JP2009303145A - Signal transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the number of signal lines between an image pick-up module and an image processing module. <P>SOLUTION: A signal transmission system includes: a three-state output buffer 101 for activating a signal outputted from an ADC13 of an AFE100 of the image pick-up module side in accordance with a state of a signal showing a blanking period; and a three-state output buffer 201 for activating a gain setting value which controls the AFE100 outputted from a serial I/F27 of an ASIC200 of the image processing module side in accordance with the state of the signal showing a blanking period. In accordance with the signal showing the blanking period, at least part of signals of a digital line 31 for connecting the AFE100 to the ASIC200 is activated. In accordance with the signal showing the blanking period, the transmission of image pick-up data from the AFE100 to the ASIC200 is switched to the transmission of the gain setting value from the ASIC200 to the AFE100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a signal transmission system for transmitting a signal between an imaging module and an image processing module in an electronic photographing apparatus such as an electronic still camera or a video camera.

  FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a general configuration of an electronic imaging apparatus equipped with a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD. The electronic imaging apparatus includes an imaging module 1 that includes a solid-state imaging device, and an image processing module 2 that includes an image processing unit that performs image processing of imaging data captured by the solid-state imaging device.

  In the imaging module 1, the light passing through the lens 10 forms an image on a solid-state imaging device 11 such as a CCD. The solid-state imaging device 11 has pixels arranged in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and outputs an electrical signal according to the amount of light received by each pixel. This electrical signal is an analog signal, and an amplifier (hereinafter referred to as AMP) provided in a correlated double sampling circuit (hereinafter abbreviated as CDS) 12 for suppressing fixed pattern noise generated in the solid-state imaging device 11. The digital signal is amplified by an analog-digital converter (hereinafter abbreviated as ADC) 13 and transmitted to the image processing module 2.

  In the image processing module 2, the image processing unit 21 performs appropriate image processing on the digital signal, and then displays an image on the display panel 22 or records an image on the memory card 23. Further, the image processing unit 21 obtains the brightness of the image from the digital signal. The CPU 24 adjusts and sets the amplification factor (hereinafter referred to as gain) of the AMP in the CDS 12 based on the obtained brightness.

  There are several methods for adjusting and setting the gain. As an example, there is a method described in Patent Document 1. That is, if the image is too dark, the gain is increased to increase the amplitude of the electric signal, and the next image to be captured is made brighter. On the other hand, if the image is too bright, the gain is lowered, the amplitude of the electric signal is reduced, and the next captured image is made darker. By repeating this, the brightness of the captured image can be kept substantially constant and appropriate.

  FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a block that converts an electrical signal from the solid-state imaging device 11 into a digital signal. This block is generally called AFE (Analog Front End). A serial interface signal line 32 is connected to the AFE 14 in addition to an electric signal line 15 for inputting an electric signal and a digital signal line 31 for outputting a digital signal. Then, the serial I / F 16 receives the gain setting value data transmitted from the CPU 24 through the serial interface signal line 32, and the gain setting of the AMP in the CDS 12 is performed accordingly.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing in more detail the relationship between the two modules 1 and 2 of the electronic imaging apparatus of FIG.

  That is, the AFE 14 on the imaging module 1 side includes a timing generator (hereinafter abbreviated as TG) 17 in addition to the CDS 12, the ADC 13 and the serial I / F 16. The output terminals of the ADC 13 and the TG 17 are connected to the digital signal line 31 through the output buffer 18. The serial I / F 16 is connected to the serial interface signal line 32 via the input buffer 19.

  On the other hand, in the image processing module 2, the image processing unit 21 and the CPU 24 are housed in an image processing LSI (hereinafter abbreviated as ASIC) 25. Further, the ASIC 25 includes a CCD I / F 26 and a serial I / F 27. The input terminal of the CCD I / F 26 is connected to the digital signal line 31 via an input buffer 28, and the serial I / F 27 is connected to the serial interface signal line 32 via an output buffer 29.

  The ASIC 25 receives a digital signal from the AFE 14 transmitted through the digital signal line 31 and sends a gain setting value via the serial interface signal line 32. By alternately transmitting and receiving the image data included in the digital signal and the gain setting value on the serial interface signal line 32, the brightness of the captured image is appropriately maintained.

  FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a reading order of pixel data from the pixels arranged on the solid-state imaging device 11. The pixel data is read sequentially while proceeding to the right in the horizontal direction with the upper left as a base point. After reaching the right edge, proceed downward in the vertical direction. This is repeated, and after reading all the pixels and reaching the lower rightmost position, the process returns to the upper left base point. One screen is also called one frame.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram showing a timing chart of signals transmitted through the digital signal line 31 and the serial interface signal line 32 in FIG. 5 at the time of reading out the pixel data, and FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the dashed-dotted line part of 7 (A).

  In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the clock signal CLK indicates the signal capture timing, and the pixel data D [11: 0] is the digitally converted pixel data (here, 12 bits). Show.

  The vertical synchronization signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal HD are synchronization signals each representing a pixel position. These vertical synchronizing signal VD and horizontal synchronizing signal HD are generated by the TG 17 of the AFE 14.

  When the pixel position to be transferred changes from the right end to the left end in the horizontal direction or from the lower end to the upper end in the vertical direction, there is a period in which pixel data that is valid for a certain period of time is not periodically transferred. This period is referred to as a blanking period. The time when the horizontal direction changes from the right end to the left end is called the horizontal blanking period, and the time when the vertical direction changes from the lower end to the upper end is called the vertical blanking period. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, this vertical blanking period is denoted as V-Blank.

  The clock signal CLK and pixel data D [11: 0] from the ADC 13 and the vertical synchronization signal VD and horizontal synchronization signal HD from the TG 17 are connected to the CCDI of the ASIC 25 via the digital signal line 31 as shown in FIG. / F26 is received and sent to the image processing unit 21.

  In addition, the chip selection signal CS, the serial clock signal SCK, and the serial data signal SDT in FIGS. 7A and 7B are serial signals for setting gain values in the AFE 14, respectively. The transfer of the gain value is transmitted from the CPU 24 to the AFE 14 within the blanking period. That is, in FIG. 5, the vertical synchronizing signal VD received by the CCD I / F 26 is input to the CPU 24 as an interrupt signal, so that the CPU 24 can know that one frame of data has been received.

  FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a schematic flowchart in the operation of the CPU 24. That is, the CPU 24 first transmits a predetermined gain setting value as an initial parameter via the serial I / F 27 when the electronic imaging device is turned on or when the playback mode is shifted to the imaging mode (step S1). Thereafter, every time image data for one frame is transferred from the AFE 14 (step S2), the gain setting value is transferred to the AFE 14 by an interrupt signal corresponding to the reception of the vertical synchronization signal VD by the CCD I / F 26. Processing will be performed.

  That is, the CPU 24 receives the brightness calculation result of the received image data from the image processing unit 21, and determines a gain change based on the calculation result (step S31). If the image is too dark, a gain setting value that increases the gain is calculated (step S32). On the other hand, if the image is too bright, a gain setting value that reduces the gain is calculated (step S33). If the brightness of the image is just right, a gain setting value that does not change the gain is calculated (step S33). Then, the calculated gain setting value is transmitted to the AFE 14 via the serial I / F 27 again. This series of processing indicated by a broken line in FIG. 6B is performed in accordance with the vertical synchronization signal VD, and the gain setting value is transferred to the AFE 14 during the vertical blanking period V-Blank.

  By the way, for an electronic imaging device, the size is an important factor that affects portability and design. As a means for reducing the size, it is required to reduce the number of wires inside the apparatus.

  Therefore, in Patent Document 2, for example, between an imaging module including a CCD (a camera head in the expression in Patent Document 2) and a subsequent image processing module (a camera control unit (CCU) in the expression in Patent Document 2). We have proposed a technique to improve the flexibility of the camera without increasing the number of connection lines. That is, the gain value obtained by the CCU is superimposed on another signal as a DC component and transmitted to the camera head side, thereby suppressing an increase in the number of signal lines.

Patent Document 3 discloses that an image processing unit including an AFE is integrated on a semiconductor circuit to improve miniaturization and noise resistance.
JP 11-252453 A JP 2002-185828 A JP 2007-124434 A

  However, with the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, there is a concern that the transmission of DC components may increase the electrical circuit, such as a transmission-side superposition circuit and a reception-side separation circuit, with respect to the amount of information to be transmitted.

  Moreover, in the said patent document 3, we are anxious about a development period becoming long or cost rising.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and provides a signal transmission system capable of reducing the number of signal lines at low cost without adding a large electric circuit, requiring less time for circuit design. The purpose is to do.

According to one aspect of the signal transmission system of the present invention, an imaging module including an imaging element and an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of imaging data captured by the imaging element are used for a signal indicating a blanking period. In a signal transmission system connected by image signal lines including signal lines,
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
Control signal transmitting means included in the image processing module for transmitting a control signal for controlling the imaging module;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmitting means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
The transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and the transmission of the control signal from the image processing module to the imaging module are switched by a signal indicating the blanking period.

Another aspect of the signal transmission system of the present invention has a third function, an imaging module including an imaging device, an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of imaging data captured by the imaging device, and a third function. In a signal transmission system in which a module is connected by an image signal line including a signal line for a signal indicating a blanking period,
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
Control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal included in the image processing module for controlling the module having the third function;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmitting means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
The transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and the transmission of the control signal from the image processing module to the module having the third function are switched by a signal indicating the blanking period. It is characterized by.

Still another aspect of the signal transmission system of the present invention includes an imaging module including an imaging device, an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of imaging data captured by the imaging device, and a third function. In the signal transmission system in which the module having the image signal line including the signal line for the signal indicating the blanking period is connected,
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
A control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal included in the module having the third function;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmitting means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
The transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and the transmission of the control signal from the module having the third function to the image processing module are switched by a signal indicating the blanking period. It is characterized by.

  According to the present invention, since another signal can be transmitted to the imaging module side using the data output signal line from the imaging module, it takes time to design the circuit without adding a large electric circuit. Therefore, it is possible to provide a signal transmission system that can reduce the number of signal lines at low cost.

  As signals transmitted from the imaging module 1 side to the image processing module 2 side by the digital signal line 31, there are a clock signal CLK, pixel data D [11: 0], a vertical synchronization signal VD, and a horizontal synchronization signal HD. The data bus for transmitting the pixel data D [11: 0] is not used for transferring valid data during the blanking period, as shown in FIG. That is, the ASIC 25 on the module 2 side from the image paper ignores the state of the data bus during the blanking period.

  The present invention pays attention to this point, and switches and uses at least part of the data bus for other signals during the blanking period.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main part of the signal transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as the conventional ones, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the AFE 100 on the imaging module 1 side includes a clock signal CLK, a vertical synchronization signal VD, and a horizontal synchronization signal in the output buffer 18 disposed between the output terminal of the ADC 13 and the digital signal line 31. For HD, the conventional output buffer is not changed, but the output buffer for pixel data D [11: 0] is configured as a three-state output buffer 101. The control terminals of these three-state output buffers 101 are supplied with the vertical synchronization signal VD from the TG 17. Accordingly, the pixel data D [11: 0] from the ADC 13 is output to a part of the digital signal line 31 (data bus 31A) only when the vertical synchronization signal VD is at the “H” level by these three-state output buffers 101. Become so. Here, the vertical blanking period V-Blank is when the vertical synchronization signal VD is at the ‘L’ level.

  In this embodiment, a logic gate 102 is arranged between the serial I / F 16 and the input buffer 19. The vertical synchronization signal VD from TG 17 is inverted and applied to the control terminals of these logic gates 102. Therefore, these logic gates 102 allow the signal to pass only when the vertical synchronization signal VD is at the “L” level, and when the vertical synchronization signal VD is at the “H” level, the output of the logic gate 102 is fixed to “H”. The “Fixed to“ H ”means the same state as no signal.

  The input terminal of the input buffer 19 is connected to a part of the data bus 31A, in this example, a line for transferring pixel data D [10: 8].

  On the other hand, the ASIC 200 on the image processing module 2 side changes the output buffer arranged between the output terminal of the serial I / F 27 and the digital signal line 31 to the three-state output buffer 201. The control terminals of these three-state output buffers 201 are inverted and supplied with the vertical synchronizing signal VD sent from the TG 17 via the digital signal line 31. Accordingly, the three-state output buffer 201 outputs the gain setting value from the serial I / F 27 only when the vertical synchronization signal VD is at the “L” level. The output terminals of these three-state output buffers 201 are connected to a part of the data bus 31A, in this example, a line for transferring pixel data D [10: 8].

  FIG. 2A is a timing chart of a signal transmitted through the digital signal line 31 at the time of reading out pixel data. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of a one-dot chain line portion in FIG. FIG.

  In a period other than the vertical blanking period V-Blank, valid pixel data D [11: 0] is transferred from the three-state output buffer 101 to the ASIC 25 side via the data bus 31A. At this time, the three-state output buffer 201 is inactive, and the signal of the serial I / F 31 of the ASIC 25 is not output onto the data bus 31A. At this time, the pixel data D [10: 8] on the data bus 31A branches in the AFE 14 and also goes to the input buffer 19. However, since the logic gate 102 is inactive, no signal is sent to the serial I / F 16 in the AFE 14.

  In the vertical blanking period V-Blank, the three-state output buffer 101 of the AFE 100 is inactive. On the other hand, since the three-state output buffer 201 of the ASIC 200 is activated, the signal of the serial I / F 27 of the ASIC 25 is input to the AFE 100 through the data bus 31A for the pixel data D [10: 8]. In the AFE 100, since the logic gate 102 is now activated, the input signal from the serial I / F 27 of the ASIC 25 is transmitted to the serial I / F 30.

  In this way, the data bus 31A can be operated to transmit different signals during the vertical blanking period V-Blank and other than the vertical blanking period V-Blank. Can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to provide a signal transmission system that can reduce the number of signal lines at low cost without adding a large electric circuit, without requiring time for circuit design.

  Note that the CPU 24 forcibly sets the vertical synchronization signal VD to the “L” level when the electronic imaging apparatus is turned on or when the playback mode is shifted to the imaging mode, that is, immediately after the imaging module 1 is started. Initial parameters necessary for the AFE 100 can be set before the operation starts.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a signal transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Here, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those of the conventional and the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The electronic imaging device includes a module having a third function in addition to the imaging module 1 and the image processing module 2. Examples of the module having the third function include a lens control unit 300 and a switch input unit 400.

  The lens control unit 300 includes a motor 301 such as a zoom motor or a focus motor that drives the lens barrel of the lens 10. The motor 301 receives the motor movement amount from the serial I / F 37 and moves the lens 10 in the lens barrel to a desired position. A focus for focusing on the solid-state image sensor 11 or a zoom operation for enlarging / reducing the photographing range is performed.

  The switch input unit 400 includes a zoom switch 401 operated by a user. The user operates the zoom switch 401 while looking at the display panel 22 so as to obtain a desired enlargement ratio. This zoom switch 401 includes a Tele switch 401A for instructing enlargement in the telephoto direction, and a Wide switch 401B for instructing reduction in the wide-angle direction.

  An output terminal of the zoom switch 401 is connected to a line for transferring pixel data D [4: 3] of the data bus 31A in the digital signal line 31 through a three-state output buffer 402. The vertical synchronization signal VD from the TG 17 is inverted and applied to the control terminals of these three-state output buffers 402. Accordingly, the three-state output buffer 402 is activated within the vertical blanking period V-Blank, as in the first embodiment. On the other hand, logic gates 251 are provided in the ASIC 250, and the vertical synchronization signal VD sent from the TG 17 via the digital signal line 31 is inverted to the control terminals of these logic gates 251. Giving. Therefore, these logic gates 251 allow the signal to pass only when the vertical synchronization signal VD is at “L” level, and when the vertical synchronization signal VD is at “H” level, the output of the logic gate 251 is fixed at “H”. The That is, the logic gate 251 is also activated within the vertical blanking period V-Blank. Thus, by activating the three-state output buffer 402 and the logic gate 251 within the vertical blanking period V-Blank, the state of the zoom switch 401 is periodically transmitted to the CPU 24 within the vertical blanking period V-Blank. To be told.

  Further, the CPU 24 obtains the movement amount of the zoom motor of the motor 301 in the lens control unit 300 from the state of the zoom switch 401 and transmits movement amount data from the serial I / F 252. The output terminal of the serial I / F 252 is connected to a part of the data bus 31A, in this example, a line for transferring pixel data D [7: 5] via a three-state output buffer 253. Since the vertical synchronization signal VD sent from the TG 17 via the digital signal line 31 is inverted and given to the control terminals of these three-state output buffers 253, the three-state output buffer 253 It is activated during the blanking period V-Blank, and the serial I / F 252 signal is transmitted to the logic gate 303 via the input buffer 302 by a part of the data bus 31A. Since the vertical synchronization signal VD from the TG 17 is inverted and applied to the control terminals of these logic gates 303, these logic gates 303 are also activated within the vertical blanking period V-Blank. In this way, by activating the three-state output buffer 253 and the logic gate 303 within the vertical blanking period V-Blank, the output signal of the serial I / F 252 within the vertical blanking period V-Blank The zoom motor of the motor 301 can be operated by being transmitted to the serial I / F 304 of the control unit 300.

  With this series of signal flows, the zoom motor of the motor 301 can be moved according to the state of the zoom switch 401.

  Even when the state of the zoom switch 401 is detected using the digital signal line 31 only in the vertical blanking period V-Blank as in this embodiment instead of the dedicated line, the state using the conventional dedicated line is used. In view of the fact that detection is performed every few milliseconds in consideration of the effects of chattering and the like, there is no problem.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit 21 can obtain the degree of focus by calculating a captured image. Based on the result, the CPU 24 transmits the movement amount to the focus motor of the motor 301 through the serial I / F 252 and the serial I / F 304 to move the lens 10 in the lens barrel. As a result, the lens 10 can be driven so that the motor movement amount is instructed and focused in the vertical blanking period V-Blank based on the image data transmitted outside the vertical blanking period V-Blank. it can.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, communication with the module having the third function that is not directly related to the imaging module can be performed using the digital signal line 31, and further, It is possible to reduce the number of signal lines.

  Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and applications are naturally possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

  For example, although only a part of the data bus 31A of the digital signal line 31 is shared, it goes without saying that further modules can be controlled by using all of the data bus 31A.

  Further, although the vertical blanking period has been described as an example, a horizontal blanking period may be used. By doing so, it can also be applied to applications that require high-speed operation such as shutter control.

(Appendix)
The invention having the following configuration can be extracted from the specific embodiment.

(1) An imaging module including an imaging device and an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of imaging data captured by the imaging device are image signal lines including a signal line for a signal indicating a blanking period. In the connected signal transmission system,
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
Control signal transmitting means included in the image processing module for transmitting a control signal for controlling the imaging module;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
A signal that switches between transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and transmission of the control signal from the image processing module to the imaging module by a signal indicating the blanking period. Transmission system.

(Corresponding embodiment)
The embodiment relating to the signal transmission system described in (1) corresponds to the first and second embodiments. In those embodiments, for example, the solid-state imaging device 11 is the imaging device, the imaging module 1 is the imaging module, the image processing unit 21 is the processing device, and the image processing module 2 is the image processing module. The signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal HD are signals indicating the blanking period, the digital signal line 31 is the image signal line, the ADC 13 is the imaging data transmission unit, and the gain setting value is a control signal for controlling the imaging module. The CPU 24 and the serial I / F 27 are the control signal transmission means, the three-state output buffer 101 is the means for activating the signal output from the imaging data transmission means, and the three-state output buffer 201 is the control signal transmission means. Each corresponds to a means for activating the output signal.

(Function and effect)
According to the signal transmission system described in (1), a part of the image signal line is used for transmission of imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and for transmission of a control signal from the image processing module to the imaging module. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of signal lines at low cost without adding a large electric circuit, without requiring time for circuit design.

(2) An image pickup module including an image pickup device, an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of image pickup data picked up by the image pickup device, and a module having a third function are for a signal indicating a blanking period. In the signal transmission system connected by the image signal line including the signal line of
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
Control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal included in the image processing module for controlling the module having the third function;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmitting means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
The transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and the transmission of the control signal from the image processing module to the module having the third function are switched by a signal indicating the blanking period. A signal transmission system characterized by this.

(Corresponding embodiment)
The embodiment relating to the signal transmission system described in (2) corresponds to the second embodiment. In the embodiment, for example, the solid-state imaging device 11 is the imaging device, the imaging module 1 is the imaging module, the image processing unit 21 is the processing device, the image processing module 2 is the image processing module, and a lens control unit. 300 is the module having the third function, the vertical synchronization signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal HD are signals indicating the blanking period, the digital signal line 31 is the image signal line, and the ADC 13 is the imaging data transmission unit. The control signal for controlling the module having the third function in the motor movement amount is a signal output from the CPU 24 and the serial I / F 252 to the control signal transmission unit, and the three-state output buffer 101 from the imaging data transmission unit. As a means for activating the three-state output buffer 253 from the control signal transmitting means A means for activating a signal to be force, corresponding.

(Function and effect)
According to the signal transmission system described in (2), a part of the image signal line is used for transmission of imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and from the image processing module to the module having the third function. Since it can also be used for transmission of control signals, it is possible to reduce the number of signal lines at low cost without adding a large electric circuit, without requiring time for circuit design.

(3) An image pickup module including an image pickup device, an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of image pickup data picked up by the image pickup device, and a module having a third function are for a signal indicating a blanking period. In the signal transmission system connected by the image signal line including the signal line of
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
A control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal included in the module having the third function;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmitting means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
The transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and the transmission of the control signal from the module having the third function to the image processing module are switched by a signal indicating the blanking period. A signal transmission system characterized by this.

(Corresponding embodiment)
The embodiment relating to the signal transmission system described in (3) corresponds to the second embodiment. In the embodiment, for example, the solid-state imaging device 11 is the imaging device, the imaging module 1 is the imaging module, the image processing unit 21 is the processing device, the image processing module 2 is the image processing module, and a switch input unit. 400 is the module having the third function, the vertical synchronization signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal HD are signals indicating the blanking period, the digital signal line 31 is the image signal line, and the ADC 13 is the imaging data transmission unit. The three-state output buffer 402 is used as a means for activating the zoom switch state for the control signal, the zoom switch 401 for the control signal transmission means, and the three-state output buffer 101 for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means. The means for activating the signal output from the control signal transmitting means is respectively provided. Corresponding.

(Function and effect)
According to the signal transmission system described in (3), part of the image signal line is used for transmission of imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module, and from the module having the third function to the image processing module. Since it can also be used for transmission of control signals, it is possible to reduce the number of signal lines at low cost without adding a large electric circuit, without requiring time for circuit design.

  (4) The signal transmission system according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein a signal indicating the blanking period is maintained in a predetermined state when the imaging module is activated.

(Corresponding embodiment)
The first and second embodiments correspond to the embodiment related to the signal transmission system described in (4).

(Function and effect)
According to the signal transmission system described in (4), necessary initial parameters can be set before the operation of the imaging module is started.

  (5) Of all the image signal lines connecting the imaging module and the image processing module with a signal indicating the blanking period, all of the signal lines for transmission of imaging data captured by the imaging element The signal transmission system according to (1), wherein the signal transmission system is activated.

(Corresponding embodiment)
The embodiment relating to the signal transmission system described in (5) corresponds to the first and second embodiments. In these embodiments, for example, the data bus 31A corresponds to a signal line for transmitting the imaging data.

(Function and effect)
According to the signal transmission system described in (5), a plurality of types of control signals can be transmitted from the image processing module side to the imaging module side.

  (6) Transmission of imaging data imaged by the imaging element among the image signal lines connecting the imaging module, the image processing module, and the module having the third function by a signal indicating the blanking period. The signal transmission system according to (2) or (3), wherein the signal transmission system is activated for all of the signal lines.

(Corresponding embodiment)
The embodiment related to the signal transmission system described in (6) corresponds to the second embodiment. In the embodiment, for example, the data bus 31A corresponds to the signal line for transmitting the imaging data.

(Function and effect)
According to the signal transmission system described in (6), a plurality of types of control are performed from the image processing module side to the module side having the third function, or from the module side having the third function to the image processing module side. The signal can be transmitted.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main part of the signal transmission system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a timing chart of signals transmitted between the AEF and the ASIC in the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B shows a one-dot chain line portion in FIG. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a signal transmission system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 4A is a schematic diagram illustrating a general configuration of the electronic imaging apparatus, and FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a general AFE. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing in detail the connection relationship between the conventional AEF and the ASIC. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating a pixel reading order on the solid-state imaging device, and FIG. 6B is a simplified process flowchart in the image processing LSI. FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a timing chart of a signal transmitted between the AEF and the ASIC, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a one-dot chain line portion in FIG. .

Explanation of symbols

    DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Imaging module, 2 ... Image processing module, 10 ... Lens, 11 ... Solid-state image sensor, 12 ... Correlated double sampling circuit (CDS), 13 ... Analog-digital converter (ADC), 15 ... Electric signal line, 16 ... Serial I / F, 17 ... Timing generator (TG), 18, 29 ... Output buffer, 19, 28 ... Input buffer, 21 ... Image processing unit, 22 ... Display panel, 23 ... Memory card, 24 ... CPU, 25 ... Image processing LSI (ASIC) 26 ... CCD I / F, 27 ... Serial I / F, 31 ... Digital signal line, 31A ... Data bus, 32 ... Serial interface signal line, 100 ... AFE, 101, 201, 253, 402 ... Three state Output buffer, 102, 251, 303 ... logic gate, 200, 250 ... ASIC, 300 ... lens control unit, 301 ... motor, 302 ... input buffer, 400 ... switch input unit, 401 ... zoom switch, 401A ... Tele switch, 401B ... Wide switch.

Claims (4)

An imaging module including an imaging element and an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of imaging data captured by the imaging element are connected by an image signal line including a signal line for a signal indicating a blanking period. In the signal transmission system
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
Control signal transmitting means included in the image processing module for transmitting a control signal for controlling the imaging module;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmitting means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
A signal that switches transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and transmission of the control signal from the image processing module to the imaging module by a signal indicating the blanking period. Transmission system. An image pickup module including an image pickup device, an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of image pickup data picked up by the image pickup device, and a module having a third function are signal lines for signals indicating a blanking period. In a signal transmission system connected by an image signal line including
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
Control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal included in the image processing module for controlling the module having the third function;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmitting means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
The transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and the transmission of the control signal from the image processing module to the module having the third function are switched by a signal indicating the blanking period. A signal transmission system characterized by this. An image pickup module including an image pickup device, an image processing module including a processing device that performs image processing of image pickup data picked up by the image pickup device, and a module having a third function are signal lines for signals indicating a blanking period. In a signal transmission system connected by an image signal line including
Imaging data transmission means included in the imaging module for transmitting the imaging data;
A control signal transmitting means for transmitting a control signal included in the module having the third function;
Means for activating a signal output from the imaging data transmission means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Means for activating a signal output from the control signal transmitting means in accordance with the state of the signal indicating the blanking period;
Comprising
The signal indicating the blanking period is activated for at least some of the image signal lines.
The transmission of the imaging data from the imaging module to the image processing module and the transmission of the control signal from the module having the third function to the image processing module are switched by a signal indicating the blanking period. A signal transmission system characterized by this.   4. The signal transmission system according to claim 1, wherein when the imaging module is activated, a signal indicating the blanking period is maintained in a predetermined state.

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