JP2005142952A - Imaging unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging unit for generating an image through photoelectric conversion that improves a feeling of noise of a dark part of the image. <P>SOLUTION: The imaging unit is provided with a photoelectric conversion section and a black level setting section. The photoelectric conversion section generates image data comprising a plurality of pixel signals through photoelectric conversion. The black level setting section shifts the black level of the image data on the basis of the pixel signal indicating the average of a dark state noise toward a color darker by an amount corresponding to the variance of the dark state noise and sets the result to leave the pixel signal gradation between the pixel signal denoting a color darker than the reference by an amount corresponding to the variance and the reference signal. Thus, the histograms are consecutively changed around the pixel value of the black level when the histograms are taken from pixel values of the image data (digital pixel signal). As a result, the noise in the image black part becomes not conspicuous. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus that generates image data by photoelectric conversion. Specifically, the present invention relates to a technique for improving a noise feeling in a dark part of image data.

  An imaging device such as an image reading device or an electronic camera uses a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD to generate image data including a large number of pixel values corresponding to each pixel. The image signal output from the photoelectric conversion element includes a dark current component that does not depend on the amount of received light, and a signal component that varies according to the amount of received light. Of these, only the signal component is effective for the image. For this reason, the imaging apparatus performs black shading correction by subtracting the dark current component (black level) from the image signal output from the photoelectric conversion element (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The black level is obtained, for example, by averaging the output of the optical black portion provided in a part of the CCD for each line before reading the document by the CCD. Here, the optical black portion is, for example, a part of pixels on the end side that are shielded from light so as to always output a black level among pixels arranged in one column in the CCD.
For example, Patent Document 1 is known as a conventional technique for such black shading correction. In Patent Document 1, an optimum one is selected from a plurality of black level values obtained by different means according to the type of image processing performed after black shading correction. Then, black shading correction is performed based on the selected black level value to improve the image quality.
Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2001-86341 (2-7 term, FIGS. 1-5).

  Even if the black level is set appropriately, it is difficult to completely and accurately remove noise from all the pixel values of the image data. In particular, since the signal component is small in the dark part of the image, even small noises are easily noticeable. For this reason, a shadowy feeling is generated in the dark part of the image, and the S / N ratio (signal-to-noise ratio) sometimes gives an extremely bad impression. Therefore, there has been a demand for making the noise in the dark part of the image as inconspicuous as possible so as not to cause a feeling of roughness.

  An object of the present invention is to improve noise in a dark part of an image capturing apparatus that generates an image by photoelectric conversion.

  The imaging apparatus according to claim 1 includes a photoelectric conversion unit and a black level setting unit. The photoelectric conversion unit generates image data including a plurality of pixel signals by photoelectric conversion. The black level setting unit sets the black level of the image data from the reference to the dark color side by an amount corresponding to the dispersion of the dark noise, with the pixel signal indicating the average value of the dark noise as a reference. Thus, the pixel signal indicating a darker color than the reference by an amount corresponding to the dispersion and the gradation of the pixel signal between the reference are left.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the imaging device according to the first aspect, wherein the black level setting unit uses a predetermined value as an average value and a variance of dark noise so that the photoelectric conversion unit The setting is the same regardless of the conditions for generating the image data ”.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the black level setting unit includes a dark noise measuring unit that measures dark noise, and dispersion is performed based on a measurement result of the dark noise measuring unit. And a black level is set according to the obtained dispersion ”.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the imaging device according to the first or third aspect, wherein the black level setting unit is dark depending on a condition in which dark noise changes when the photoelectric conversion unit generates image data. After correcting the dispersion of the time noise, the black level is set by being shifted from the reference by an amount corresponding to the corrected dispersion ”.
The imaging device according to a fifth aspect is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the following points are provided. First, an image processing unit is provided that performs gradation conversion on image data using correspondence information that provides output pixel values for a plurality of input pixel values. Second, the black level setting unit outputs the output pixel value A corresponding to the input pixel value indicating the black level in the correspondence information, and the output corresponding to the input pixel value indicating a color brighter than the reference by an amount corresponding to the variance. The output pixel value between the pixel value B and the pixel value B is corrected as follows (1) and (2) according to the dispersion. (1) The output pixel value A is set to a pixel value indicating a black level. (2) The output pixel value A and the output pixel value B are interpolated so as to be continuous monotonously increasing.

  In the present invention, with the average value of dark noise as a reference, the black level of the image data is set so as to be shifted from the reference to the dark color side corresponding to the dispersion of the dark noise. For this reason, it is possible to leave the pixel signal indicating a darker color than the reference by the amount corresponding to the variance and the gradation of the pixel signal between the reference. Therefore, when the pixel value of the image data (pixel signal converted into a digital signal) is used as a histogram, the histogram changes continuously in the vicinity of the black level pixel value. As a result, the noise in the dark image portion becomes inconspicuous.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Configuration of this embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a film scanner 8 (corresponding to an imaging apparatus described in claims) according to the present embodiment. This embodiment corresponds to claim 1 and claims 3 to 5.
As shown in the figure, the film scanner 8 includes an illumination optical system 12, a document holding mechanism 16, a mirror 20, a lens 24, a line sensor 28, a scanning drive mechanism 32, a timing generator 36, and an A / D. A conversion unit 40, an image processing unit 44, an interface circuit 48, a system bus 52, an MPU 56, and a memory 60 are included. The document holding mechanism 16 holds a document 68 (a mount film in this example). In order to shorten the following description, the illumination optical system 12, the mirror 20, the lens 24, and the line sensor 28 are collectively abbreviated as a CCD block (portion surrounded by a dotted line in the drawing).

The scanning drive mechanism 32 scans the reading of the document 68 by moving the CCD block in parallel with the film surface of the document 68 in accordance with a command from the MPU 56.
The MPU 56 uses the memory 60 and controls the system of the film scanner 8 via the system bus 52.
The image processing unit 44 performs gradation conversion such as gamma correction using the table data. Here, gamma correction is non-linear conversion for linearly displaying an input image from the film scanner 8 in a display device having non-linear input / output characteristics. As an example, the gamma correction in this embodiment is for a display device with γ = 2.2. In the following description, for simplification, it is assumed that tone conversion other than gamma correction is ignored, and the table data gives an output Y that ^satisfies Y = X ^0.45 with respect to the input X (step S4 described later). (See S9 and S12). Note that tone conversion such as gamma correction may be performed using, for example, a conversion formula instead of table data.

The interface circuit 48 functions as a contact point between an image output destination such as a personal computer and the film scanner 8. Specifically, the command from the image output destination is transmitted to the MPU 56, or the image data generated by the image processing unit 44 is transmitted to the image output destination.
<Description of operation of this embodiment>
2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation of the film scanner 8. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing the distribution of pixel values in the dark measured by the film scanner 8. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of table data that is corrected according to the dispersion of pixel values in the dark. The operation of the film scanner 8 will be described below according to the step numbers shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 with reference to FIGS.

  In this embodiment, as an example, irradiation is performed separately using light sources of three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and three pixel signals of R, G, and B are output to each pixel. An example will be described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, in a form in which a white light source is used to simultaneously scan a line sensor that selectively receives red light, a line sensor that selectively receives green light, and a line sensor that selectively receives blue light. Good.

[Step S1]
The MPU 56 commands the scanning drive mechanism 32 to move the CCD block to the through position. Here, the “through position” is a position where the original 68 does not exist on the optical path that passes through the lens 24 and is reflected by the mirror 20, starting from the light receiving surface of the line sensor 28. That is, it is equivalent to reading a document whose entire surface is black when the CCD block is in the through position.

[Step S2]
The MPU 56 sets the “exposure amount ratio of R, G, B” by the light sources of the three primary colors of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) of the illumination optical system 12 to an initial value. Further, the MPU 56 sets linearity to the table data used by the image processing unit 44 described above. Here, “setting linear” means setting data in which input / output characteristics are linear (that is not subjected to gamma correction) to table data.

[Step S3]
The MPU 56 turns off the illumination optical system 12 and causes each pixel of the line sensor 28 to output a dark signal voltage. Thereafter, the signal voltage is A / D converted with the lowest level of the signal voltage that can be output from the line sensor 28 (for example, DC reference 0V) being zero and the highest level being 65535, for example. Thereby, dark image data in which each pixel has three (digital) pixel values of R, G, and B is generated. FIG. 4A is a histogram of pixel values of dark image data, and FIG. 4B is an enlarged view of the vicinity of zero in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4B, the MPU 56 calculates the average value of the histogram as “average value Ave of dark pixel values”. Since each pixel has three pixel values of R, G, and B, Ave is calculated for each of R, G, and B.

[Step S4]
As shown in FIG. 5A, the MPU 56 shifts the table data giving the output Y with Y = X ^0.45 with respect to the input X by Ave in the X-axis direction. This process is performed to erase the dark signal component included in the pixel value. The table data exists for each of R, G, and B, and this shift processing is also performed for each of R, G, and B.

[Step S5]
The MPU 56 instructs the scanning drive mechanism 32 to move the CCD block to a position where the reading of the document 68 is started. Next, the MPU 56 instructs the scan drive mechanism 32 to scan the CCD block and read the entire surface of the original 68 with low resolution (pre-scan).

  Thereafter, the signal voltage output from the line sensor 28 by the pre-scan is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 40. Thereafter, the image data is subjected to image processing using the table data shown in FIG. The MPU 56 calculates an “exposure time ratio of R, G, and B” that gives an appropriate white balance based on the image data generated by the pre-scan.

[Step S6]
The MPU 56 determines whether the main scan is instructed from the outside via the interface circuit 48. If the main scan is instructed, the process proceeds to step S7, and if not, the MPU 56 waits.
[Step S7]
Similar to step S2, the image processing unit 44 sets linear to the table data.

[Step S8]
The MPU 56 turns off the illumination optical system 12 and causes the line sensor 28 to output a dark signal voltage with the R, G, and B exposure times (charge accumulation times) determined by the prescan. Then, as in step S3, dark image data is generated.
Thereafter, the signal voltage is A / D converted with the lowest level being zero.

[Step S9]
Similarly to step S3, the MPU 56 newly calculates the average value of the histogram of the pixel values of the image data generated in step S8 as “average pixel value Ave of dark pixel values” (the “dark pixel value obtained in step S3”). The average value Ave ”is updated). Further, as shown in FIG. 4B, the MPU 56 calculates “standard deviation σ” based on the average value Ave of this histogram. Further, similarly to step S4, the MPU 56 shifts the table data that gives the output Y with Y = X ^0.45 to the input X by Ave in the X-axis direction (FIG. 5A). The calculation of “average value Ave of dark pixel values” and “standard deviation σ” is performed for each of R, G, and B, and shift processing is also performed for each table data of R, G, and B. Done.

[Step S10]
The MPU 56 determines whether or not the multi-scan mode is set. If it is set, the process proceeds to step S11, the standard deviation σ is corrected, and then the process proceeds to step S12. If not set, the standard deviation σ is not corrected (step S11 is skipped), and the process proceeds to step S12.

[Step S11]
The MPU 56 corrects the previously calculated standard deviation σ in accordance with the number of multi-scans (how many times the original 68 is read and averaged in the main scan). Normally, if the original 68 is read n times by multi-scanning and averaged, the magnitude of noise (magnitude of σ) becomes about 1 / √n times. Therefore, for example, when the multi-scan is set to 16 times, the standard deviation σ is corrected to 1/4 times as shown in FIG. Here, it is considered that only the standard deviation σ is sufficient to correct according to the number of scans. This is because it is considered that “the average value Ave of dark pixel values” does not change greatly even if the number of scans is increased.

  Note that it is expected how the standard deviation σ calculated in step S9 will change according to the output gain of the line sensor 28, the charge accumulation time of the line sensor 28, the temperature at the time of imaging, the resolution compression, the type of document, and the like. In this case, it is desirable to correct the standard deviation σ reflecting these conditions. For example, a function for detecting the temperature at the time of imaging and the type of the original 68 may be added to correct the standard deviation σ according to the temperature at the time of imaging, the type of the original 68, and the number of scans.

[Step S12]
As shown in FIG. 5B, the MPU 56 replaces the range of Ave−2σ ≦ X ≦ Ave + 2σ in the table data shifted in step S9 with Y = f (X) continuously increasing monotonically. In the range of 0 ≦ X ≦ Ave−2σ, Y = 0 is applied as it is, and in the range of Ave + 2σ ≦ X, Y = (X−Ave) ^0.45 is applied as it is.

Here, Y = f (X) is smoothly continuous at both ends (X = Ave−2σ, X = Ave + 2σ), and is preferably not asymptotic to the X axis in the vicinity of X = 0. Therefore, as Y = f (X), for example, a quadratic curve (Y = X ² ) or a cubic curve connecting both ends may be used. However, Y = f (X) may not be smoothly continuous at both ends. For example, a straight line connecting both ends may be used.

[Step S13]
The MPU 56 instructs the scanning drive mechanism 32 to move the CCD block to a position where reading of the document 68 is started.
[Step S14]
The MPU 56 instructs the scanning drive mechanism 32 to scan the CCD block and read the entire surface of the original 68 (main scan). At this time, if the multi-scan mode is set, the document 68 is read by that number of times.

  Then, high resolution image data in the main scan is output from the A / D converter 40. Thereafter, the image processing unit 44 performs image processing on the image data using the table data partially replaced in step S12. Thereafter, the interface circuit 48 transmits the image data subjected to the image processing by the image processing unit 44 to the image output destination. The above is the description of the operation of the film scanner 8 of the present embodiment.

<Effect of this embodiment, difference from conventional>
As shown in FIG. 6A, conventionally, the average value of dark pixel values that are normally distributed approximately when a histogram is used is set to the black level. Specifically, after an average value of dark pixel values is subtracted from each pixel value in the main scan, image processing is performed using the table data of Y = X ^0.45 shown in FIG. It was. However, when such a black level setting method is applied to dark image data, as shown in FIG. 6B, about half of the pixels whose pixel values are less than the average value are set to zero. Is clipped. Therefore, when such a black level setting method is applied to the image data of the main scan, the number of pixels having a pixel value of zero (corresponding to black) increases, so that noise appears to be out of gradation. As a result, the present inventor has clarified that the noise seems to be suddenly generated, so that the noise feeling is bad and the feeling of roughness is generated.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the black level setting method is as follows.
First, after calculating the average value Ave of dark pixel values, the average value Ave is not subtracted from each pixel value, and the table data of Y = X ^0.45 is shifted by the average value Ave to be included in the pixel value. Eliminate dark signal components. In the range of Ave + 2σ ≦ X, image processing is performed based on the shifted table data. Accordingly, the color indicated by the document 68 is accurately reproduced in the range of Ave + 2σ ≦ X, that is, almost all gradations.

  Second, the range of Ave−2σ ≦ X ≦ Ave + 2σ in the shifted table data is replaced with Y = f (X) so as to be smoothly continuous at both ends. Accordingly, Y = 0 in the table data is only in the range of Ave-2σ ≦ X. In other words, as shown in FIG. 5B, the black level is conventionally set to the average value Ave of the dark pixel values, but in this embodiment, it is shifted by 2σ from the average value Ave of the dark pixel values. The black level is set at the selected position.

  For this reason, a pixel having any pixel value from (Ave-2σ) to Ave that has been clipped in the past is not clipped. Therefore, when the pixel value of the image data is a histogram, the histogram continuously changes in the vicinity of the pixel value being zero. As a result, the noise continuously changes, so that “noise gradation skip” or “feeling rough” does not occur, and the noise in the dark part of the image becomes inconspicuous.

<Supplementary items of this embodiment>
[1] In this embodiment, the example of correcting the table data by measuring the dark pixel value has been described. The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the average value Ave and the standard deviation σ of the dark pixel values may be set in advance, and the processes in steps S1 to S4 and S8 may be omitted using these preset values in step S9. In this case, corresponding to claims 1, 2 and 5, the measurement of dark noise caused by turning off the light source can be omitted, so that the control system is simplified.

[2] An example in which the dark signal component included in the pixel value is erased by performing A / D conversion with the lowest level of the signal voltage that can be output from the line sensor 28 being zero, and then shifting the table data by Ave. It was. The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment.
Assuming that the average value of the dark signal voltage at the time of output from the line sensor 28 is Ave ′, for example, as shown in FIG. May be. In this case, in step S9, as shown in FIG. 7B, the table data with Y = X ^0.45 is shifted by 2σ in the X-axis direction. In step S12, the range of 0 ≦ X ≦ 4σ in the shifted table data is replaced with Y = f (X).

  Also in this case, if the clip at the time of A / D conversion is combined with the shift of the table data, each pixel value in the range of X ≧ 4σ is subtracted by the average value Ave ′ of the dark signal voltage. Accordingly, as in the above-described embodiment, the color indicated by the document 68 is accurately reproduced with almost all gradations. In addition, since only the statistical lower limit (Ave'-2σ) of the dark signal voltage is clipped, the noise in the dark image portion becomes inconspicuous.

[3] The example in which the range of Ave−2σ ≦ X ≦ Ave + 2σ is replaced with Y = f (X) has been described. The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The boundary value below the replacement range (Ave-2σ in this embodiment) may be zero or more. Further, the boundary value above the replacement range (Ave + 2σ in the present embodiment) only needs to be larger than Ave.
[4] An example of handling R, G, and B image signals has been described. The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the present invention can also be applied to an image signal including a luminance signal Y and color difference signals Cr and Cb.

[5] In the film scanner, the example of improving the noise feeling in the dark part of the image was described. The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The technology for improving the noise sensation in the dark image portion according to the present invention can be applied to other devices that handle digital image data, such as an electronic camera.
[6] An example in which the noise feeling in the dark portion is improved for the image data generated by the main scan has been described. The present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, in preparation for a case where an image obtained by pre-scanning is displayed on a personal computer screen, the noise in the dark portion may be improved for image data obtained by pre-scanning. In this case, what is necessary is just to change the processing content of step S4 as follows.

First, the MPU 56 calculates the standard deviation σ from the histogram of pixel values of the image data generated in step S3. Next, the MPU 56 shifts the table data that gives the output Y with Y = X ^0.45 to the input X by Ave in the X-axis direction. Further, the MPU 56 replaces the range of Ave−2σ ≦ X ≦ Ave + 2σ in the shifted table data with Y = f (X).

[7] Finally, the correspondence between the claims and the present embodiment will be described. In addition, the correspondence shown below is one interpretation for reference, and does not limit the present invention.
The "photoelectric conversion unit" described in the claims includes "the illumination optical system 12, the mirror 20, the lens 24, the line sensor 28, the scanning drive mechanism 32, the timing generator 36, the A / D conversion unit 40, and the image data generated therein. This corresponds to “function of MPU 56 to be performed”. The details of the operation for reading the document and generating the image data are well known, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

The “dark noise” described in the claims corresponds to “the pixel value of the image data generated at the through position in steps S2 and S3”.
The “amount according to the variance of dark noise” described in the claims corresponds to “2σ”.
The “black level setting unit” described in the claims reads “average value Ave and standard deviation σ of dark pixel values, shifts the table data by the average value Ave, and sets Ave−2σ in the shifted table data ≦ This corresponds to the “function of MPU 56 that replaces the range of X ≦ Ave + 2σ with Y = f (X)”.

The “dark noise measurement unit” recited in the claims corresponds to “a function of the MPU 56 that generates image data at a through position in steps S2 and S3”.
The “condition for changing dark noise” in the claims is “the number of multi-scans, the output gain of the line sensor 28, the charge accumulation time of the line sensor 28, the temperature at the time of imaging, the resolution compression, the type of document, etc.” Corresponding (see step S11).

“Correction of dark noise dispersion” referred to in claim 4 corresponds to “function of MPU 56 for correcting standard deviation σ in step S11”.
“Corresponding relationship information” described in the claims corresponds to “table data for gradation conversion such as gamma correction (which may be a conversion formula)”.

  As described above in detail, the present invention can be used in many fields in the field of imaging devices.

It is a block diagram of the film scanner of this embodiment. It is the first half part of the flowchart which shows operation | movement of the film scanner of this embodiment. It is the latter half part of the flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the film scanner of this embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows distribution of the pixel value at the time of the dark measured with a film scanner. It is explanatory drawing of the table data corrected according to dispersion | distribution of the pixel value at the time of darkness. It is explanatory drawing which shows the setting position of the black level by the conventional film scanner. It is explanatory drawing of the example which clips the part for "Ave'-2 (sigma)" at the time of A / D conversion, and shifts table data by 2 (sigma).

Explanation of symbols

8 Film scanner 12 Illumination optical system 16 Document holding mechanism 20 Mirror 24 Lens 28 Line sensor 32 Scan driving mechanism 36 Timing generator 40 A / D converter 44 Image processor 48 Interface circuit 52 System bus 56 MPU
60 Memory 68 Original

Claims (5)

A photoelectric conversion unit that generates image data including a plurality of pixel signals by photoelectric conversion;
With the pixel signal indicating the average value of dark noise as a reference, the black level of the image data is set to be shifted from the reference to the dark color side by an amount corresponding to the dispersion of the dark noise, An image pickup apparatus comprising: the pixel signal indicating a color darker than the reference by an amount corresponding to the dispersion; and a black level setting unit that leaves a gradation of the pixel signal between the reference. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The black level setting unit uses the predetermined value as the average value and the variance of the dark noise, so that the black level can be set regardless of the conditions under which the photoelectric conversion unit generates the image data. An imaging device characterized by setting the same. The imaging device according to claim 1,
The black level setting unit includes a dark noise measurement unit that measures the dark noise, obtains the variance based on a measurement result of the dark noise measurement unit, and sets the black level according to the obtained variance. An imaging device characterized by setting. In the imaging device according to claim 1 or 3,
The black level setting unit corrects the black noise level after correcting the dark noise variance according to a condition in which the dark noise changes when the photoelectric conversion unit generates the image data. An image pickup apparatus that is set by shifting from the reference by an amount corresponding to the dispersion. The imaging apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image processing unit that performs gradation conversion on the image data using correspondence information that gives output pixel values to a plurality of input pixel values,
The black level setting unit corresponds to an output pixel value A corresponding to an input pixel value indicating the black level and an input pixel value indicating a color brighter than the reference by an amount corresponding to the variance in the correspondence relationship information. The output pixel value between the output pixel value B is corrected as in the following (1) and (2) according to the variance. (1) The output pixel value A is changed to a pixel value indicating the black level. (2) Interpolating between the output pixel value A and the output pixel value B so as to be continuous monotonically increasing.

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