JP2010154376A - Fixed pattern noise canceling unit, imaging unit, and electronic endoscope system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To highly and accurately cancel fixed pattern noise with simple configuration, without providing any mechanical shutter, while simplifying manufacturing processes. <P>SOLUTION: In a fixed pattern noise canceling unit, a timing controller makes an image sensor generate image signals for an exposure time of 200ns. An A/D converter 25 converts the image signals into image data. An image processing section 30 includes a region averaging circuit 31, a discrimination circuit 32, a frame averaging circuit 33 and an FPN correction circuit 34. The region averaging circuit 33 stores in a DRAM 27 pseudo black pixel data and black pixel data constituting the image data. The region averaging circuit 31 averages all the pseudo black pixel data and all the black pixel data stored in the DRAM 27. The discrimination circuit 32 discriminates whether or not to use the pseudo black pixel data for noise data on the basis of the averaged all black pixel data. The frame averaging circuit 33 generates noise data using the pseudo black pixel data discriminated to be used for the noise data. The FPN correction circuit 34 cancels FPN from valid pixel data using the noise data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a fixed pattern noise removing unit, an imaging unit, and an image in which fixed pattern noise is removed, which effectively removes fixed pattern noise that differs for each pixel, such as a CMOS image sensor, with a simple configuration. The present invention relates to an endoscope system.

  A CMOS image sensor that can reduce power consumption and manufacturing cost is known. Since the CMOS image sensor is provided with an amplifier for each pixel, individual fixed pattern noise is generated for each pixel.

  In order to remove fixed pattern noise, it has been proposed to generate a fixed pattern noise component by performing imaging while the mechanical shutter is closed, and remove the fixed pattern noise component from image data at the time of imaging (patent). Reference 1).

  However, since removal of such fixed pattern noise requires the provision of a mechanical shutter, the imaging device is complicated and the manufacturing cost is increased. Further, it has been difficult to apply to an imaging apparatus that is difficult to provide a mechanical shutter, such as an electronic endoscope system.

  In addition, it is also known to store a fixed pattern noise component generated by shielding an image sensor during manufacturing of an imaging device, and to remove the fixed pattern noise component from image data during normal use.

However, in order to generate and store a fixed pattern noise component in advance, it is necessary to provide a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM or a flash memory. In addition, a fixed pattern noise component generation process and a storage process are necessary at the time of manufacturing, which increases the man-hours and requires an apparatus for performing such a process in the imaging apparatus.
JP-A-8-51571

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixed pattern noise removing unit that removes fixed pattern noise with high accuracy with a simple configuration without simplifying the manufacturing process and providing a mechanical shutter.

  The fixed pattern noise removal unit of the present invention includes a black pixel signal that is a pixel signal generated by a black pixel that is a pixel whose light-receiving surface is shielded from an imaging element that has a plurality of pixels that generate a pixel signal corresponding to the amount of received light. A receiving unit that receives an effective pixel signal that is a pixel signal generated by an effective pixel that is a pixel other than a black pixel, and a second exposure time that is shorter than the first exposure time or the first exposure time. By switching to this exposure time, an imaging pixel signal that is an effective pixel signal corresponding to the amount of received light in the first exposure time or a pseudo black pixel signal that is an effective pixel signal corresponding to the amount of received light in the second exposure time is generated. An image sensor control unit, a determination unit that determines whether the pseudo black pixel signal can be regarded as fixed pattern noise in the corresponding effective pixel based on the black pixel signal, A memory for storing the pseudo black pixel signal is considered a fixed pattern noise by another section as a noise signal, it is characterized in that it comprises a subtraction unit for subtracting the noise signal from the imaging pixel signal.

  Further, the image sensor control unit causes the image sensor to perform imaging for the second exposure time a plurality of times to generate a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to each effective pixel, and the subtractor unit generates a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals. Among them, it is preferable to subtract the noise signal based on the pseudo black pixel signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit from the imaging pixel signal.

  In addition, a first averaging unit that averages a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals regarded as fixed pattern noise by the determination unit for each effective pixel is provided, and the subtraction unit is averaged by the first averaging unit It is preferable to subtract the pseudo black pixel signal from the imaging pixel signal as a noise signal.

  The image sensor control unit causes the image sensor to repeat imaging at the second exposure time until the number of pseudo black pixel signals regarded as fixed pattern noise by the determination unit reaches m (m is an integer of 2 or more). The first averaging unit preferably averages m pseudo black pixel signals regarded as fixed pattern noise.

  A second averaging unit that generates an averaged signal by averaging the pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to all or some of the effective pixels arranged in the image sensor; Based on this, it is preferable to determine whether or not the averaged signal can be regarded as fixed pattern noise.

  The image sensor control unit causes the image sensor to perform imaging for the second exposure time a plurality of times to generate a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to each effective pixel. Preferably, the noise signal based on the pseudo black pixel signal used to generate the estimated average signal is subtracted from the imaging pixel signal.

  In addition, a first averaging unit that averages, for each effective pixel, a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals used to generate an average signal regarded as fixed pattern noise by the determination unit, and the subtraction unit includes a first subtraction unit It is preferable to subtract the pseudo black pixel signal averaged by the averaging unit from the image pickup pixel signal as a noise signal.

  In addition, the image sensor control unit causes the image sensor to repeat imaging at the second exposure time until the averaged signal regarded as fixed pattern noise by the determination unit reaches m (m is an integer of 2 or more), The first averaging unit preferably averages the pseudo black pixel signal used to generate m averaged signals regarded as fixed pattern noise.

  Further, the average signal is generated by averaging the pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to the plurality of effective pixels in the first and second small areas which are a part of the entire area where the effective pixels are arranged. It is preferable that the first and second subregions determine whether or not the averaged signal can be regarded as fixed pattern noise based on the black pixel signal.

  The image sensor control unit causes the image sensor to perform imaging for the second exposure time a plurality of times to generate a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to each effective pixel. Preferably, the noise signal based on the pseudo black pixel signal used to generate the estimated average signal is subtracted from the imaging pixel signal.

  In addition, a first averaging unit that averages, for each effective pixel, a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals used to generate an average signal regarded as fixed pattern noise by the determination unit, and the subtraction unit includes a first subtraction unit It is preferable to subtract the pseudo black pixel signal averaged by the averaging unit from the image pickup pixel signal as a noise signal.

  In addition, the image sensor control unit controls the image sensor until the average signal regarded as fixed pattern noise by the determination unit becomes m (m is an integer of 2 or more) for each of the first and second small regions. It is preferable that the imaging with the exposure time of 2 is repeated, and the first averaging unit averages the pseudo black pixel signals used for generating m averaged signals regarded as fixed pattern noise.

  In addition, a third averaging unit that averages black pixel signals corresponding to a plurality of black pixels provided in the image sensor is provided, and the determination unit is based on the black pixel signals averaged by the third averaging unit. It is preferable to determine whether or not the pseudo black pixel signal can be regarded as fixed pattern noise.

  In addition, it is preferable that the image sensor control unit generates a pseudo black pixel signal by switching the pixel exposure time to the second exposure time when the image pickup apparatus provided with the fixed pattern noise removal unit is started.

  The image sensor control unit switches the pixel exposure time to the second exposure time while switching the pixel exposure time to the first exposure time and continuously generating the image pickup pixel signal. It is preferable to generate a pixel signal.

  In addition, an input unit for inputting a command for generating a pseudo black pixel signal is provided, and the imaging element control unit sets the pixel exposure time to the second exposure time when a command for generating the pseudo black pixel signal is input to the input unit. Preferably, the pseudo black pixel signal is generated by switching to the above.

  Further, it is preferable that the determination unit considers the pseudo black pixel signal as fixed pattern noise when the difference between the luminance component of the pseudo black pixel signal and the luminance component of the black pixel signal is less than a threshold value.

  Further, it is preferable that the second exposure time is set to be less than a time period in which the integrated exposure amount to the effective pixel can be regarded as an integrated exposure amount corresponding to black.

  The second exposure time is preferably the shortest exposure time that can be set in the image sensor.

  The imaging unit of the present invention has a plurality of pixels that generate a pixel signal corresponding to the amount of received light, and a black pixel that is a pixel whose light-receiving surface is shielded generates a black pixel signal and is an effective pixel that is a pixel other than the black pixel Changes the exposure time of the pixel in the image sensor to the first exposure time or the second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time, thereby reducing the amount of light received in the first exposure time. An imaging element control unit that generates an imaging pixel signal that is a corresponding effective pixel signal or a pseudo black pixel signal that is an effective pixel signal corresponding to the amount of received light in the second exposure time, and a pseudo black pixel signal based on the black pixel signal Is determined as a fixed pattern noise in the corresponding effective pixel, and a pseudo black pixel signal regarded as a fixed pattern noise by the determination unit is a noise signal. A memory for storing and is characterized in that it comprises a subtraction unit for subtracting the noise signal from the imaging pixel signal.

  In the electronic endoscope system of the present invention, a black pixel, which is a pixel having a plurality of pixels that generate a pixel signal corresponding to the amount of received light and whose light receiving surface is shielded, generates a black pixel signal, and is a pixel other than the black pixel. An image sensor in which an effective pixel generates an effective pixel signal, and light reception in the first exposure time by switching the exposure time of the pixel in the image sensor to the first exposure time or the second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time. An image pickup pixel signal that is an effective pixel signal corresponding to the amount or a pseudo black pixel signal based on the image pickup element control unit that generates a pseudo black pixel signal that is an effective pixel signal corresponding to the amount of received light in the second exposure time and the black pixel signal A determination unit that determines whether a signal can be regarded as fixed pattern noise in a corresponding effective pixel, and a pseudo black pixel signal that is regarded as fixed pattern noise by the determination unit as a noise signal It is characterized by an imaging unit having a memory and an imaging pixel signal stored in the subtraction section subtracting the noise signal.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to remove fixed pattern noise with high accuracy with a simple configuration without simplifying the manufacturing process and without providing a mechanical shutter and a nonvolatile memory.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an electronic endoscope system having a fixed pattern noise removing unit to which the first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The electronic endoscope system 10 includes an electronic endoscope 20, an endoscope processor 40, and a monitor 11. The endoscope processor 40 is connected to the electronic endoscope 20 and the monitor 11.

  The endoscope processor 40 is provided with a light source unit (not shown). Illumination light emitted from the light source unit is transmitted to the distal end of the insertion tube 22 by a light guide (not shown) extending from the connector 21 of the electronic endoscope 20 to the distal end of the insertion tube 22.

  Illumination light transmitted by the light guide is irradiated near the tip of the insertion tube 22. The subject irradiated with the illumination light is imaged by the electronic endoscope 20. An image signal generated by imaging of the electronic endoscope 20 is sent to the endoscope processor 40.

  The endoscope processor 40 includes an image processing circuit 41, and predetermined signal processing is performed on an image signal obtained from the electronic endoscope 20 in the image processing circuit 41. The image signal subjected to the predetermined signal processing is transmitted to the monitor 11, and an image corresponding to the transmitted image signal is displayed on the monitor 11.

  The operation of the light source unit and image processing circuit 41 is controlled by a system controller 42 provided in the endoscope processor 40. The system controller 42 is also connected to the electronic endoscope 20 and controls the operation of each part of the electronic endoscope 20.

  Note that the endoscope processor 40 is provided with an input unit 43. When a command from the user is input, an order signal corresponding to the input command is transmitted from the input unit 43 to the system controller 42. The system controller 42 controls the operation of each part according to the received order signal.

  The electronic endoscope 20 includes an objective lens 23, an image sensor 24, an A / D converter 25 (receiver), an image processor 30, a D / A converter 26, a DRAM 27 (memory), and a timing controller 28 (image sensor controller). ) Etc. are provided.

  As described above, the optical image of the subject irradiated with the illumination light reaches the light receiving surface of the image sensor 24 through the objective lens 23. Based on the driving of the timing controller 28, the image sensor 24 generates an image signal corresponding to the optical image that has reached the light receiving surface.

  The image sensor 24 is a CMOS image sensor, and a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix on the light receiving surface. The output timing of the pixel signal generated by each pixel is controlled by the timing controller 24, and the pixel signal is sequentially output from the image sensor 24. An image signal of one frame is constituted by pixel signals generated by all the pixels arranged on the light receiving surface.

  As will be described later, the timing controller 28 can also control the exposure time of the pixels. Further, the timing controller 28 also controls the operation timing in the A / D converter 25 and the image processing unit 30.

  The configuration of the image sensor 24 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the image sensor 24 is provided with an effective pixel area AA at the center of the light receiving surface and an optical black (OB) area BA at the periphery.

  An effective pixel 24a is disposed in the effective pixel area AA. Further, the black pixel 24b is arranged in the OB area BA. The black pixel 24b is a pixel in which the light receiving surface of the effective pixel 24a is shielded by an aluminum film or the like.

  An effective pixel signal is generated from the effective pixel 24a. The effective pixel signal has a fixed pattern noise (FPN) component and a received light amount component. The FPN component is a noise component unique to each pixel, and has a constant magnitude regardless of the exposure time. The received light amount component has a magnitude corresponding to the integrated exposure amount to the effective pixel 24a, that is, the product of the amount of incident light and the exposure time.

  A black pixel signal is generated from the black pixel 24b. As described above, since no light is incident on the black pixel 24b, the black pixel signal has no light reception amount component, that is, only the FPN component.

  As described above, the image signal of one frame is composed of pixel signals of all pixels on the light receiving surface, that is, effective pixel signals and black pixel signals generated by all effective pixels 24a and all black pixels 24b, respectively.

  The generated image signal is transmitted from the image sensor 24 to the A / D converter 25. A / D conversion is performed by the A / D converter 25, and the analog image signal is converted into digital image data. The image data is composed of effective pixel data and black pixel data obtained by A / D converting the effective pixel signal and the black pixel signal.

  The image data is transmitted to the image processing unit 30. In the image processing unit 30, predetermined image processing including FPN removal is performed on the image data. Note that the image processing unit 30 is connected to the DRAM 27. The DRAM 27 stores pixel data for FPN removal, as will be described later.

  Image data that has undergone predetermined image processing is transmitted to the D / A converter 26. D / A conversion is performed by the D / A converter 26, and the digital image data is converted into an analog image signal. The converted image signal is transmitted to the image processing circuit 41 of the endoscope processor 40. As described above, the image processing circuit 41 performs predetermined image processing on the image signal. After the image processing, the image signal is transmitted to the monitor 11 and an image corresponding to the image signal is displayed on the monitor 11.

  Next, the configuration of the image processing unit 30 and the FPN removal executed in the image processing unit 30 will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the image processing unit 30 includes a region averaging circuit 31 (second averaging unit and third averaging unit), a determination circuit 32 (determination unit), and a frame averaging circuit 33 (first unit). The FPN correction circuit 34 (subtraction unit), the general image processing circuit 35, and the like.

  In order to remove the FPN component from the effective pixel signal, a noise signal that is an FPN component unique to each effective pixel is required. Prior to the FPN removal, noise data is generated by the image processing unit 30.

  In order to generate noise data, the timing controller 28 causes the image sensor 24 to generate an image signal with the shortest exposure time that can be set, for example, an exposure time of 200 ns. When the exposure time is 200 ns, the generated effective pixel signal is transmitted to the area averaging circuit 31 as pseudo black pixel data. Black pixel data is also transmitted to the area averaging circuit 31.

  The area averaging circuit 31 stores the received pseudo black pixel data and black pixel data in the DRAM 27. In the DRAM 27, storage areas for the effective pixels 24a and the black pixels 24b are defined, and the pseudo black pixel data and the black pixel data received in order are stored in the determined storage areas.

  When the pseudo black pixel data and black pixel data constituting one frame of image data are stored in the DRAM 27, all the pseudo black pixel data constituting one frame of image data are read out by the area averaging circuit 31, and the luminance data Ingredients are averaged. Further, all black pixel data is also read out by the area averaging circuit 31, and the luminance data components are averaged.

  The average pseudo black data that is the luminance data component of the averaged pseudo black pixel data and the average black data that is the luminance data component of the averaged black pixel data are transmitted to the determination circuit 32. The determination circuit 32 compares the average pseudo black data with the average black data, and determines whether or not the difference in data level between the average pseudo black data and the average black data is less than the first threshold value.

  The pseudo black pixel data, that is, effective pixel data includes the FPN component and the received light amount component as described above. As described above, the received light amount component has a magnitude corresponding to the product of the amount of incident light and the exposure time. Therefore, if the incident light amount and the exposure time are sufficiently short, a pseudo black pixel signal is generated in which the signal level of the received light amount component can be regarded as zero. However, even if the exposure time is sufficiently shortened, if the amount of incident light is large, a pseudo black pixel signal including a received light amount component having a signal level greater than zero is generated.

  Therefore, the discrimination circuit 32 compares the average pseudo black data with the average black data to determine whether the amount of incident light on the image sensor 24 is sufficiently small and the pseudo black pixel signal has substantially only the FPN component. Is determined.

  When the difference in data level between the average pseudo black data and the average black data exceeds the first threshold value, the image data of the frame used for generating the average pseudo black data is erased from the DRAM 27. When the difference in data level between the average pseudo black data and the average black data is less than the first threshold value, the frame image data used to generate the average pseudo black data is stored in the DRAM 27 as it is.

  When the storage of one frame of image data in the DRAM 27, the averaging in the area averaging circuit 31 and the determination in the determination circuit 32 are completed, the timing controller 28 again causes the image sensor 24 to generate an image signal with an exposure time of 200 ns.

  As described above, the newly generated image data of one frame is stored in the DRAM 27, averaged in the area averaging circuit 31, and determined by the determination circuit 32. Until the image data in which the difference in data level between the average pseudo black data and the average black data is less than the first threshold reaches 20 frames, storage in the DRAM 27, averaging in the area averaging circuit 31, and the determination circuit 32 A determination is made. When the image data that is not erased by the determination circuit 32 reaches 20 frames, imaging with an exposure time of 200 ns is stopped.

  The 20-frame image data that has not been erased by the discrimination circuit 32 is read out to the frame averaging circuit 33. The frame averaging circuit 33 averages the 20 pseudo black pixel data corresponding to the same effective pixel and having different frames to generate noise data. The generated noise data is stored in the DRAM 27.

  When the noise data is stored in the DRAM 27, the timing controller 28 causes the image sensor 24 to generate an image signal with an exposure time for taking a normal image, for example, an exposure time of 1 / 60s. As described above, each effective pixel signal constituting one frame of the image signal is sequentially transmitted to the image processing unit 30 via the A / D converter 25 as an imaging pixel signal.

  When the exposure time is 1/60 s, the imaged pixel data generated and A / D converted is transmitted to the FPN correction circuit 34. In the FPN correction circuit 34, noise data of the effective pixel 24a corresponding to the received imaging pixel data is read from the DRAM 27. The FPN component is removed by subtracting noise data from the imaged pixel data by the FPN correction circuit 34.

  The corrected imaging pixel data from which the FPN component has been removed is transmitted to the general image processing circuit 35, and subjected to predetermined image processing such as color interpolation processing and gamma correction processing. The corrected imaging pixel data subjected to the predetermined image processing is transmitted to the D / A converter 26 as described above.

  Next, noise data generation and FPN component removal processing from the imaged pixel data performed by the timing controller 28 and the image processing unit 30 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 4 and 5.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining processing for removing the FPN component. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a subroutine for generating noise data. The process of removing the FPN component is started when the electronic endoscope system 10 is turned on.

  When the electronic endoscope 20 is activated in step S100, the process proceeds to step S200, and noise data specific to each effective pixel 24a is generated. When the generation of noise data ends, the process proceeds to step S101.

  In step S101, the image pickup device 24 picks up an image of a subject and generates a one-frame image signal. As will be described later, the exposure time of the image sensor 24 is set to 1/60 s. When one frame image signal is generated, the process proceeds to step S102.

  In step S102, the FPN component is removed from the image signal generated in step S101. That is, the noise data stored in the DRAM 27 in step S200 is subtracted from each imaging pixel data constituting the image data obtained by A / D converting the image signal, thereby removing the FPN component unique to each imaging pixel data. When the FPN component of all the imaging pixel data is removed, the process proceeds to step S103.

  In step S103, predetermined image processing such as color interpolation processing and gamma processing is performed on the image data from which the FPN component has been removed. When predetermined image processing is performed, the process proceeds to step S104, and it is determined whether or not a command for ending the moving image display is input.

  When the command for ending the moving image display has not been input, the process returns to step S101, and steps S101 to S104 are repeated until the command for ending the moving image display is input. When the command for ending the moving image display is input, the FPN component removal processing is ended.

  Next, a noise data generation subroutine will be described. As described above, after activation of the electronic endoscope 20 (step S100), a noise data generation subroutine is started. In step S201, the exposure time of the image sensor 24 is set to 200 ns. After setting the exposure time of the image sensor 24, the process proceeds to step S202.

  In step S <b> 202, the image pickup device 24 picks up an image of the subject to generate one frame of image signal. In the next step S203, pseudo black pixel data and black pixel data constituting image data obtained by A / D converting the image signal are stored in the DRAM 27. When all the pseudo black pixel data and black pixel data constituting one frame of image data are stored in the DRAM 27, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S204, all pseudo black pixel data and all black pixel data are read from the DRAM 27, and average luminance data components are averaged to generate average pseudo black data and average black data. After the averaging is completed, the process proceeds to step S205.

  In step S205, it is determined whether or not the difference in data level between the average pseudo black data generated in step S204 and the average black data is less than a first threshold value. If the difference exceeds the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S206. On the other hand, if the difference is less than the first threshold, the process proceeds to step S207.

  In step S206, the pseudo black pixel data and the pseudo black data stored in the DRAM 27 in the most recent step S203 are erased. After erasing data, the process returns to step S202. Thereafter, the processing from step S202 to step S206 is repeated until the data level difference becomes less than the first threshold value in step S205.

  In step S207, it is determined whether or not 20 frames of image data are stored in the DRAM 27. If 20 frames of image data are not stored, the process returns to step S202. Thereafter, the processing from step S202 to step S207 is repeated until it is determined in step S207 that 20 frames of image data are stored. If 20 frames of image data are stored, the process proceeds to step S208.

  In step S208, the pseudo black pixel data constituting the 20-frame image signal stored in the DRAM 27 is averaged for each effective pixel 24a. The noise data generated by averaging is stored in the DRAM 27. After storing the noise data, the process proceeds to step S209.

  In step S209, the exposure time of the image sensor 24 is set to 1/60 s. After setting the exposure time of the image sensor 24, the process proceeds to step S101 as described above.

  According to the fixed pattern noise removal unit to which the first embodiment as described above is applied, it is possible to remove the FPN without providing a mechanical shutter or a nonvolatile memory.

  Further, as described above, when the amount of incident light on the image sensor 24 is large when generating the pseudo black pixel signal, the FPN can be removed with high accuracy even if the pseudo black pixel signal generated by shortening the exposure time is used. It was difficult to do. However, in the fixed pattern noise removal unit of the present embodiment, it is determined whether or not it is appropriate to use the pseudo black pixel signal for removing the fixed pattern noise based on the black signal generated by the black pixel 24b. It is possible to remove fixed pattern noise with high accuracy.

  Next, a fixed pattern noise removing unit to which the second embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the generation method of noise data. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on portions different from the first embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the site | part which has the same function.

  Configurations and functions of parts other than the image processing unit and DRAM of the electronic endoscope of the second embodiment are the same as those of the electronic endoscope of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the endoscope processor and the monitor are the same as the endoscope processor and the monitor in the first embodiment.

  A description will be given of FPN removal executed in the image processing unit, along with the configuration and functions of the image processing unit of the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the image processing unit 300 includes a region averaging circuit 310, a determination circuit 320, a frame averaging circuit 33, an FPN correction circuit 34, a general image processing circuit 35, and the like.

  Similar to the first embodiment, noise data is generated by the image processing unit 300 before the FPN removal. As in the first embodiment, the timing controller 28 causes the image sensor 24 to generate an image signal with an exposure time of 200 ns in order to generate noise data.

  The pseudo black pixel data and black pixel data constituting the image data obtained by A / D converting the image signal are transmitted to the area averaging circuit 310. As in the first embodiment, the area averaging circuit 310 stores the received pseudo black pixel data and black pixel data in the DRAM 27.

  Unlike the first embodiment, when the pseudo black pixel data and the black pixel data constituting one frame of image data are stored in the DRAM 27, a part of the pseudo black pixel data is read out by the area averaging circuit 310, and the luminance Data components are averaged.

  A part of the pseudo black pixel data read by the area averaging circuit 310 will be described. First to 256 sub-regions are defined by classifying the effective pixel region AA into 256 pixels of 16 × 16. The pseudo black pixel data of the effective pixels 24a arranged in the first small area is read out to the area averaging circuit 310, and the luminance data components are averaged. As in the first embodiment, the area averaging circuit 310 reads out all black pixel data constituting an image signal of one frame and averages luminance data components.

  The first average pseudo black data, which is the luminance component of the averaged pseudo black pixel data of the first small area, and the average black data, which is the luminance data component of the averaged black pixel data, are determined by the determination circuit 320. Sent to. As in the first embodiment, the determination circuit 320 determines whether or not the difference between the first average pseudo black data, the average black data, and the paint data level is less than the second threshold value. Note that the second threshold is set to a value smaller than the first threshold.

  When the difference in data level between the first average pseudo black data and the average black data exceeds the second threshold value, the pseudo black pixel data of the effective pixel 24a arranged in the first small area is erased from the DRAM 27. Is done. When the difference between the data levels of the first average pseudo black data and the average black data is less than the second threshold value, the pseudo black pixel data of the effective pixels 24a arranged in the first small area is directly used as the DRAM 27. Stored in

  Similar to the first average pseudo black data corresponding to the first small area, second to 256 average pseudo black data corresponding to the second to 256 small areas are generated, and the pseudo average black data is generated for each small area. It is determined whether or not the black pixel data is erased.

  As in the first embodiment, when the discrimination by the discrimination circuit 320 is completed for the average pseudo black data corresponding to all small regions, the timing controller 28 causes the image sensor 24 to generate an image signal again with an exposure time of 200 ns. .

  Thereafter, until the pseudo black pixel data of each small area not erased by the discrimination circuit 320 reaches 20 frames, storage in the DRAM 27, averaging in the area averaging circuit 310, and discrimination by the discrimination circuit 320 are performed. When the pseudo black pixel data of each small area that is not erased by the determination circuit 320 reaches 20 frames, imaging with an exposure time of 200 ns is stopped.

  As in the first embodiment, the frame averaging circuit 33 reads out all the pseudo black pixel data stored in the DRAM 27. Similar to the first embodiment, the frame averaging circuit 33 averages 20 pseudo black pixel data of different frames corresponding to the same effective pixel 24a, and generates noise data. As in the first embodiment, the generated noise data is stored in the DRAM 27.

  As in the first embodiment, when noise data is stored in the DRAM 27, the timing controller 28 causes the image sensor 24 to generate an image signal with an exposure time of 1/60 s. Similarly to the first embodiment, each effective pixel signal constituting one frame of the image signal is sequentially transmitted to the image processing unit 300 via the A / D converter 25.

  As in the first embodiment, when the exposure time is 1/60 s, the generated and A / D converted imaging pixel data is transmitted to the FPN correction circuit 34. As in the first embodiment, the FPN component is removed by subtracting noise data unique to each effective pixel 24a stored in the DRAM 27 from the imaging pixel data.

  Next, noise data creation processing and FPN component removal processing from the imaging pixel data performed by the timing controller 28 and the image processing unit 300 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the process of removing the FPN component. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a subroutine for generating noise data. The process of removing the FPN component is started when the electronic endoscope system 10 is turned on.

  When the electronic endoscope 20 is activated in step S300, the process proceeds to step S400, and noise data unique to each effective pixel 24a is generated. When the generation of noise data ends, the process proceeds to step S301. Thereafter, the same processing as Steps S101 to S104 in the first embodiment is executed in Steps S301 to S304.

  Next, a noise data generation subroutine will be described. As in the first embodiment, after the electronic endoscope 20 is activated (step S300), a noise data generation subroutine is started. In steps S401 to S403, the same processing as in steps S201 to S203 in the first embodiment is executed.

  In step S404, all black pixel data is read from the DRAM 27, and the average black data is generated by averaging the luminance data components. After the generation of the average black data, the process proceeds to step S405, and the number n of the small area for generating the average pseudo black data is set to 1. After setting the small area number n, the process proceeds to step S406.

  In step S406, the pseudo-black pixel data of all the effective pixels 24a arranged in the n-th small area is read from the DRAM 27, and the luminance data component is averaged to generate the n-th average pseudo-black data. After the generation of the average pseudo black data, the process proceeds to step S407.

  In step S407, it is determined whether or not the difference in data level between the nth average pseudo black data and the average black data is less than a second threshold value. If the difference exceeds the second threshold, the process proceeds to step S408. If the difference is less than the second threshold, step S408 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S408, the pseudo black pixel data of the effective pixel 24a arranged in the nth small area and stored in the latest step S403 is erased. After erasing the pseudo black pixel data, the process proceeds to step S409.

  In step S409, it is determined whether the small area number n is 256 or not. If n is not 256, the process proceeds to step S410, 1 is added to n, and the process returns to step S406. Thereafter, the processes in steps S406 to S410 are repeated until n becomes 256 in step S409. If n is 256 in step S409, the process proceeds to step S411.

  In step S411, it is determined whether or not 20 frames of pseudo black pixel data are stored in the DRAM 27 in all small areas. If there is a small region in which 20 frames of pseudo black pixel data are not stored, the process returns to step S402. Thereafter, the processing from step S402 to step S411 is repeated until 20 frames of pseudo black pixel data are stored in all small areas. If pseudo black pixel data of 20 frames is stored in all small areas, the process proceeds to step S412.

  In step S412, step S413, the same processing as in step S208 and step S209 in the first embodiment is executed to generate noise data, store it in the DRAM 27, and set the exposure time to 1 / 60s. After the exposure time is set, the process proceeds to step S301 as in the first embodiment.

  Even with the fixed pattern noise removing unit to which the second embodiment as described above is applied, it is possible to remove the FPN with high accuracy without providing a mechanical shutter or a nonvolatile memory.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently generate noise data even when the amount of incident light is partially large in the effective pixel area AA. For example, when the amount of incident light is partially large in the effective pixel area AA, the pseudo black pixel data in the other area may not be used for generating noise data even if it does not contain a received light amount component. However, according to the present embodiment, since it is determined whether or not to use noise data for each small region, the speed of noise data generation can be increased.

  In the first and second embodiments, when the difference in data level between the average black data and the average pseudo black data exceeds the first and second threshold values, the pseudo black pixel data is erased from the DRAM 27. Although it is a configuration excluded from the generation of noise data, it may be determined by other methods as long as it is determined whether the received light amount component included in the pseudo black pixel data is sufficiently small based on the black pixel data.

  In the first and second embodiments, noise data is generated by averaging 20 frames of pseudo black pixel data. However, the number of frames to be averaged is not limited to 20. Single pseudo black pixel data may be used as noise data. However, the accuracy of the noise data improves as the pseudo black pixel data for generating the noise data increases.

  In the first and second embodiments, noise data is generated by averaging 20 frames of pseudo black pixel data. However, the method of generating noise data is not limited to averaging. Noise data may be generated by other methods using pseudo black pixel data.

  Further, in the first embodiment, the pseudo black pixel data of all effective pixels in the effective pixel area AA is averaged, and in the second embodiment, the effective pixel area AA is divided into a plurality of small areas and each small area is divided. The pseudo black pixel data is averaged to determine whether or not the received light amount component is sufficiently small, but may be performed for each effective pixel 24a.

  In the first and second embodiments, the average black data is generated using all black pixel data. However, the average black data may be generated using a part of black pixel data, or a single black data may be generated. The pixel data may be used for determination in the determination circuit 32 as average black data. However, it is possible to remove the FPN with high accuracy by generating average black data using a lot of black pixel data.

  In the first and second embodiments, the image sensor 24 is driven so as to capture an image with the shortest exposure time that can be set in the image sensor 24 to generate noise data. However, the integrated exposure amount is black. It may be set to an exposure time that can be regarded as a value when. Since the integrated exposure amount is also affected by the luminance of the subject itself, it can be used for generation of noise data if the image is taken with an exposure time that is at least shorter than the exposure time during which normal photographing is possible.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments, the generation of the noise data and the storage in the DRAM 27 are immediately after the activation of the electronic endoscope 20, but any time may be used. For example, noise data generation processing may be executed during imaging of a moving image, that is, during imaging with an exposure time of two consecutive 1/60 seconds. Furthermore, noise data generation may be executed based on a noise data generation command input to the input unit 43.

  In the first and second embodiments, the fixed pattern noise removal unit is configured to be applied to an electronic endoscope system, but may be applied to other imaging devices such as a digital still camera and a digital video camera. Good.

  In the first and second embodiments, the image sensor 24 is a CMOS image sensor. However, the present invention is also applicable to other types of image sensors in which an amplifier is provided in each pixel and fixed pattern noise unique to the pixel occurs. Is possible.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of an electronic endoscope system having a fixed pattern noise removal unit to which a first embodiment of the present invention is applied. FIG. It is a top view for demonstrating the structure of the light-receiving surface of an image pick-up element. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the internal structure of the image process part of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the removal of the FPN component in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the subroutine of noise data generation in 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the internal structure of the image process part of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the process of the removal of FPN component in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the subroutine of noise data generation in 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electronic endoscope system 20 Electronic endoscope 24 Image pick-up element 24a, 24b Effective pixel, black pixel 25 A / D converter 27 DRAM
28 Timing controller 30, 300 Image processing unit 31, 310 Area averaging circuit 32, 320 Discrimination circuit 33 Frame averaging circuit 34 FPN correction circuit 40 Endoscope processor 43 Input unit AA Effective pixel area BA OB area

Claims (21)

A black pixel signal that is the pixel signal generated by the black pixel that is the pixel with the light-receiving surface shielded from an imaging element that generates a pixel signal corresponding to the amount of received light, and the non-black pixel A receiving unit that receives an effective pixel signal that is the pixel signal generated by an effective pixel that is a pixel; and
The effective pixel signal corresponding to the amount of light received in the first exposure time by switching the exposure time of the pixel in the image sensor to a first exposure time or a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time. An image sensor control unit that generates an image pickup pixel signal or a pseudo black pixel signal that is the effective pixel signal according to the amount of received light in the second exposure time;
A determination unit configured to determine whether the pseudo black pixel signal can be regarded as fixed pattern noise in the corresponding effective pixel based on the black pixel signal;
A memory that stores the pseudo black pixel signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit as a noise signal;
A fixed pattern noise removing unit comprising: a subtracting unit that subtracts the noise signal from the imaging pixel signal. The imaging element control unit causes the imaging element to perform imaging for the second exposure time a plurality of times, thereby generating a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to each effective pixel,
The subtracting unit subtracts, from the imaging pixel signal, the noise signal based on the pseudo black pixel signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the discrimination unit among the plurality of pseudo black pixel signals. The fixed pattern noise removal unit according to claim 1. A first averaging unit that averages the plurality of pseudo black pixel signals regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit for each effective pixel;
The fixed pattern noise removing unit according to claim 2, wherein the subtracting unit subtracts the pseudo black pixel signal averaged by the first averaging unit as the noise signal from the imaging pixel signal. The image sensor control unit applies the second exposure time to the image sensor until the number of the pseudo black pixel signals regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit reaches m (m is an integer of 2 or more). Repeat the imaging of
The fixed pattern noise removal unit according to claim 3, wherein the first averaging unit averages the m pseudo black pixel signals regarded as the fixed pattern noise. A second averaging unit that generates an averaged signal by averaging the pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to all or a part of the effective pixels arranged in the image sensor;
The fixed pattern noise removal unit according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether the averaged signal can be regarded as the fixed pattern noise based on the black pixel signal. The imaging element control unit causes the imaging element to perform imaging for the second exposure time a plurality of times, thereby generating a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to each effective pixel,
The subtracting unit subtracts the noise signal based on the pseudo black pixel signal used to generate the averaged signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determining unit from the imaging pixel signal. The fixed pattern noise elimination unit according to claim 5. A first averaging unit that averages the plurality of pseudo black pixel signals used for generating the averaged signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit for each effective pixel;
The fixed pattern noise removing unit according to claim 6, wherein the subtracting unit subtracts the pseudo black pixel signal averaged by the first averaging unit from the imaging pixel signal as the noise signal. The image sensor control unit applies the second exposure time to the image sensor until the averaged signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit reaches m (m is an integer of 2 or more). Repeat the imaging,
The said 1st averaging part averages the said pseudo | simulation black pixel signal used for the production | generation of the said m average signal considered as the said fixed pattern noise. Fixed pattern noise removal unit. An averaged signal is generated by averaging the pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to the plurality of effective pixels in the first and second small regions which are partial regions of the entire region where the effective pixels are arranged. A second averaging unit,
The determination unit determines, for each of the first and second small regions, whether or not the averaged signal can be regarded as the fixed pattern noise based on the black pixel signal. Item 4. The fixed pattern noise elimination unit according to Item 1. The imaging element control unit causes the imaging element to perform imaging for the second exposure time a plurality of times, thereby generating a plurality of pseudo black pixel signals corresponding to each effective pixel,
The subtracting unit subtracts the noise signal based on the pseudo black pixel signal used to generate the averaged signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determining unit from the imaging pixel signal. The fixed pattern noise removal unit according to claim 9. A first averaging unit that averages the plurality of pseudo black pixel signals used for generating the averaged signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit for each effective pixel;
The fixed pattern noise removing unit according to claim 10, wherein the subtracting unit subtracts the pseudo black pixel signal averaged by the first averaging unit from the imaging pixel signal as the noise signal. The image sensor control unit is configured such that the average signal, which is regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit, is m (m is an integer of 2 or more) for each of the first and second small regions. Causing the imaging device to repeat imaging at the second exposure time;
The first averaging unit averages the pseudo black pixel signals used to generate the m averaged signals regarded as the fixed pattern noise. Fixed pattern noise removal unit. A third averaging unit that averages the black pixel signals corresponding to the plurality of black pixels provided in the imaging device;
The discriminating unit discriminates whether or not the pseudo black pixel signal can be regarded as the fixed pattern noise based on the black pixel signal averaged by the third averaging unit. The fixed pattern noise removal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 12.   The image sensor control unit is configured to generate the pseudo black pixel signal by switching an exposure time of the pixel to the second exposure time when an image pickup apparatus provided with the fixed pattern noise removal unit is started. The fixed pattern noise removal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 13.   The image sensor control unit switches the exposure time of the pixel to the first exposure time and continuously generates the imaged pixel signal while changing the exposure time of the pixel to the second exposure time. The fixed pattern noise removing unit according to claim 1, wherein the pseudo black pixel signal is generated by switching to the above. An input unit for inputting a command for generating the pseudo black pixel signal;
When the command for generating the pseudo black pixel signal is input to the input unit, the imaging element control unit switches the exposure time of the pixel to the second exposure time to generate the pseudo black pixel signal. The fixed pattern noise removal unit according to claim 1, wherein   The determination unit regards the pseudo black pixel signal as the fixed pattern noise when a difference between a luminance component of the pseudo black pixel signal and a luminance component of the black pixel signal is less than a threshold value. The fixed pattern noise removal unit according to any one of claims 1 to 16.   18. The second exposure time is set to be less than a time when the integrated exposure amount to the effective pixel can be regarded as an integrated exposure amount corresponding to black. Fixed pattern noise elimination unit as described in 1.   The fixed pattern noise removing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the second exposure time is a shortest exposure time that can be set in the imaging device. A black pixel that has a plurality of pixels that generate a pixel signal according to the amount of received light, the light receiving surface being shielded from light, generates a black pixel signal, and an effective pixel that is a pixel other than the black pixel is effective An image sensor that generates pixel signals;
The effective pixel signal corresponding to the amount of light received in the first exposure time by switching the exposure time of the pixel in the image sensor to a first exposure time or a second exposure time shorter than the first exposure time. An image sensor control unit that generates an image pickup pixel signal or a pseudo black pixel signal that is the effective pixel signal according to the amount of received light in the second exposure time;
A determination unit configured to determine whether the pseudo black pixel signal can be regarded as fixed pattern noise in the corresponding effective pixel based on the black pixel signal;
A memory that stores the pseudo black pixel signal regarded as the fixed pattern noise by the determination unit as a noise signal;
An imaging unit comprising: a subtraction unit that subtracts the noise signal from the imaging pixel signal.   An electronic endoscope system comprising the imaging unit according to claim 20.

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