JP2004304375A - Photographing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing apparatus capable of surely imaging a moving body by detecting it at a low cost, and is suitable for tracking the moving body by detecting it at a low cost with sure. <P>SOLUTION: The photographing apparatus comprises an imaging element 10 of which an imaging mode is selected from a normal imaging mode and a moving body detecting mode, an optical system 20 for guiding an object image to the imaging element 10, an optical system operator 30 for setting the optical system 20 in a prescribed state, and a control device 40 which controls switching of imaging modes of the imaging element 10 and operation of the optical system operator 30. The control device 40 changes at least one of the imaging mode of the imaging element 10 and the state of the optical system 20 set by the optical system operator 30 according to the output of the imaging element 10 set in the moving body detection mode. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an imaging device capable of detecting a moving object and performing predetermined imaging.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of detecting a moving object, there has been known a method of imaging a region to be imaged and detecting the presence or absence of the moving object from image data obtained by the background difference method, the frame difference method, or the like.
[0003]
In addition, as a method of detecting the presence or absence of a moving object and capturing an image of the moving object when the moving object is detected, a method of using a plurality of cameras including a camera for detecting the presence or absence of the moving object and a camera for imaging the detected moving object is provided. There is known a method in which a single camera performs both detection of the presence or absence of a moving object and imaging of a moving object.
[0004]
The latter method is advantageous in that the number of cameras used is smaller, the cost is lower, and the energy consumption is lower than the former method. Furthermore, since the moving object is captured in the field of view of the camera that performs the moving object imaging, it is advantageous to shorten the time required from the detection of the moving object to the start of the moving object imaging.
[0005]
The latter method, that is, a method of performing both detection of the presence or absence of a moving object and imaging of a moving object with one camera is disclosed in, for example, JP-A-5-145823, JP-A-5-153449, and JP-A-9-21770. I have. According to the methods disclosed in JP-A-5-145823 and JP-A-5-153449, when a camera detects a moving object, a camera driving unit moves the camera based on the detection information, whereby the moving object is tracked. You. According to the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-212770, when a camera detects a moving object, the imaging direction and the imaging magnification of the camera are controlled for the moving object imaging, whereby the moving object is imaged.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-5-145823
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-5-153449
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-21770
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional moving object detection method is based on the background subtraction method, the frame difference method, or the like as described above, and these methods require complicated image processing, and therefore require a long time to detect a moving object. Even when the camera performs both detection of the presence or absence of a moving object and imaging of the moving object, the moving object may not be sufficiently tracked in some cases. In particular, it is difficult to track a moving object that moves at a high speed, or to track a moving object in an enlarged imaging state.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus capable of reliably detecting a moving object and imaging the moving object at low cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an imaging apparatus suitable for detecting a moving object and performing moving object tracking reliably and inexpensively.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
One of the inventors of the present application has developed an image sensor capable of switching the imaging mode between a moving object detection mode and a normal imaging mode (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-375029). This imaging device can easily and quickly detect the presence or absence of a moving object without requiring complicated image processing. If such an image sensor is used, processing from detection of a moving object to the start of moving object imaging can be performed quickly.
[0010]
Therefore, the first invention of the present application is to solve the above-mentioned problem,
An image sensor capable of switching an imaging mode between a normal imaging mode and a moving object detection mode,
An optical system for guiding a subject image to the image sensor,
An optical system operation unit for setting the optical system to a predetermined state,
A control device for switching an imaging mode of the imaging device and controlling an operation of the optical system operation unit,
An imaging device provided with:
[0011]
Here, “an image sensor capable of switching the imaging mode between the moving object detection mode and the normal imaging mode” means, in the moving object detection mode, when there is a portion where the brightness changes due to the moving object in the imaging region of the imaging device. An image signal (image data) indicating the presence of a moving object at a different level from an image signal (image data) indicating another portion in which the luminance in the imaging region does not change is output. In the normal imaging mode, the normal imaging data of the imaging region is output. And an image sensor that can switch between the moving object detection mode and the normal imaging mode.
The “state of the optical system” refers to one or more of a wide-angle imaging state, a telephoto (enlargement) imaging state, an imaging magnification, an imaging direction, an imaging position, and the like by the optical system.
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to the imaging device which concerns on the 1st invention of this application, a moving body can be reliably and inexpensively detected using one imaging element, or using one camera including the imaging element, and also detecting a moving body. By controlling the optical system operation unit based on the output of the imaging device set in the mode and setting the optical system in an appropriate state, it is possible to reliably capture an image of the moving object, and it is also suitable for tracking the moving object. Configuration.
[0012]
In addition, the second invention of the present application is to solve the above-mentioned problem,
An image sensor capable of switching an imaging mode between a normal imaging mode and a moving object detection mode,
An optical system for guiding a subject image to the image sensor,
A control device for controlling the switching and driving of the imaging mode of the imaging device,
The control device provides an imaging device that alternately switches an imaging mode between a normal imaging mode and a moving object detection mode at predetermined time intervals.
According to this imaging apparatus, the normal imaging and the moving object detection are substantially always performed, so that the control for mode switching is simplified, and the normal imaging can be performed even when the moving object is not detected.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The image sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention basically includes an image sensor capable of switching an image capturing mode between a normal image capturing mode and a moving object detection mode, an optical system for guiding a subject image to the image sensor, and the optical system. And a control device for switching the imaging mode of the image sensor and controlling the operation of the optical system operation unit.
[0014]
In the moving object detection mode, when there is a portion in which the luminance changes due to a moving object in the imaging region of the imaging device in the moving object detection mode, an image signal (image data indicating the other portion of the imaging region where the luminance does not change) ) Outputs an image signal (image data) indicating the presence of a moving object at a different level from that of the imaging device, outputs normal imaging data of the imaging region in the normal imaging mode, and is switchable between the moving object detection mode and the normal imaging mode. It is.
[0015]
The control device changes at least one of an imaging mode of the imaging device and a state of the optical system by the optical system operation unit according to an output of the imaging device set to a moving object detection mode.
[0016]
As a typical example of the optical system operation unit, an optical system operation unit that can switch the imaging by the imaging element between wide-angle imaging and telephoto imaging can be given.
In the case of employing such an optical system operation unit, the control device sets the imaging device to the moving object detection mode and sets the imaging state of the optical system operation unit to the wide-angle imaging state when detecting the moving object. May be controlled so that when the imaging element detects a moving object, the optical system operation unit is set so that the imaging state of the imaging element is switched to the telephoto imaging state.
[0017]
Here, the “wide-angle imaging state” is a state in which an image of a wide area is captured, and the “telephoto imaging state” is a state in which an imaging magnification is increased by a zoom mechanism or the like to enlarge an image.
When such an optical system operation unit and control device are employed, a moving object can be imaged in detail.
[0018]
The control device controls the optical system operation unit so that the optical system is moved in a predetermined pattern, sets the imaging device to the moving object detection mode at a predetermined timing, and, when a moving object is detected, The optical system operation unit may be controlled so that the predetermined pattern operation is canceled.
Here, the “predetermined pattern” means an operation performed in accordance with a predetermined rule, such as turning (rotating), swinging, moving, and changing an imaging magnification, and is not only an intermittent motion but also a continuous one. Movements are also included.
[0019]
When such a control device is employed, the moving object can be detected over a wide area by moving the optical system in a predetermined pattern without employing a wide-angle optical system. In addition, it is easy to obtain a high-resolution image.
In this case, the imaging device may be set to the moving object detection mode only while the optical system is stopped, or the imaging device may be set to the moving object detection mode while the optical system is moving. In the latter case, in order to prevent a malfunction, the method of determining the presence or absence of a moving object may be different between when the optical system is moving and when the optical system is stopped.
[0020]
The control device may switch and set the imaging device to the normal imaging mode when the imaging device set to the moving object detection mode detects a moving object. In this way, by enabling the moving body to be imaged in the normal imaging mode, the identity of the moving body can be easily grasped.
[0021]
When the imaging device set to the moving object detection mode detects a moving object, the control device switches the imaging device to the normal imaging mode to perform imaging, and then switches the imaging device to the moving object detection mode. It may be something.
In this case, normal imaging is performed each time a moving object is detected, and then the moving object detection mode is set again, so that tracking of the moving object is possible.
[0022]
Further, an imaging device according to an embodiment of the second invention of the present application includes an imaging device capable of switching an imaging mode between a normal imaging mode and a moving object detection mode, an optical system for guiding a subject image to the imaging device, and A control device for controlling switching and driving of the imaging mode.
In order to enable moving object tracking, the control device alternately switches the imaging mode between the normal imaging mode and the moving object detection mode at predetermined time intervals. More specifically, the image sensor is set to a predetermined number of continuous frames (for example, a plurality of predetermined frames) in a normal imaging mode, and then set to a predetermined number of frames (the number of frames in a range where frames are not dropped, for example, one frame). This may be repeated.
[0023]
Representative examples of the image sensor are as follows. That is,
Each is a photoelectric conversion element, a logarithmic conversion unit including a logarithmic conversion transistor for converting the output of the photoelectric conversion element into an electric signal proportional to the logarithmic value of the amount of light incident on the element, and the output from the logarithmic conversion unit. A plurality of pixels having an integrating circuit for storing;
A voltage control unit for controlling a voltage applied to the logarithmic conversion transistor,
An output circuit for receiving and outputting a signal from each of the pixels,
The voltage control unit includes:
In a state where a first voltage for imaging is applied to the logarithmic conversion transistor during imaging, a first signal output from the photoelectric conversion element via the logarithmic conversion unit is accumulated in the integration circuit, and the logarithmic conversion is performed. At the time of resetting the transistor, a second voltage is applied to the logarithmic conversion transistor to reset the transistor and accumulate a second signal obtained by the reset in the integration circuit. By setting the absolute value of the difference from the first voltage to be smaller than the value obtained when the normal imaging state is obtained, when there is a portion where the brightness changes due to a moving object in the imaging region, the integration circuit is used for the portion. Moving object extraction in which the difference between the first signal and the second signal respectively stored in the image pickup region is different from that of the other portion of the imaging region where the luminance does not change. To realize an imaging state,
The output circuit is an image sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to a difference between the first signal and the second signal.
[0024]
The imaging device may include a moving object determining unit that determines the presence or absence of a moving object based on an output signal from the output circuit, and outputs a signal indicating the presence or absence of the moving object.
Such a moving object determination unit may be provided outside the image sensor.
[0025]
In any case, examples of such a moving object determination unit include a unit that compares an output signal after the difference processing from the output circuit with a predetermined threshold value and outputs a signal indicating the presence or absence of a moving object.
[0026]
By the way, in the case where the moving object moves in the imaged area, for example, focusing on the edge of the moving object, the luminance of the stationary background portion with respect to the edge changes when the moving object edge moves, as viewed from the image sensor. Therefore, it can be said that a portion in the imaging region where the luminance changes depending on the moving object indicates at least a part of the moving object.
[0027]
Therefore, it is related to the voltage control unit of the image sensor just described.
"When there is a portion in the imaging region where the luminance changes due to a moving object, the difference between the first signal and the second signal stored in the integration circuit is the difference between the first signal and the second signal, respectively. To realize a moving object extraction imaging state that is different from that of the part,
"When a moving object is included in the imaging region, a difference between the first signal and the second signal respectively stored in the integration circuit is at least partly different from that of the still background portion included in the imaging region. Realizes a different moving object extraction imaging state, "or
In other words, when a moving object is included in the imaging region, a moving object extraction imaging state that generates an imaging signal that can display at least a part of the moving object with a different density from the still background portion included in the imaging region is realized. it can.
[0028]
In any case, the voltage control unit in such an image sensor is configured so that the absolute value of the difference between the first voltage and the second voltage is, for example, substantially half the value in a case where a normal imaging state is realized. The moving object extraction imaging state may be realized by controlling the two voltages.
In the moving object detection mode, instead of setting the absolute value of the difference between the second voltage and the first voltage to be smaller than the value when the normal imaging state is obtained, for example, Without changing the magnitude of the voltage, the application period (pulse width of the second voltage) of the second voltage is set to be shorter than that in the case where the normal imaging state is obtained so that a reset remains in the logarithmic conversion transistor. Is also good.
[0029]
Further, a switch for electrically connecting and disconnecting the photoelectric conversion element and the logarithmic conversion transistor may be further provided. In this case, a voltage control unit that resets the logarithmic conversion transistor by applying the second voltage to the logarithmic conversion transistor while the switch is turned off may be employed.
[0030]
Next, some examples of the imaging apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
Each of the imaging devices described below basically has the configuration shown in FIG. However, the operation of the control device 40 differs depending on each imaging device.
[0031]
The imaging apparatus configuration shown in FIG. 1 includes an imaging element 10 capable of switching an imaging mode between a normal imaging mode and a moving object detection mode, an optical system 20 for guiding a subject image to the imaging element 10, and an optical system 20 in a predetermined state. An optical system operation unit 30 for setting, an analog / digital converter A / D, a control device 40 including a microcomputer, an image memory 50, and an image processing unit 60 are included. These form an imaging device (camera).
[0032]
The control device 40 and the image processing unit 60 are connected to a control unit 80 via an interface I / F and a communication line 70. If the imaging device is used for monitoring an intruder, for example, the imaging device 10 and the like should be installed at a place where the intruder should be monitored, and the control unit 80 should be installed at a monitoring place where a guard is located. Can be considered.
[0033]
Here, the state of the optical system 20 set by the optical system operation unit 30 is, for example, an imaging direction of the imaging device 10, a wide-angle / telephoto imaging, an imaging magnification in telephoto imaging, and the like. More specifically, the optical system operation unit 30 includes an optical system drive unit 301 and a tilt drive unit 302 and a pan drive unit 303 for controlling the imaging direction of the image sensor 10.
[0034]
The optical system driving unit 301 performs focus adjustment (focus adjustment) and zoom adjustment (imaging magnification adjustment) of the optical system 20. The zoom adjustment includes switching between telephoto imaging (enlarged imaging) and wide-angle imaging.
[0035]
The tilt drive unit 302 causes the image pickup device 10 to perform a tilt operation (vertical swing operation) together with the optical system drive unit 301, and the pan drive unit 303 causes the image pickup device 10 to perform a pan operation (left and right direction) together with the optical system drive unit 301. (Or horizontal swing or rotation). Here, an example in which the imaging direction such as pan / tilt / rotation is changed is given, but the invention is not limited to this, and the imaging position may be changed by moving the imaging device along a guide, for example. .
[0036]
The control device 40 includes a central processing unit CPU constituting a microcomputer, and a ROM and a RAM connected thereto. The control device 40 further includes a controller CONT1 that controls the driving of the image sensor 10 based on an instruction from the CPU, a controller CONT2 that controls the operation of each unit of the optical system operation unit 30 based on an instruction from the CPU, and a determination unit that determines whether or not there is a moving object. JG etc. are included. Here, the determination unit JG determines the presence or absence of a moving object by comparing a signal supplied from the image sensor 10 via the image memory 50 with a predetermined threshold.
[0037]
The ROM stores various programs and parameters. As will be described later, when the image sensor 10 is moved in a predetermined pattern for moving object detection in the moving object detection mode, data on the operation pattern is also stored.
[0038]
Switching and driving (imaging operation) of the imaging mode of the imaging device 10 and operation of each unit (301, 302, 303) of the optical system operation unit 30 are performed under the instruction of the control device 40, particularly, the central processing unit CPU thereof. Done.
[0039]
A signal from the image sensor 10 is digitized by an analog / digital converter A / D and stored in the image memory 50. The image data stored in the image memory 50 is used in the moving object detection mode to determine the presence or absence of the moving object by the determination unit JG under the instruction of the CPU, to obtain the moving object existing area, the moving speed and direction of the moving object, and the like. In the normal imaging mode, the image data is read out to the image processing unit 60 under the instruction of the CPU, and is processed by the image processing unit 60 out of predetermined image processing (color interpolation processing, AE (exposure control) processing, γ correction processing, etc.). (1 or more) is transmitted to the control source unit 80 via the communication line 70.
[0040]
The control unit 80 includes a central processing unit CPU 'constituting a microcomputer, and a ROM' and a RAM 'connected thereto. The control source unit 80 further includes an image processing unit 801, an image memory 802, a display monitor 803, a video recorder 804, and an operation panel 805.
[0041]
The image data transmitted from the camera side is subjected to necessary processing by the image processing unit 801 under the instruction of the CPU ′ and then stored in the image memory 802, and the stored image data is stored on the monitor 803. It is displayed and, on the other hand, recorded on a recording medium in the video recorder 804 under the instruction of the CPU 'as needed. Each unit on the camera side can be controlled by an instruction from the operation panel 805 of the control source unit 80.
[0042]
Next, the image sensor 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the image sensor 10, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pixel unit or the like in which pixels are arranged, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of one pixel, and FIG. 6 is a timing chart of driving voltage application when realizing. FIG. 6 is a timing chart of driving voltage application when realizing the moving body extraction imaging state.
[0043]
As shown in FIG. 2, the image sensor 10 includes a pixel unit G, a vertical scanning circuit 1 and an output circuit 8 connected to the pixel unit G, and the output circuit 8 is connected to the horizontal scanning circuit 2 and an output amplifier. Am is connected. Image data is output from the output amplifier Am to the image memory 50.
[0044]
The image sensor 10 also includes a voltage control unit VC for supplying various predetermined voltage signals and the like to the pixel unit G and the like via the voltage regulator Rg. A timing generator TG for operating each unit at a predetermined timing is also provided.
[0045]
The imaging device 10 instructs the controller CONT1 (see FIG. 1) to the switching circuit between the normal imaging state and the moving body extraction imaging state built in the voltage control unit VC based on the instruction from the control device 40, Switching between a normal imaging state (normal imaging mode) and a moving object extraction imaging state (moving object detection mode) can be performed.
[0046]
As shown in FIG. 3, pixels G11 to Gmn for imaging are arranged in a matrix (matrix arrangement) in the pixel unit G. The vertical scanning circuit 1 sequentially scans row (row) lines 31, 32,..., 3n for applying a scanning signal φV to each pixel, and outputs each pixel via lines 41, 42,. Is supplied to a capacitor C described later.
[0047]
The horizontal scanning circuit 2 sequentially reads out the photoelectric conversion signals derived from each pixel to the output signal lines 61, 62,... 6m in the horizontal direction (row direction) for each pixel. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 5 denotes a power supply line.
In FIG. 4, which will be described later, the row (row) line is indicated by 3, the φVD supply line is indicated by 4, and the output signal line is indicated by 6.
[0048]
3n, 41, 42,... 4n, output signal lines 61, 62,... 6m, power supply line 5, and other lines ( For example, a clock line and a bias supply line are also connected, but these are not shown in FIG.
[0049]
The output circuit 8 shown in FIG. 2 includes the constant current power supplies 71, 72,... 7m, the selection circuits 81, 82,.
[0050]
7m are connected to output signal lines 61, 62, ... 6m, respectively. The selection circuits 81, 82,..., 8m are circuits that sample and hold video signals and noise signals given from the pixels G11 to Gmn via the signal lines 61 to 6m. When the video signal and the noise signal are sequentially transmitted from the selection circuits 81, 82,... 8m, the correction circuit 9 performs a correction process, that is, a process of subtracting the difference between the video signal and the noise signal from the video signal. The video signal from which noise has been removed is output to the outside for image display. Note that a DC voltage VPS is applied to one end of each of the constant current sources 71 to 7m.
[0051]
In the solid-state imaging device 10, a video signal and a noise signal output from the pixel Gab (a: a natural number of 1 ≦ a ≦ m, b: 1 ≦ b ≦ n) are output to the output signal line 6a, respectively. And is amplified by a constant current power supply 7a connected to the output signal line 6a. The video signal and the noise signal output from the pixel Gab are sequentially sent to the selection circuit 8a, and the video signal and the noise signal are sampled and held in the selection circuit 8a. After the held video signal is transmitted to the correction circuit 9, the sampled and held noise signal is also transmitted to the correction circuit 9.
[0052]
The correction circuit 9 corrects the video signal supplied from the selection circuit 8a based on the noise signal also supplied from the selection circuit 8a, amplifies the noise-removed video signal via the output amplifier Am, and outputs the amplified signal. Output to As a configuration example of each of the selection circuits 81 to 8m and the correction circuit 9, there is a configuration presented by the present applicant in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-223948. .. 8m may include a correction circuit.
[0053]
Next, one example of each of the pixels G11 to Gmn will be described with reference to FIG.
The pixel shown in FIG. 4 is a photodiode PD, which is an example of a photoelectric conversion element, and a logarithmic conversion MOS transistor T2 for converting the output of the photodiode PD into an electric signal proportional to the logarithmic value of the amount of incident light. And an integration circuit IT including a capacitor C for storing the output of the logarithmic conversion unit L.
[0054]
More specifically, in each pixel, the drain of the switching MOS transistor T1 is connected to the cathode of the photodiode PD whose anode potential is VPD (or may be the ground potential), and the source of the transistor T1 is a MOS transistor for logarithmic conversion. The gate and drain of T2 are connected to the gate of MOS transistor T3. The transistor T3 flows a current corresponding to the logarithmically converted signal.
[0055]
The source of the MOS transistor T3 is connected to the gate of the source follower amplification MOS transistor T5 and the drain of the capacitor reset MOS transistor T4, and the source of the MOS transistor T5 is connected to the switching (signal reading) MOS transistor T6. The drain is connected. The source of the MOS transistor T6 is connected to the output signal line 6 (corresponding to the output signal lines 61 to 6m in FIG. 3). Each of the MOS transistors T1 to T6 is a P-channel transistor.
[0056]
The signal φVPS is input to the source of the logarithmic conversion MOS transistor T2. The drain potentials of the MOS transistors T3 and T5 are set to VPD. Note that the drain may be grounded. A capacitor C is connected to the source of the MOS transistor T3, and a reference voltage (signal φVD) for integrating the electric signal from the photodiode PD with the capacitor C is input to the capacitor C.
[0057]
The DC voltage RSB is input to the source of the MOS transistor T4, and the signal φRST is input to the gate of the transistor T4. Further, a signal φS for turning on and off the transistor T1 is input to the gate of the MOS transistor T1, and a signal φV for turning on and off the transistor T6 is input to the gate of the MOS transistor T6.
[0058]
In the pixel thus configured, the constant current power supply 7 (corresponding to the constant current power supplies 71 to 7m in FIG. 3) to which the DC voltage VPS is applied to the minus terminal via the MOS transistor T6 and the output signal line 6 is provided. , Connected to the source of the MOS transistor T5. Therefore, when the MOS transistor T6 is on, the MOS transistor T5 operates as a source follower MOS transistor and outputs a voltage signal amplified by the constant current power supply 7 to the output signal line 6.
[0059]
By configuring the source follower circuit in this way, an amplifier circuit that outputs a large signal is configured. Therefore, a signal which is sufficiently amplified by this amplifier circuit is obtained, so that processing in a subsequent signal processing circuit (not shown) is facilitated. Further, the constant current power supplies 71 to 7m constituting the load resistance portion of the amplifier circuit are not provided in the pixels but are provided for each of the output signal lines 61 to 6m to which a plurality of pixels arranged in the column direction are connected. Thus, the number of load resistors or constant current power supplies can be reduced, and the area occupied by the amplifier circuit on the semiconductor chip can be reduced.
[0060]
Next, the normal imaging operation and the sensitivity variation detection operation of each pixel by the above-described imaging device will be described first, and then the detection operation of the moving object will be described.
[0061]
As the signal φVPS supplied to the source of the logarithmic conversion MOS transistor T2, a high (High) and low (Low) voltage signal is used to obtain a normal imaging state. That is, the voltage for operating the transistor T2 in the sub-threshold region is set to low when reading out the video signal and the noise signal due to the sensitivity variation, and when the transistor T2 is reset, the voltage applied to the transistor T2 is higher than the voltage. A high (Hi) voltage that allows a larger current to flow than when the signal φVPS is applied is adopted.
As will be described later, when the capacitor C is reset after reading the noise signal, a voltage having a value between about high and low is applied to the source of the transistor T2 in order to remove an afterimage signal from the photoelectric conversion element.
[0062]
However, when obtaining a moving body extraction imaging state for detecting the presence of a moving body, when resetting the transistor T2, a voltage having a value intermediate between a low voltage and a high voltage is employed here instead of the high voltage (FIG. 6).
[0063]
As the reference voltage φVD applied to the capacitor C, a ternary voltage signal is employed in both the normal imaging state and the moving body extraction imaging state. That is, the voltage value when the capacitor C is integrated is set to the highest Vh, the voltage value for reading the video signal is set to Vm lower than Vh, and the voltage value for reading the noise signal is set to Vl lower than Vm.
[0064]
In the following description, a voltage signal or the like given to a pixel or the like is performed by a voltage control unit VC via a voltage regulator Rg.
(1) Imaging operation in normal imaging state
First, the imaging device 10 is set to a normal imaging state (normal imaging mode).
[0065]
(1-1) Video signal (image signal) output
In the following description, the signal φS for turning on and off the MOS transistor T1 is always low during the imaging operation, and the transistor T1 is on. Further, the signal φRST applied to the capacitor resetting transistor T4 is set high (Hi) to turn off the transistor T4. Then, the signal φVPS applied to the source of the transistor T2 is set low and the voltage value of the signal φVD applied to the capacitor C is set to Vh so that the integration operation by the capacitor C is enabled so that the MOS transistor T2 operates in the sub-threshold region. .
[0066]
When light from the imaging area enters the photodiode PD in such a state, a photocurrent is generated, and a photocurrent is applied to the gates of the transistors T2 and T3 due to the sub-threshold characteristic of the transistor T2. As a result, a voltage corresponding to a value converted so as to change in a natural logarithm is generated.
[0067]
Based on the voltage which changes in a natural logarithm with respect to the incident light amount, the drain current amplified by the transistor T3 flows from the capacitor C, and the capacitor C discharges. Therefore, the gate voltage of the MOS transistor T5 becomes a voltage proportional to the natural logarithm of the integrated value of the amount of incident light. Then, in order to read a video signal obtained by performing the integration operation by the capacitor C, the voltage value of the signal φVD is set to Vm, and a low pulse signal φV is given to the MOS transistor T6. As a result, a source current corresponding to the gate voltage of the MOS transistor T5 flows to the output signal line 6 via the MOS transistor T6.
[0068]
At this time, since the transistor T5 operates as a source follower type MOS transistor, a video signal appears on the output signal line 6 as a voltage signal. Thereafter, the signal φV is set high to turn off the transistor T6, and the voltage value of the signal φVD is set to Vh. As described above, the video signal output via the transistors T5 and T6 has a value proportional to the gate voltage of the transistor T5, and is therefore a signal proportional to the natural logarithm of the integrated value of the amount of light incident on the photodiode PD.
[0069]
(1-2) Sensitivity variation detection (noise signal output)
As shown in FIG. 5, when a pulse signal φVD having a voltage value Vm and a low pulse signal φV are supplied and a video signal is output, the signal φVD is set to Vh, and then the signal φS is set high to turn off the transistor T1. To start the reset operation. At this time, positive charges flow from the source side of the transistor T2, and the negative charges accumulated in the gate and drain of the transistor T2 and the gate of the transistor T3 are recombined. Goes up.
[0070]
However, when the potential of the gate and drain of the transistor T2 rises to a certain value, the reset speed becomes slow. In particular, this tendency becomes remarkable when a bright imaging region suddenly becomes dark. Therefore, next, the signal φVPS applied to the source of the transistor T2 is set to high. As described above, by increasing the source voltage of the transistor T2, the amount of positive charges flowing from the source side of the transistor T2 increases, and the negative and accumulated charges at the gate and drain of the transistor T2 and the gate of the transistor T3. The charges recombine quickly. At this time, the signal φRST is set to low to turn on the transistor T4, thereby initializing the voltage of the connection node between the capacitor C and the gate of the transistor T5.
[0071]
When the potential of the gate and the drain of the transistor T2 is further increased by raising the signal φVPS to high, the signal φVPS supplied to the source of the transistor T2 is lowered to return the potential state of the transistor T2 to the original state. As described above, when the potential state of the transistor T2 is reset to the original state, the signal φRST is set high and the transistor T4 is turned off.
[0072]
Then, the capacitor C performs an integration operation, and the voltage at the connection node between the capacitor C and the gate of the transistor T5 becomes in accordance with the reset gate voltage of the transistor T2. Therefore, a pulse signal φV is supplied to the gate of the transistor T6 to turn on the transistor T6 and set the voltage value of the signal φVD to Vl. As a result, an output current representing a variation in sensitivity of each pixel due to a variation in the characteristics of the transistors T2 and T3 flows through the output signal line 6.
[0073]
At this time, since the transistor T5 operates as a source follower type MOS transistor, a noise signal appears on the output signal line 6 as a voltage signal. Then, φS is made low to make the transistor T1 conductive, so that the voltage applied to the source of the transistor T2 is set to a voltage of an intermediate value between high and low, the pulse signal φRST is applied to the transistor T4, And reset the voltage of the connection node to the state where the imaging operation can be performed.
[0074]
In the above description, the voltage φVD applied to the capacitor C for integrating the electric signal obtained by the photoelectric conversion is set to the three values of Vh, Vm, and Vl, but the voltage applied to the capacitor C for integrating the electric signal is described. φVD may be constant. However, by adopting the three values as described above, it is possible to reduce the offset in the video signal from which noise has been removed, thereby reducing the operating range of an analog / digital converter or the like connected downstream of the image sensor. Can be used effectively. Note that the voltage value of the signal φVD applied to the capacitor C at the time of reading the video signal may be higher than the voltage value applied at the time of integration.
[0075]
In the above-described imaging device, each pixel is configured using a P-channel MOS transistor. However, the pixel may be configured using an N-channel MOS transistor. At this time, the polarity of each element is reversed. The polarity of the constant current power supplies 71 to 7m provided in the solid-state imaging device is opposite to that of FIG. Except for the above, the imaging device is substantially the same as the already described imaging device.
[0076]
(2) Imaging operation in moving object extraction imaging state
The imaging device 10 is set to a moving object extraction imaging state (moving object detection mode).
The operation for outputting the video signal is the same as that in the normal imaging state. However, in the noise signal output operation, as shown in FIG. 6, instead of the high signal φVPS in the case of the noise signal output in the normal imaging state, the signal φVPS employed in the reset processing of the MOS transistor T2 is changed to a high level as shown in FIG. And a voltage signal having a value approximately between the low and high values. Thus, moving object extraction can be performed. Otherwise, the process is the same as the noise output process in the normal imaging state. It should be noted that a voltage signal having an intermediate value between high and low may be employed instead of the low signal φVPS in the case of outputting a noise signal in the normal imaging state.
[0077]
In this moving object extraction imaging state, similarly to the case of the normal imaging state, the video signal output from each pixel when φVPS is set to low and imaging is performed by setting φVPS to a value intermediate between high and low. The difference from the noise signal (noise signal) output from each pixel when the MOS transistor T2 is reset is subtracted from the video signal by the difference processing by the correction circuit 9 and output.
[0078]
However, as the signal φVPS employed in the reset processing of the MOS transistor T2, a voltage signal having an intermediate value between high and low is employed instead of the high signal φVPS in the case of a noise signal output in the normal imaging state. As a result, a reset remains in the MOS transistor T2. In addition, the reset residue is larger for a pixel having a larger incident light amount and smaller for a pixel having a smaller incident light amount due to the characteristics of the MOS transistor T2. Therefore, the video signal after the difference processing has the same value for each pixel that has imaged the imaged region where the luminance does not change. In this manner, a signal capable of gray display is output substantially uniformly with respect to the still background portion in the imaging region. By using this, the still background portion can be displayed almost uniformly in gray.
[0079]
On the other hand, for moving objects, the brightness is “dark” → “bright”, “dark” → “bright” → “dark”, “bright” → “dark”, “bright” → “dark” → “bright”, etc. It changes during the integration period of the signal.
[0080]
If the brightness changes from “dark” to “bright” and remains in the “bright” state until the start of the reset period, the video signal will be higher than in the “bright” state during the integration period. Become. Since the noise signal has a value depending only on the voltage of the integration circuit input section at the start of reset, the noise signal is in the “bright” state at the start of reset, and thus the noise signal is always the same as in the “bright” state. Then, the video signal output after the difference processing decreases, and the portion where the light incident on the element 10 changes from “dark” to “bright” can be displayed dark. In addition, when compared with the case where the video signal is always in the “dark” state, the video signal is lower and the noise signal is lower, but the amount of the video signal lower than the amount of the noise signal is smaller, and the video after the difference processing is performed. The signal output decreases.
[0081]
If the brightness changes from “dark” to “bright” to “dark” and remains in the “dark” state until the start of the reset period, the video signal will always be in the “dark” state during the integration period. It is lower than the comparison. Since the noise signal has a value dependent only on the voltage of the integration circuit input portion at the start of reset, the noise signal is in the “dark” state at the start of reset, and thus the noise signal is always the same as in the “dark” state. Then, the output of the video signal after the difference processing increases, and a portion where the light incident on the element 10 changes from “dark” to “bright” to “dark” can be displayed brightly.
[0082]
When the brightness changes from “bright” to “dark”, the video signal output after the difference processing increases for the same reason, and the brightness change portion can be displayed brightly.
When the brightness changes from “bright” to “dark” to “bright”, the output of the video signal after the difference processing decreases, and the brightness change portion can be displayed dark.
The portion where the incident light changes due to such a phenomenon can be extracted, and thereby the presence of a moving object can be detected.
[0083]
If the imaging element 10 is set to the normal imaging mode and an imaging area including a moving object is imaged and displayed on the display, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 7A is obtained, and the element 10 is set to the moving object detection mode. If the imaging area including the moving object is imaged and displayed on the display, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 7B is obtained.
[0084]
In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the moving object is a black ball, which rolls from right to left on the table placed in front of a white wall. For example, focusing on the left and right edge portions of the ball, when the left edge portion of the ball moves to the left, the imaging region portion where the brightness changes from “bright” to “dark” when viewed from the image sensor has a width and a direction. Is displayed as a bright portion P, and when the right edge portion of the ball moves leftward, when viewed from the image sensor, the brightness changes from “dark” to “bright”. Displayed as Q.
[0085]
Next, several imaging devices (cameras) using the above-described imaging device configuration but different in control by the control device 40 will be described with reference to a flowchart and the like showing the operation of the control device 40.
[0086]
<Imaging device example 1>
FIG. 8 shows an example of imaging by this imaging device, and FIG. 9 shows a flowchart of the operation of the control device 40 in this imaging device.
As shown in FIG. 8A, the imaging device sets the imaging device 10 to the wide-angle imaging state and sets the moving object detection mode (steps S111 and S112), and monitors the appearance of the moving object over a wide range. When a moving object is detected (step S113), the area where the moving object exists (in other words, the position of the moving object and the size of the moving object), the moving speed and the direction are determined (step S114), and the imaging mode is switched to the normal imaging mode (step S114). Step S115). Next, as shown in FIG. 8B, the optical system operation unit 30 changes the imaging direction and the imaging magnification for moving object imaging based on the moving object existing area, the moving speed, and the direction previously obtained, thereby changing the moving object. Normal imaging starts in close-up (step S116), and after imaging a predetermined number of frames (step S117), the imaging device 10 is set again to the wide-angle imaging state and to the moving object detection mode as shown in FIG. 8C. (Steps S111, S112), waits for the appearance of a new moving object.
[0087]
Switching to the normal imaging mode is performed based on the determination that there is a moving object by the determination unit JG in the control device 40. The existence area of the moving object is obtained from the image data stored in the image memory 50 in the moving object detection mode. The moving speed and moving direction of the moving object are obtained from image data in the image data stored in the image memory 50, in which at least a part of the moving object can be displayed “bright” or “dark” with a certain width and direction. This is because the width of “bright” or “dark” indicates the moving speed of the moving object, and the direction of the width indicates the moving direction of the moving object.
According to this imaging apparatus, a moving object can be imaged as a still image or a moving image for a certain period of time unless the moving object moves at a considerably high speed.
[0088]
<Imaging device example 2>
FIG. 10 shows an example of imaging by this imaging device, and FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of the operation of the control device 40 in this imaging device.
[0089]
As shown in FIG. 10A, the image sensor 10 is set to the wide-angle imaging state and the moving object detection mode is set (steps S211, S212), and the appearance of the moving object is monitored over a wide range. When a moving object is detected (step S213), the existence area, moving speed, and direction of the moving object are determined (step S214), and the imaging mode is switched to the normal imaging mode (step S215). Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the imaging direction and the imaging magnification are changed by the optical system operation unit 30 for moving body imaging based on the existing area, moving speed, and direction of the moving body. Is started (step S216), and a predetermined number of frames are imaged (step S217).
[0090]
After the imaging of the predetermined number of frames, the imaging device 10 is returned to the moving object detection mode (step S218), so that moving object information can be obtained again. As a result, when the moving object is detected again (step S219), the existence area, moving speed, and direction of the moving object are determined (step S220), and the imaging mode is switched to the normal imaging mode (step S221). Then, as shown in FIG. 10C, the imaging direction and the imaging magnification are changed to the imaging of the moving object by the optical system operation unit 30 to start the normal imaging of the moving object (step S222), and after the imaging of a predetermined number of frames (step S222). In step S223, the imaging device 10 is switched to the moving object detection mode again (step S218). In this manner, the moving object is tracked and imaged as shown in FIGS. 10 (C) and 10 (D). When no moving object is detected for a predetermined period of time (step S224), the state returns to the initial state as shown in FIG. 10E, and a new moving object is detected (steps S211 and S212).
[0091]
<Imaging device example 3>
FIG. 12 shows an example of imaging by this imaging device, and FIG. 13 shows a flowchart of the operation of the control device 40 in this imaging device.
This imaging apparatus operates the image sensor 10 and the like in a predetermined pattern when detecting a moving object, and more specifically, turns the image sensor 10 and the like to capture an image of the moving object when the moving object is detected.
[0092]
As shown in FIG. 12A, the imaging device 10 is set to the wide-angle imaging state and the moving object detection mode is set, and the imaging direction is fixed to perform the moving object detection (steps S311, S312, and S313). When a predetermined time has elapsed without detecting a moving object (step S314), the image sensor 10 and the like are turned by a predetermined amount by the optical system operation unit 30 (step S315). As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the imaging device 10 and the like are turned by a predetermined amount every time a predetermined time elapses until a moving object is detected as shown in FIGS. .
[0093]
When a moving object is detected as shown in FIG. 12C (step S313), the existence area, moving speed, and direction of the moving object are determined (step S316), and the imaging mode is switched to the normal imaging mode (step S317). Next, as shown in FIG. 12D, the moving direction of the moving object is changed by changing the imaging direction and the imaging magnification for the moving object imaging based on the existing area, moving speed, and direction of the moving object, as shown in FIG. The imaging is started (Step S318), and after the imaging of a predetermined number of frames (Step S319), the imaging device 10 is switched to the moving object detection mode (Step S320).
[0094]
As a result, when the moving object is detected again (step S321), the existence area, moving speed, and direction of the moving object are determined (step S322), and the imaging mode is switched to the normal imaging mode (step S323). Then, as shown in FIG. 12 (D), the imaging direction and the imaging magnification are changed to the imaging of the moving object by the optical system operation unit 30, and the normal imaging of the moving object is started (step S324). In step S325, the imaging device 10 is switched to the moving object detection mode again (step S320). In this way, the moving object is tracked and imaged. When no moving object is detected for a predetermined time (step S326), the process returns to the initial state and prepares for the next moving object detection (steps S311 and S312).
[0095]
Any one of the following three states can be adopted in relation to the turning operation of the image sensor 10 and the like.
(A) When the turning and stopping of the imaging device 10 and the like are repeated, the moving object detection is performed when the imaging device 10 and the like are in a stopped state. During the turning, the normal imaging mode is set or the determination by the determination unit JG is not performed while the moving object detection mode is maintained. This prevents the stationary body from being recognized as a moving body by turning.
[0096]
(B) When turning and stopping the imaging device 10 and the like are repeated, the moving object detection is performed not only when the imaging device 10 and the like are stopped but also during turning. In order to prevent a stationary body from being recognized as a moving body in the detection of a moving body during turning, the method of determining the presence or absence of a moving body is different from that during stoppage. That is, a so-called tailing by turning is specified from the turning direction and the turning speed of the image sensor or the like, and if the tailing is due to the turning, it is not regarded as a moving object, and a tailing different from that by the turning is detected. It is determined that there is a moving object. It should be noted that the data relating to the turning direction and the turning speed of the image pickup device and the like may be stored in the control device 40 in advance, and the determination unit JG is configured to perform such a determination under the instruction of the arithmetic processing unit CPU. You should leave it.
[0097]
(C) The imaging device 10 and the like are constantly turned, and the moving object is detected even during the turning. In this case, by turning the image sensor 10 or the like at a constant speed in a predetermined direction, a uniform tailing is generated for a stationary body, and a tailing having a different length or direction from the tailing is detected. It may be determined that there is a moving object.
[0098]
<Imaging device example 4>
FIG. 14 shows an example of imaging by this imaging device, and FIG. 15 shows a flowchart of the operation of the control device 40 in this imaging device.
This imaging apparatus is different from the imaging apparatus example 3 in that a step S300 for switching the imaging element 10 to the wide-angle imaging state or for changing the imaging magnification to be smaller than the previous imaging magnification is inserted between step S319 and step S320. The rest is the same as the imaging device example 3.
[0099]
For example, after the moving object is normally imaged in steps S318 and S319, when the imaging device 10 is switched to the moving object detection mode again to track the moving object, the moving object attempts to move out of the imageable area as shown in FIG. In step S300, the imaging device 10 is switched to the wide-angle imaging state, or the magnification is changed to a smaller magnification than the previous imaging magnification, as shown in FIG. 14A and FIG. This prevents the moving object from being lost. As a result, this imaging device can easily track a moving object.
[0100]
When a moving object is detected, after the moving object is normally imaged, when the imaging device 10 is switched to the moving object detection mode again to track the moving object, the moving object attempts to move out of the imageable area or prepares for the moving object. The technique of switching the imaging element 10 to the wide-angle imaging state or changing the imaging magnification to a smaller magnification than the previous imaging magnification can also be applied to the case where the imaging device is manually operated to track a moving object.
[0101]
<Imaging device example 5>
As shown in FIG. 16, the moving object detection mode is set at a predetermined timing. More specifically, the switching to the moving object detection mode for one frame is repeated every time a predetermined number of frames are captured in the normal imaging mode, and the moving object detection is performed (hereinafter, referred to as “moving object detection mode”). , "Intermediate mode"). The flowchart of FIG. 17 shows the operation of the control device 40 in this imaging device. The operation of switching to the moving object detection mode for one frame every time a predetermined number of frames are captured in the normal imaging mode and switching back to the normal imaging mode can be performed only by changing the drive voltage waveform of the image sensor 10. It is possible.
In this way, regardless of whether or not the moving object is detected, substantially always, the moving object detection and the normal imaging are performed. Therefore, control for mode switching is simplified. In addition, the imaging of the observation target can be performed even while the moving object is not detected. The switching of the mode is performed based on a timing generator TG built in the image sensor 10 or a timer built in the CPU.
[0102]
As shown in FIG. 17, the imaging device 10 is set to the wide-angle imaging state and is set to the intermediate mode, and the moving object is detected with the imaging direction kept constant (steps S511, S512, S513). When a predetermined time has elapsed without detecting a moving object (or when imaging of a predetermined number of frames is completed) (step S514), the image sensor 10 and the like are rotated by a predetermined amount by the optical system operation unit 30 (step S515). Until a moving object is detected in this way, the image sensor 10 and the like are turned by a predetermined amount each time a predetermined time elapses (or each time imaging of a predetermined number of frames is completed), and the moving object is detected over a wide area.
[0103]
When a moving object is detected (step S513), the presence area, moving speed, and direction of the moving object are determined (step S516), and then the moving object existing area, moving speed, and direction obtained by the optical system operation unit 30 are determined. The imaging direction and the imaging magnification are changed based on the moving object imaging based on the moving image, and the imaging device 10 captures an enlarged image of the subject in the frame in the normal imaging mode, and the moving object detection information in the frame in the moving object extraction mode (moving object detection mode). It is output (step S517).
[0104]
Thereafter, when no moving object is detected (step S518), the optical operation unit 30 is reset to the initial state, the imaging direction and the imaging magnification are returned to the initial state, and the imaging device 10 is returned to the wide-angle imaging state (steps S519 and S520). It returns to step S513.
[0105]
Note that, in the imaging apparatus example 5, the period during which the operation in the moving object detection mode is performed may be set to a plurality of frames within a range where the drop of frames of the normal imaging data is allowed, and the accuracy of the moving object detection may be increased. In addition, when the frame rate of the solid-state imaging device can be made sufficiently high, or when a very high frame rate is not required for normal imaging data (in other words, in applications where moving images such as frame-by-frame motion are allowed), The number of frames in the imaging mode may be equal to or less than the number of frames in the moving object detection mode. Further, the number of frames in each mode may be variable, and for example, when a moving object is detected, the number of frames in the moving object detection mode may be changed so as to increase.
[0106]
In each of the above-described imaging apparatus examples, the recording of the imaging data on the recording medium in the video recorder 804 is stopped while the moving object is not detected, and the screen display or the recording on the recording medium is performed only while the moving object is detected. It may be performed. In this way, only the scene in which the moving object is imaged can be recorded, and when confirming the recorded content later, it is easy to check the moving object imaging scene. Further, useless consumption of the recording medium is suppressed. Of course, the video recorder 804 may be always in operation. In this case, particularly in the case where two modes are alternately switched at predetermined time intervals, such as the intermediate mode of the imaging apparatus example 5, it is suitable for the case where it is desired to normally capture the state during which no moving object is detected. Also, as for the display on the monitor 803, either one of the mode of always displaying or the mode of displaying only when a moving object is detected may be adopted according to the purpose.
[0107]
Further, a cable for sending a signal for instructing the camera to switch the imaging mode is provided with a power supply function, and by changing the supply voltage to the cable, the imaging mode is switched so that one cable is provided. The power supply and the signal transmission may be performed by using the power supply.
[0108]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus capable of reliably detecting a moving object and imaging the moving object at low cost.
Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an imaging apparatus suitable for detecting a moving object and performing moving object tracking reliably and inexpensively.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration of an imaging apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an example of an image sensor.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a pixel unit and the like in which pixels are arranged.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of one pixel.
FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing a state of application of an element driving voltage for realizing a normal imaging state (normal imaging mode) in the imaging element shown in FIGS. 2 to 4;
FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a state of application of an element driving voltage for realizing a moving object extraction imaging state (moving object detection mode) in the imaging element shown in FIGS. 2 to 4;
FIG. 7A shows an example of imaging of an imaging region including a moving object (ball) in a normal imaging state, and FIG. 7B shows imaging of an imaging region including a moving object in a moving object extraction imaging state; An example is shown.
FIGS. 8A to 8C are explanatory diagrams of moving object detection by an example of an imaging apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the imaging apparatus that performs the moving object detection illustrated in FIG. 8;
FIGS. 10A to 10E are diagrams illustrating moving object detection by another example of the imaging apparatus.
11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the imaging apparatus that performs the moving object detection illustrated in FIG.
FIGS. 12A to 12D are explanatory diagrams of moving object detection by still another example of the imaging apparatus.
13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the imaging apparatus that performs the moving object detection illustrated in FIG.
FIGS. 14A to 14C are explanatory diagrams of moving object detection according to still another example of the imaging apparatus.
15 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the imaging apparatus that performs the moving object detection illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing still another example of switching of the imaging mode. .
17 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a control unit of the imaging apparatus that performs the imaging mode switching illustrated in FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 imaging device 60 image processing unit
20 Optical system I / F interface
30 Optical system operation unit 70 Communication line
301 Optical system drive unit 80 Control source control unit
302 Tilt driver CPU 'central processing unit
303 Pan driver 801 Image processor
A / D analog / digital converter 802 image memory
40 control device 803 monitor
CPU Central Processing Unit 804 Video Recorder
JG judgment unit 805 Operation panel
50 image memory
G pixel section 81-8m selection circuit
1 vertical scanning circuit 9 correction circuit
2 horizontal scanning circuit 10 voltage controller
3, 31-3n Row (Row) Line Am Output Amplifier
4, 41-4n line Rg voltage regulator
5 Power line TG Timing generator
6, 61 to 6 m Output signal line G11 to Gmn Pixel
71-7m constant current power supply PD photodiode
8 Output circuit
T1 switching MOS transistor
T2 MOS transistor for logarithmic conversion
T3 MOS transistor
T4 MOS transistor for capacitor reset
T5 MOS transistor for source follower amplification
T6 MOS transistor for signal reading
C capacitor (capacitor for integration)

Claims (5)

An image sensor capable of switching an imaging mode between a normal imaging mode and a moving object detection mode,
An optical system for guiding a subject image to the image sensor,
An optical system operation unit for setting the optical system to a predetermined state,
A control device for switching an imaging mode of the imaging device and controlling an operation of the optical system operation unit,
An imaging device comprising: The control device controls the optical system operation unit so that the optical system is moved in a predetermined pattern, sets the imaging device to the moving object detection mode at a predetermined timing, and, when a moving object is detected, The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical system operation unit is controlled so that a predetermined pattern operation is canceled. The imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the control device switches the imaging device to the normal imaging mode when the imaging device set in the moving object detection mode detects a moving object. When the imaging device set to the moving object detection mode detects a moving object, the control device switches the imaging device to the normal imaging mode to perform imaging, and then switches the imaging device to the moving object detection mode. Item 3. The imaging device according to Item 3. An image sensor capable of switching an imaging mode between a normal imaging mode and a moving object detection mode,
An optical system for guiding a subject image to the image sensor,
A control device for controlling the switching and driving of the imaging mode of the imaging device,
An imaging apparatus, wherein the control device alternately switches an imaging mode between a normal imaging mode and a moving object detection mode at predetermined time intervals.

Images