JP2004191480A - Solid-state image pickup element assembly and camera compensation method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To compensate a flaw such as the missing of the pixel of a solid-state image pickup element such as a CCD by incorporating a compensation program based on a stuck bar code seal where information on the flaw is recorded, and to add an update function to the information so as to use it for maintenance to be performed later. <P>SOLUTION: A radio tag 10 where encoded information on the defect of a solid-state image pickup element and the performance of an optical system is recorded is added to the solid-state image pickup element assembly 1. Recording information for maintenance is written on the tag 10. In the case of compensating the camera later, the information recorded on the tag 10 is read out and the performance of the camera is compensated by performing the required correction of the program based on the information read out, and also the compensated information is inputted in the tag 10 so as to update recorded contents. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a solid-state image sensor assembly, and more particularly to a lens assembly such as a CCD camera to which a wireless tag describing a history is attached.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A solid-state imaging device such as a CCD has an enormous number of pixels, and wrinkles (pixel defects: for example, missing pixels) may occur in some of the pixels. Such wrinkles are mostly due to unavoidable causes.
[0003]
There is an apparatus that samples a value of each pixel of a solid-state imaging device, compares it with a threshold value, detects wrinkles (pixel defects), and corrects the defects (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
However, in general, CCDs and the like are not managed at the factory at present, and a long bar code seal on which information on the cells is recorded is attached to a solid-state imaging device or its assembly to display the contents. In the solid-state imaging device with such a display, the contents of the bar code sticker are read by a microcomputer in the assembly process, and correction software is incorporated so as to avoid the influence of this wrinkle portion. In other words, the current situation is that the image in the vicinity of the eyelids is covered by the program and recovered. The long bar code seal is not necessary after matching the solid-state image sensor and the software used therewith. Therefore, conventionally, the bar code seal may be finally peeled off, and it is often difficult to manage at a later date, such as dropping from the lens assembly in the stage of adjustment.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-7675 (page 2-4, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Currently, among digital cameras, CCD is the top of expensive parts. If there is a small amount of wrinkles (missing pixels) due to manufacturing difficulties, this is converted into data such as a barcode, and this barcode is attached at the part level. Based on the attached barcode data, a defect correction program is incorporated to manufacture products that cover the defects. If this data is a conventional bar code type, the size of the bar code sticker is large, and sticking near a small CCD is difficult, and the sticker may be peeled off during the assembly manufacturing process. The conventional system was not a good system.
[0007]
In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides an improved technique for improving a bar code system attached to a conventional solid-state image pickup device assembly, recording defects and correction history, and using the system for later maintenance. For the purpose.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention improves the above-described prior art, uses a wireless tag instead of the above-mentioned data-converted barcode, attaches it to a solid-state image sensor or an assembly thereof, and incorporates the solid-state image sensor assembly into a camera. It is intended to be used for maintenance.
[0009]
That is, the present invention is a solid-state image sensor assembly to which a wireless tag recording encrypted information related to defects in the solid-state image sensor and performance of the optical system is attached. In the present invention, a wireless tag that records the individual performance of the lens, for example, the optical properties and the missing pixels of the CCD, is attached to the CCD itself or the assembly of the lens that has been attached up to the optical adjustment. When embedding or printing, etc., and incorporating it into the camera, the program is modified based on that information. Furthermore, it was made available for subsequent after-sales services.
[0010]
The wireless tag makes it possible to write maintenance record information. When the lens assembly including the CCD is repaired or the camera is corrected by the after-sales service, the recorded content of the wireless tag is updated. Therefore, the career becomes clear and can be suitably used for later maintenance.
[0011]
Next, the correction method of the camera according to the present invention reads the information recorded in the wireless tag when correcting the camera including the solid-state imaging device assembly to which the information reading / writing wireless tag is attached. The camera correction method is characterized in that a necessary program correction is performed to correct the performance of the camera, and the recorded information is updated by inputting the corrected information into the wireless tag.
[0012]
In the present invention, it is possible to perform maintenance after correcting the program at the time of assembly, for example, redo the correction program in the factory, or correct the camera recorded in the wireless tag in the after-sales service after shipment. Further, since the data at the time of maintenance (after) can be further added (updated) to the wireless tag, the re-correction at a later date can be appropriately performed based on this history.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lens assembly (solid-state image sensor assembly) 1 of a digital camera. The solid-state image sensor assembly 1 includes a lens unit 2, a CCD unit 3, a finder unit 4, a flexible circuit element 5, and the like, and is incorporated in a digital camera. Conventionally, a long bar code seal 6 has been attached to the solid-state imaging device assembly 1. The bar code seal 6 is a bar code seal that records information on the defects of the solid-state image sensor of the CCD unit. When the solid-state image sensor assembly 1 is incorporated into a digital camera, the information on the defects is read by a microcomputer. This is to commercialize the camera by adding corrections that cancel the influence to the operation program. The bar code seal 6 was not sufficiently managed after the correction program was created due to peeling off.
[0015]
In the present invention, the bar code seal 6 is replaced with the wireless tag 10 so that the bar code seal 6 is not dropped or lost, and is effectively used in a maintenance stage at a later date. That is, in the present invention, the wireless tag 10 is attached in place of the conventional bar code seal 6. The wireless tag 10 is attached to a portion avoiding the movable part or the assembly attachment part, for example, the body part 11 by sticking, embedding, printing, or other means. In the IC part of the wireless tag 10, information recorded on the conventional bar code sticker 6, that is, encrypted information regarding the defect of the solid-state image pickup device and the performance of the optical system, as well as by unit of the lens, the element and other units A serial number and other individual information are also recorded, and a new external information is written and stored.
[0016]
The wireless tag 10 is used in the assembly process in the same manner as the conventional bar code seal 6 and is then stored while being attached to the solid-state image sensor assembly 1. When the camera needs to be corrected for maintenance or the like at a later date, the recorded information is read out and appropriate program correction is performed, and the correction information is input to the wireless tag 10 and stored.
[0017]
In the above example, the digital camera has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to maintenance techniques such as program correction of other devices holding electronic data.
[0018]
【The invention's effect】
A solid-state image sensor assembly such as an optical input unit of a digital camera, for example, a lens system and an imaging unit such as a CCD, has few complete CCDs, and has some habits and wrinkles. In order to save many of these, a digital correction program is often written on the digital camera side when an optical input unit is incorporated. By applying a wireless tag to the solid-state image sensor assembly for applying the correction or correction program for this solid-state image sensor assembly, the characteristics (characteristics) of the optical system, including subsequent maintenance, can be understood, and corrections and other maintenance performed can be performed. By writing these records, it is possible to clarify the identity and history of the records and maintain a system that can maintain the optimum state at any time. This wireless tag also serves as a chart for the solid-state image sensor assembly.
[0019]
According to the present invention, it is possible to know how the solid-state imaging device assembly is corrected at the time of maintenance such as after-service, and when replacing a part, in addition to the part replacement information, when and which It is possible to write and manage the repairs. Subsequent camera correction can be performed properly with appropriate information.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solid-state image sensor assembly according to an embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solid-state image sensor assembly 2 Lens unit 3 CCD unit 4 Finder unit 5 Flexible circuit element 10 Wireless tag 11 Body

Claims (3)

A solid-state image sensor assembly, comprising a wireless tag that records encrypted information related to defects in the solid-state image sensor and optical system performance. The solid-state imaging device assembly according to claim 1, wherein the wireless tag is capable of writing maintenance record information. In correcting a camera equipped with the solid-state imaging device assembly according to claim 2, information recorded in the wireless tag is read out, and a necessary program correction is performed based on this information to correct the performance of the camera, and the correction is made. A method for correcting a camera, comprising: inputting information into the wireless tag to update a recorded content.

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