JP2003018454A - Imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus with less power consumption that is provided with an imaging device comprising pixels to be individually driven and can provide an image with high image quality. SOLUTION: A period of a drive signal sequentially provided to pixels of the imaging device is made to be variable, a period is shortened to photograph an image with high quality and by prolonging the period, power consumption is suppressed. The period of a drive signal is respectively varied with photographing a recording image, photographing an image other than the recording image, one shot of the recording image, consecutive shorts of a plurality of images, emission of a flash light for photographing the recording image, and no emission of the flash light.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device provided with an image pickup device for performing photoelectric conversion, and more particularly to an image pickup device provided with an image pickup device for individually erasing and outputting accumulated charges for each pixel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A digital camera repeatedly photographs an image at a substantially constant period, and records image data representing the photographed image on a recording medium in response to a recording instruction given by a user during the period. Many digital cameras are equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and the display device is used for reproducing and displaying an image recorded and recorded and for displaying an image during shooting. The user can set the composition and check the in-focus state while viewing the displayed image during shooting, that is, the live view, and the display device functions as an electronic viewfinder. The image data that is not recorded is used not only for live view display but also for focus adjustment of the photographing lens and control of the exposure amount of the image sensor.

The image sensor used in a digital camera is
Pixels that perform photoelectric conversion to generate electric charges and accumulate the generated electric charges are arranged two-dimensionally in a large number, but there are several types regarding the accumulation of electric charges and the output of a signal indicating the amount of accumulated electric charges. being classified. One of them is called a CMOS type.

The CMOS type image pickup device has a structure in which signal output to the outside is performed individually from each pixel, so that an external signal processing device for generating image data can process the output signals of the pixels in order. , All pixels output signals at different times. Further, each pixel outputs a signal having a magnitude corresponding to the amount of accumulated charge, not the accumulated charge itself, and holds the accumulated charge even after the signal is output. Therefore, the accumulated charges are erased when the photoelectric conversion is newly started. Although the photoelectric conversion is started by erasing the accumulated charges, the accumulated charges are also erased at different times for each pixel in order to make the photoelectric conversion times of all the pixels uniform.

In the CMOS type image pickup device, since the accumulated charges are erased at the start of photoelectric conversion, it is possible to perform constant exposure, and a shutter for regulating the exposure is unnecessary. On the other hand, it is necessary to control the drive of each pixel individually, and a first drive signal that instructs to erase stored charges, that is, start photoelectric conversion, and a second drive signal that instructs to output a signal representing the stored charges. The signal is applied to each pixel individually. The first and second drive signals are sequentially applied to different pixels,
The period from the application of the first drive signal to the application of the second drive signal corresponds to the photoelectric conversion time, that is, the electronic shutter speed, and is set according to the brightness of the subject. On the other hand, the period from the application of the first and second drive signals to one pixel to the application of another pixel is always set to be constant.

FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of the relationship between the pixel position of the CMOS type image pickup device and the photoelectric conversion time. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis t represents time and the vertical axis y represents the y coordinate on the image sensor. Further, the symbol RST indicates that the charge accumulated in the pixel is erased (the signal of the pixel is reset) by the first drive signal, and the symbol OUT indicates that the signal is output from the pixel by the second drive signal. Is shown. The x and y coordinates on the image sensor are as shown in FIG.
With the center O of the image sensor as the origin, the horizontal (horizontal) direction is x,
The vertical (vertical) direction is defined as y.

Generally, the first and second drive signals are sequentially given from the uppermost pixel row to the lowermost pixel row, and therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the start time and the end time of photoelectric conversion are Different for each pixel column. For this reason, the photoelectric conversions are for capturing the same image, but the timings do not match. Fig. 6 shows the photoelectric conversion timing in the xy coordinate system.
become that way. It should be noted that, instead of expressing a fine difference in time, in FIG. 6, the time is schematically expressed in four shades. On the other hand, the photoelectric conversion time, that is, the length of time for photoelectric conversion is constant for all pixels, as shown by uniform density in FIG.

In each pixel column, the first and second drive signals are sequentially applied from the leftmost pixel to the rightmost pixel. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion time also differs within the pixel column. However, the difference in the photoelectric conversion timing within each pixel column is small.

The difference in the photoelectric conversion timing between the pixel columns does not cause any particular problem when photographing a stationary subject. However, when the object to be photographed moves, the image of the object to be photographed is distorted. For example, when the object to be photographed descends or rises in the vertical direction, it expands or contracts in the vertical direction, and when it moves in the horizontal direction, the positions of the upper part and the lower part are displaced and the distortion occurs. Such image distortion increases as the difference in photoelectric conversion timing increases.

In photographing in a dark environment, flash light is emitted during photoelectric conversion to illuminate the object to be photographed. However, the difference in the photoelectric conversion timing for each pixel row causes a problem even when flash light is emitted. . This is because the flash emission time is extremely short, and if the flash light is not emitted within the photoelectric conversion time of all the pixel columns, an image of the imaging target that is not partially illuminated will be captured.

An example is shown in FIG. In this, the photoelectric conversion timing is set as shown in FIG. 5, and the flash light is emitted immediately before the end of the photoelectric conversion time of the uppermost pixel row. The symbol FL indicates flash emission. In this case, the lower pixel row starts photoelectric conversion after the flash emission ends, and the captured image is illuminated by the flash light with the portion B illuminated by the flash light B as shown in FIG. There will be a portion D that has not been processed.

Therefore, in the conventional digital camera equipped with the CMOS type image pickup device, as shown in FIG. 10, when the flash light is emitted, the photoelectric conversion time is lengthened so that the pixel at the upper end, the pixel row and the pixel at the lower end. The photoelectric conversion times of the columns are partially overlapped. As a result, all the pixels can be brought into a state where photoelectric conversion is performed when the flash light emission FL is performed, and as shown in FIG. 11, a portion D which is not illuminated by the flash light from the captured image.
Can be eliminated. However, if the photoelectric conversion time is lengthened, there is a problem in that the quality of the image is deteriorated due to camera shake of the user holding the camera.

[0013]

The difference between the photoelectric conversion timings is that the period of the first and second drive signals is shortened, that is, the reset RST of the pixel and the gradient of the signal output OUT in FIG. 5 are increased. Therefore, it can be reduced. Further, by doing so, all pixels can be brought into a state of performing photoelectric conversion at one time point without lengthening the photoelectric conversion time. That is, the first and second
By shortening the cycle of the drive signal of, it is possible to solve almost all of the above problems.

However, shortening the cycle of the drive signal causes an increase in power consumption, as is known in various digital devices such as computers. In a portable device such as a digital camera, since a battery is used as a power source, an increase in power consumption directly leads to a reduction in the usable period of the device, which is not particularly preferable.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is possible to provide a high-quality image while having an image pickup device composed of pixels that are individually driven, and yet consume less power. An object is to provide a small number of imaging devices.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has a plurality of pixels for generating and accumulating charges by photoelectric conversion and outputting a signal representing the amount of accumulated charges. An image sensor for individually erasing charges and outputting signals is provided for each pixel, and a first drive signal for instructing to erase accumulated charges and a second signal for instructing signal output during exposure of the image sensor are provided. An imaging device that captures an image by applying a drive signal to different pixels of an image sensor at a predetermined cycle and generating image data from a signal output from the pixel of the image sensor. In the case of shooting an image for recording according to a given recording instruction, the periods of the first and second drive signals when shooting the image for recording are set to the first period when shooting an image other than the image for recording. , From the cycle of the second drive signal To shorten.

It is desirable that the quality of the image for recording is high.
This is achieved by shortening the periods of the first and second drive signals when capturing an image for recording and reducing the difference in photoelectric conversion timing between pixels. On the other hand, the quality of the image other than that for recording does not have to be particularly high as long as display, focus adjustment, exposure control and the like can be appropriately performed. That is, when capturing an image other than for recording, the period of the first and second drive signals may be lengthened to increase the difference in photoelectric conversion timing between pixels. By doing so, the power consumption can be greatly reduced.

The present invention also has a plurality of pixels for generating and accumulating charges by photoelectric conversion and outputting a signal representing the amount of the accumulated charges, and erasing the accumulated charges and outputting the signals individually for each pixel. An image sensor for performing the image pickup is provided, and a first drive signal for instructing the erasing of accumulated charges and a second drive signal for instructing the output of the signal are exposed to different pixels of the image sensor at a predetermined cycle while the image sensor is exposed. An image pickup apparatus for giving an image by generating image data from a signal output from a pixel of an image pickup element and taking an image for recording in response to a recording instruction. Accordingly, a first mode for taking one image for recording and a second mode for taking a plurality of images for recording in response to one recording instruction are provided. The first and second The period of the motion signal, shorter than the first period of the second driving signal when capturing an image for recording in the second mode.

The first mode is suitable for recording a moment when the subject is stationary and the subject is moving, and the second mode is for moving the subject while the subject is moving. Suitable for shooting the flow of as a movie. Although it is desirable for the quality of the image for recording to be high, it is preferable to set it according to these shooting conditions. When a recording image is captured in the first mode, the period of the first and second drive signals is shortened to reduce the difference in photoelectric conversion timing between pixels, thereby reducing the moving image of the capturing target. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of distortion. When the image for recording is taken in the second mode, by lengthening the period of the first and second drive signals, even if the difference in photoelectric conversion timing between pixels becomes large, the quality of the moving image is not so affected. Without doing so, power consumption can be reduced.

The present invention further has a plurality of pixels that generate and accumulate charges by photoelectric conversion and output a signal representing the amount of accumulated charges, and erase accumulated charges and output signals individually for each pixel. An image sensor for performing the image pickup is provided, and a first drive signal for instructing the erasing of accumulated charges and a second drive signal for instructing the output of the signal are exposed to different pixels of the image sensor at a predetermined cycle while the image sensor is exposed. An image pickup apparatus for taking an image by generating image data from a signal output from a pixel of an image pickup element and taking an image for recording according to a recording instruction. When shooting a recording image in the first mode, a first mode in which a flash light is emitted at the time of shooting and a second mode in which a flash light is not emitted at the time of shooting an image for recording are provided. First and second The period of the drive signal, is shorter than the first period of the second driving signal when capturing an image for recording in the second mode.

In the first mode of emitting flash light,
When the period of the first and second drive signals is short and all pixels are performing photoelectric conversion at the time of emitting the flash light,
It can be realized without increasing the photoelectric conversion time. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an image in which the entire subject is illuminated without deterioration in image quality due to camera shake. In the second mode in which the flash light is not emitted, the cycles of the first and second drive signals are long, and therefore the power consumption in normal shooting is suppressed.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the digital camera 1 of this embodiment is schematically shown in FIG. The digital camera 1 includes a taking lens 11, an image sensor 12, a signal processing unit 13, a storage unit 14, a display unit 15,
The recording unit 16, the driving unit 17, the light emitting unit 18, the operating unit 19, and the control unit 20.

The taking lens 11 forms an image of the light from the subject on the image pickup device 12. The taking lens 11 includes a diaphragm (not shown) with a variable aperture that regulates the diameter of the light flux, and the amount of light received by the image sensor 12 can be adjusted by the aperture of the aperture. The image sensor 12 is an area sensor in which a large number of pixels that perform photoelectric conversion are two-dimensionally arranged. Image sensor 12 is C
It is a MOS type, and each pixel is provided with an output path for outputting a signal representing the accumulated charge to the outside and an input path for receiving a drive signal.

The signal processing unit 13 converts the analog signal output from the pixel of the image pickup device 12 into a digital signal and performs various processes such as pixel interpolation, white balance adjustment and γ correction on the converted digital signal, Image data representing an image formed on the image sensor 12 is generated. Image sensor 1
An image is captured by a series of processes from photoelectric conversion by 2 to generation of image data by the signal processing unit 13.

The storage unit 14 temporarily stores the image data generated by the signal processing unit 13. The display unit 15 is the storage unit 14.
The image represented by the image data stored in is displayed. The number of pixels of the display unit 15 is a fraction of the number of pixels of the image sensor 12, and when the image data is generated from the output signals of all the pixels of the image sensor 12, the display unit 15 displays the image. The image data to be used has a ratio of one pixel to several pixels. The recording unit 16 compresses the image data stored in the storage unit 14 and records it on a removable recording medium such as a memory card.
Recording is performed according to an instruction from the control unit 20.

The drive section 17 gives a drive signal to the image pickup device 12 to control the operation of each pixel. Specifically, a first drive signal S1 instructing to erase the accumulated charge in the pixel and a second drive signal S2 instructing to output a signal from the pixel are provided. First drive signal S1 and second drive signal S2
Are individually given to each pixel of the image sensor 12.

The digital camera 1 does not have a mechanical shutter that regulates the exposure of the image pickup device 12,
2 is in a state where it is always exposed, but it is the first drive signal S that each pixel performs photoelectric conversion for generating image data.
It is from the time when 1 is given to the time when the second drive signal S2 is given. The time from when the drive unit 17 gives the first drive signal S1 to each pixel until the second drive signal S2 is given is
It corresponds to the photoelectric conversion time, that is, the shutter speed and is variable. The exposure amount of each pixel during photoelectric conversion is determined by the aperture of the taking lens 11 and the photoelectric conversion time.

The driving section 17 drives the first drive signal S1 and the first drive signal S1 from the pixel row at the upper end of the image pickup device 12 toward the pixel row at the lower end, and from the left end pixel to the right end pixel in each pixel row. Two drive signals S2 are sequentially applied. The time from applying the first drive signal S1 to one pixel to the next pixel is equal to the time from applying the second drive signal S2 to one pixel to the next pixel. That is, the periods of the first drive signal S1 and the second drive signal S2 are equal, and therefore the frequencies of both are also equal. However, the first and second
The periods (frequency) of the drive signals S1 and S2 of are variable.

The light emitting section 18 emits flash light toward the object to be photographed. The operation unit 19 includes several operation members operated by the user, and includes a button for instructing the start of shooting, a button for instructing to shoot and record an image for recording, and an operation mode of the digital camera 1. Includes dials to set.

The control unit 20 controls the overall operation of the digital camera 1 according to the instruction given by the user via the operation unit 19 and the set operation mode. For example, the drive unit 17 is caused to change the cycle of the drive signals S1 and S2, the recording unit 16 is caused to record image data, and the light emitting unit 18 is caused to emit light.

The digital camera 1 immediately displays the photographed image on the display unit 15 and provides a live view until a recording instruction is given. Until the recording instruction is given, the focus adjustment of the photographing lens 11 and the exposure amount control of the image sensor 12 are performed based on the generated image data. The exposure amount is controlled by adjusting the aperture diameter of the diaphragm of the taking lens 11 and adjusting the time difference between the first drive signal S1 and the second drive signal S2 that the drive unit 17 gives to the same pixel of the image sensor 12. To do.

The digital camera 1 shoots only one image data for recording when a recording instruction is given and records a still image recording mode of the image data, and when the recording instruction is given. , A moving image recording mode for recording a plurality of image data for recording and recording the image data. These modes are set by dialing the operation unit 19.

The still image recording mode has a main purpose of photographing and recording a stationary object to be photographed, and photographing and storing a momentary state of a moving object to be photographed. . On the other hand, the moving image recording mode has a main purpose of photographing a moving object at a plurality of times and recording it as a moving image. In the still image recording mode, it is required to shoot an image with high resolution and no distortion on the shooting target. In the moving image shooting mode, a very high resolution is not required, and some distortion may occur in the shooting target.

The still image recording mode includes a flash mode in which a flash light is emitted from the light emitting portion 18 to illuminate an object to be photographed when a recording image is photographed, and a stationary light mode in which the flash light is not emitted. These modes also operate the operation unit 19
Set by dialing. In flash mode,
Adjust the amount of flash light according to the brightness of the subject. In addition, all pixels emit flash light between the time when the first drive signal S1 is applied and the time when the second drive signal S2 is applied.

First applied to the image pickup device 12 from the drive unit 17
The cycle (frequency) of the drive signal S1 and the second drive signal S2 is changed according to whether a recording image or a non-recording image is captured, and even when a recording image is captured. Change according to the operation mode. In addition, the first,
The number of pixels that provide the second drive signals S1 and S2, that is, the number of pixels used for shooting, also depends on whether a recording image or a non-recording image is captured, and also depending on the operation mode. Change.

The resolution of the photographed image depends on the number of pixels that give the first and second drive signals S1 and S2. Further, the upper limit of the number of images (frame rate) captured in a unit time is the photoelectric conversion time, that is, the first drive signal S1 to the second
It is determined by the time until the drive signal S2. Operation mode in digital camera 1, first and second drive signals S
Table 1 shows the relationship between the frequencies of 1 and S2, the number of pixels that give the first and second drive signals S1 and S2, and the frame rate, taking the case where the total number of pixels of the image sensor 12 is 3 million as an example. Note that the non-recording mode in Table 1 refers to a state in which images other than those for recording are captured.

[0037] <Table 1>       Operating mode Frequency Number of pixels Frame rate   Unrecorded 2 MHz 60,000 fps   Still image recording (steady light) 20MHz 3,000,000 6fps   Still image recording (flash) 100MHz 3,000,000 30fps   Video recording 10MHz 300,000 30fps

With this setting, the resolution of the captured image is set to a height suitable for the purpose of the capturing, and the photoelectric conversion time of all the pixels is overlapped without increasing the photoelectric conversion time. It becomes possible to emit a flash light to. FIG. 2 schematically shows the relationship between the pixel position of the image sensor 12 and the photoelectric conversion time in the flash mode. This drawing is shown in correspondence with FIGS. 8 and 10 described above. Image sensor 1 even in flash mode
It is possible to realize shooting at a high frame rate of 30 fps, which is less likely to cause camera shake, while using all the pixels of 2.

Further, in the above setting, the drive signals S1 and S
It is also possible to suppress the power consumption that fluctuates according to the cycle (frequency) of 2. In particular, most of the time taken by the digital camera 1 is spent for taking images other than those for recording. Therefore, by increasing the period of the drive signal when taking images for other than recording, power consumption is reduced. It can be significantly reduced.

FIG. 3 shows an outline of the processing flow relating to the photographing operation of the digital camera 1 when the frequencies of the drive signals S1 and S2 are set as shown in Table 1. When an instruction to start photographing is given, first, the frequencies of the drive signals S1 and S2 are set to 2
The number of pixels to which MHz and the drive signals S1 and S2 are given is 60,000 (step # 5). Then take an image (# 1
0), the photographed image is analyzed for focus adjustment and exposure amount control (# 15), and the photographed image is displayed on the display unit 15 (# 20). Then, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to end the photographing (# 25), and when the instruction is given, the processing ends.

When there is no instruction to end photographing, it is judged whether or not there is a recording instruction (# 30). When there is no recording instruction, the process returns to step # 10. Shooting in step # 10 and step # 2
A live view is provided by repeating the display of 0. During the display of the image in step # 20, the focus of the taking lens 11 and the aperture diameter of the diaphragm are adjusted based on the analysis result in step # 15, and the analysis result is reflected in the shooting of the next image. To do.

If there is a recording instruction in the determination in step # 30, it is determined whether the still image recording mode or the moving image recording mode is set (# 35). When the still image recording mode is set, it is further determined whether or not the flash mode is set (# 4
0).

When the flash mode is not set, that is, when the stationary light mode is set, the frequencies of the drive signals S1 and S2 are 20 MHz and the drive signal S is 20 MHz.
Change the number of pixels giving 1 and S2 to 3 million (# 4
5). Then, the image for recording is photographed (# 50), and the generated image data is stored in the storage unit 14 (# 55).
When the flash mode is set, the drive signal S
Frequency of 1 and S2 is 100 MHz, drive signals S1 and S2
The number of pixels that give is changed to 3 million (# 60). Then, an image for recording is photographed while emitting flash light from the light emitting unit 18 (# 65), and the generated image data is stored in the storage unit 14 (# 70). Steps # 55, # 7
After storing at 0, the recording unit 16 stores the image data in the storage unit 1.
4 is read, compressed, and recorded on a recording medium (# 9
5). Then, the process returns to step # 5.

When the moving image recording mode is set in the determination in step # 35, the frequency of the drive signals S1 and S2 is 10 MHz, and the number of pixels giving the drive signals S1 and S2 is 3
Change to 0,000 (# 75). Then, a recording image is photographed (# 80), the generated image data is stored in the storage unit 14 (# 85), and it is determined whether or not there is a recording end instruction (# 90). If there is no instruction to end recording, step #
Return to 80. With this, the image for recording is repeatedly photographed. When there is an instruction to end recording, all the image data stored in step # 85 is read out and compressed,
Recording on a recording medium (step # 95), step # 5
Return to.

Here, the total number of pixels of the image pickup device 12, the period (frequency) of the first and second drive signals S1 and S2, the number of pixels to which the first and second drive signals S1 and S2 are given, and the like. However, the present invention is not limited to these numerical values. The period of the drive signal and the number of pixels used to capture an image by providing the drive signal are determined in consideration of the total number of pixels of the image sensor to be used, the image resolution and frame rate according to the capturing purpose, the format of the recording medium, etc. Good to set. Further, the basic concept of the present invention of setting the cycle of the drive signal according to the operation mode can be applied to an image pickup apparatus provided with an operation mode other than the one shown here, achieving the required resolution and power consumption. This is useful for both reducing consumption.

[0046]

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION A first drive signal for instructing erasure of accumulated charge and a second drive signal for instructing output of a signal indicating the amount of accumulated charge are given to different pixels of an image sensor at a predetermined cycle to record. In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, the period of the first and second drive signals when capturing the image is shorter than the period of the first and second drive signals when capturing the image other than for recording. It is possible to suppress power consumption when capturing an image other than a recording image while improving the quality of the image for recording. Since the time taken to capture an image other than for recording accounts for most of the time that the image pickup apparatus operates, the power consumption is greatly reduced and the image pickup apparatus has a long usable period.

An image for recording is set to 1 in response to one recording instruction.
A first mode for photographing one image and a second mode for photographing a plurality of recording images in response to one recording instruction.
The cycle of the first and second drive signals when capturing the image for recording in the mode is less than the cycle of the first and second drive signals when capturing the image for recording in the second mode. The short imaging device of the present invention can capture a still image and a moving image, and can reduce power consumption while improving the quality of a still image.

There are a first mode in which flash light is emitted when a recording image is taken, and a second mode in which flash light is not emitted when a recording image is taken. The first and the second when taking an image for recording
In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, the cycle of the drive signal is shorter than the cycle of the first and second drive signals when the image for recording is taken in the second mode. It is possible to realize the state in which the photoelectric conversion is being performed without increasing the photoelectric conversion time. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an image in which the entire subject is illuminated without deterioration in image quality due to camera shake. Moreover, power consumption during normal shooting in a bright environment can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of a digital camera according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a relationship between a pixel position of an image sensor and a photoelectric conversion time in a flash mode in the digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of a processing flow of a photographing operation in the digital camera.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a coordinate system on an image sensor.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the relationship between pixel positions and photoelectric conversion timing in a conventional digital camera.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the photoelectric conversion timing of pixels of the image sensor in the example of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing the photoelectric conversion time of pixels of the image sensor in the example of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an inappropriate relationship between a photoelectric conversion time and a flash light emission time in a conventional digital camera.

FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically showing the brightness of the image sensor in the example of FIG. 8 during photoelectric conversion.

FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing an example of an appropriate relationship between a photoelectric conversion time and a flash light emission time in a conventional digital camera.

11 is a diagram schematically showing the brightness of the image sensor in the example of FIG. 10 during photoelectric conversion.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 digital camera 11 Shooting lens 12 Image sensor 13 Signal processor 14 Memory 15 Display 16 Recording section 17 Drive 18 Light emitting part 19 Operation part 20 Control unit

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04N 5/335 H04N 5/335 Z // H04N 101: 00 101: 00 F term (reference) 2H002 AB04 BC06 BC11 CD14 GA00 HA06 JA07 JA09 ZA01 2H053 AB03 AD00 AD25 BA00 DA03 5C022 AA13 AB67 AC42 CA00 5C024 BX01 CX54 DX04

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A charge is generated and accumulated by photoelectric conversion,
A plurality of pixels that output a signal representing the amount of accumulated charge,
A second driving instruction for outputting a first driving signal and a signal for instructing the erasing of the accumulated charge while the imaging element is exposed; Is an imaging device that captures an image by applying the drive signal of 1 to different pixels of the image sensor at a predetermined cycle to generate image data from the signal output from the pixel of the image sensor, and repeatedly captures the image during the period. In recording an image for recording in accordance with a recording instruction given to the recording medium, the period of the first and second drive signals when recording the image for recording is set to the first when the image other than recording is recorded. 1st and 2nd
An image pickup device characterized by being shorter than the cycle of the drive signal of. 2. An electric charge is generated and accumulated by photoelectric conversion,
A plurality of pixels that output a signal representing the amount of accumulated charge,
A second driving instruction for outputting a first driving signal and a signal for instructing the erasing of the accumulated charge while the imaging element is exposed; Is an imaging device that captures an image by applying a drive signal of 1 to a different pixel of an image sensor at a predetermined cycle and generating image data from a signal output from the pixel of the image sensor. In the first mode in which one image for recording is photographed in response to one recording instruction, and in the second mode in which a plurality of images for recording are photographed in response to one recording instruction. Mode, and the periods of the first and second drive signals when capturing an image for recording in the first mode are the first and the second periods when capturing an image for recording in the second mode. An image pickup device characterized in that the period is shorter than the period of the drive signal of 2. 3. A charge is generated and accumulated by photoelectric conversion,
A plurality of pixels that output a signal representing the amount of accumulated charge,
A second driving instruction for outputting a first driving signal and a signal for instructing the erasing of the accumulated charge while the imaging element is exposed; Is an imaging device that captures an image by applying a drive signal of 1 to a different pixel of an image sensor at a predetermined cycle and generating image data from a signal output from the pixel of the image sensor. Which has a first mode in which a flash light is emitted when capturing an image for recording, and a second mode in which a flash light is not emitted when capturing an image for recording, Cycles of the first and second drive signals when capturing an image for recording in the first mode, and cycles of the first and second drive signals when capturing an image for recording in the second mode An imaging device characterized by being shorter than the above.