to divide the mode over the next and subsequent vertical blanking periods and to set the mode for the one unit of numerical data.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device capable of reading out a pixel signal.
Operation control means for controlling the operation of the image sensor, and mode setting means for setting an operation mode of the operation control means, wherein the mode setting means sets a mode within a vertical blanking period in the image sensor. When the mode setting cannot be completed within the vertical blanking period, the mode setting is performed even outside the vertical blanking period.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7.
In the imaging device described above, the mode setting means is configured to perform communication even outside a vertical blanking period within a range that does not affect the accumulation operation of the imaging element.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an imaging device according to the present invention. This imaging apparatus is basically intended to capture and record a still image, and includes a lens (not shown),
A CCD 1 for converting a subject image incident through an aperture 17 and a mechanical shutter 18 into an electric signal, a correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 2 for removing reset noise and the like from an output of the CCD 1, and an output of the CDS 2 Gain control amplifier (AMP) 3 for adjusting gain
An analog-to-digital converter (A / D) 4 for converting the output signal of the AMP 3 into a digital signal, a process processing circuit 5 for performing various processes on the image signal converted into the digital signal, and a drive for driving the CCD 1. And a timing generator (TG) 6 for outputting a sample-and-hold pulse in the CDS 2 and outputting a timing pulse for performing A / D conversion in the A / D 4, and a TG 6 And a signal generator (SG) 7 for generating a signal for synchronizing with a CPU 8 which will be described later, and a microcomputer which constitutes read control means for the CCD 1 and performs various controls including timing and the like for the entire image pickup apparatus. Become CP
U8, a DRAM 9 constituting a memory for storing pixel data of the CCD 1 output from the process processing circuit 5 and image data supplied from a recording medium 16 via a compression / expansion circuit 15 to be described later, An auto focus circuit (AF) 10 for controlling focus, an automatic exposure control circuit (AE) 11 for performing photometry of a subject image formed on the CCD 1, and an auto exposure circuit (AE) for automatically controlling white balance. A white balance circuit (AWB) 12, a liquid crystal display device 13 which is a monitor built in the imaging device, an external display terminal 14 for outputting image signals and the like to a display device such as an external monitor, and a DRAM 9 The image data for one frame stored in the recording medium 16 is compressed in order to reduce the amount of data to be recorded on a recording medium 16 to be described later. And a compression expansion circuit 15 for expanding compressed image data read from the recording medium 16
And a recording medium 16 for recording still image data.

The CCD 8 has a 1RS which is turned on at the first stage in conjunction with a release operation of a shooting button (not shown).
A W31 and a 2RSW 32 that is turned on in the second stage are connected, and a movie mode SW 33 and a studio mode SW 34 for setting a mode for displaying a moving image on the liquid crystal display device 13 are connected.

FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of the configuration of the CCD 1 shown in FIG. The CCD 1 is of an interline type having a vertical overflow drain structure, is arranged two-dimensionally in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and has a photodiode 21 which constitutes a charge accumulation region for accumulating charges by light incidence. After receiving the electric charge accumulated in the photodiode 21 through the transfer gate 22, the vertical shift register 23 sequentially transfers the electric charge in the vertical direction, and the electric charge transferred by the vertical shift register 23 is sequentially transferred in the horizontal direction. It has a horizontal shift register 24 and a signal detector 25 for amplifying and outputting an output signal of the horizontal shift register 24.

The imaging apparatus shown in FIG. 1 operates as follows as a whole. That is, when an image is recorded on the recording medium 16, the CDS 2, AMP 3, A
The image data output via / D4 and the processing circuit 5 is supplied to, for example, the liquid crystal display device 13 and displayed. Thus, the photographer can determine the composition and the like of the subject while looking at the liquid crystal display device 13. In this state, when a shooting button (not shown) is pressed and the 2RSW 32 is turned on, the image data from the process
The data is compressed by the compression / expansion circuit 15 via the AM 9 and recorded on the recording medium 16.

When reproducing the image data recorded on the recording medium 16, the compressed image data read from the recording medium 16 is decompressed by the compression / decompression circuit 15 and written into the DRAM 9, The image data written in the DRAM 9 is supplied to the liquid crystal display device 13 via the process processing circuit 5 or the external display device via the external display terminal 14, and is reproduced as a still image.

FIG. 3 is a partial detailed view of FIG. 1, showing signals supplied from the SG 7 and the CPU 8 to the TG 6 and signals supplied from the TG 6 to the CCD 1. CPU 8
By three signals of the communication lines SSTRB, SDCLK and SDATA, T
Data communication is performed with the G6 in the data communication format shown in FIG. 4, and various operation modes of the TG 6 are set. Further, the CPU 8 supplies the reset signal RST and the standby signal STBY to the TG 6 to initialize the TG 6 and control the TG 6 to be in a non-operation state.

The SG 7 supplies the TG 6 with the vertical synchronizing signal VD and the horizontal synchronizing signal HD. TG6 is SG
The sub-pulse SUB, the transfer gate pulse TGP, and the vertical shift register transfer pulse VT are supplied to the CCD 1 based on the vertical synchronizing signal VD, the horizontal synchronizing signal HD, and various operation modes set by the CPU 8. Control of the charge storage and charge readout operations.

The sub-pulse SUB is a pulse for discharging charges generated in the photodiode 21 of the CCD 1 shown in FIG. 2 in the vertical direction of the substrate.
While B is being output, the charge is discharged. Also, the transfer gate pulse TGP
Is a pulse that determines the timing for transferring the electric charge accumulated in the photodiode 21 to the vertical shift register 23. The vertical shift register transfer pulse VT drives the vertical shift register 23 and transfers the electric charge to the horizontal shift register 24 side. This is a pulse for transferring to.

Therefore, the charge is accumulated in the photodiode 21 during the period from the generation of the sub-pulse SUB to the generation of the transfer gate pulse TGP, and the effective exposure time is controlled by controlling the accumulation time of this charge. A so-called electronic (element) shutter. Note that the charge accumulation time in the photodiode 21 is determined based on the result of photometry of the subject image by the AE circuit 11.

In this embodiment, the TG 6
In setting the operation mode, etc., the TG 6 is configured so that the communication data that does not need to be updated can be operated without performing communication every time, and the communication data is set according to the operation mode of the TG 6. The data is divided into frequently used data groups, the operation mode and the data groups are associated with each other to reduce the number of necessary communication data, and the operation mode data of the TG 6 and the corresponding data groups are further reduced within one vertical blanking period. Is transmitted from the CPU 8 to the TG 6.

Table 1 shows that in this embodiment, the CPU 8
, Operation mode setting data transmitted to the TG 6 via the communication line SDATA, in this embodiment, 12 bits (SD11 to SD11)
SD0) and the operation mode of the TG 6 set thereby.

[0027]

[Table 1]

Here, the movie mode is an operation mode in which a moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 as a display mode by turning on the movie mode switch 33. In this mode, the TG 6 performs processing such as thinning out or adding pixel signals of the CCD 1. , The frame rate is improved to 1/30 (s), and a moving image can be displayed. In this movie mode, the exposure time is set by shutter SUB setting lower data of a data group described later, and AF, AE, and AWB are performed during this mode.
Processing is also performed.

The sweeping main exposure mode is an operation mode during the main exposure, in which the main exposure of the CCD 1 is executed and the CCD 1 is operated.
1 performs a high-speed sweep operation of the transfer path. In this sweeping-out main exposure mode, shutter V setting upper data, shutter V setting lower data, and shutter S
The exposure time is set by the UB setting lower data.

The main reading mode is an operation mode in which all the pixel signals are read from the CCD 1 after the main exposure and the light shielding of the mechanical shutter 18.

The all-pixel reading mode is an operation mode in which a clear moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13 as a display mode by turning on the studio mode SW 34. In this mode, data of all pixels is read out and processed. The data is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13. However, in this all-pixel reading mode, in order to read out all the pixel data, for example, in a CCD of about 2.5 million pixels, the frame rate becomes 1/6 (s) or more, as in the main reading mode, and the responsiveness is reduced. In the all-pixel reading mode, the exposure time is set using both shutter SUB setting upper data and shutter SUB setting lower data described later.

FIG. 5 shows a data communication pattern during the vertical blanking period according to this embodiment.
In this embodiment, C during the vertical blanking period
The data communication from the PU 8 to the TG 6 is limited to two times, and data of a required pattern is transmitted from the patterns 1 to 5 shown in FIG. Each data communication in each pattern is performed in the data communication format (1
2 bits). Here, pattern 1 to pattern 4 shown in FIG. 5 are three operation mode setting data of the above-described movie mode, all-pixel reading mode, and sweeping main exposure mode, shutter SUB setting lower data (DSUBL) as a data group, Pattern 5 is composed of a combination of four shutter speed (exposure time) setting data of shutter SUB setting upper data (DSUBH), shutter V setting lower data (DVL) and shutter V setting upper data (DVH). It is composed of a combination of setting data and mechanical shutter drive time setting data.

Hereinafter, the shutter speed setting data will be described with reference to Table 2.

[0034]

[Table 2]

In Table 2, shutter SUB setting lower data (DSUBL) and shutter SUB setting upper data (DSUBH) are data for setting the timing of a SUB pulse to determine the shutter speed.
DSUBL is an effective 9 bit, and the exposure time is 0 to 511H (~
1/16 s) can be set in 1H units (H is a horizontal synchronization signal), DSUBH is valid 2 bits, and the exposure time can be set in 512H units in the range of 0 to 1536H. These DSUBL and DSUBH are combined to obtain an exposure time t.
(H) can be expressed as t (H) = 2 ⁹ · DSUBH + DSUBL (1) and can be set in the range of 0 to 2047H (〜1 / 4 s). However, DSUBH is effective only in the all-pixel reading mode.

The shutter V setting lower data (DVL)
And the shutter V setting upper data (DVH) are data for setting the exposure time of the long shutter, respectively.
DVL is effective 5 bits, and the exposure time is 0 to 31 for the number of frames.
VH can be set in units of 1 V (V is a frame) in the range of V (〜1 s), DVH is valid 7 bits, and the exposure time is
It can be set in units of 32 V in the range of 095 V (で 136.6 s). Together with these DVL and DVH, exposure time t (V) can be expressed as ^{t (V) = 2 5 ·} DVH + DVL ··· (2). These DVH and DVL are effective only in the sweep-out main exposure mode.
(H) = 0.

The mechanical shutter drive time setting data is time data for keeping the mechanical shutter 18 in a light-shielded state, and is used only in the main reading mode.

FIG. 6 shows a main routine executed by the CPU 8 when the power is turned on in the imaging apparatus shown in FIG. First, the entire imaging device is initialized by turning on the power (step S100), and then the 1RSW 31 is checked (step S101). Here, 1RSW3
If 1 is on, the flag F-1RON is set to 1 (step S102); if it is off, the flag F-RON is set.
1 RON is cleared to 0 (step S103).

Next, the 2RSW 32 is checked (step S104), and if it is on, the flag F-2RON is turned on.
Is set to 1 (step S105), and when it is off, the flag F-2RON is cleared to 0 (step S105).
106). Thereafter, the movie mode SW 33 is checked (step S107).
-MOVM is set to 1 (step S108), and if OFF, the flag F-MOVM is cleared to 0 (step S109). Further, the studio mode SW 34 is checked (step S110).
The flag F-STDM is set to 1 (step S11).
1) If it is off, the flag F-STDM is cleared to 0 (step S112).

Thereafter, it is checked whether a vertical blanking period has been entered (step S113). If not, the process returns to step S101 to repeat the above operation. Is checked (step S114). If not, it is checked whether the flag F-1RON is set (step S115). It is checked by the AF10 and the AE11 whether the AF and AE processing has been completed (step S116). If the processing has been completed, it is further checked whether the flag F-2RON has been set (step S117). Is set, the pre-exposure communication of the subroutine is executed (step S11).
8).

Further, the main exposure is not completed in step S114, and the flag F-1RON is set in step S115.
Is not set, if the AF and AE processes have not been completed in step S116, and if the flag F-2RON has not been set in step S117, communication during the display of the subroutine is executed (step S117). In step S119), if the main exposure has been completed in step S114, a pre-read communication in a subroutine is executed (step S120).

In the main routine described above, when the flag F-1RON is not set, the photographing button is not operated, and in this state, a moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13. The state where the flag F-1RON is set and the AF and AE processing is not completed is a state where the photographing button is operated to the first stage. In this state, AF (including lens driving) and AE processing are executed. Then, a moving image is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 13. Further, a state in which the flag F-1RON is set and the AF and AE processes are completed and the flag F-2RON is not set is a focus lock state. Exposure is performed. In FIG. 6, the flag F-MOVM and the flag F-STDM are used in the communication during display of the subroutine (step S119).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication during display shown in FIG. First, the flag F-MOVM
Is set or not (step S2).
00), if the flag F-MOVM is set, the movie mode data is set (step S20).
1) If the flag F-MOVM is not set, the data of the all-pixel reading mode is set (step S202), and the set mode setting data is transmitted (step S203).

Thereafter, it is checked whether there is data that could not be set in the previous data communication by referring to the remaining setting flag (step S204). If there is no remaining data, the operation of the next previous frame is performed. It is determined whether the mode is the all-pixel reading mode (step S205). If the mode is the all-pixel reading mode, it is further determined whether the exposure time in the previous frame is 1/30 (s) or less (step S205).
206).

Here, the exposure time in the previous frame is 1/3.
If it is 0 (s) or less, then the AE based on the previous frame
It is determined whether or not the current exposure time is 1/30 (s) or less based on the calculation result (step S207). As a result, if the current exposure time is 1/30 (s) or less, or If it is determined that the operation mode is not the all-pixel reading mode, that is, if it is determined that the operation mode is the movie mode, the shutter SUB setting lower data is transmitted (step S208), and the remaining setting flag is cleared (step S209). .

On the other hand, if the operation mode of the previous frame is the all-pixel reading mode and the exposure time exceeds 1/30 (s) in both the previous frame and the current frame, the shutter SUB setting upper data and the shutter SUB setting lower data are used. Since both data need to be changed, first, the upper data of the shutter SUB setting is transmitted (step S21).
0). Thereafter, the communication end time at the time of performing the shutter SUB setting higher-level data communication is compared with the exposure start timing of the next frame (step S211), and if the communication end time is earlier, the shutter is further released. SUB
The lower setting data is transmitted (step S212), and the remaining setting flag is cleared in step S209. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG.
Although the communication of the B setting lower data is performed outside the vertical blanking period, it is possible to prevent an unnecessary time lag without affecting the exposure time of the next frame.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S211 that the communication end time of the shutter SUB setting upper data is after the exposure start timing of the next frame, the remaining setting flag is set (step S21).
3) The remaining data, that is, the lower data of the shutter SUB setting, is transferred to step S during the next vertical blanking period.
Based on the determination at 204, transmission is made at step S214.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pre-exposure communication shown in FIG. In this pre-exposure communication,
First, the main exposure data is set (step S).
300), and transmits the set mode setting data (step S301). Thereafter, it is checked with reference to the remaining setting flag whether there is any data that could not be set in the previous data communication (step S302). If there is no remaining data, the exposure time calculated from the AE information is determined. It is determined whether it is 1/30 (s) or less (step S3)
03).

If the exposure time is equal to or less than 1/30 (s), the shutter SUB setting lower data is set and transmitted (step S304), and the remaining setting flag is cleared (step S305). On the other hand, 1/30 (s)
If it exceeds 1, it is further determined whether it is 1 (s) or less (step S306). If it exceeds 1 (s),
The shutter V setting upper data is set and transmitted (step S307), and the remaining setting flag is cleared (step S305). In this case, the shutter SUB is provided in TG6.
Although the data of the previous frame remains in the set lower data, the shutter SUB setting lower data
It is negligible because it is sufficiently small for the set upper data.

In step S306, the exposure time is set to 1
(S) If the exposure time is determined to be less than or equal to 1 /
In the case of 30 (s) to 1 (s), it is necessary to set the shutter V setting upper data and the shutter V setting lower data, so that the shutter V setting lower data is transmitted first (step S308), and the remaining setting is performed. The flag is set (step S309). During the next vertical blanking period, the remaining data, that is, the shutter V setting upper data is transmitted based on the determination in step S302 (step S310), and the remaining setting flag is cleared. (Step S305).

Therefore, the exposure time is from 1/30 (s) to
In the case of 1 (s), the exposure time is set in two vertical blanking periods, and one frame (1/30) during that period.
s) is wasted, but the main exposure time is 1/30 (s) to 1
Since it is relatively long as (s), it is hard to be recognized as a large time lag, and does not affect the operational feeling.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the pre-reading communication shown in FIG. In this pre-reading communication,
The data of the actual reading mode is set (step S40).
0), and transmitted the mode setting data (step S4).
10) After that, the mechanical shutter drive time setting data is transmitted (step S402). As described above, the mechanical shutter driving time setting data is transmitted, and the mechanical shutter 18 is driven based on the data to set the CCD 1 in the light shielding state, thereby preventing the occurrence of smear.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the overall operation of the image pickup apparatus according to this embodiment, and shows the operation when the shooting button is released from the display state in the movie mode by turning on the movie mode SW 33. . In FIG. 10, during the vertical blanking period VB1 before the first frame V1, communication during display is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, and the operation in the movie mode (frame rate 1 / 30s) is executed. The same applies to the second frame V2.

In the period of the second frame V2, when the photographing button is pressed to the second stage and the 2RSW 32 is turned on, the pre-exposure communication according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 is performed in the vertical blanking period VB3 after the frame V2. The main exposure is performed in the next frame V3 (exposure main exposure mode) with the exposure time set thereby.
Is executed. In this frame V3, C
High-speed sweeping of the transfer path of CD1 is performed.

Thereafter, in the vertical blanking period VB4 after the frame V3 period, the pre-reading communication is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, and in the next frame V4,
The light blocking operation of the mechanical shutter 18 and the reading of all pixels of the CCD signal (main reading mode) are executed. After the frame V5 after the readout of all the pixels, the frames V1 and
The same operation as the operation at V2 is repeated.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the display sequence when the studio mode SW 34 is in the ON state, that is, the operation in the all-pixel reading mode.
In the all-pixel reading mode, the frame rate is 1/6
If the exposure time is equal to or less than 1/30 (s), the exposure time is set by communicating the shutter SUB setting lower data as shown in frames V1 and V2.

On the other hand, if the exposure time exceeds 1/30 (s), the exposure time is set by the shutter SUB setting upper data and the shutter SUB setting lower data.
As shown in the frame V3, in the case where the exposure is started after the above-mentioned two communications have been performed, the AE in the previous frame V2 is started at the start of the frame V3 which does not affect the accumulation operation.
The communication of the remaining shutter SUB setting lower data calculated based on the information is performed, and the communication of the shutter SUB setting higher data calculated based on the AE information in the frame V3 in the vertical blanking period VB4 after the frame V3. Will be done.

Further, as shown in the frame V4, if the exposure is started before the two communications are completed, the exposure in the frame V4 becomes invalid (dummy exposure) and the next vertical blanking period VB5 And the remaining shutter SUB
Communication of the set lower data is performed, and the shutter SUB
The normal exposure time is set by the set lower data and the shutter SUB set upper data communicated in the previous vertical blanking period VB4, and correct exposure is performed in the frame V5.

As is clear from the above description, according to this embodiment, the information (operation mode, AE,
AF, AWB information, etc.) can be reflected in the next frame after one vertical blanking period, so that the operation time lag as an imaging device can be reduced and the operational feeling and usability are greatly improved. be able to.

[0060]

According to the present invention, since the operation mode in the operation control means for controlling the operation of the image pickup device is set within one vertical blanking period, a desired operation mode causes a time lag. Setting can be performed without causing any discomfort or the like to the photographer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of an imaging device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an example of the CCD shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partial detailed view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a format of data communication between a CPU and a TG shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data communication pattern during a vertical blanking period according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a main routine executed by a CPU shown in FIG. 1;

7 is a flowchart showing the operation of communication during display shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of pre-exposure communication.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of pre-reading communication.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart illustrating an overall operation of the imaging apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a timing chart showing the operation in the all-pixel reading mode.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of a conventional imaging device.

FIG. 13 is a timing chart showing the same operation.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a data communication operation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a data communication pattern during a vertical blanking period.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 CCD 2 correlated double sampling circuit (CDS) 3 gain control amplifier (AMP) 4 analog-to-digital converter (A / D) 5 process processing circuit 6 timing generator (TG) 7 signal generator (SG) 8 CPU 9 DRAM 10 auto Focus circuit (AF) 11 Automatic exposure control circuit (AE) 12 Auto white balance circuit (AWB) 13 Liquid crystal display device 14 External display terminal 15 Compression / expansion circuit 16 Recording medium 17 Aperture 18 Mechanical shutter 21 Photodiode 22 Transfer gate 23 Vertical shift Register 24 Horizontal shift register 25 Signal detector 31 1RSW 32 2RSW 33 Movie mode switch 34 Studio mode switch

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device capable of reading a pixel signal, comprising: an operation control unit for controlling an operation of the image pickup device; and a mode setting unit for setting an operation mode of the operation control unit. The image pickup apparatus, wherein the mode setting means is configured to end the mode setting within one vertical blanking period in the image pickup device. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode setting means converts control information obtained based on a pixel signal from the image sensor in a frame including the vertical blanking period into a frame immediately after the frame. An imaging apparatus, wherein mode setting is performed so as to reflect the setting. 3. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the control information is an exposure time of the imaging device. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mode setting means is configured to perform mode setting by serial communication. 5. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the data for mode setting within the vertical blanking period includes operation mode setting data for setting an operation mode and a data group corresponding to the operation mode. An imaging device characterized by including: 6. An image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device capable of reading pixel signals, comprising: an operation control means for controlling an operation of the image pickup element; and a mode setting means for setting an operation mode of the operation control means. The mode setting means sets a mode within the vertical blanking period in the image sensor. If the setting of one unit of numerical data cannot be completed within the single vertical blanking period at the time of setting the mode, Divided over the subsequent vertical blanking period and
An imaging apparatus characterized in that it is configured to set a mode relating to numerical data of a unit. 7. An image pickup apparatus having an image pickup device capable of reading a pixel signal, comprising: an operation control means for controlling an operation of the image pickup element; and a mode setting means for setting an operation mode of the operation control means. The mode setting means is configured to perform mode setting within a vertical blanking period in the image sensor, and to perform mode setting outside the vertical blanking period when the mode setting cannot be completed within the vertical blanking period. An imaging device characterized in that: 8. The imaging device according to claim 7, wherein the mode setting means is configured to perform communication even outside a vertical blanking period within a range that does not affect the accumulation operation of the imaging device. Imaging device.