JP2006121151A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (32)

The unit configuration element includes a detection unit that detects change information according to a change in the incident physical quantity, and a unit signal generation unit that generates a unit signal based on the change information detected by the detection unit. A signal processing method for performing predetermined signal processing based on the unit signal output from an apparatus for physical quantity distribution detection in which elements are arranged in a predetermined order,
Instead of amplified signal processing for increasing the level of the unit signal output from the unit component, the level corresponding to the amplification factor in the amplified signal processing while suppressing S / N degradation associated with the amplified signal processing The signal processing method characterized by including the process of adjusting individually the detection time in the said detection part so that a unit signal may be output from the said unit component. The step of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit,
A preparatory step of performing the detection in the detection unit for a predetermined detection time, and detecting the magnitude of the unit signal corresponding to the change in the physical quantity for each detection unit;
According to the magnitude of the unit signal corresponding to the change in the physical quantity for each of the detection units detected in the preparation step, the amplification factor in the amplified signal processing is suppressed while suppressing S / N degradation associated with the amplified signal processing. A calculation step of individually calculating a detection time in the detection unit so that the unit signal of a corresponding level is output from the unit component;
The signal processing method according to claim 1, further comprising: a main step of individually controlling the detection time of each detection unit based on the detection time calculated in the calculation step. The amplified signal processing is processing for correcting the sensitivity variation of each of the detection units,
The step of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit is to individually adjust the detection time of each of the detection units so that the variation in sensitivity is offset. Signal processing method. The amplified signal processing is a process of adjusting a change characteristic of the unit signal with respect to a change in the physical quantity so that an amplification factor for a part with a small change in the physical quantity is larger than a part with a large change in the physical quantity,
The step of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit is such that the detection time of the detection unit is longer in the portion where the change in the physical quantity is smaller than in the portion where the change in the physical quantity is large. The signal processing method according to claim 1, wherein the detection time is individually adjusted. The amplification signal processing is processing for white balance so that an entire imaging signal representing a subject obtained by a color imaging device as an apparatus for detecting the physical quantity distribution approaches white,
The signal processing according to claim 1, wherein the step of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit individually adjusts the detection time of the detection unit for each color so as to achieve the white balance. Method. The signal processing method according to claim 1, wherein the step of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit is executed using an electronic shutter function that clears the change information detected by the detection unit. The step of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit is executed by using a mechanical shutter function that opens and closes the incidence of the physical quantity to the detection unit in combination with the electronic shutter function. The signal processing method as described. The signal according to claim 1, wherein the step of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit is executed using an electronic shutter function that reads the change information detected by the detection unit at different times. Processing method. 9. The step of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit is executed by using a mechanical shutter function for opening and closing incidence of the physical quantity to the detection unit in combination with the electronic shutter function. The signal processing method as described. The unit configuration element includes a detection unit that detects change information according to a change in the incident physical quantity, and a unit signal generation unit that generates a unit signal based on the change information detected by the detection unit. A signal processing device that performs predetermined signal processing based on the unit signal output from an apparatus for physical quantity distribution detection in which elements are arranged in a predetermined order,
Instead of amplified signal processing for increasing the level of the unit signal output from the unit component, the level corresponding to the amplification factor in the amplified signal processing while suppressing S / N degradation associated with the amplified signal processing A signal processing apparatus comprising: a control unit that individually adjusts a detection time in the detection unit so that a unit signal is output from the unit component. The controller is
The detection is performed by the detection unit for a predetermined detection time, the magnitude of the unit signal corresponding to the change in the physical quantity for each detection unit is detected, and the change in the physical quantity for each detected detection unit is detected. According to the magnitude of the corresponding unit signal, the unit signal having a level corresponding to the amplification factor in the amplified signal processing is output from the unit component while suppressing S / N degradation associated with the amplified signal processing. As described above, an analysis unit that individually calculates the detection time in the detection unit,
The signal processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: a timing control unit that individually controls the detection time of each detection unit based on the detection time calculated in the analysis unit. The amplified signal processing is processing for correcting the sensitivity variation of each of the detection units,
The said control part adjusts the detection time of each said detection part separately as a method of adjusting the detection time in the said detection part separately so that the said sensitivity variation may be offset. A signal processing device according to 1. The amplified signal processing is a process of adjusting a change characteristic of the unit signal with respect to a change in the physical quantity so that an amplification factor for a part with a small change in the physical quantity is larger than a part with a large change in the physical quantity,
The control unit, as a method of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit, so that the detection time of the detection unit is longer in the portion where the change in the physical quantity is smaller than the portion where the change in the physical quantity is large. The signal processing device according to claim 10, wherein the detection time of each of the detection units is individually adjusted. The amplification signal processing is processing for white balance so that an entire imaging signal representing a subject obtained by a color imaging device as an apparatus for detecting the physical quantity distribution approaches white,
The said control part adjusts the detection time of the said detection part of each color separately as a method of adjusting the detection time in the said detection part separately so that the said white balance can be taken. Signal processing device. The said control part performs the method of adjusting individually the detection time in the said detection part using the electronic shutter function which clears the said change information detected by the said detection part. Signal processing device. The control unit executes a technique of individually adjusting a detection time in the detection unit by using a mechanical shutter function for opening and closing incidence of the physical quantity to the detection unit in combination with the electronic shutter function. The signal processing apparatus according to claim 15. The said control part performs the method of adjusting individually the detection time in the said detection part using the electronic shutter function which reads the said change information detected by the said detection part at different time, respectively. A signal processing device according to 1. The control unit executes a technique of individually adjusting a detection time in the detection unit by using a mechanical shutter function for opening and closing incidence of the physical quantity to the detection unit in combination with the electronic shutter function. The signal processing device according to claim 17. The unit configuration element includes a detection unit that detects change information according to a change in the incident physical quantity, and a unit signal generation unit that generates a unit signal based on the change information detected by the detection unit. A device for detecting a physical quantity distribution in which elements are arranged in a predetermined order,
Instead of amplified signal processing for increasing the level of the unit signal output from the unit component, the level corresponding to the amplification factor in the amplified signal processing while suppressing S / N degradation associated with the amplified signal processing An apparatus for detecting a physical quantity distribution, comprising: a control unit that individually adjusts a detection time in the detection unit so that a unit signal is output from the unit component. The controller is
The detection is performed by the detection unit for a predetermined detection time, the magnitude of the unit signal corresponding to the change in the physical quantity for each detection unit is detected, and the change in the physical quantity for each detected detection unit is detected. According to the magnitude of the corresponding unit signal, the unit signal having a level corresponding to the amplification factor in the amplified signal processing is output from the unit component while suppressing S / N degradation associated with the amplified signal processing. As described above, an analysis unit that individually calculates the detection time in the detection unit,
The apparatus for physical quantity distribution detection according to claim 19, further comprising: a timing control unit that individually controls the detection time of each detection unit based on the detection time calculated in the analysis unit. The amplified signal processing is processing for correcting the sensitivity variation of each of the detection units,
The said control part adjusts the detection time of each said detection part separately as a method of adjusting the detection time in the said detection part separately so that the said sensitivity variation may be offset. The device for physical quantity distribution detection described in 1. The amplified signal processing is a process of adjusting a change characteristic of the unit signal with respect to a change in the physical quantity so that an amplification factor for a part with a small change in the physical quantity is larger than a part with a large change in the physical quantity,
The control unit, as a method of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit, so that the detection time of the detection unit is longer in the portion where the change in the physical quantity is smaller than the portion where the change in the physical quantity is large. The apparatus for detecting a physical quantity distribution according to claim 19, wherein the detection time of each of the detection units is individually adjusted. The amplification signal processing is processing for white balance so that an entire imaging signal representing a subject obtained by a color imaging device as an apparatus for detecting the physical quantity distribution approaches white,
20. The control unit according to claim 19, wherein the control unit individually adjusts the detection time of the detection unit for each color so as to achieve the white balance as a method of individually adjusting the detection time in the detection unit. Device for physical quantity distribution detection. The said control part performs the method of adjusting individually the detection time in the said detection part using the electronic shutter function which clears the said change information detected by the said detection part. Device for physical quantity distribution detection. The control unit executes a technique of individually adjusting a detection time in the detection unit by using a mechanical shutter function for opening and closing incidence of the physical quantity to the detection unit in combination with the electronic shutter function. The apparatus for physical quantity distribution detection according to claim 24. The control unit individually supplies a drive signal for performing a normal read operation to the unit component and a drive signal for realizing the electronic shutter function to the unit component individually. The apparatus for physical quantity distribution detection according to claim 24, further comprising: a shutter control unit. The said control part performs the method of adjusting the detection time in the said detection part separately using the electronic shutter function which reads the said change information detected by the said detection part at different time, respectively. The device for physical quantity distribution detection described in 1. The control unit executes a technique of individually adjusting a detection time in the detection unit by using a mechanical shutter function for opening and closing incidence of the physical quantity to the detection unit in combination with the electronic shutter function. The apparatus for physical quantity distribution detection according to claim 27. The control unit individually supplies a drive signal for performing a normal read operation to the unit component and a drive signal for realizing the electronic shutter function to the unit component individually. The apparatus for physical quantity distribution detection according to claim 27, further comprising: a shutter control unit. The apparatus for physical quantity distribution detection according to claim 19, wherein reading of the unit signal from each of the unit components is controlled by address control. The physical quantity distribution detecting unit according to claim 19, further comprising a charge transfer path for transferring a signal charge representing the change information detected by the detecting unit to the unit signal generating unit. apparatus. The detection unit is arranged in a vertical direction and a horizontal direction on a two-dimensional plane,
A vertical charge transfer path for transferring the signal charge detected by the detection unit in the vertical direction;
A read gate for reading the signal charge from the detection unit to the vertical charge transfer path;
32. The apparatus for detecting physical quantity distribution according to claim 31, further comprising: a horizontal charge transfer path that transfers the signal charge transferred by the vertical charge transfer path to the unit signal generator in the horizontal direction. .