JP2008042838A - Television camera - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a television camera of a partial scan system capable of cultivating new uses, whereas uses of partial scan television cameras of prior arts have been limited because the cameras can choose only one area of the imaging area or a plurality of line widths. <P>SOLUTION: The television camera comprises a camera section for imaging an object, an operation section for operating the camera section, and an output section for outputting a signal from the camera section. The camera section comprises a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of pixels, a driving section for driving the solid-state imaging device, and a control section for controlling the solid-state imaging device and the driving section. The control section comprises a partial-scan position selection section for setting a plurality of areas of which the imaging information is required and a plurality of areas of which the imaging information is not required, and a horizontal/vertical pulse selection section for switching over the scanning rates of the driving section for driving the solid-state imaging device based on the control signals from the partial-scan position selection section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a television camera, and more particularly to a television camera that performs a partial scan (registered trademark of Hitachi Kokusai Electric Inc.).

  Conventionally, there is a television camera of a system called partial scan. The partial scan type television camera uses, for example, an interline transfer CCD (IT-CCD: Interline Transfer-Charge Coupled Device, hereinafter referred to as an IT type CCD), and is in the light receiving pixel area of the imaging device. This is a television camera that partially reads out only a specific light receiving pixel region, that is, a certain number of scanning lines in the horizontal scanning line direction, and extracts it as a video signal.

  There are two types of this partial scan type television camera. There are a method of reading a specific region from the light receiving pixel region of the imaging device and a method of reading the specific region from the central portion of the light receiving pixel region of the imaging device. . A partial scan type television camera investigated by the present inventors will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an IT CCD, and FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a partial scan method.

  In FIG. 7, reference numeral 701 denotes a photodiode, 702 denotes a vertical transfer CCD, 703 denotes a horizontal transfer CCD, and 704 denotes a charge detection unit. First, FIG. 7A is a diagram for describing reading from the photodiode 701. Light incident on the photodiode 701 is photoelectrically converted, and the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode 701 is obtained during the video period. A state of being read out by the vertical transfer CCD 702 during the vertical blanking period is shown. Black circles represent signal charges. FIG. 7B shows a state in which transfer is performed from the vertical transfer CCD 702 to the horizontal transfer CCD 703 step by step in the horizontal blanking period of the video period. FIG. 7C shows a state where the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is transferred to the charge detection unit 704 and is output as an output signal from the CCD. Then, the transfer of signal charges from the vertical transfer CCD 702 to the horizontal transfer CCD 703 and the charge detection unit 704 is repeated, and all the signal charges are output to obtain a video signal for each frame. The vertical transfer CCD 702 and the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are normally pulse-driven, and the vertical transfer CCD 702 is, for example, a pulse interval of a Tv period, for example, 1/30 second interval (one frame interval in the case of the NTSC system). Transfer pulses are used. Further, the horizontal transfer CCD 703 uses a pulse interval having a period of Th, for example, a transfer pulse having an interval of 64 μsec (one horizontal scanning period) in the case of the NTSC system.

  In the above operation, a video signal is obtained for each frame. Here, a partial scan type television camera will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8A shows a captured image 800 obtained by partial scanning. Imaging regions 801 and 803 indicate regions that are unnecessary as image signals, and an imaging region 802 indicates a region that requires image signals. In this way, a partial scan type television camera is used to exclude areas 801 and 803 that are not necessary as image signals from the captured image 800 and to output areas 802 that are necessary as image signals as image signals. FIG. 8B shows the vertical transfer pulse and the horizontal transfer pulse for that purpose.

  In FIG. 8B, first, in the area 801 unnecessary as an image signal in the captured image 800, that is, for the period t1, the transfer period of the vertical transfer pulse of the vertical transfer CCD 702 is set to the period of the normal vertical transfer pulse. When charges are transferred at a vertical transfer pulse period (Tv × 1/10) times (1 / N) times Tv, for example, 1/10 times, the transfer time t1 of the area 801 unnecessary as an image signal is 1/10. The image is transferred to the horizontal transfer CCD 703 at a speed. On the other hand, in the horizontal transfer CCD 703, the period of the normal horizontal transfer pulse is Th. However, since charges are transferred from the vertical transfer CCD 702 at a transfer rate 10 times the normal, an unnecessary area as an image signal. For example, the transfer time t1 of 801 is to transfer charges at a horizontal transfer pulse period (Th × 1/10) of 1/10 times and sweep out unnecessary charges to the charge detection unit 704.

  Next, for the area 802 required as an image signal, that is, the period t2, the normal reading speed, that is, the transfer period Tv of the vertical transfer pulse of the vertical transfer CCD 702 and the transfer period Th of the horizontal transfer pulse of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are shown. When reading is performed for each horizontal scanning line, the image signal of the region 802 is output.

  Subsequently, in an area 803 unnecessary as an image signal, that is, in the period t3, the transfer rate of the vertical transfer pulse of the vertical transfer CCD 702 is set to (1 / N) times the normal vertical transfer pulse period Tv, for example, 1 / When charges are transferred at a vertical transfer pulse period of 10 times (Tv × 1/10), the transfer time t3 of the area 803 unnecessary as an image signal is transferred to the horizontal transfer CCD 703 at a speed of 1/10. Similarly, since charges are transferred to the horizontal transfer CCD 703 at a transfer rate 1/10 times the period of a normal horizontal transfer pulse, the transfer time t3 of the area 803 unnecessary as an image signal is 1 / Since charges are transferred at a horizontal transfer pulse period (Th × 1/10) of 10 times and unnecessary charges are swept out to the charge detection unit 704, the transfer time t3 of the area 803 unnecessary as an image signal is 1/10 speed. Unnecessary charges are swept out to the charge detector 704. As described above, in the partial scan type television camera, the electric charge of the area unnecessary as the image signal is swept away by the high-speed transfer, and the area necessary as the image signal is read out at the normal speed, thereby obtaining an efficient video signal. Can be obtained.

  However, in such a partial scan type television camera, as described above, either the specific area is read from the light receiving pixel area of the imaging device or the specific area is read from the central portion of the light receiving pixel area. An imaging screen of a plurality of desired areas of the imaging screen cannot be obtained. For example, in FIG. 8A, among the region 802, the regions 802-1 and 802-3 are necessary captured images, but the region 802-2 is the above-described one even if it is an unnecessary captured image. In the partial scan type television camera, there was no method other than obtaining the entire area 802. Therefore, the applications of partial-scan television cameras are limited, and it is desired to realize a partial-scan television camera that can be used for a wider range of applications or new applications. Yes.

JP 2006-42151 A

  In the above-mentioned technology, only one area of the imaging screen or a plurality of line widths can be selected, and the applications of the partial scan type television camera are currently limited. The realization of a partial scan type television camera capable of pioneering applications is desired.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a television camera that can obtain an imaging screen of a plurality of desired areas of an imaging screen.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a television camera capable of setting a cut-out of an imaging screen of a desired area with a simple operation.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide a television camera capable of improving the frame rate of an imaging screen.

  The television camera of the present invention includes a camera unit that captures an object, an operation unit that operates the camera unit, and an output unit that outputs a signal from the camera unit. The camera unit includes a plurality of pixels. A solid-state image pickup device, a drive unit that drives the solid-state image pickup device, and a control unit that controls the solid-state image pickup device and the drive unit, the control unit according to an input from the operation unit Of the solid-state imaging device having pixels, a partial scan position selection unit that sets a plurality of regions that require image information and a plurality of regions that do not require image information, and control from the partial scan position selection unit It has a horizontal and vertical pulse selector that switches the scanning speed of the drive unit that drives the solid-state image sensor based on the signal, and the image information is required among the solid-state image sensor having the plurality of pixels. And scanning speed of the plurality of areas to be configured to vary the scan speed of the plurality of areas that do not require the image information.

  In the television camera of the present invention, a plurality of areas that require the image information among the solid-state imaging device having the plurality of pixels have a normal reading speed, and a plurality that does not require the image information. The scanning speed of this area is set to N times (N: positive integer).

  In the television camera of the present invention, the solid-state image sensor includes a solid-state image sensor having a plurality of pixels in a two-dimensional array, and the partial scan position selection unit includes a vertical position of the solid-state image sensor and A horizontal / vertical pulse selection unit that has a function of setting a horizontal position and switches the scanning speed of a drive unit that drives the solid-state imaging device based on a control signal from the partial scan position selection unit is one horizontal scan The scanning speed of a plurality of areas that require the image information is different from the scanning speed of a plurality of areas that do not require the image information in units of lines.

  Further, in the television camera of the present invention, the partial scan position selection unit further includes a scanning speed of an area that requires the image information in the one horizontal scanning line, and an area that does not require the image information. The position is designated so as to vary the scanning speed.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily obtain information on a plurality of desired areas of the imaging screen, and because it is possible to set the clipping of the imaging screen of the desired area with a simple operation, The present invention can be widely applied to image processing systems such as product sorting and defective product recognition, and mass-produced product automation systems. Furthermore, since the frame rate of the imaging screen can be improved, there are excellent effects such as dramatically improving the processing speed of the image processing system and the mass production product automation system.

  Embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of a production line to which the present invention is applied. The system to which the present invention is applied includes various systems such as an article recognition device, an inspection device, and a sorting device. In this embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a product sorting line will be described as an example. It is not limited. In FIG. 6A, reference numerals 601-1, 601-2, 601-3, and 601-4 denote target products (or also referred to as target objects) to be separated. In addition, when representing a target product, it is referred to as a target product 601 (also referred to as a target object 601). 602 is a belt conveyor that conveys the target product 601, 603 is an infrared sensor composed of an infrared light emitting unit 603-1 and an infrared light receiving unit 603-2, and 603-3 is an infrared optical path between the infrared sensors 603. . 604 is a trigger signal generation unit, 605 is a camera unit such as an imaging device, 607 is an image processing unit, 608 is a display unit such as a monitor, 609 is a determination unit, 610 is a sorter, and 611 is a sorter. The sorter arm 612 is an outlet for dissimilar products. FIG. 6B shows a display screen of a predetermined range of the target product 601 displayed on the display unit 608 when the target product 601 is imaged by the camera unit 605.

Next, the operation of the system shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The belt conveyor 602 conveys the target product 601 from right to left at a constant speed. When the target product 601 crosses the infrared light path 603-3 of the infrared sensor 603, the infrared light receiving unit 603-2 outputs a detection signal to the trigger signal generating unit 604. The trigger signal generation unit 604 outputs a trigger signal to the camera unit 605 according to the detection signal. The camera unit 605 captures an image in a predetermined visual field range after a predetermined time T ₀ , converts the captured image into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the image processing unit 607. The image processing unit 607 performs image processing for displaying the input video signal on the display unit 608 and outputs the processed image signal to the display unit 608.

A part of the output of the image processing unit 607 is sent to the determination unit 609, where the type of product is determined, and a control signal of the determination result is output to the selector 610. The sorter 610 moves, for example, a sorter sorting arm 611 provided on the belt conveyor 602, and the different product 601 on the belt conveyor 602 is discharged from the outlet 612 of the different product. This will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, FIG. 6B is a display screen of a predetermined range of the target product 601. For example, a label attached to the target product 601 is captured by the camera unit 605 and displayed on the display unit 608. The label is provided with a product name XX display 615 and a bar code display 616, which are read by the camera unit 605. The determination unit 609 automatically analyzes and reads the product name XX display 615 and the bar code display 616 from the video signal sent from the image processing unit 607, reads the product name XX display 615, and the bar code display 615. If it is determined from the information in the code display 616 that the product is a different product 601, the sorting arm 611 of the sorter 610 is driven at a predetermined time T ₁ to discharge the different product 601 from the outlet 612 of the different product. The predetermined time T _1, for example, is conveyed from the position where Products 601 is captured by the camera unit 605 on the belt conveyor 602 by the belt conveyor 602, by the time selecting arm 611 of the selector 610 reaches the position where the function is there. In the above-described embodiment, the display 615 of the product name XX and the barcode display 616 are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For recognition and identification of various IDs and color information, 2 Needless to say, the present invention can be similarly applied to more than one place.

  As described above, in this type of system, for example, information such as the product name and barcode of the target product carried on the belt conveyor is automatically recognized or identified, and various processing steps are performed based on the result. In such a case, it is necessary to process as many target products as possible, and it is required to recognize and identify information on the target products at high speed. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of an embodiment of the present invention. The product name OO display 615 and the bar code display 616 in two places on the label of the target product shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the method to read. In FIG. 1A, reference numeral 100 indicates a captured image, and imaging areas 101, 103, and 105 indicate areas that are unnecessary as image signals. The imaging areas 102 and 104 include product information of the target product and indicate areas that need to be reliably read by the camera unit. As described above, the partial scan type television camera of the present invention reads out the regions 101, 103 and 105 unnecessary as image signals from the captured image 100 and reads the regions 102 and 104 required as image signals at high speed. It is. FIG. 1B shows a vertical transfer pulse and a horizontal transfer pulse for performing this partial scan. The image pickup apparatus constituting the camera unit used in the present invention uses the IT type CCD described with reference to FIG. 7, but is not limited to this, such as a FIT (Frame Interline Transfer) type CCD. Needless to say, the present invention can also be used in imaging devices using various CCDs.

  In FIG. 1B, first, in the area 101 that is not necessary as an image signal in the captured image 100, that is, in the period t4, the vertical transfer pulse cycle of the vertical transfer CCD 702 is set as the normal vertical transfer pulse cycle Tv. When the charge is transferred at a period (Tv × 1/10) of (1 / N) times, for example, 1/10 times the vertical transfer pulse, the transfer time t4 of the area 101 unnecessary as an image signal is equal to the normal transfer rate. Is transferred to the horizontal transfer CCD 703 at a speed 10 times higher than that. On the other hand, the horizontal transfer CCD 703 transfers electric charges from the vertical transfer CCD 702 at a transfer rate 10 times higher than that of the vertical transfer CCD 702, assuming that the normal horizontal transfer pulse period is Th. The transfer time t4 is, for example, 1/10, that is, 1/10 times the horizontal transfer pulse period (Th × 1/10), and charges are transferred to the charge detection unit 704.

  Next, for the region 102 required as an image signal, that is, the period t5, the normal reading speed, that is, the vertical transfer pulse transfer period Tv of the vertical transfer CCD 702 and the horizontal transfer pulse transfer period of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is used. When each horizontal scanning line is read with Th, a partial image signal of the region 102 is output.

  Similarly, when the unnecessary areas 103 and 105 are transferred at a normal transfer time Tv, 1 / N of Th, ie, 1/10 transfer time, the transfer times t6 and t8 are 10 times faster than the charge detection unit. Unnecessary charges are swept out 704. For the area 104 required as an image signal, that is, the period t7, the normal reading speed, that is, the vertical transfer pulse transfer period Tv of the vertical transfer CCD 702 and the horizontal transfer pulse transfer period Th of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is used. When reading is performed for each horizontal scanning line, a partial image signal of the region 104 is output.

  As described above, for a plurality of areas that require information, the vertical transfer pulse transfer period Tv of the vertical transfer CCD 702 and the horizontal transfer pulse transfer period Th of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are the same as in the case of capturing a normal image. For areas that do not require information for each horizontal scanning line, obtain the necessary information from the image signal at a high speed as needed by setting the pulse transfer period to 1 / N. Can do. Further, there is an advantage that information on an arbitrary place can be obtained at high speed by appropriately selecting an area as will be described later. In addition, since the frame rate of the image to be obtained can be increased by sweeping out charges in unnecessary areas in this way, screen flicker can be prevented, and higher speed processing can be performed. is there. The present invention will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration of a main part of the system shown in FIG. 1 and 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals. Reference numeral 501 denotes a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD, and its schematic configuration is shown in FIG. 502 is a control unit of the camera unit 605, 503 is a horizontal and vertical drive circuit that drives the solid-state image sensor 501, 504 is a signal processing unit that processes a video signal from the solid-state image sensor 501 and converts it into a digital signal, Reference numeral 505 denotes an operation unit for performing various settings.

  The control unit 502 includes a partial scan position selection unit 506 and a horizontal / vertical scan pulse selection unit. Reference numeral 508 denotes a digital signal output driver that outputs the output of the signal processing unit 504 to the display unit 608 and the determination unit 609 via the image signal processing unit.

  The partial scan position selection unit 506 operates, for example, in the area shown in FIG. 6B, for example, the positions of the product name XX display area 615 and the barcode display area 616, that is, P1 by the operation of the operation unit 505. , P2,... P6 are set.

  The horizontal and vertical scanning pulse selection unit 507 has a specific configuration shown in FIG. 5B, reference numeral 511 denotes a pulse generation unit, 512 denotes a vertical scanning pulse generation unit that appropriately multiplies the pulse signal from the pulse generation unit 511, and 513 denotes a multiplication of the pulse signal from the pulse generation unit 511. It is a horizontal scanning pulse generator. The vertical scanning pulse generator 512 has terminals a and b. For example, a vertical transfer pulse with a period Tv is output from the terminal a, and a period Tv × (1 / N) (N : A vertical transfer pulse with a period of a positive integer) is output. That is, the vertical transfer pulse from the terminal b is a vertical transfer pulse used when signal charges are swept out at a high speed as will be described later. The horizontal scanning pulse generator 513 includes terminals c and d. For example, a horizontal transfer pulse with a period Th is output from the terminal c, and a period Th × (1 / N) is output from the terminal d. Horizontal transfer pulses are output. That is, the horizontal transfer pulse from the terminal d is a horizontal transfer pulse used when signal charges are swept out at a high speed as will be described later. The input terminal 516 receives a signal from the partial scan position selector 506 and controls the selector switches 517 and 518. That is, the changeover switches 517 and 518 are switched at the timing of the setting positions P1, P2,... P6 shown in FIG. 6B, and the vertical transfer pulse from the output terminal 514 is the terminal a or the terminal b. The output terminal 515 outputs the horizontal transfer pulse from the terminal c or the terminal d.

  FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the solid-state image sensor 501. The solid-state imaging device 501 used in an embodiment of the present invention is an IT type CCD having 1628 pixels × 1236 pixels. If this solid-state imaging device 501 is configured to obtain a progressive type output, the positions P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, and P6 of the captured image shown in FIG. For example, 0 line, 201 line, 351 line, 801 line, 1051 line, and 1236 line of the pixel positions (horizontal scanning lines) in the vertical array of the solid-state imaging device 501 in FIG. These correspondences are adjusted and set experimentally by imaging the target product in advance with the camera unit and operating the operation unit 505, and the set values are stored in the partial scan position selection unit 506. When the camera unit 605 operates, a switching signal from the partial scan position selection unit 506 is supplied from the horizontal / vertical scanning pulse selection unit 507 to the input terminal 516 shown in FIG. To control. As a result, a vertical transfer pulse having a transfer cycle Tv or transfer cycle (Tv × 1 / N) (N: positive integer) is output from the output terminal 514, and a transfer cycle Th or transfer is output from the output terminal 515. A horizontal transfer pulse having a cycle (Th × 1 / N) (N: a positive integer) is output. Transfer pulses from the output terminals 514 and 515 are supplied to the horizontal / vertical operation driving circuit 503, whereby the solid-state image sensor 501 is read. Details will be described later.

  FIG. 3 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the charge detection unit 704 of the CCD for explaining an operation for outputting a video signal of an area where information on the imaging screen requires information and sweeping out charges in the unnecessary area at high speed. Yes. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a final transfer gate of the horizontal transfer CCD 703, and 302 is a terminal to which a horizontal transfer pulse is applied. Reference numeral 303 denotes an output gate, and 304 denotes a floating capacitor. A signal charge is transferred to the floating capacitor 304 via the output gate 303 in the next stage according to the potential level of the transfer gate 301. Then, the signal charge transferred to the floating capacitor 304 is amplified by the output amplification unit 307, and a video signal is output from the output terminal 308. Reference numeral 305 denotes a reset gate or discharge gate, and reference numeral 306 denotes a reset drain or discharge drain. The signal charge transferred to the floating capacitor 304 is transferred according to the potential level of the reset gate 305. It is configured such that it is swept from a reset drain (sweep drain) 306 and no video signal is output from an output terminal 308. In FIG. 3, the embodiment in which unnecessary charges are discharged by the configuration of the discharge gate 305 and the discharge drain 306 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Needless to say, other methods than the above can be realized.

Next, the operation of the television camera using the partial scan method of the present invention will be described with reference to the timing chart shown in FIG. First, FIG. 4A shows the trigger pulse TP. The trigger pulse TP is a signal generated by the trigger signal generator 604 when the target product 601 is detected by the infrared sensor 603 as shown in FIG. FIG. 4B shows a field period of the camera unit 605. For example, one field is 1/30 second. TFB represents a blanking period, and TV represents a video period. Then, as described above, after the target product 601 is detected by the infrared sensor 603, the timing at which the target product 601 enters the field of view of the camera unit 605, that is, the camera unit 605 after the time T ₀ , for example, the target product 601. The photographing of the product 601-2 is started.

  FIG. 4C shows the exposure time TE of the camera unit 605. Note that the interval of the exposure time TE is set in advance so that the target product 601 can be photographed with optimum brightness. FIG. 4D shows image positions for partial scanning from the shooting screen, that is, horizontal scanning line positions P1, P2,... P6. These horizontal scanning line positions P1, P2,... P6 are set by operating the operation unit 505 shown in FIG. 5 in advance in the area shown in FIG. 6B, for example, the product name XX display area 615. And the position of the bar code display area 616, that is, P1, P2,... P6 is set. As described with reference to FIG. 2, the horizontal scanning line position P1 is 0 line (corresponding to the 0th horizontal scanning line), and the horizontal scanning line position P2 is 201 lines (corresponding to the 201st horizontal scanning line). ... The horizontal scanning line position P6 corresponds to 1236 lines (corresponding to the 1236th horizontal scanning line).

  FIG. 4E shows a vertical transfer pulse supplied to the vertical transfer CCD 702. In FIG. 4E, PR indicates a signal for reading the signal charge accumulated in the photodiode 701 to the vertical transfer CCD 702. 4F shows the sweep gate voltage, that is, the voltage supplied to the sweep gate 305 shown in FIG. 3, and is supplied from the control unit 502 in synchronization with the horizontal scanning line positions P1, P2,... P6. Is done. FIG. 4G shows horizontal transfer pulses supplied to the horizontal transfer CCD 703. The signals read out to the vertical transfer CCD 702 and the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are read out as video signals only in a necessary area of the captured image by the partial scan method. This will be described in detail below.

  First, in FIG. 2, the period from the 0th line to the 200th line of the horizontal scanning line of the solid-state image sensor 501 is the period t4 shown in FIG. 4E, and this period is a period in which no video signal is required. , Perform high-speed transfer. That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 5B, in the period t4, the vertical transfer pulse from the terminal b of the vertical scan pulse generator 512 and the horizontal transfer pulse from the terminal d of the horizontal scan pulse generator 513 are horizontal. , And supplied to the vertical scanning drive circuit 503. Therefore, the vertical transfer pulse period of the vertical transfer CCD 702 is (1 / N) times the normal vertical transfer pulse period Tv, for example, 1/10 times the vertical transfer pulse period (Tv × 1/10). Signal charge is transferred. Similarly, the horizontal transfer pulse period of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is (1 / N) times, for example, 1/10 times the normal horizontal transfer pulse period Th as shown in FIG. Signal charges are transferred in the cycle of the horizontal transfer pulse (Th × 1/10). In this case, the sweep gate 305 shown in FIG. 3 is supplied with the voltage V1 shown in FIG. 4F from the control unit 502 during the period t4. As a result, the signal charges transferred at high speed by the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are swept out from the sweep-out drain 306.

  Next, the period from the 201st line to the 350th line of the horizontal scanning line of the solid-state imaging device 501 is a period t5 shown in FIG. 4E, and this period is a period required as an image signal. The signal charge is transferred at a transfer rate of. That is, as described above with reference to FIG. 5B, in the period t5, the vertical transfer pulse from the terminal a of the vertical scan pulse generator 512 and the horizontal transfer pulse from the terminal c of the horizontal scan pulse generator 513 are horizontal. This is supplied to the vertical scanning drive circuit 503. Therefore, in the period t5, the normal reading speed, that is, the transfer period Tv of the vertical transfer pulse of the vertical transfer CCD 702 and the transfer period Th of the horizontal transfer pulse of the horizontal transfer CCD 703, is set for each pixel of one horizontal scanning line. The signal charge is transferred to the floating capacitor 304, amplified by the output amplifier 307, and a video signal is output from the output terminal 308. In this case, the voltage V2 shown in FIG. 4F is supplied to the sweep gate 305 shown in FIG. 3 from the controller 502 during the period t5, so that the signal charge is transferred to the sweep drain 306. Not.

  The period from the 351th line to the 800th line of the horizontal scanning line of the solid-state imaging device 501 is a period t6 shown in FIG. 4E, and this period is a period in which no video signal is required. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 5B, in the period t6, the vertical transfer pulse from the terminal b of the vertical scan pulse generator 512 and the horizontal transfer pulse from the terminal d of the horizontal scan pulse generator 513 are horizontal and vertical. Since it is supplied to the scan driving circuit 503, normal N times, for example, 10 times high speed transfer is performed. Further, the sweep gate 305 shown in FIG. 3 is supplied with the voltage V1 shown in FIG. 4F from the controller 502 during the period t6. As a result, the signal charges transferred at high speed by the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are swept out from the sweep-out drain 306.

  Similarly, the period from the 801th line to the 1050th line of the horizontal scanning line of the solid-state imaging device 501 is a period t7 shown in FIG. 4E, and this period is a period required as an image signal. Therefore, in the period t7, as described with reference to FIG. 5B, the vertical transfer pulse from the terminal a of the vertical scan pulse generator 512 and the horizontal transfer Paris from the terminal c of the horizontal scan pulse generator 513 are horizontal and vertical. This is supplied to the scan driving circuit 503. Therefore, in the period t7, the normal reading speed, that is, the transfer period Tv of the vertical transfer pulse of the vertical transfer CCD 702 and the transfer period Th of the horizontal transfer pulse of the horizontal transfer CCD 703, is set for each pixel of one horizontal scanning line. The signal charge is transferred to the floating capacitor 304, amplified by the output amplifier 307, and a video signal is output from the output terminal 308. Note that in this case, the voltage V2 illustrated in FIG. 4F is supplied from the control unit 502 to the sweep gate 305 illustrated in FIG. 3 during the period t7, so that the signal charge is transferred to the sweep drain 306. Not.

  Further, the period from the 1051 line to the 1236th line of the horizontal scanning line of the solid-state imaging device 501 is a period t8 shown in FIG. 4E, and this period is a period in which no video signal is required. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 5B, in the period t8, the vertical transfer pulse from the terminal b of the vertical scanning pulse generator 512 and the horizontal transfer pulse from the terminal d of the horizontal scanning pulse generator 513 are horizontal and vertical. Since it is supplied to the scan driving circuit 503, normal N times, for example, 10 times high speed transfer is performed. Further, the sweep gate 305 shown in FIG. 3 is supplied with the voltage V1 shown in FIG. 4F from the controller 502 during the period t8. As a result, the signal charges transferred at high speed by the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are swept out from the sweep-out drain 306.

  As described above, the captured image is partially scanned, the necessary information area is read out at a normal speed, the unnecessary information is read out at unnecessary speed, and the information on the necessary area is displayed on the display unit. The areas 102 and 104 are displayed on the imaging screen 100 of 608. In addition, since the information including the pixel position can be output from the image processing unit for displaying the areas 102 and 104, only the areas 102 and 104 are displayed on the imaging screen 100, and the areas 101, 103, and 105 are displayed. Not.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the operation unit 505 is designed, for example, on a display screen of a personal computer so that the system shown in FIG. 6 can be easily set. In FIG. 9, reference numeral 900 denotes a display screen of a personal computer, and reference numeral 901 denotes a setting part of an area for partial scan. In this embodiment, two partial scan areas (displayed by 1 AREA and 2 AREA) can be set, and the horizontal scanning lines to be started (START 1 and START 2) and the widths of the partial scan areas (WIDTH 1 and WIDTH 2) can be easily set. It is made like that. Reference numeral 902 denotes a trigger signal timing T ₀ adjustment portion, and reference numeral 903 denotes an exposure time TE, that is, a portion for setting the shutter speed of the camera unit. By designing the operation display unit in this way, it has a feature that necessary information can be obtained very easily from the area where partial scanning is performed.

  10 and 11 are diagrams for explaining still another embodiment of the present invention. In the embodiment described above, the case of setting the width of the region to be partially scanned in units of horizontal scanning lines as shown in FIG. 2 has been described. However, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. In particular, an unnecessary area can be obtained by discharging signal charges at a high speed, obtaining information on only the necessary area, and further obtaining information on the necessary area at high speed. This will be described in detail below. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the solid-state imaging device 501, for example, 1628 pixels in the horizontal direction and 1236 horizontal scanning lines in the vertical direction. 1001 corresponds to, for example, the area 615 indicating the product name XX in FIG. 6B, and 1002 corresponds to the area 616 indicating the barcode. The positions P1 to P6 correspond to the respective scanning lines shown in FIG. The positions P7, P8, P9, P10, P11, and P12 are pixel position 0 pixel (meaning the 0th pixel, the same applies hereinafter), 301 pixel, 401 pixel, 1227 pixel, 1327 pixel, respectively. This corresponds to 1628 pixels. As in the case described above, the operation unit 505 shown in FIG. 5A is scanned to specify the areas 1001 and 1002 displayed on the monitor 608 in advance, and this position is stored in the storage unit of the partial scan position selection unit 506. Remember.

  FIG. 11 shows a time chart of scanning pulses selected by the horizontal and vertical scanning pulse selection unit 507. Then, this scanning pulse is supplied to the horizontal and vertical scanning driving circuit 503 to drive the solid-state imaging device 501 and perform partial scanning, and information on only the areas 1001 and 1002 can be obtained at high speed. This will be described in detail.

  Since the vertical transfer pulse in FIG. 11A and the horizontal transfer pulse in FIG. 11B are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 4, detailed description thereof is omitted. FIG. 11C shows a transfer pulse in one horizontal period between the periods t5 shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In FIG. 11C, driving from the 201st horizontal scanning line (corresponding to P1) to the 350th horizontal scanning line will be described. First, since the period t9 (corresponding to the 0th pixel P7 to the 300th pixel) is an unnecessary information area, the terminal d of the horizontal scanning pulse generator 513 is selected. As a result, in the period t9, the transfer cycle of the horizontal transfer pulse of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is Th / N (N: positive integer), for example, Th / 10, and the signal charge is transferred at a transfer rate of 10 times. The In this case, the voltage V1 illustrated in FIG. 11D is supplied from the control unit 502 to the sweep gate 305 illustrated in FIG. 3 during the period t9. As a result, the signal charges transferred at high speed by the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are swept out from the sweep-out drain 306.

  Next, the area | region 1001 which acquires required information is demonstrated. In FIG. 11C, since a period t10 (corresponding to the 301st pixel P8 to the 1326th pixel) is a necessary information area, the terminal c of the horizontal scanning pulse generator 513 is selected. As a result, in the period t10, the horizontal transfer pulse transfer period of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is Th, transferred to the floating capacitor 304 at a normal transfer speed, amplified by the output amplifier 307, and the video signal from the output terminal 308. Is output. In this case, since the voltage V2 shown in FIG. 11D is supplied from the control unit 502 to the sweep gate 305 shown in FIG. 3 during the period t10, the signal charge is transferred to the sweep drain 306. Not.

  Subsequently, since a period t11 (corresponding to the 1327th pixel P11 to the 1628th pixel P12) shown in FIG. 11C is an unnecessary information area, the terminal d of the horizontal scanning pulse generation unit 513 is set to select. As a result, in the period t11, the transfer period of the horizontal transfer pulse of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is Th / N (N: positive integer), for example, Th / 10, and the signal charge is transferred at a transfer rate of 10 times. The In this case, the voltage V1 illustrated in FIG. 11D is supplied from the control unit 502 to the sweep gate 305 illustrated in FIG. 3 during the period t11. As a result, the signal charges transferred at high speed by the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are swept out from the sweep-out drain 306. As described above, the operation is repeated from the 201st horizontal scanning line to the 350th horizontal scanning line.

  Similarly, reading of the area 1002 necessary as information will be described. FIG. 11E illustrates a transfer pulse in one horizontal period between the periods t7 illustrated in FIGS. 11A and 11B. In FIG. 11E, driving from the 801st horizontal scanning line (corresponding to P4) to the 1050th horizontal scanning line will be described. First, since the period t12 (corresponding to the 0th pixel P7 to the 400th pixel) is an unnecessary information area, the terminal d of the horizontal scanning pulse generator 513 is selected. As a result, in the period t12, the horizontal transfer pulse transfer period of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is Th / N (N: positive integer), for example, Th / 10, and signal charges are transferred at a transfer rate of 10 times. The In this case, the sweep gate 305 shown in FIG. 3 is supplied with the voltage V1 shown in FIG. 11F from the control unit 502 during the period t12. As a result, the signal charges transferred at high speed by the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are swept out from the sweep-out drain 306.

  In FIG. 11E, since a period t13 (corresponding to the 401st pixel P9 to the 1226th pixel) is a necessary information area, the terminal c of the horizontal scanning pulse generator 513 is selected. As a result, in the period t13, the horizontal transfer pulse transfer period of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is Th, transferred to the floating capacitor 304 at a normal transfer speed, amplified by the output amplifier 307, and the video signal from the output terminal 308. Is output. In this case, since the voltage V2 shown in FIG. 11F is supplied from the control unit 502 to the sweep gate 305 shown in FIG. 3 during the period t13, the signal charge is transferred to the sweep drain 306. Not.

  Since the period t14 (corresponding to the 1227th pixel P10 to the 1628th pixel P12) is an unnecessary information area, the terminal d of the horizontal scanning pulse generator 513 is selected. As a result, in the period t14, the horizontal transfer pulse transfer period of the horizontal transfer CCD 703 is Th / N (N: positive integer), for example, Th / 10, and signal charges are transferred at a transfer rate of 10 times. The In this case, the sweep gate 305 illustrated in FIG. 3 is supplied with the voltage V1 illustrated in FIG. 11F from the control unit 502 for the period t14. As a result, the signal charges transferred at high speed by the horizontal transfer CCD 703 are swept out from the sweep-out drain 306. As described above, the operation is repeated from the 801st horizontal scanning line to the 1050th horizontal scanning line.

  As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the signal charge is discharged at a high speed in a region that is not necessary in the horizontal scanning line, and information on only the necessary regions 1001 and 1002 can be obtained. The area information can be obtained at high speed. In each of the above-described embodiments, two areas have been described for the sake of simplicity. However, it is needless to say that a plurality of areas can be appropriately set and necessary information can be obtained at high speed.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment of the television camera described herein, and can be widely applied to television cameras other than those described above. Needless to say.

It is a figure for demonstrating the principle of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of the solid-state image sensor for demonstrating this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the reading and discharge of the signal charge of this invention. The time chart for demonstrating operation | movement of one Example of this invention is shown. The block diagram of the concrete structure of one Example of this invention is shown. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a system to which the present invention is applied. It is a schematic block diagram for demonstrating the conventional IT type CCD. It is a figure for demonstrating the partial scan which the present inventors examined. It is a figure for demonstrating another Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating another Example of this invention. 11 is a time chart for explaining the operation of still another embodiment shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  100, 800: Captured image, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 801, 802, 803: Imaging region, 301: Transfer gate, 302: Horizontal transfer pulse application terminal, 303: Output gate, 304: Floating capacitor, 305: Sweep gate, 306: Sweep drain, 307: Output amplifier, 308: Output terminal, 501: Solid-state imaging device, 502: Controller, 503: Horizontal and vertical scanning drive circuit, 504: Signal processor, 505: Operation 506: Partial scan position selector, 507: Horizontal, vertical scan pulse selector, 508: Digital signal output driver, 511: Pulse generator, 512: Vertical scan pulse generator, 513: Horizontal scan pulse generator, 514, 515 output terminal, 516: input terminal, 517, 518: changeover switch, 6 1: Object, 602: Belt conveyor, 603: Infrared sensor, 604: Trigger signal generation unit, 605: Camera unit, 607: Image processing unit, 608: Display unit, 609: Determination unit, 610: Sorter, 611: Sorting arm, 612: Exit, 615, 616, 1001, 1002: Information area, 701: Photodiode, 702: CCD for vertical transfer, 703: CCD for horizontal transfer, 704: Charge detection section, 901: Partial scan area setting section 902: trigger signal adjustment, 903: exposure time setting unit.

Claims (1)

  A camera unit that captures an object; an operation unit that operates the camera unit; and an output unit that outputs a signal from the camera unit. The camera unit includes a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of pixels; A driving unit that drives the imaging device; and a control unit that controls the solid-state imaging device and the driving unit. The control unit includes a solid-state imaging device including the plurality of pixels according to an input from the operation unit. A position selection unit for partial scan that sets a plurality of regions that require image information and a plurality of regions that do not require image information, and the solid-state imaging device based on a control signal from the position selection unit for partial scan A horizontal and vertical pulse selector that switches the scanning speed of the drive unit that drives the image sensor, and the scanning speed of a plurality of regions that require the image information in the solid-state imaging device having the plurality of pixels; Television camera, characterized in that with different scanning speeds of a plurality of areas that do not require the image information.

Images