JP2006254173A - Cartridge type solid-state imaging apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cartridge type solid-state imaging apparatus that can be mounted in various types of film cameras. <P>SOLUTION: In the cartridge type solid-state imaging apparatus which comprises a casing having a shape formed when a film is pulled out of a cartridge for a predetermined length, packages a solid-state imaging device 23 at a position corresponding to the film and is mounted in a film camera in place of a film for photographing a digital image, the casing in the shape comprises a plate-like first casing 22 which packages the solid-state imaging device 23 therein in accordance with a shape of the film, and a tubular second casing 24 that is attached so as to insert or draw the first casing 22 just for a predetermined distance in accordance with the shape of the cartridge. Thus, the distance of the solid-state imaging device 23 from the second casing 24 can be adjusted and a light receiving plane 23a of that device can be aligned with an image forming plane of the film camera. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge type solid-state image pickup device that is mounted on a silver salt film camera and picks up a digital image, and in particular, a cartridge that can be mounted on various types and sizes of film cameras such as a compact camera and a single-lens reflex camera. The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a conventional cartridge type solid-state imaging device, which is disclosed in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 below. A conventional cartridge-type solid-state imaging device 1 includes a casing 2 having a shape in which a film having a predetermined length of about 10 cm is drawn from a cartridge containing a silver salt film, and a solid-state imaging device is provided in a film corresponding portion 3 of the casing 2. 4 is attached, and an electronic circuit and a battery power source are accommodated in the cartridge corresponding part 5.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the back cover 6 of the film camera 5 is opened, and the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 1 is mounted in the film camera 5 so that the solid-state imaging device 4 faces the lens 7. Close.

  When the release button 8 of the film camera 5 is pressed halfway and the S1 switch is turned on, the autofocus function and exposure function of the film camera 5 operate to determine the focus lens position, aperture opening amount, and shutter speed, and the release button. When the S2 switch is turned on by fully pressing 8, the shutter is released. As a result, the subject image picked up through the lens 7 is formed on the light receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 4, and digital image data is taken from the solid-state image sensor 4 into a memory in the electronic circuit.

JP-A-9-98326 JP 2000-184250 A JP 2003-234932 A

  There are various types of film cameras to which a cartridge type solid-state imaging device is mounted, ranging from a compact camera such as a compact camera to a large camera such as a single-lens reflex camera. Therefore, if the type and size of the film camera on which the cartridge type solid-state imaging device is mounted are different, the distance from the cartridge storage location of the film camera to the imaging plane of the subject image obtained through the lens of the film camera will be different.

  However, since the conventional cartridge type solid-state imaging device 1 has a fixed distance t between the cartridge portion 5 and the center of the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device 4 as shown in FIG. There is a problem that it cannot be mounted on various types of film cameras. For this reason, it is necessary to manufacture a cartridge type solid-state imaging device having a size suitable for each type of film camera, resulting in an increase in manufacturing cost and an inability to provide an inexpensive cartridge type solid-state imaging device. Arise.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive cartridge type solid-state imaging device that can be mounted on various types of film cameras.

  The cartridge type solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes a casing in a shape in which a film is drawn out from the cartridge for a predetermined length, a solid-state imaging device is mounted at a position corresponding to the film, and the film camera is mounted instead of the film. In a cartridge type solid-state imaging device that captures a digital image, the casing having the shape corresponds to the shape of the film, and a plate-shaped first casing on which the solid-state imaging device is mounted, and corresponds to the shape of the cartridge. The first housing is configured by a cylindrical second housing that is inserted into the interior of the first housing by a predetermined distance and that can be pulled out.

  According to the present invention, since the first casing on which the solid-state imaging device is mounted is slidably attached to the second casing of the cartridge part, the first casing is attached to the second casing when mounted on a large film camera. When pulled out from the body and mounted on a small film camera, the first housing is inserted into the second housing, so that the light-receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device can be matched with the imaging surface of each film camera. Therefore, a single cartridge type solid-state imaging device can be used for various film cameras, and the manufacturing cost of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a silver halide film camera equipped with a cartridge type solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 according to this embodiment is mounted with the back cover 12 opened in the film camera 11 as in FIG. 10, but in this embodiment, the release button 13 of the film camera 11 is further provided. A camera attachment 15 is provided that can be detachably fitted to the part. The camera attachment 15 is provided with a button 16 that covers the release button 13 and can be pressed together with the release button 13.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an internal circuit of the camera attachment 15. The camera attachment 15 includes a touch sensor 17 that senses that the user's finger has touched the button 16, and an oscillation circuit (wireless) that oscillates at a predetermined frequency when the touch sensor 17 senses that the button 16 is touched. Transmitting means) 18, an antenna 19 that outputs the output of the oscillation circuit 18 by radio, and a button battery 20 that supplies power to the oscillation circuit 18 and the touch sensor 17.

  FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 according to the present embodiment. A solid-state image sensor 23 is attached to the film corresponding part (first casing) 22 of the casing 21 of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10, and the cartridge corresponding part (second casing) 24 is replaceable. A battery power source 25 and an electronic circuit 26 are accommodated.

  The first housing 22 is attached to the second housing 24 so that it can be inserted and pulled out by a predetermined distance, for example, a maximum of about 2 cm. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the first housing 22 is inserted into the second housing 24 to the maximum and a state in which the first housing 22 is pulled out from the second housing 24 to the maximum.

  When the shortest distance between the center of the light receiving surface of the solid-state imaging device 23 mounted on the first housing 22 and the center of the second housing 24 is t, the first housing 22 is maximized from the second housing 24. The distance between the center of the light receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor 23 and the center of the second housing 24 when pulled out is t + a (a = 2 cm in the above example).

  A connecting mechanism between the second housing 24 and the first housing 22 inserted into the second housing 24 is provided with a latch mechanism in 2 mm steps, for example, and the first housing 22 is moved in 2 mm steps. The first housing 22 can be fixed to the second housing 24 by being inserted into (or pulled out from) the second housing 24. Needless to say, the first housing 22 cannot be completely removed from the second housing 24.

  As the latch mechanism, in the illustrated example, the protrusion 27 provided at an interval of 2 mm along the upper edge and the lower edge of the connecting portion of the first housing 22 and the inner side of the connecting portion of the second housing 24 are described above. However, a latch mechanism having another configuration may be used.

  In order to slidably mount the first housing 22 on which the solid-state imaging device 23 is mounted to the second housing 24, the solid-state imaging device 23 and the electronic circuit 26 are connected by a flexible flat cable. A slide of a predetermined distance is possible.

  FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 shown in FIG. A push button 30 for turning on the power and an antenna 31 are provided at predetermined positions on the back surface of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10. When the film camera 11 is provided with a window for checking the film, the predetermined portion is preferably a portion facing the window. When the push button 30 is pressed and the push button 30 itself is caused to emit light, the predetermined portion is removed from the window. It can be easily confirmed.

  6 is a functional block diagram of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 (including the functional configuration of the electronic circuit 26 shown in FIG. 3). The cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 of the present embodiment includes a CPU 33 that performs overall control of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 and an imaging element driving unit that controls driving of the solid-state imaging element 23 according to instructions from the CPU (control unit) 33. 35, an analog signal processing unit 36 that takes in the output data of the solid-state imaging device 23 and performs signal processing according to an instruction from the CPU 33, and an A / D converter that converts image data output from the analog signal processing unit 36 into digital data 37. In the present embodiment, the speaker 29 is connected to the CPU 33.

  The cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 further captures digital image data output from the memory control unit 42 connected to the frame memory 41 and the A / D converter 37, and performs image processing such as gamma correction and RGB / YC conversion. A digital signal processing unit 43 that performs processing, a compression / decompression processing unit 44 that compresses the captured image into a JPEG image or expands the compressed image, and an integration unit 45 that integrates the captured image data and adjusts the gain of white balance. A recording medium 46 that stores captured image data such as JPEG image data, a memory control unit 47 that controls the recording medium 46, a wireless interface 48 that is connected to the antenna 31 and performs wireless communication with the outside, and these Are provided with a control bus 49 and a data bus 50.

  The power supply circuit 51 of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 uses the battery power supply 25 shown in FIG. 3 as a power source, supplies power to the CPU 33 and the wireless interface 48 via the open / close switch 51a, and supplies the battery type solid state via the open / close switch 51b. Power is supplied to each processing unit (excluding the CPU 33 and the wireless interface 48) constituting the imaging apparatus 10.

  The switch 51a is closed when the push button switch 30 shown in FIG. 5 is pressed by the user, and power is supplied to the CPU 33 and the wireless interface 48. The switch 51b is controlled to open and close by a power-on command from the CPU 33.

  Next, the operation of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart showing the power supply control processing procedure of FIG.

  When the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 is mounted in the film camera 11 of FIG. 1 so that the user can use the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10, the pull-out distance of the first casing 22 from the second casing 24 is adjusted. Then, the light receiving surface of the solid-state image pickup device 23 is aligned with the image forming surface of the film camera 11, and the push button 30 is pressed before mounting. As a result, the open / close switch 51a of FIG. 6 is closed, and power is supplied only to the CPU 33 and the wireless interface 48. That is, the power supply control program of FIG. 7 is activated under the power saving mode. Then, the user fits and attaches the camera attachment 15 to the release button 13 portion of the film camera 11.

  When the user touches the button 16 to capture a digital image, the touch sensor 17 senses this, and a radio signal indicating “touched” is transmitted from the antenna 19 of the attachment 15. The CPU 33 in FIG. 6 waits for reception of the “touch present” signal in step S1 of FIG. 7. When the CPU 33 receives the “touch present” signal from the antenna 31 via the wireless interface 48, the process proceeds to step S2. Then, the switch 51b shown in FIG. 6 is closed. As a result, all the functions of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 become operable.

  Thereafter, the user performs a digital image capturing operation, and this image capturing operation is performed regardless of the processing of FIG. The imaging operation is performed in the same manner as with a normal film camera. That is, when the user half-presses the button 16, the S1 switch of the release button 13 below the button 16 is turned on. As a result, the auto focus function, exposure function, etc. of the film camera 11 operate to adjust the focus lens position and control the aperture opening amount. The shutter speed is determined.

  When the user fully presses the button 16, the S2 switch of the release button 13 below the switch 16 is turned on, and the shutter of the film camera 11 is cut at the above shutter speed. That is, if the camera has a focal plane shutter, the front and rear curtains of the focal plane shutter travel, and if the camera has a lens shutter, the lens shutter is opened and closed. Of course, it is also possible to manually operate control of shutter speed and aperture opening, focus adjustment, and the like.

  As a result, a subject image is formed on the light receiving surface 23 a of the solid-state image sensor 23, and the captured image data is read from the solid-state image sensor 23 in the same manner as a normal digital camera and stored in the recording medium 46.

  The power supply control program shown in FIG. 7 waits until the “touched” signal from the attachment 15 cannot be received even during shooting of a digital image (step S3), and cannot receive the “touched” signal. If so, the process proceeds to step S4 to open the switch 51b. As a result, the power saving mode is entered again, and power is supplied only to the CPU 33 and the wireless interface 48, and consumption of the battery 25 is suppressed.

  In the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 of the present embodiment, the light receiving surface 23a of the solid-state imaging device 23 is made the imaging surface of the film camera 11 by adjusting the pull-out distance of the first housing 22 from the second housing 24. I try to match. Since the first casing 22 is formed corresponding to the film, the vertical shift of the captured image does not occur. However, if the positional adjustment of the first casing 22 is shifted, the right side of the captured image or An image with the left side cut is captured.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the CPU 33 determines whether or not the position adjustment has shifted by using the position determination program, and when the position shift has occurred, the alarm sound is output from the speaker 29.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of position determination processing performed under the control of the CPU 33. First, the captured image data output from the solid-state imaging device 23 is captured by the digital signal processing unit 43 via the analog signal processing unit 36 and the A / D converter 37 (step S11).

  When the imaging surface of the film camera 11 coincides with the light receiving surface 23a of the solid-state imaging device 23, the image data captured by the digital signal processing unit 43 has little invalid data. The invalid data is data output from pixels that do not receive light on the light receiving surface 23a. If there is a positional deviation between the light receiving surface 23a and the imaging surface, invalid data increases on the right side or the left side in the image data captured by the digital signal processing unit 43. The digital signal processing unit 43 notifies the CPU 33 of the pixel area where the invalid data is output and the invalid data amount. Thereby, CPU33 can determine whether the position of the light-receiving surface 23a corresponds with the position of an image formation surface (step S12). If they match, the process is terminated without outputting an alarm.

  If they do not match, the process proceeds from step S12 to step S13, an alarm sound is output, and this process ends. Accordingly, the user can know the positional deviation and readjust the pull-out distance of the first casing 22 from the second casing 24.

  If the pixel area to which invalid data is output and the amount of invalid data can be detected with high accuracy, the CPU 33 can determine how much the positional deviation is in which direction. For example, “right two steps” or “left one step” It is also possible to give an alarm instruction by voice.

  As described above, since the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 of the present embodiment can adjust the position of the solid-state imaging device 23, one type of cartridge type solid-state imaging device for film cameras of various types and sizes. 10 so that the user is not burdened with searching for a cartridge type solid-state imaging device suitable for the film camera he owns, and the manufacturer does not have to manufacture many types of cartridge type solid-state imaging devices. Can be reduced.

  The cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 of the present embodiment does not require any modification on the film camera 11 side. Therefore, when the film camera 11 is used as a silver salt film camera, the cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 is simply removed from the camera 11. It can be used as a film camera simply by removing and installing a silver salt film instead.

  That is, the patrone type solid-state image pickup device of the present embodiment can use the expensive and high-performance lens and the robust camera body of the existing film camera as they are, and the solid-state image pickup device manufacturing technology has advanced, When the number of pixels is further increased, the user can enjoy the benefits of technological advances at low cost simply by replacing and using a cartridge type solid-state image pickup device equipped with a new solid-state image pickup device like a film.

  In the above-described embodiment, the captured image data is only stored in the recording medium 46. The cartridge type solid-state imaging device 10 is taken out from the camera 11, connected to a personal computer or the like with a USB cable or the like, and the captured image data is read out to the outside. However, as described in Patent Document 3, for example, image data is transmitted to an external portable terminal device using the wireless interface 48, and the captured image data is displayed on the display screen of the portable terminal device. Needless to say, you can make it happen.

  Further, a command is sent from the portable terminal device to the CPU 33 through the wireless interface 48, and a normal digital camera such as sensitivity switching of the solid-state imaging device 23, switching of shooting modes such as moving image shooting and still image shooting, switching of white balance correction, etc. It is also possible to add a configuration for performing various functions installed in the.

  The patrone type solid-state imaging device according to the present invention can use the lens and the camera body without modifying any existing film camera, and can handle various types and sizes of film cameras in one shape. Therefore, it can be provided at low cost and is useful as a camera that replaces the existing digital camera with a lens.

1 is a rear perspective view of a film camera equipped with a cartridge type solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration circuit diagram of the camera attachment shown in FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cartridge type solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram comparing the shortest state in which the first housing of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device shown in FIG. 3 is pushed into the second housing and the longest state in which the first housing is pulled out from the second housing. . FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the cartridge type solid-state imaging device shown in FIG. 3. It is a functional block diagram of a cartridge type solid-state imaging device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the power supply control program which CPU shown in FIG. 5 performs. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the position determination process of the solid-state image sensor which the cartridge type solid-state imaging device shown in FIG. 3 performs. It is a front perspective view of the conventional cartridge type solid-state imaging device. FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of a film camera equipped with the cartridge type solid-state imaging device shown in FIG. 9.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Patrone type solid-state imaging device 11 Film camera 12 Back cover 13 Release button 15 Camera attachment 16 Button 17 Touch sensor 18 Oscillation circuit (radio transmission means)
19, 31 Antenna 20 Button battery 21 Case 22 First case (film compatible part)
23 solid-state image sensor 23a light-receiving surface 24 second housing (patrone corresponding portion)
25 Battery power 27 Protrusion 29 Speaker 30 Power-on push button 33 CPU
48 Wireless interface 51 Power supply circuit 51a, 51b Open / close switch

Claims (1)

  A cartridge type solid-state imaging device comprising a case in which a film is pulled out from a cartridge for a predetermined length, a solid-state imaging device mounted on a location corresponding to the film, and a digital image taken by mounting the film camera instead of the film The plate-shaped first housing corresponding to the shape of the film and mounting the solid-state imaging device and the first housing corresponding to the shape of the cartridge within a predetermined distance. A cartridge type solid-state imaging device, characterized in that it is configured with a cylindrical second housing which is attached so that it can be inserted and pulled out.

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