JP2001157108A - Image pickup device and image pickup method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image pickup device, capable of switching an addition readout system and an all pixel readout system having low power consumption and reading an image signal. SOLUTION: This image pickup device has an image pickup element 101, which selects either the entire pixel readout system that successively reads all pixel signals or the addition readout system that adds and reads the pixel signals of vertically adjacent horizontal lines and outputs a pixel signal, a trigger-generating means 103 generating a trigger, a mode switching means 104 switching a 1st or 2nd photographic mode according to the trigger generated by the trigger-generating means and an image pickup controlling means 104 controlling the image pickup element, so as to read an image signal in the photographic mode by the addition readout system and in the 2nd photographic mode by the all pixel readout system.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method, and more particularly to an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method for reading out pixel signals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image pickup apparatus using a solid-state image pickup device such as a CCD uses an ordinary NTSC or P
It is compatible with a television receiver using the AL method.
Therefore, the electric charges stored in the image sensor are added and read between horizontally adjacent horizontal lines, and the signal is output as one field as a signal of half the number of pixels of the image sensor every 1/60 second. One frame is composed of two fields in which horizontal lines to be added are alternated to improve the time resolution.

In recent years, there has been an increasing trend to output image signals generated by a solid-state image sensor to a television receiver as a conventional moving image and to output still images to other information devices such as computers and printers. I have. However, when a still image is created from the image signal generated by the above method, a vertical resolution is sacrificed in order to improve the time resolution, and a high-quality image cannot be obtained.

Therefore, a CCD using a progressive scanning (sequential scanning) system capable of reading out signals of all pixels, that is, signals of one frame, in 1/60 second without addition.
The image quality has been improved by reading and outputting the charges of all the pixels that do not have a time lag and using them to create a still image.

[0005]

However, in the conventional image pickup apparatus using these progressive CCDs, the driving clock frequency of the CCD is always set to 1/60 sec. It is driven twice as much as an imaging device using a normal interlaced CCD. Therefore, there is a problem that power consumption is wasted and power consumption is large.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image pickup apparatus and an image pickup method capable of reading out an image signal by switching between an addition reading method and an all-pixel reading method with low power consumption.

[0007]

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided either an all-pixel reading method for sequentially reading all pixel signals or an addition-reading method for adding and reading pixel signals between vertically adjacent horizontal lines. An image sensor that outputs a pixel signal by selecting a trigger, a trigger generating unit that generates a trigger, and a first unit that responds to a trigger generated by the trigger generating unit.
Mode switching means for switching between the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode, and imaging for controlling the imaging element so as to read by the addition reading method in the first imaging mode and by the all-pixel reading method in the second imaging mode. An imaging device having a control unit is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a pixel signal is selected by selecting one of an all-pixel reading method for sequentially reading all pixel signals and an addition and reading method for adding and reading pixel signals between vertically adjacent horizontal lines. (A) generating a trigger, (b) designating a first imaging mode or a second imaging mode according to the trigger, and (c) An image reading method when the first image capturing mode is designated, and reading by an all-pixel image reading method when the second image capturing mode is designated.

According to the present invention, the first method for performing addition reading is provided.
Can be switched to the second imaging mode in which all pixels are read only when necessary.
Normally, in the first imaging mode, reading is performed at a normal frequency,
In the second imaging mode, reading is performed at a high frequency. In that case,
Since switching to the second imaging mode and reading at a high frequency are performed only when necessary, power consumption can be reduced.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an imaging device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 101 denotes a pixel (photodiode) by selecting one of an all-pixel reading (so-called progressive reading) method of sequentially reading all pixels and an addition reading method of adding and reading pixel signals between horizontally adjacent horizontal lines. An image pickup device (CCD) 102 capable of outputting the stored charges as a signal,
01 is an A / D converter for converting the output signal from an analog format to a digital format, 103 is a trigger generator for generating a mode switching trigger by an operation of a button or switch by an operator, and 105 is a CCD 10 according to a reading method.
A timing generator for generating one drive signal;
Reference numeral 6 denotes a signal processing unit that processes a digital image signal output from the A / D converter 102, and 104 denotes an imaging control unit that controls the timing generator 105 and the signal processing unit 106 according to a reading method.

[0011] The imaging device has first and second imaging modes. In the first imaging mode, the CCD 101 adds and reads out the charges stored in the pixels (photodiodes) of the horizontal lines adjacent vertically and changing the combination every 1/60 second, and outputs two fields as one frame. . That is, an odd field is output by adding the second line and the third line, and an even field is output by adding the first line and the second line. In the second imaging mode, the charges of all the pixels are read and output as they are every 1/60 second.

The image signal SCCD is an image signal output from the CCD 101 and digitally converted by the A / D converter 102. The signal S1 is currently an even number (EVE
This is a field identification signal indicating which state is the N) field or the odd (ODD) field. First,
During imaging in the first imaging mode, the imaging control unit 104
D101 controls the timing generator 105 so as to perform addition reading. CCD 101 is 1/60 second,
That is, for each field, the electric charges accumulated in the pixels according to each field are added between one horizontal line adjacent vertically and read out and output.

Then, by operating the trigger generating device 103 during the imaging in the first imaging mode, the trigger generating device 103 generates and outputs a mode switching trigger S2. When the mode switching trigger S2 is input, the imaging control unit 104 determines that the end of one frame, that is, EVE
After the end of the N fields, the mode is switched to the second imaging mode. In the second imaging mode, the timing generator 105 is controlled so that the CCD 101 doubles the charge reading speed and reads all pixels. CCD101
Reads out all pixels every 1/60 second and outputs it as a signal for one frame. The mode switching trigger S2 can be generated continuously by the trigger generator 103 for each frame, or can be generated at intervals of a fixed frame.

The signal output from the CCD 101 is A / D
After being converted into a digital signal by the converter 102, the digital signal is input to the signal processing unit 106, and is output after performing processing such as color separation depending on a vertical correlation distance, gamma correction, white balance correction, and the like. Among the signal processing performed by the signal processing unit 106, the processing depending on the vertical correlation distance is as follows.
Since the processing is different between the case of outputting all pixels from the CCD 101 and the case of outputting by addition reading, this processing method is also performed by the imaging control unit 104 arbitrarily controlling the signal processing unit 106. . In order to output an image captured in the second imaging mode as a television signal, the information amount of all pixels must be halved and output in two fields as in the case of imaging in the first imaging mode. Must. In this case, the output of the CCD 101 is divided into two parts, and the pixel information read out from all the pixels is one from one.
The A / D converter 102 outputs the pixel information of the thinned out horizontal line from the other side, and outputs the pixel information of the thinned out horizontal line.
And the signal processing unit 106 performs parallel processing.
This can be dealt with by alternately outputting one by one for each field.

After the mode switching trigger S2 is no longer input, the imaging control unit 104 waits for the end of the EVEN field on the basis of the field identification signal S1 and sets the timing generator 105 and the signal processing unit 106 in the first imaging mode. To the state of.

FIG. 2 is a time chart showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment. For simplicity of description, one field is represented by signals for eight horizontal lines. SCC
D is an image signal output from the A / D converter 102. S1 is a field identification signal, which is at a high level (hereinafter, referred to as H) in an ODD field, and is at a low level (hereinafter, referred to as H) in an EVEN field.
L). The ODD field and the EVEN field are alternately switched. S2 is a mode switching trigger. SOUT1 is an image signal output from the signal processing unit 106.

The image signal SCCD is transmitted to the frame (ODD field and EVE) where the mode switching trigger S2 is generated.
The set of N fields is changed from the frame F2 next to the frame F1. In the frame F1, the addition reading method in the first imaging mode is used. In the frame F2, the all-pixel reading method in the second imaging mode is used. Since the mode switching trigger S2 is no longer generated, in the next frame F3, the mode is returned to the addition reading method of the first imaging mode and a signal is output. Image signal S
OUT1 is a signal to be output as a television signal from the imaging device. In the first one frame F1, the added and read out signal is output as it is, and when the mode switching trigger S2 is generated, the next frame F2 is output. In the first ODD field, a signal read out from all pixels during one field is thinned out by one horizontal line, such as a signal of an even-numbered horizontal line in the first EVEN field, and a signal of an odd-numbered horizontal line is output in the next EVEN field. In the frame F3 after the lapse of these two fields, the signal is switched to the added and read out signal, which is output as it is.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 10
Reference numeral 1 denotes an all-pixel reading (so-called progressive reading) method for sequentially reading all pixels or an addition reading method for adding and reading pixel signals between horizontally adjacent horizontal lines to read charges accumulated in pixels as a signal. An image sensor (CCD) 102 capable of outputting, an A / D converter 102 for converting an output signal of the CCD 101 from an analog format to a digital format, and 103 a mode switching trigger S2 according to an operation of a button or switch by an operator
203, an imaging mode control unit for controlling an imaging mode; 105, a timing generator for generating a drive signal for the CCD 101 in accordance with a readout method; 202, a drive control unit for controlling a clock in accordance with an imaging mode , 201 are signal processing units for processing image signals output by digital conversion by the A / D converter 102;
Reference numeral 204 denotes a frame memory that stores image signals for one frame, 205 denotes a switch for switching the input source of the image signal, and 206 denotes a signal processing unit that processes the image signal from the switch 205.

The image signal SCCD is an image signal output from the CCD 101 and then digitally converted by the A / D converter 102. The signal S1 is a field identification signal indicating whether the current state is the EVEN field or the ODD field. First, during imaging in the first imaging mode, the drive control unit 202 supplies the clock S4 to the timing generator 105 so that the CCD 101 performs addition reading. Under the control of the timing generator 105, the CCD 101 adds and reads out the electric charges accumulated in the pixels for 1/60 second, that is, for each field, between one horizontal line adjacent vertically and outputs them. .

The output signal is supplied to the A / D converter 102
After the conversion into a digital signal, the signal is input to the signal processing unit 201, and a process depending on a vertical correlation distance such as color separation is performed. The signal processing speed of the signal processing unit 201 is also controlled by the drive control unit 202. In addition, the vertical correlation distance differs depending on whether the output from the CCD 101 is added and read out and when all the pixels are read out. Therefore, the signal processing unit 201 reads out the signal based on the imaging mode signal S3 from the imaging mode control unit 203. The method is determined and the processing method is sequentially changed. Imaging mode control unit 203
Sets the imaging mode signal S3 to "L" in the first imaging mode.
And outputs it to the switch 205. Thereby, the switch 205 is connected so as to output the image signal output from the signal processing unit 201 to the signal processing unit 206 as it is.

Then, by operating the trigger generator 103 during the imaging in the first imaging mode, the trigger generator 103 generates and outputs a mode switching trigger S2. When the mode switching trigger S2 is input, the drive control unit 202 switches to the second imaging mode after waiting for the end of one frame, that is, the end of the EVEN field, after seeing the field identification signal S1. In the second imaging mode, the frequency of the clock S4 controlling the timing generator 105 and the signal processing unit 201 is doubled. At the same time, the imaging mode control unit 203 also sets the imaging mode signal S3 to "H" and switches the switch 205 after waiting for the end of one frame. The switch 205 connects the frame memory 204 and the signal processing unit 206.
The CCD 1 is controlled by the timing generator 105.
Reference numeral 01 doubles the charge readout speed and switches to all-pixel readout, reads out all pixels every 1/60 second, and outputs a signal for one frame. The mode switching trigger S2 can be generated continuously by the trigger generator 103 for each frame, or can be generated at intervals of a fixed frame.

The signal for one frame output from the CCD 101 in the all-pixel reading is input to the signal processing unit 201, where a process such as color separation depending on the vertical correlation distance is performed. The image signal output from the signal processing unit 201 is temporarily stored in the frame memory 204. Frame memory 2
04, writing is performed at the same frequency as the frequency at which all the pixels are read from the CCD 101. On the other hand, the read frequency is set to half of this frequency, and the stored signal for one frame is read in two fields. . The image signal of each field is supplied to the signal processing unit 206 via the switch 205. Signal processing unit 206
Performs gamma correction, white balance correction, and the like on the image signal and outputs it as an output signal SOUT2.

When the mode switching trigger S2 is no longer generated, the drive control unit 202 waits for the end of the EVEN field again based on the field identification signal S1 and returns the clock frequency to the original frequency (1/2 frequency). By returning, the mode returns to the first imaging mode, and the imaging mode signal S3 output by the imaging mode control unit 203 also becomes “L” again, and the switch 205 is switched. The switch 205 connects the signal processing unit 201 and the signal processing unit 206. The image signal output from the switch 205 is subjected to gamma correction and white balance correction by the signal processing unit 206 and output.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment. For simplicity of description, one field is represented by signals for eight horizontal lines. SCC
D is an image signal output from the A / D converter 102. S1 is a field identification signal, which becomes "H" in an ODD field and becomes "L" in an EVEN field. S2 is a mode switching trigger. S3 is an imaging mode signal, which changes from "L" to "H" after waiting for the end of the frame F1 when the mode switching trigger S2 rises, and returns to "L" again at the end of the next one frame F2. S4 is a clock output from the drive control unit 202. The frequency is doubled after waiting for the end of the frame F1 when the mode switching trigger S2 rises, and the mode switching trigger S2 is not generated anymore. At the end of this one frame F2, the frequency returns to the original frequency (1/2 frequency) again.

The charge reading method of the image signal SCCD changes according to the change of the frequency of the clock S4 input to the timing generator 105. First one
In the frame F1, the image signal SCCD read by the addition reading method is output. Mode switching trigger S2
Is generated, a signal SCCD read out by the all-pixel readout method is output in the next one frame F2.
SOUT2 is a signal processing unit 206 (that is, an imaging device)
This is the signal output from. In the first one frame F1, the signal SCCD read out by addition is directly used as the signal SOU.
Output as T2. From the next frame F2, all the pixels are read out during one field and stored once in the frame memory 204. In the first ODD field, the signal SOUT2 of the even-numbered horizontal line, the next EVEN
In the field, an odd-numbered horizontal line signal SOUT2
Is output over two fields. In the frame F3 after the lapse of these two fields, the signal S
The CCD switches to the signal that has been added and read, and the signal is output as it is as the signal SOUT2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 301 is a line memory for storing image signals for one horizontal line, 302 is an addition circuit for sequentially adding and outputting the image signal from the line memory 301 and the currently read image signal, and 303 is an input source of the image signal And 304, a signal processing unit that processes the image signal output from the switch 303. The other parts are the same as the parts denoted by the same reference numerals in FIG.

The SCCD is a signal output from the CCD 101 and digitally converted by the A / D converter 102. S1 is a field identification signal indicating whether the current state is the EVEN field or the ODD field. First, during imaging in the first imaging mode, the drive control unit 202 supplies a clock S4 to the timing generator 105 so that the CCD 101 performs addition reading. C
The CD 101 is controlled by the timing generator 105 for 1/60 sec.
The data is added and read out and output between horizontal lines. The output signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 102 and output. The imaging mode control unit 203 sets the imaging mode signal S <b> 3 to “L” and outputs the signal to the switch 303.
As a result, the switch 303 is connected to the A / D converter 102
Are connected so as to output the signal output from the signal processing unit 304 as it is. The signal processing unit 304 performs processing that depends on a vertical correlation distance such as color separation, gamma correction, and white balance correction, and outputs the result.

By operating the trigger generator 103 during the imaging in the first imaging mode, the trigger generator 103 generates and outputs a mode switching trigger S2. When the mode switching trigger S2 is input, the drive control unit 202 switches to the second imaging mode after seeing the field identification signal S1 and waiting for the end of one frame, that is, the end of the EVEN field. In the second imaging mode, the frequency of the clock S4 controlling the timing generator 105 is doubled. At the same time, the imaging mode control unit 203 also waits for the end of one frame, sets the imaging mode signal S3 to “H”, and switches the switch 303. The switch 303 connects the addition circuit 302 and the signal processing unit 304. Timing generator 1
By the control of 05, the CCD 101 doubles the charge reading speed to read all pixels. That is, 1/60
Every pixel is read out every second and a signal for one frame is output. This mode switching trigger S2 is the trigger generator 1
03 to generate continuously for each frame,
It is also possible to generate them at intervals for every fixed frame.

A signal output from the CCD 101 in reading all pixels is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 102, and then temporarily stored in the line memory 301 for each signal of one horizontal line. The signal read from the line memory 301 with a delay of one horizontal line is added to the signal currently output from the CCD 101 by the addition circuit 302 and input to the switch 303. The adder circuit 301 receives the field identification signal S1 and outputs an EVEN field or ODD.
The combination of horizontal lines to be added is changed alternately one line at a time in accordance with the field and added. The image signal of each field is supplied to the signal processing unit 304 via the switch 303. The signal processing unit 304 performs gamma correction, white balance correction, and the like on the image signal, and outputs the output signal SOUT3.
Output as

When the mode switching trigger S2 does not occur, the drive control unit 202 returns to the original frequency (1/2 frequency) after waiting for the end of the EVEN field based on the field identification signal S1. This returns to the first imaging mode. The imaging mode signal S3 output from the imaging mode control unit 203 becomes “L” again, and the switch 303 switches. The switch 303 includes the A / D converter 102 and the signal processing unit 304
And connect.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment. For simplicity of description, one field is represented by signals for eight horizontal lines. SCC
D is an image signal output from the A / D converter 102. S1 is a field identification signal, which becomes "H" in the ODD field and becomes "L" in the EVEN field. S2 is a mode switching trigger. S
Reference numeral 3 denotes an imaging mode signal, and a mode switching trigger S2
Waiting for the end of the frame F1 at the time of rising, the signal changes from "L" to "H" and returns to "L" again at the end of the one frame F2 because the mode switching trigger S2 is no longer generated. S4 is a clock output from the drive control unit 202. The frequency is doubled after waiting for the end of the frame F1 when the mode switching trigger S2 rises, and the mode switching trigger S2 is not generated anymore. At the end of this one frame F2, the frequency returns to the original frequency (1/2 frequency) again. SOUT3
Is an image signal output from the signal processing unit 304 (that is, the imaging device).

As the frequency of the clock S4 input to the timing generator 105 changes, the charge reading method changes. In the first frame F1, a signal SCCD read out by the addition reading method is output. In the next one frame F2, a signal SCCD read out from all pixels is output. SOUT3 is a signal output from this imaging device. In the first frame F1, the signal SCCD read out by addition is directly used as the signal SOUT3.
Is output as From the next frame F2, the addition circuit 3
02, two horizontal lines are added and output while changing the combination to be added for each field. OD
In the D field, for example, the second line and the third line are added, and in the EVEN field, for example, the first line and the second line are added. In the subsequent frame F3, the mode is switched to the first imaging mode, and the signal SCCD that has been added and read out is output as it is as the signal SOUT3.

According to this embodiment, in the first imaging mode in which addition reading is performed at a normal clock frequency, the end of the frame is set from the point in time when the mode switching trigger is generated by the operator pressing a switch or the like. After waiting, the second imaging mode for automatically reading out all the pixels with the clock frequency doubled is set. In the second imaging mode, when the trigger is no longer generated, the second imaging mode is terminated after waiting for the end of the frame, and the mode automatically returns to the first imaging mode.
As a result, all pixels are read out by doubling the clock frequency only when necessary, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, the mode can be easily switched when necessary by an operator's switch operation or the like.

The present invention also includes a software program code for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment, which is implemented by operating according to a program stored in a computer (CPU or MPU) of the imaging apparatus. included.

In this case, the program code itself of the software realizes the function of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer, for example, storing the program code The recorded recording medium constitutes the present invention. As a recording medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, a hard disk,
An optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

It should be noted that each of the above embodiments is merely an example of a concrete embodiment for carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner. It is. That is, the present invention does not depart from the spirit or the main features thereof,
It can be implemented in various forms.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the first imaging mode in which addition reading is performed, it is possible to switch to the second imaging mode in which all pixels are read only when necessary. Usually, reading is performed at a normal frequency in the first imaging mode, and reading is performed at a high frequency in the second imaging mode. In that case, the mode is switched to the second imaging mode only when necessary, and reading is performed at a high frequency, so that power consumption can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a time chart illustrating an operation of the imaging apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 4 is a time chart illustrating an operation of the imaging apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

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

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing an operation of the imaging device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 101 CCD capable of performing both all-pixel reading and addition reading 102 A / D converter 103 Trigger generator 104 Imaging controller 105 Timing generator 106, 201, 206, 304 Signal processor 202 Drive controller 203 Imaging mode controller 204 Frame memory 205, 303 Switch 301 Line memory 302 Adder circuit SCCD Digitally converted signal from CCD S1 Field identification signal S2 Mode switching trigger S3 Imaging mode signal S4 Clock SOUT1, SOUT2, SOUT3 Output signal from imaging device

Claims (19)

[Claims] An image sensor for outputting a pixel signal by selecting one of an all-pixel reading method for sequentially reading all pixel signals and an addition and reading method for adding and reading pixel signals between vertically adjacent horizontal lines; And a mode switching unit that switches between a first imaging mode and a second imaging mode in accordance with a trigger generated by the trigger generation unit. In the first imaging mode, an addition reading method is used. An imaging control unit that controls the imaging element so as to read in the all-pixels reading mode in a second imaging mode. 2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said trigger generating means generates a trigger by an operation of an operator. 3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit configured to convert a pixel signal output from the imaging device from an analog format to a digital format. 4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising signal processing means for processing the digital pixel signals converted by said conversion means. 5. The signal processing means according to claim 1, wherein
5. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the digital pixel signal converted by the conversion means is processed in accordance with the image pickup mode. 6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the signal processing unit outputs a pixel signal while reducing the number of lines of the image in the second imaging mode. 7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the signal processing unit thins out pixel signals in line units. 8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said signal processing means adds pixel signals between lines. 9. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the mode switching unit switches the first or second imaging mode after waiting for the end of the frame when the trigger is generated. 10. The mode switching means switches the first or second imaging mode after waiting for the end of the frame when the trigger occurs, and returns the mode again after waiting for the end of the next frame. The imaging device according to claim 9. 11. The mode switching means switches the first or second imaging mode after waiting for the end of the frame when the trigger is generated. If the trigger is not generated in the next frame, the mode switching unit determines the frame. 10. The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the mode is returned to the original state after waiting for the end of the operation. 12. The mode switching means according to claim 1, wherein
The imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein in the imaging mode, when the trigger is generated, the imaging apparatus switches to the second imaging mode after waiting for the end of the frame. 13. The image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup control means controls the image pickup device by setting a readout frequency in the first image pickup mode lower than a readout frequency in the second image pickup mode. An imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims. 14. The imaging apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the imaging control unit controls the imaging device by setting a read frequency in the first imaging mode to a half of a read frequency in the second imaging mode. 15. A first signal processing means for processing a digital signal converted by the conversion means, a storage means for storing the signal processed by the first signal processing means, and the storage Selecting means for selecting and outputting one of a signal outputted from the means and a signal outputted from the first signal processing means; and a second signal processing for processing a signal outputted from the selecting means. The imaging device according to claim 3, further comprising: 16. The first signal processing means and the selection means perform processing and selection according to the first or second imaging mode, and the imaging device and the first signal processing means 1
The imaging device according to claim 15, wherein the operation frequency is changed according to the second imaging mode. 17. A storage unit for storing a digital signal converted by the conversion unit, an addition unit for adding a signal output from the storage unit and a signal output from the conversion unit, and the addition unit. 4. A selecting means for selecting and outputting one of a signal output from the converting means and a signal output from the converting means, and a signal processing means for processing a signal output from the selecting means. Imaging device. 18. The imaging device according to claim 17, wherein the selection unit selects the first or second imaging mode, and the imaging device changes a read frequency according to the first or second imaging mode. An imaging device according to any one of the preceding claims. 19. An imaging method in an imaging apparatus for outputting a pixel signal by selecting one of an all-pixel reading method for sequentially reading all pixel signals and an addition and reading method for adding and reading pixel signals between vertically adjacent horizontal lines. (A) generating a trigger; (b) specifying a first imaging mode or a second imaging mode according to the trigger; and (c) specifying the first imaging mode. Readout by an addition readout method when performed, and reading by an all-pixels readout method when the second imaging mode is designated.