JP2000196965A - Ccd image pickup device, method for driving it, and film scanner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a CCD image pickup device which can make the generation of an index picture easier and can be increased in image picking-up and processing speeds, a method for driving the device, and a film scanner applying such a technology. SOLUTION: A CCD image sensor 30 is constituted in such a structure that the transfer gate electrodes V1(TG1A) and V3(TG3A) on one photoelectric conversion element line which is the closest to a horizontal transfer CCD 36 of two-dimensionally arranged plural photoelectric conversion elements 32 or on its adjacent two photoelectric conversion element lines are independently controlled separately from the other photoelectric conversion elements. The image sensor 30 is mounted on a film scanner and, at the time of performing a a picture reading process (at the time of scanning index) for acquiring an index picture, the sensor 30 is functioned as a linear image sensor and, at the time of performing a proper image picking-up process for acquiring high-quality pictures at every frame, the sensor 30 is functioned as an areal image sensor.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a CCD imaging device, a driving method thereof, and a film scanner.
In particular, a CCD suitable for a film scanner capable of reading image information recorded on a developed photographic film by an image sensor, converting the image information into electronic image data, and recording / reproducing the image data.
The present invention relates to an imaging device, a driving method thereof, and a film scanner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recorded on a developed photographic film is read by a CCD line sensor (linear image sensor), and the image is converted into electronic image data and output to an image display device such as a television receiver. There has been proposed a film scanner capable of recording an image data file on a recording medium or the like (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-1).
No. 47326). For example, in the case of a film compatible with the 24 mm new photo system (APS), the photo film is housed in a film cartridge having a light-shielding structure. To check the image recorded on the developed photo film, insert the film into the cartridge. Need to be withdrawn from Such an APS-compatible film scanner has a mechanism for extracting a film from a film cartridge (film loading mechanism), and adopts a method of reading an image with a CCD line sensor while transporting the film.

[0003]

Normally, in this type of film scanner, at the time of film loading, images of all frames are scanned at high speed to detect the reading conditions of each frame image, and thereafter, the reading conditions are renewed. Then, all the frames are scanned by correcting the imaging system to obtain small-sized images (thumbnail images) in which the number of pixels is appropriately thinned out for each frame, and an index image is formed by arranging these in a matrix. .

As described above, the conventional film scanner using the line sensor has an advantage that an index image can be created at a high speed, but the reading of a single image for each frame (main image pickup processing) is not required. There is a disadvantage that the image cannot be confirmed unless the image is scanned. Further, it is necessary to acquire image information in advance to determine the reading conditions, and it takes time to display one frame of image.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a CCD imaging device and a driving method thereof that can achieve high-speed main imaging processing and easy creation of an index image. An object of the present invention is to provide a film scanner to which is applied.

[0006]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged, and signal charges accumulated in each photoelectric conversion element are arranged in a column direction of the arrangement. A vertical transfer path for transferring the signal charges sent from the vertical transfer path along the horizontal direction along the row direction of the array. A transfer gate electrode for transferring signal charges accumulated in photoelectric conversion elements for one row or two adjacent rows along the horizontal direction among the conversion elements to the vertical transfer path, the transfer gate electrodes for one row or two adjacent rows. The transfer gate electrodes are provided separately from the transfer gate electrodes for transferring the signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements other than the photoelectric transfer elements to the vertical transfer path, and are provided for the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion elements for one row or two adjacent rows. It is characterized by having a structure capable of controlling the application of the read pulse voltage independently.

According to the present invention, a readout pulse voltage is applied to the transfer gate electrodes of one row or two adjacent rows of photoelectric conversion element lines among the photoelectric conversion elements arranged in a plane, and the other photoelectric conversion element lines are read out. By not applying a read pulse voltage to the transfer gate electrode of the conversion element, it is possible to read only the signal charges of the photoelectric conversion elements for the one or two rows. On the other hand, without distinguishing the one row or the adjacent two rows of photoelectric conversion element lines from other photoelectric conversion elements, like the conventional area image sensor, the transfer gate electrodes of all the photoelectric conversion elements are used. By applying a read pulse voltage, signal charges can be read from all photoelectric conversion elements. As described above, the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion element lines for one row or two adjacent rows can be controlled independently of the other transfer gate electrodes. Or as an area image sensor.

According to another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object, a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged,
A vertical transfer path for transferring signal charges accumulated in each photoelectric conversion element in a vertical direction along a column direction of the array, and a transfer gate for transferring signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements to the vertical transfer path are controlled. A transfer gate electrode for
A horizontal transfer path for transferring the signal charges sent from the vertical transfer path in a horizontal direction along the row direction of the array, the method for driving a CCD imaging device, comprising: A read pulse voltage is applied to the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion elements for one row along or two adjacent rows to read out signal charges.
A read pulse voltage is not applied to the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion elements other than those for two rows or two adjacent rows, and
A first drive control method for causing the imaging device to function as a linear image sensor; and reading out signal charges from all photoelectric conversion elements including the one row or two adjacent rows of photoelectric conversion elements, and performing the CCD imaging. By switching between the second drive control method in which the device functions as an area image sensor and the second drive control method, one CCD imaging device is used as a linear image sensor or is used as an area image sensor.

Further, as one mode of use of the CCD imaging device of the present invention, the film scanner according to the present invention comprises: a film transport means for transporting a developed photographic film;
A light source for illuminating the photographic film, and a CCD imaging device for capturing an image recorded on the photographic film illuminated by the light source and converting the image into an electronic image signal, wherein a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged. A vertical transfer path arranged to transfer signal charges accumulated in each photoelectric conversion element in a vertical direction along a column direction of the array, and a signal charge sent out from the vertical transfer path is transferred in a horizontal direction along a row direction of the array. A horizontal transfer path for transferring the signal charges stored in the photoelectric conversion elements for one row or two adjacent rows along the horizontal direction among the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements to the vertical transfer path. A transfer gate electrode for transferring is provided separately from a transfer gate electrode for transferring signal charges accumulated in photoelectric conversion elements other than the one row or two adjacent rows to the vertical transfer path; Or a CCD imaging device having a structure capable of controlling the application of the read pulse voltage independently of the transfer gate electrodes of two adjacent rows of the photoelectric conversion element,
At the time of creating an index image, a read pulse voltage is applied to the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion elements of one row or two adjacent rows along the row direction of the array of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements to read signal charges. The CCD image pickup device functions as a linear image sensor without applying a readout pulse voltage to the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion elements other than the one row or two adjacent rows. And CCD drive control means for reading the signal charges from the photoelectric conversion element and causing the CCD image pickup device to function as an area image sensor.

According to the film scanner of the present invention, an index image can be obtained at a high speed, and an image can be obtained without scanning like a line sensor at the time of actual imaging for reproducing one frame image. The speed of acquisition of a normal single-frame image can be increased.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a CCD image pickup device, a driving method thereof, and a film scanner according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the general structure of a CCD image sensor will be outlined. FIG. 1 shows a conventional interline transfer CC.
It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of D. In FIG. 1, for convenience, only one row is shown with a reduced number of pixels. However, in an actual device, many similar configurations are arranged vertically and horizontally.

The CCD image sensor 10 has an arrangement of photosensitive pixels 12 composed of photodiodes and a four-phase drive (V
1, V2, V3, V4) vertical transfer CCD (vertical transfer path) 14, and two-phase driven horizontal transfer CCD (horizontal transfer path)
16 is comprised. The first phase V1 of the vertical transfer CCD 14
The photosensitive pixels 12 are provided corresponding to the transfer electrodes of the third phase V3, and the portion between them functions as a control gate (transfer gate) for transferring the signal charges of the photosensitive pixels 12 to the vertical transfer CCD 14.

When a read pulse is applied to the transfer electrodes V1 and V3 in a state where signal charges are accumulated in the photosensitive pixels 12, the signal charges of the respective photosensitive pixels 12 are transferred to the vertical transfer CCD 14 in parallel. Next, signal charges for one row are transferred to the horizontal transfer CCD 16 by applying a clock pulse for one cycle to the vertical transfer CCD 14 (this operation is called line shift). Next, by applying a two-phase clock pulse to the horizontal transfer CCD 16, signal charges for one row are read and output from the output unit. Hereinafter, line shift and horizontal transfer C
By repeating the horizontal transfer (horizontal readout) of the CD 16, all the signal charges of the vertical transfer CCD 14 can be read out. Since the clock pulse is given as a voltage having the opposite polarity to the read pulse, the signal charges of the photosensitive pixels 12 do not flow into the vertical transfer CCD 14 during the line shift and the horizontal read. The reading of the signal charge is performed within one vertical drive period in accordance with the timing of the vertical drive signal (VD).

In the case of interlaced reading,
In the state where the signal charge is accumulated in the photosensitive pixel 12, the transfer electrode V
Apply a read pulse (field shift pulse) to 1
The signal charges of the photosensitive pixels 12 in the odd-numbered rows are vertically transferred C in parallel.
Transfer to CD14. Next, a clock pulse for one cycle is applied to the vertical transfer CCD 14 to transfer signal charges for one row to the horizontal transfer CCD 16 (line shift). Next, a two-phase clock pulse is applied to the horizontal transfer CCD 16 to read out signal charges for one row from the output unit. Hereinafter, by repeating the line shift and the horizontal read, all the signal charges of the vertical transfer CCD 14 are read.

After the reading of the signal charges from the odd-numbered photosensitive pixels 12 is completed, a field shift pulse is applied to the transfer electrode V3 to transfer the signal charges of the even-numbered photosensitive pixels 12 to the vertical transfer CCD 14 in parallel. I do. Subsequent read operations are the same as in the case of odd rows. The reading of the odd-numbered rows and the reading of the even-numbered rows are each performed in one field period, and when the reading of the even-numbered rows is completed, the operation returns to the reading operation of the odd-numbered rows again. Readout of interlaced scanning is performed.

Although not shown, the CCD image sensor 10 is provided with a drain for discharging excess charge (unnecessary charge) generated in each photosensitive pixel 12. A typical example is a structure of a vertical overflow drain for discharging electric charges in the depth direction (substrate direction) of the CCD. Next, the structure of the CCD image sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in comparison with the above-mentioned conventional CCD image sensor.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the structure of the CCD image sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts as those in FIG. Although the number of pixels is reduced as in FIG. 1, an actual device has a large number of photosensitive pixels arranged two-dimensionally, for example, 1280 × 1.
024 pixels. The CCD image sensor 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided independently so that the transfer electrodes V1A and V3A can be controlled separately from the other electrodes for the two photosensitive pixel lines closest to the horizontal transfer CCD 16. In that it differs from the conventional CCD image sensor.

In the case where the photosensitive pixel array is a square array in a matrix, two rows are required to obtain information of all colors of R, G and B due to the arrangement of the color filters arranged in front of the photosensitive pixels 12. Transfer electrodes V1A and V3A that can be independently controlled for each photosensitive pixel line are provided. However, in the case of black and white, the transfer electrode V that can independently control one row of photosensitive pixel lines closest to the horizontal transfer CCD 16 is used.
It is enough to provide 1A.

With this structure, a conventional CCD is usually used.
The CCD image sensor is driven as an area image sensor in the same manner as the image sensor 10, and reads out signal charges from only the two rows (one row in the case of monochrome) of the photosensitive pixel lines as necessary. Can be used as a linear image sensor. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of a CCD image sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention. This CCD image sensor 30
The photosensitive pixels 32 have a honeycomb structure in which the photosensitive pixels 32 are two-dimensionally arranged in a honeycomb shape, and the so-called “oblique Bayer arrangement” is used for the color filters. With such a honeycomb array structure (in the rows of the photosensitive pixels 32 adjacent to each other, the array of the photosensitive pixels 32 in one row is substantially 1 / the array interval in the row direction with respect to the array of the photosensitive pixels 32 in the other row.
In the case of the structure in which R and B are adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction and G which is located above these two photosensitive pixels 32, one point is obtained from the signal charges of a total of three photosensitive pixels 32. Color image data for one pixel is obtained.

The CCD image sensor 30 has a horizontal transfer C
The transfer gates TG1A and TG3A for two rows on the CD 36 side are configured to be independently controllable from the other transfer gates TG1 and TG3. The CCD image sensor 30 is composed of an RB row in which R and B are repeated in the horizontal direction and a G row in which only G is continuous, but the vertical transfer paths of R and B and the vertical transfer path of G As shown in FIG. 4, the dot-sequential read signal output from the output unit 37 of the horizontal transfer CCD 36 is a combination of these two rows (RB row and G row), as shown in FIG. A signal train is formed.

That is, the lowermost RB row (R ₁₁ , B ₁₁ , R ₁₂ , B ₁₂ ...) In FIG.
_{11, G 12, G 13 ...} ) combined signal sequence _{R 11 G 11 B 11 G 12} ... B 1512 G 11024 of first horizontal line is obtained by the following RB line _{(B 21, R 21, B} 22, R ₂₂ ...) and its straight upper row G _{(G 21, G 22, G} 23 ...) signal sequence of horizontal second line by _{B 21 G 21 R 21 B 22} ... R 2522 G 21024 is obtained.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show the CCD image sensor 3.
0 is shown in FIG.
6 shows a driving method when the CCD image sensor 30 is used as a linear sensor (referred to as a linear driving method). FIG. 6 shows the CCD image sensor 32.
1 shows a driving method (referred to as an area driving method) when is used as an area sensor.

As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical drive pulse (V
In synchronization with D), a read pulse is applied only to the independent electrodes V1 (TG1A) and V3 (TG3A) of the photosensitive pixels 32 in the two rows closest to the horizontal transfer CCD 36 among the transfer electrodes of the CCD image sensor 30. By not applying a read pulse to the electrodes, only the signals of the two rows are read. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, the CCD image sensor 30 is synchronized with the vertical drive pulse (VD).
By applying a read pulse to all the transfer electrodes, the signals of all the photosensitive pixels 32 can be read.

When the CCD driving by the interlace method is performed, as shown in FIG. 7, a reading pulse is applied to the transfer electrodes of the photosensitive pixels 32 in the odd rows in synchronization with the vertical driving pulse (VD). Performs signal reading for odd rows,
In synchronization with the next vertical drive pulse (VD), a read pulse is applied to the transfer electrodes of the photosensitive pixels 32 in the even rows to read signals in the even rows. By alternately performing the reading of the odd-numbered rows / even-numbered rows, the same signal reading as in the television scanning can be performed.

Next, an example in which the CCD image sensor according to the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. 2 or 3 is applied to a film scanner will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the film scanner 40 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a tray 44 for inserting a film cartridge 42 and a power switch 45 are provided on the front surface thereof. The tray 44 has a structure that can be moved forward and backward in the front-rear direction, and thereby the loading and discharging of the film cartridge 42 is performed.

A keypad 46 corresponding to an input operation unit and a television receiver (monitor device) 48 for displaying images are connected to the film scanner 40 via cables 50 and 51, respectively. The keypad 46 includes a selection key 53 for indicating up, down, left, and right directions, an up / down key 5
4, operation keys such as an execution key 55 and a cancel key 56, and an operation signal corresponding to the operation of these keys is transmitted to the cable 50.
Is input to the film scanner 40 via the. In addition,
An input operation unit corresponding to the keypad 46 may be provided in the main body of the film scanner 40, or may be constituted by a remote control device (not shown) using infrared rays or the like.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the film cartridge 42. As shown in the drawing, the film cartridge 42 has a long photographic film 62 wound around a single spool 60 housed in a substantially cylindrical cartridge shell 58 having a light shielding structure. A light-shielding door 64 is provided at the drawer opening. A door driver (not shown) is inserted into the door opening / closing hole 66, and the light shielding door 64 is opened / closed by rotating the door driver. The photo film 62 has a perforation 70 indicating the position of each frame 68 and a magnetic recording section 72, and can record information such as photographic data and a title for each frame as magnetic information. The developed photographic film 62 is stored in a state of being stored in the film cartridge 42. Specifically, a film cartridge compatible with the 24 mm new photo system corresponds to this.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the film scanner. This film scanner 40
Are mainly a light source 74 for illumination, a motor control unit 76 for film transport, a lens 78, a CCD image sensor 30
(Or 20), an analog signal processing unit 80, a digital signal processing unit 82, a recording unit 84, a control unit 86 including a control CPU, and the like. Light source 74 illuminates photographic film 62 via an infrared (IR) filter 88. The image light transmitted through the film is focused on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 30 via the stop 90 and the lens 78.

The optical image formed on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 30 is charged for a predetermined time in each of the photosensitive pixels 32 having any one of R, G, and B filters, and has an amount corresponding to the light intensity. R, G, and B signal charges.
The signal charge thus accumulated is transferred to the vertical transfer CCD by a read pulse of a predetermined cycle applied from the CCD driving unit 92.
And then sequentially read out by applying a vertical transfer pulse and a horizontal transfer pulse.

The signal output from the CCD image sensor 30 is applied to an analog signal processing section 80, where processing such as color separation, gain adjustment, and offset adjustment is performed. Specifically, a gain is applied to the color signal so that the white balance is adjusted on the base of the film negative (gain adjustment), and the input range of the A / D converter 94 is adjusted (offset adjustment).

The signal output from the analog signal processing section 80 is converted into a digital signal by an A / D converter 94, and is then applied to a digital signal processing section 82 at the next stage. C
The CD image sensor 30, the analog signal processing unit 80, and the A / D converter 94 are provided with a synchronizing signal from the CCD driving unit 92. The details will be described later. Line drive control and area drive control of the CCD image sensor 30 are performed.

The digital signal processing section 82 includes a negative / positive inverting circuit, a white balance adjusting circuit, a gamma correction circuit, a luminance / color difference signal generating circuit, and the like, and controls the control section 86 for a signal received from the A / D converter 94. A predetermined process is performed based on the control. That is, the signal received from the A / D converter 94 is white-balanced at the same time as the negative / positive inversion processing, further gamma-processed, sent to the recording unit 84 and recorded.

The image data written in the recording section 84 is supplied to a television signal processing section 96, where it is converted into a predetermined video signal of the NTSC system or the like, and the television receiver 48 and other display sections (hereinafter referred to as display sections). 48.). Thus, the image recorded on the photo film 62 is displayed on the display unit 48. The recording unit 84
Can be output to an external device such as a personal computer (not shown) via the external output interface 98. For example, by connecting a personal computer to the external output interface 98, it becomes possible for the personal computer to download the data of the film image read by the film scanner 40.

Although the specific structure of the means for transporting the photographic film 62 is not shown, the film driving means is shown in FIG.
A spool drive shaft that engages with the spool 60 of the film cartridge 42 described in
And a motor for applying a rotational driving force to the spool drive shaft and the take-up spool, a capstan roller and a pinch roller disposed in the film transport path.

A reference numeral 100 in FIG.
Are provided. The optical sensor is a perforation 70 of the photographic film 62.
And a sensor for detecting optical data such as a barcode written on the film edge,
Information detected by these sensors is notified to the CPU of the control unit 86.

The magnetic sensor is a sensor (magnetic reproducing head) for reading magnetic information recorded in the magnetic recording section 72 of the photographic film 62. The information detected by the magnetic sensor is notified to the CPU of the control section 86. It is stored in the RAM in the control unit 86. The data recorded in the RAM can be rewritten, and the data in the RAM is converted into a signal for magnetic recording and then output to a magnetic recording head (not shown), so that the magnetic recording section 72 of the photographic film 62 can be used.
It is also possible to write information to the.

The control unit 86 controls and controls each circuit of the apparatus, and has a ROM in which a control program and various data are stored. The control unit 86 calculates an exposure value based on a video signal received from the digital signal processing unit 82 and performs a CCD driving unit 92 and an aperture control unit 10 based on an input signal from the user interface 102.
4, and also controls the writing / reading process in the recording unit 84 while controlling the imaging system such as the motor control unit 76. Note that the user interface 102 is used for instructions and inputs such as selection of a mode and selection of each processing item.

Next, the operation of the film scanner having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the film scanner 42 is loaded with the film cartridge 42, the light shielding door 64 of the cartridge is opened, and the film is loaded. Then, the pre-processing including the initial setting is executed by using the base area of the leader portion of the film, and the photo film 62 can be scanned. In the flowchart of FIG. 11, this state is described as “initial state” (step S110).

Here, it is determined whether or not to create an index image (step S112), and the process branches depending on whether or not an index image has been created. Whether or not to create an index image is left to the user's choice,
The user can arbitrarily set whether or not to display the index image by operating the keypad 46 or the like.

If the setting to create an index has been made, a prescan is executed to perform index creation processing (step S114). During the prescan operation, the CCD image sensor 30 is driven and controlled by the linear driving method described with reference to FIG. In the CCD image sensor 30, a horizontal transfer CCD 36 is disposed in a direction orthogonal to the film feeding direction.
The photosensitive pixels 32 for the two lines closest to the above function as a linear image sensor. Charges (unnecessary charges) accumulated in other photosensitive pixels 32 are discarded by an overflow drain or an electronic shutter function.

The pre-scan operation is performed while transporting the photographic film 62 in the direction in which the photographic film 62 is pulled out of the cartridge.
And a second scan performed while rewinding the photo film 62 into the cartridge.
At the time of the first scan, the photographic film 62 is fed in a forward direction at a high speed (for example, 148.0 mm / sec), image data is taken in via two lines related to independent control of the CCD image sensor 30, and optical and magnetic Sensor 100
Frame detection, reading of magnetic information, and the like. At this time, the control unit 86 sends the RG of all frames from the A / D converter 94.
The B signal is captured for each color, the offset amount for each color signal,
And an amount of gain adjustment for white balance adjustment, and the offset data and AWB (auto white balance) data indicating the amount of gain adjustment are calculated for each frame by the CPU R.
AE (automatic exposure control) data indicating the brightness of each frame from the RGB signals of each frame in the same RA.
Store it in M.

At the time of the second scan, the photographic film 62
Is transported (rewinded) at a high speed (for example, 74.0 mm / sec) in the reverse direction, and image data is taken in again through two lines related to independent control of the CCD image sensor 30. At this time, the control unit 86 controls the aperture control unit 104 based on the AE data acquired in the first scan,
By controlling the D drive unit 92, the charge accumulation time of the CCD image sensor 30 is controlled, and the exposure amount for each frame is adjusted. Further, the control unit 86 controls the CCD drive unit 92 based on the AWB data acquired in the first scan to adjust the offset amount and the gain in the analog signal processing unit 80.

In the longitudinal direction of the photographic film 62, the image information is thinned out according to the film transport speed. The data is added on the CCD image sensor 30, and the short-side direction of the film is thinned out after or at the time of taking in the image data, and image data of small pixel size (thumbnail image data) that can be displayed as a square pixel Is obtained. In this way, the acquired image data of all frames is arranged in a matrix form by a plurality of frames, and an index image is formed. For example, 20 images of 4 × 5 frames are displayed in a list on the screen of the display unit 48, and when there are images of 21 frames or more, the images are displayed on the next screen or the subsequent images are displayed by scrolling. . in this way,
At the time of pre-scanning, it is possible to obtain information necessary for creating each image and generate an index image.

After displaying the index image, it is determined whether or not the automatic reproduction mode is set (step S).
116). When the user selects the automatic reproduction mode by a key operation or the like, the images of the respective frames are automatically and sequentially reproduced based on the information of each image and the magnetic information obtained by the prescan (step S118). At this time, the CCD image sensor 30 is driven by the area driving method described with reference to FIG. 6 and functions as an area image sensor. The film is transported for each frame and stopped at a predetermined position, and the image information of the entire frame is output from the CCD image sensor 30. An image related to this one-frame imaging (main imaging) is displayed on the display unit 48 on one screen. The AE / AWB data or the like acquired in the previous pre-scan may be changed according to the image data obtained by the area drive control.

After an image is displayed for one frame for a certain period of time, the process shifts to the reproduction process of the next frame.
2 are sequentially and successively reproduced. When the automatic reproduction program (slide show) ends, the photo film 62 is rewound (step S120). At the time of film rewinding, a magnetic information writing (rewriting) process is also performed by the user's selection, and the film cartridge 42 is ejected after the rewinding is completed (step S122).

If it is determined in step S112 that no index image is created, then it is determined whether or not the manual reproduction mode has been set (step S124). Manual playback is a playback method in which the user sequentially selects images and displays the images corresponding to the selection one by one. The user can arbitrarily select one of the above-described automatic playback mode and the manual playback mode. ing.

When the user selects the automatic playback mode,
The process proceeds to step S118, and the automatic reproduction process is sequentially performed from the first frame of the roll film according to a predetermined program (steps S118 to S12).
0). On the other hand, if the user selects the manual playback mode in step S124, the process then proceeds to a process for specifying various settings necessary for displaying an image on the display unit 48 of the television receiver or the like, specifying image processing information, and the like ( Step S126). At this time, a menu of various setting items and selection items are displayed on the display unit 48, and the user performs desired setting / selection, input of parameters, and the like while operating the keypad 46 and the like. In the case where the automatic reproduction is not selected in step S116 described above, step S12 is also performed.
The process proceeds to step S6. If the process (step S126) is reached after the creation of the index image, various inputs can be performed with reference to the index image.

The setting input items include, for example, vertical / horizontal setting of an image (upward designation), designation of a non-display frame during playback (designation of skip frame), setting of an interval time for continuous playback, and setting of a screen switching method. (Designation of fade-in / fade-out, etc.), environment setting such as background color at the time of reproduction, and the like. Predetermined items of these input items are recorded as magnetic information at the time of film rewinding (step S120).

After performing operations such as inputting, correcting, and editing information, the user moves the pointer (cursor) to "END" of the operation box on the screen and presses the execution key 55 to execute the process (step S126). Then, it is determined whether or not display for each frame is to be executed (step S128). When the user selects execution of each frame display, the user is requested to input a frame number to be displayed (step S130). When the user designates the frame number, the photo film 62 is transported to the position of the designated frame number, and the photographing (main photographing) of the film image corresponding to the designated frame number is executed (step S132). Also in this main imaging, the CCD image sensor 30 is controlled by the area driving method described with reference to FIG. In the case of such an area drive, image data for one frame can be obtained at a time, and image data can be continuously obtained, so that image information for image generation is optimized based on the obtained image data. It is also possible to correct and change the value. Thus, unlike a case where an image output cannot be obtained unless a film such as a linear image sensor is scanned once, an image can be confirmed almost in real time. Further, high quality image data can be obtained by using the feedback control.

In particular, if the imaging surface size of the CCD image sensor 30 is about 24 mm, which is about the exposure area size (13.5 mm × 24 mm) compatible with the new photographic system, a sufficient number of pixels can be realized and the resolution can be sufficiently secured. . In addition, when the pixel array has a honeycomb structure as described with reference to FIG. 3, there is an advantage that a spatial difference between G and RB lines is small and an image can be easily created.

At the time of such one-frame display, various information can be input, corrected, and edited (step S134).
For example, it is possible to instruct pan (horizontal movement) / tilt (vertical movement) of the image, rotate the image, zoom up / zoom down by the electronic zoom function, and specify the number of prints. The user operates the keypad 46 or the like to select a processing item (step S134), and a predetermined process is executed according to the selection (step S136).

Next, it is determined whether or not the operation by the user has been completed (step S138). When the user continues the operation, the process returns to step S130. When the user inputs the destination frame number, the photo film 62 is transported to the position of the frame number specified by the designation, moves to the designated frame number, and performs the same processing as described above (steps S132 to S13).
8) is performed. After the operation by the user is completed, the photo film 62 is rewound (step S120), and the film cartridge 42 is discharged (step S122).

In the case of the film scanner 40, the illuminating light source 47 is fixed and the photographic film 62 is also arranged at a predetermined position, so that the object to be imaged can be handled as a stationary object. Therefore, the interlaced drive described with reference to FIG. 7 can be employed for driving the CCD image sensor 30. In the case of such an interlace drive, there is an advantage that the amount of charges to be handled can be increased. In this regard, in a conventional film scanner using a linear image sensor, it is necessary to change the film transport speed in order to increase the charge accumulation time, and the control system becomes complicated.

According to the film scanner according to the embodiment of the present invention, there is an advantage that the conveyance control of the film becomes easy, and the index image and the image of the actual photographing can be easily and quickly created.

[0055]

As described above, the CCD according to the present invention is described.
According to the imaging device, among a plurality of two-dimensionally arranged photoelectric conversion elements, the transfer gate electrodes of one row or two adjacent rows of photoelectric conversion element lines are independently distinguished from other photoelectric conversion elements. Controllable structure, one CCD
The imaging device can be used as a linear image sensor or as an area image sensor.

When such a CCD image pickup device is applied to a film scanner and an index image is obtained (at the time of index scan), the CCD image pickup device is used as a linear image sensor to obtain a high-quality image for each frame. Since the CCD image pickup device is used as an area image sensor during actual imaging,
The index image can be obtained at a high speed, and the image of the main imaging can be easily and quickly obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the structure of an interline transfer CCD.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of a CCD image sensor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a structure of a CCD image sensor according to another embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a CCD having the honeycomb array structure shown in FIG.
Explanatory diagram showing a driving method of an image sensor

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a driving method when the CCD image sensor shown in FIG. 3 is used as a linear image sensor.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a driving method when the CCD image sensor shown in FIG. 3 is used as an area image sensor.

7 is a timing chart showing an interlace driving method of the CCD image sensor shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a system including a film scanner according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of a film cartridge used in the film scanner shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the film scanner shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation of the film scanner of this example.

[Explanation of symbols]

10: CCD image sensor 12, 32: photosensitive pixel (photoelectric conversion element) 14: vertical transfer CCD (vertical transfer path) 16, 36: horizontal transfer CCD (horizontal transfer path) 20, 30: CCD image sensor (CCD imaging device) Reference numeral 40: Film scanner 42: Film cartridge 62: Photo film 74: Light source 76: Motor control unit (film transport unit) 86: Control unit (CCD drive control unit) 92: CCD drive unit (CCD drive control unit)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4M118 AA10 AB01 AB10 BA13 CA19 DB01 DB03 DB08 FA06 FA13 FA43 GC08 GC14 5C022 BA16 5C024 AA01 CA24 DA04 FA01 GA11 GA17 HA21 HA23 JA31

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A vertical transfer path in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged, and a signal path stored in each of the photoelectric conversion elements is transferred in a vertical direction along a column direction of the arrangement. And a horizontal transfer path for transferring the signal charges sent from the array in the horizontal direction along the row direction of the array, wherein one of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements is adjacent to or adjacent to one row along the horizontal direction. A transfer gate electrode for transferring signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements for two rows to the vertical transfer path,
The signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements other than the one row or two adjacent rows are provided separately from the transfer gate electrodes for transferring the signal charges to the vertical transfer path.
A CCD image pickup device having a structure capable of independently controlling application of a read pulse voltage to transfer gate electrodes of a row of photoelectric conversion elements. 2. The photoelectric conversion element for one row or two rows adjacent thereto is one or two rows of photoelectric conversion elements closest to the horizontal transfer path in the two-dimensional array. The CCD imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The arrangement of the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements is such that, in rows of photoelectric conversion elements adjacent to each other, the arrangement of the photoelectric conversion elements in one row is different from the arrangement of the photoelectric conversion elements in the other row. 3. The CCD image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the CCD image pickup device is arranged so as to be relatively displaced by about 1/2 of the arrangement interval in the row direction. 4. A vertical transfer path in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arranged, and a signal path stored in each photoelectric conversion element is transferred in a vertical direction along a column direction of the arrangement; A transfer gate electrode for controlling a transfer gate for transferring signal charges accumulated in the vertical transfer path to the vertical transfer path, and a horizontal transfer for transferring signal charges sent from the vertical transfer path in a horizontal direction along a row direction of the array. Road and
A driving method of a CCD imaging device comprising: applying a read pulse voltage to transfer gate electrodes of photoelectric conversion elements for one row or two adjacent rows along the horizontal direction among the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements. A signal charge is read out, and the CCD image pickup device functions as a linear image sensor without applying a readout pulse voltage to the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion elements other than the one row or two adjacent rows. A drive control method, a second drive for reading out signal charges from all photoelectric conversion elements including the photoelectric conversion elements for one row or two adjacent rows, and causing the CCD imaging device to function as an area image sensor. Use one CCD imaging device as a linear image sensor by switching between the control method and The driving method of the CCD image pickup device, characterized by and used. 5. A film transport means for transporting a developed photographic film, a light source for illuminating the photographic film, and capturing an image recorded on the photographic film illuminated by the light source to convert the image into an electronic image signal. A plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are two-dimensionally arrayed, and a vertical transfer path for transferring signal charges accumulated in each photoelectric conversion element in a vertical direction along a column direction of the array. A horizontal transfer path for transferring the signal charges sent from the vertical transfer path in the horizontal direction along the row direction of the array,
A transfer gate electrode that transfers signal charges accumulated in one row or two adjacent rows of photoelectric conversion elements along the horizontal direction among the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements to the vertical transfer path,
The signal charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion elements other than the one row or two adjacent rows are provided separately from the transfer gate electrodes for transferring the signal charges to the vertical transfer path.
CC having a structure capable of controlling application of a read pulse voltage independently to transfer gate electrodes of photoelectric conversion elements for rows
A read pulse voltage is applied to the D imaging device and the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion elements of one row or two adjacent rows along the row direction of the array among the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements at the time of creating the index image. The CCD image pickup device functions as a linear image sensor without applying a read pulse voltage to the transfer gate electrodes of the photoelectric conversion elements other than the one row or two adjacent rows. A film scanner comprising: CCD drive control means for reading signal charges from all photoelectric conversion elements at the time of reproducing a frame image and causing the CCD imaging device to function as an area image sensor.