JP3792771B2 - Solid-state imaging camera - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present inventionSolid-state imaging cameraAbout.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Solid-state image pickup devices such as CCD image pickup devices have features such as a small size, light weight, and high reliability as compared with an image pickup tube, and therefore are widely used in NTSC broadcast video cameras, consumer video cameras, and the like. It is also expected as a video camera for next-generation high-definition broadcasting (HD-TV).
[0003]
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of an interline transfer type CCD imaging device (IT-CCD) used in such a video camera.
This IT-CCD is composed of a photoelectric conversion unit C, a vertical CCD (P), a horizontal CCD (H), a reset transistor R, an output amplifier A, and the like. The photoelectric conversion unit C converts an optical signal into a signal charge, and the vertical The signal charges are transferred to the horizontal CCD by transferring to the CCD and applying four-phase clock pulses of φ11, φ12, φ13, and φ14 to the vertical CCD.
[0004]
The horizontal CCD is driven by two-phase clock pulses φH1 and φH2, and finally the signal charge is converted into a voltage by the output amplifier A and output. Further, the signal charge is cleared by the reset transistor R for each pixel.
[0005]
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an accumulation operation of the signal charge Qc in the photoelectric conversion unit C.
In the field accumulation mode, the IT-CCD adds the combination of two-pixel addition in the vertical direction of the photoelectric conversion unit C as 1HA and 2HA in the A field, and adds it by the vertical CCD and reads it by the horizontal CCD.
[0006]
In the field accumulation mode, the IT-CCD reads the signal charge Qc accumulated during the A field period to the vertical CCD by applying a pulse PF1 to the vertical CCD, and reads 1HA and 2HA with the vertical CCD. Perform addition.
[0007]
Further, a line shift pulse PL is applied, and the horizontal transfer pulse φH is read out in the horizontal direction.
In the B field, the signal charge accumulated in the A field period is transferred to the vertical CCD by the PF2 pulse, the 1HB and 2HB are added by the vertical CCD, the line shift pulse PL is applied, and the horizontal transfer pulse φH is read out.
[0008]
The signal charge Qc accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit C in this one field period becomes QA when the standard signal amount is used, and the signal charge accumulated in one field is read with the pulses of PF1 and PF2.
[0009]
However, when the input signal is large, the signal charge Qc becomes saturated QMAX in the middle of one field period like QB. In this case, the highlight signal is lost, resulting in an unnatural image.
[0010]
In particular, in a multi-pixel device for HD-TV, since the density is high, the vertical CCD becomes small, the dynamic range is lowered, and the above problem appears remarkably.
As a driving method for coping with such a problem, a method for improving a dynamic range by compressing a highlight portion of a photoelectric conversion signal is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-18629, which is usually called a Knee characteristic. ing. In this method, a clipping operation is performed on photosensitive pixels to obtain a Knee characteristic.
[0011]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, since the slope of the Knee characteristic differs with respect to the signal amount from the subject, the color camera has a problem that the color balance of the highlight signal is lost, and the contrast is reduced to compress the highlight signal, resulting in an unclear image. There was a problem that.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a solid-state imaging color camera capable of improving the color balance of a highlight signal and improving the contrast to obtain a clear image. .
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Therefore,According to the first invention of the present invention,A solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light from a subject into electric charge, and a reading unit that reads out an imaging signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit, and at the end of the first photoelectric conversion time within one field period , Charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unitOut of the potential generated at a given voltageAt the end of the second photoelectric conversion time shorter than the first photoelectric conversion time within the one field period and the first drive signal for reading the signal to the reading unit as the first signal A photoelectric conversion time control circuit that outputs a second drive signal that reads the accumulated charge as a second signal to the read unit, and the second read from the read unit based on the second drive signal A correction circuit that corrects and outputs the signal of 2;The first signal is discharged after being read by the reading unit,The correction circuit includes the second signal.Is separated into a signal of a predetermined level or higher corresponding to the predetermined voltage and a signal of less than the predetermined levelSlice circuit and taken out by the slice circuitAbove the predetermined levelAn amplification circuit for amplifying a signal; andBelow a certain levelSignal and amplified by the amplifier circuitAbove the predetermined levelA solid-state imaging camera comprising a combining circuit for combining signals.
[0018]
  Next, the operation of each invention will be described.
  In the first invention, the photoelectric conversion is performed within the second photoelectric conversion time shorter than the first photoelectric conversion time.signalTo correctConcernedThe signal can be corrected according to the subject.
[0024]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a solid-state imaging color camera according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0025]
As shown in the figure, the solid-state imaging color camera of this embodiment includes a lens 10, a prism 11, CCDs 12a to 12c, a synchronization pulse generation circuit 13, a photoelectric conversion time control circuit 14, a driver 15, preamplifiers 16a to 16c, a high Light image quality control circuits 17a to 17c, process amplifiers 18a to 18c, a color encoder 19, and a highlight image quality selection circuit 20 are provided.
[0026]
The lens 10 condenses the optical image from the subject and outputs it to the prism 11.
The prism 11 decomposes an optical image input from the lens 10 into green (G), red (R), and blue (B) components, and forms images on the photosensitive surfaces of the CCDs 12a to 12c provided for the respective color components.
[0027]
The CCDs 12a to 12c each convert the optical image separated for each color component by the prism 11 into electric charges, and output imaging signals corresponding to the electric charges, respectively.
The synchronization pulse generation circuit 13 generates a synchronization pulse signal used for controlling the entire solid-state imaging camera.
[0028]
The photoelectric conversion time control circuit 14 outputs a drive pulse signal necessary for driving the CCDs 12 a to 12 c to the driver 15 based on the synchronization pulse signal output from the synchronization pulse generation circuit 13.
[0029]
The driver 15 drives the CCDs 12 a to 12 c based on the drive pulse signal from the photoelectric conversion time control circuit 14.
The preamplifiers 16a to 16c are provided corresponding to the CCDs 12a to 12c, respectively. The image signal of each color component output from the CCDs 12a to 12c is common to a plurality of color components at the Knee point of the image signal of each color component. Is amplified so as to substantially coincide with a predetermined Knee point set to.
[0030]
The highlight image quality control circuits 17a to 17c are provided corresponding to the preamplifiers 16a to 16c, respectively.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an internal configuration of the highlight image quality control circuit 17a corresponding to the green component imaging signal.
[0031]
Here, the highlight image quality control circuit corresponding to the green component will be described, but the same configuration is adopted for the configuration of the highlight image quality control circuit corresponding to the red component and the blue component.
[0032]
As shown in the figure, the highlight image quality control circuit 17a includes a lower slice circuit 30, an upper slice circuit 31, an amplifier circuit 32, and a synthesis circuit 33.
[0033]
  The lower slice circuit 30 is lower than the Knee point common to each color component set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 20 in the imaging signal output from the preamplifier 16a.Imaging signalSlice.
[0034]
  On the other hand, the upper slice circuit 31 is above the Knee point common to each color component set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 20 in the imaging signal output from the preamplifier 16.Imaging signalSlice.
[0035]
  The amplifier circuit 32 is output from the lower slice circuit 30.Imaging signal below Knee pointIs a sliced imaging signal, i.e.Imaging signal above Knee pointBased on the amplification coefficient set for each color component in the highlight image quality selection circuit 20.Imaging signal above Knee pointAre amplified so that they are equal.
[0036]
  The synthesis circuit 33 is output from the amplification circuit 32.Imaging signal above Knee pointAnd lower than the common Knee point output from the upper slice circuit 31.Imaging signal andAre combined and output.
[0037]
The process amplifier circuits 18 a to 18 c amplify the imaging signals output from the highlight image quality control circuits 17 a to 17 c based on the synchronization pulse signal output from the synchronization pulse generation circuit 13.
[0038]
Based on the synchronization pulse signal output from the synchronization pulse generation circuit 13, the color encoder 19 converts the imaging signals output from the process amplifier circuits 18a to 18c into predetermined video signals and outputs the video signals.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the solid-state imaging color camera configured as described above will be described. An optical image incident from the subject through the imaging lens is decomposed into green (G), red (R), and blue (B) components by the prism 11.
[0040]
The optical images separated into the color components by the prism 11 are converted into electric charges by the CCDs 12a to 12c, respectively, and then an imaging signal corresponding to the converted electric charges is output.
[0041]
Hereinafter, the photoelectric conversion operation by the CCDs 12a to 12c will be described.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing drive pulses applied to the CCDs 12a to 12c and signal charges Q accumulated in the photosensitive pixels, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cross section of the vertical CCD (VCCD) and one pixel of the photosensitive pixels. It is.
[0042]
In the figure, VBL represents the vertical blanking signal of the system, and ΦP represents the drive pulse signal of the CCD.
The drive pulse ΦP serves as both the reading of the signal charge Q of the photosensitive pixel and the transfer pulse of the vertical CCD (VCCD).
[0043]
This drive pulse .PHI.P has a potential (Knee level) generated at the read voltage V1 by dividing the accumulation of the signal charge Q into two of Ta and Tb in one field period and applying the voltage V1 at the timing t2. A larger signal charge Q is read from the photosensitive pixel to the VCCD.
[0044]
Further, by applying a voltage V2 at timing t4, photoelectric conversion is performed for one field period in the photosensitive pixel, and all accumulated signal charges Q are read from the photosensitive pixel to the VCCD. The applied voltage at this time is V1 <V2.
[0045]
The SO pulse is a pulse for discharging the signal charge of the VCCD at a high speed, and the LS pulse is a pulse for transferring the signal charge from the vertical CCD to the horizontal CCD line by line.
[0046]
With the above operation, for a large signal in which the signal charge Q is saturated (MAX), the voltage V1 is applied at the timing t2, and the signal charge equal to or higher than the Knee level is discharged. Accumulation is possible, and the dynamic range can be improved.
[0047]
FIG. 5 is a potential diagram showing an accumulation state of signal charges at each timing. Hereinafter, the photoelectric conversion operation of the CCD will be described with reference to FIG.
First, at t1, the signal charge Q is accumulated in the photosensitive pixel.
[0048]
Next, at t2, the signal charge Qo (= Q−Qa) larger than the potential φV1 (Knee level) generated at the read voltage V1 is read out to the VCCD.
[0049]
Next, at t3, the signal charge Qo of the VCCD is discharged by the SO pulse, and at the same time, the signal charge Qb is newly accumulated in the photosensitive pixel.
Next, at t4, the signal charges Qa and Qb accumulated in the photosensitive pixel are read out to the VCCD by the potential φV2 generated by the reading voltage V2.
[0050]
  Thereafter, the signal charges Qa and Qb of the VCCD are transferred by the LS pulse, converted into a voltage, and then output from the CCD as an imaging signal.
  In the above description, the case of a highlight signal exceeding the Knee point has been described. However, in the case of a low write signal that does not exceed the Knee point, the signal charge is not read out at the read voltage φV1 at t2, and therefore, during one field period. Q + Qb signal charge is accumulated. In other words, the slope of the photoelectric conversion characteristics isTa+ Tb.
[0051]
In the highlight signal, the signal charge Qo is read at the read voltage φV1 at t2, and the signal charge Qa is clipped in the photosensitive pixel portion to newly accumulate the signal charge Qb. For this reason, the inclination of the photoelectric conversion characteristic is Tb.
[0052]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the photoelectric conversion characteristics of the imaging signals output from the CCDs 12a to 12c.
As shown in the figure, the CCD output signal with respect to the input light amount is a signal having a different slope at the Knee point determined by the reading voltage V1.
[0053]
This inclination is obtained with the signal accumulation time (Ta + Tb) for the low light signal and with the signal accumulation time Tb for the highlight signal. That is, since the highlight signal is compressed and output, the dynamic range is improved.
[0054]
The signal output in the CCD imaging state (color temperature 3200 ° K, using halogen lamp) used in the experiment is as follows: green component (Sg1): red component (Sr1): blue component (Sb1) = 1: 0.8 Therefore, the Knee point of the image signal of each color component is set as shown in FIG.
[0055]
The Knee point indicates that the green component (Sg1): red component (Sr1): blue component (Sb1) = 1: (1/0. 8): (1 / 0.3) is set, and the Knee point is set to the same output voltage in the preamplifier circuit output.
[0056]
  Since the signal of the blue component (Sb1) is smaller than the green component (Sg1) (about 30%), if the slope of Tbg is the same as that of the green component,The signal is poor in S / N.
[0057]
  On the other hand, the margin for saturation is as large as 1 / 0.3. Therefore, according to each color component,Imaging signal above Knee pointBy controlling the inclination θ ofImaging signal above Knee pointThe signal amount can be increased and the S / N can be improved.
[0058]
  This inclination θ can be achieved by changing the period of Tb according to each color component. That is, by setting Tbg <Tbr <Tbb, the saturation of each color signal can be made the same,Imaging signal above Knee pointS / N can be improved. As a result,An imaging signal below the Knee point of the imaging signal above the Knee pointThe gradient with respect to increases in the order of Sb1 <Sr1 <Sg1.
[0059]
The imaging signals Sg1, Sr1, and Sb1 output from the CCDs 12a to 12c provided for the respective colors are converted into a plurality of color components by the preamplifiers 16a to 16c, respectively, as shown in FIG. On the other hand, after being amplified so as to substantially coincide with a predetermined Knee point set in common, they are output to the highlight image quality control circuits 17a to 17c as image pickup signals Sg2, Sr2, and Sb2, respectively.
[0060]
  The imaging signals Sg2, Sr2, and Sb2 input to the lower slice circuit 30 are lower than the common Knee point for each color component set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 20.Imaging signalIs sliced and output to the amplifier circuit 32.
[0061]
  And below this common Knee point for each color componentImaging signalIs a sliced imaging signal, i.e.Imaging signal above Knee pointIs determined by the amplification circuit 32 based on the amplification coefficient set for each color component in the highlight image quality selection circuit 20.Imaging signal above Knee pointAre amplified so as to be equal to each other and then output to the synthesis circuit 33.
[0062]
  ThisImaging signal above Knee pointCan matchImaging signal above Knee pointThe color balance can be improved.
  On the other hand, the imaging signal input to the upper slice circuit 31 is above the Knee point common to each color component set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 20 among the imaging signals output from the preamplifier 16.Imaging signalAnd is output to the synthesis circuit 33.
[0063]
  The synthesis circuit 33 is output from the amplification circuit 32.Imaging signal above Knee pointAnd output from the upper slice circuit 31Imaging signal below Knee pointAre combined to output an image pickup signal as shown in FIG.
[0064]
The imaging signals output from the synthesis circuit 33 of each highlight image quality control circuit 17a to 17c are amplified by the process amplifiers 18a to 18c, respectively, and then output to the color encoder 19. The image pickup signal input to the color encoder 19 is output after being converted into a predetermined video signal.
[0065]
  Therefore, according to the solid-state imaging color camera according to the present embodiment, each color componentImaging signal above Knee pointCan matchImaging signal above Knee pointIt is possible to prevent the color balance from being lost.
[0066]
  In the description of the above-described embodiment, the imaging light from the subject is separated into the respective color components by the prism 11, but as shown in FIG. 9, the imaging light of each color component is collectively photoelectrically converted by the CCD 12. The preamplifier 16 outputs the image signal having each color component output from the CCD 12 below the Knee point.Imaging signal below Knee pointMay be separated by the color separation circuit 41 and output to the highlight image quality control circuits 17a to 17c.
[0067]
  The CCD color filter is not limited to the primary color system, but may be a complementary color system.
<Second Embodiment>
  The signal output from the highlight image quality control circuit of the solid-state imaging color camera according to the first embodiment described above has improved color balance as shown in FIG.Imaging signal above Knee pointIs compressed,Imaging signal above Knee pointAs a result, the image of the subject could not be sharpened.
[0068]
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a solid-state imaging color camera according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are described with the same reference numerals.
The difference between the solid-state imaging color camera of the first embodiment and the solid-state imaging color camera of the present embodiment is the highlight image quality selection circuit and the highlight image quality control circuit.
[0069]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a highlight image quality selection circuit and a highlight image quality control circuit corresponding to a green component.
Here, the highlight image quality control circuit corresponding to the green component will be described, but the same configuration is adopted for the configuration of the highlight image quality control circuit corresponding to the red component and the blue component.
[0070]
As shown in the figure, the highlight image quality selection circuit 51 is set with a slice level, which is different from the highlight image quality selection circuit and the highlight image quality control circuit of the solid-state imaging color camera according to the first embodiment described above. And an upper and lower slice circuit 61 is provided in the highlight image quality control circuit 52a.
[0071]
Here, it is assumed that the slice level set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 51 is set to a common value for the imaging signals of the respective color components.
Note that the slice level set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 51 can be freely set according to the type of subject.
[0072]
  The upper / lower slice circuit 61 is output from the amplifier circuit 32 based on the slice level set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 51.Imaging signal above Knee pointSlice the top and bottom of the.
[0073]
  Next, the operation of the highlight image quality control circuit 52 configured as described above will be described.
  Output from the amplifier circuit 32Imaging signal above Knee pointIs based on a slice level common to each color component set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 51,Imaging signal above Knee pointThe upper and lower parts are sliced and output.
[0074]
  And it was output from the upper and lower slice circuit 61 by the synthesis circuit 34.Imaging signal above Knee pointAnd output from the upper slice circuit 31Imaging signal below Knee pointAre combined and output.
[0075]
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an output signal output from the synthesis circuit 34.
In the figure, the slice level set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 51 is set to an effective amount of light for imaging a subject out of the amount of input light from the outside of the window when a landscape outside the window is imaged. An example in which is set is shown. Thereby, the contrast of the subject can be improved.
[0076]
  Therefore, according to the solid-state image pickup color camera of the present embodiment, the upper and lower slice circuits 61Imaging signal above Knee pointCan be emphasized, so that the subject can be clearly imaged.
[0077]
  In the above description of the embodiment, the color camera has been described, but the present invention can also be applied to a monochrome camera.
  In the description of the above embodiment, the upper and lower slide circuits 61Imaging signal above Knee pointHowever, by changing the amplification coefficient set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 51 for each color component, a specific color component can be emphasized according to the type of subject.
[0078]
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an imaging signal when the color signal and the contrast are emphasized.
In this case, the amplification coefficient set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 51 is set so as to increase in the order of the blue, red, and green imaging signals, and the slice level is set to a common value for each color component.
[0079]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an imaging signal when only the color signal is emphasized.
In this case, the amplification coefficient set in the highlight image quality selection circuit 51 is set so that the imaging signals of blue, red, and green components increase in order, and the slice level is not set.
<Third Embodiment>
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a solid-state imaging color camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are described with the same reference numerals.
[0080]
The difference between the solid-state image pickup color camera according to the first embodiment and the solid-state image pickup color camera according to the present embodiment is that a highlight outline emphasis circuit 65 is provided.
[0081]
  The highlight contour emphasizing circuit 65 includes image signals output from the process amplifiers 18a to 18c.Imaging signal above Knee pointBy emphasizing a specific frequency component, a clear image is obtained.
[0082]
The highlight contour emphasizing circuit 65 includes vertical and horizontal wide-area filters, and as shown in FIG. 17, emphasizes wide-area components, adds them to the original signal, and outputs them. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a circuit configuration example for emphasizing such a wide-area component.
[0083]
For example, in order to perform contour enhancement in the vertical direction, a difference signal between a delayed signal and a non-delayed signal is generated using a delay circuit of 2 horizontal periods (2H) to 3 horizontal periods (3H), and a vertical wide area component is generated. Can be taken out and added to the original signal.
[0084]
Further, in order to perform edge enhancement in the horizontal direction, edge enhancement can be performed by an aperture circuit that increases the amplification degree of a signal in a specific frequency band.
Therefore, according to the solid-state imaging color camera of the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a clearer image by emphasizing a specific frequency by the highlight contour emphasizing circuit 65.
[0085]
Note that although a color camera has been described in the present embodiment, it can also be applied to a monochrome camera.
Further, the edge enhancement circuit described in this embodiment can also be applied to the solid-state imaging color camera described in the second embodiment as shown in FIG.
[0086]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the color balance of the highlight signal can be improved and the contrast can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a solid-state imaging color camera according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a highlight image quality control circuit of the solid-state imaging color camera in the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining pulses applied to the CCD of the solid-state imaging color camera according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is a view showing a cross section of a vertical CCD (VCCD) and one photosensitive pixel of the solid-state imaging color camera in the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a potential diagram showing a signal charge accumulation state at each timing of the CCD of the solid-state imaging color camera according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a photoelectric conversion characteristic of an imaging signal output from the CCD of the solid-state imaging color camera in the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an imaging signal of each color component of the solid-state imaging color camera according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an imaging signal of each color component output from a highlight image quality control circuit of the solid-state imaging color camera according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modification of the solid-state imaging color camera in the first embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an output signal of the solid-state imaging color camera in the first embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a solid-state imaging color camera according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a configuration of a highlight image quality control circuit and a highlight image quality selection circuit of the solid-state imaging color camera in the second embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an imaging signal of an individual imaging color camera in the second embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an imaging signal when a color signal and contrast are emphasized.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an imaging signal when only a color signal is emphasized.
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a configuration of a solid-state imaging color camera according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an output of a highlight contour emphasizing circuit in the solid-state imaging color camera according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 18 is a diagram for explaining a circuit configuration of a highlight contour emphasizing circuit according to the third embodiment;
FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a modification of the solid-state imaging color camera according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of an interline transfer type CCD image pickup device (IT-CCD) used in a conventional video camera.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an accumulation operation of signal charge Qc in the photoelectric conversion unit C;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 ... Lens,
11 ... Prism,
12a-12c ... CCD,
13: Synchronous pulse generation circuit,
14: photoelectric conversion time control circuit,
15 ... Driver,
16a to 16c: preamplifier,
17a to 17c: Highlight image quality control circuit,
18a to 18c: process amplifier,
19 ... Color encoder,
20: Highlight image quality selection circuit,
30 ... Lower slice circuit,
31 ... Upper slice circuit,
32 ... amplifier circuit,
33. Synthesis circuit,
41 ... color separation circuit,
51. Highlight image quality selection circuit,
52a to 52c: Highlight image quality control circuit,
61. Upper and lower slice circuits,
65: Highlight outline emphasis circuit.

Claims (3)

A solid-state imaging device including a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light from a subject into electric charge, and a reading unit that reads out an imaging signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit;
At the end of the first photoelectric conversion time within one field period, a first charge for reading out to the reading unit as a first signal a charge equal to or higher than a potential generated at a predetermined voltage among the charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit. At the end of the driving signal and the second photoelectric conversion time shorter than the first photoelectric conversion time in the one field period, the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit is read to the reading unit as a second signal. A photoelectric conversion time control circuit for outputting two drive signals;
A correction circuit that corrects and outputs the second signal read from the read unit based on the second drive signal;
The first signal is discharged after being read by the reading unit,
The correction circuit includes:
A slice circuit that separates the second signal into a signal of a predetermined level or higher corresponding to the predetermined voltage and a signal of less than the predetermined level ;
An amplifying circuit for amplifying a signal of the predetermined level or more extracted by the slice circuit;
A solid-state imaging camera, characterized by comprising a combining circuit for combining the predetermined level or more signal amplified by the signal and the amplifier circuit is less than the predetermined level. A solid-state imaging device comprising: a photoelectric conversion unit that converts light from a subject into charges for each of a plurality of color components; and a reading unit that reads out an imaging signal converted by the photoelectric conversion unit for each color component;
At the end of the first photoelectric conversion time within one field period, out of the electric charges accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit, electric charges that are equal to or higher than a potential generated at a predetermined voltage are read as first signals to the reading unit for each color component. At the end of the first photoelectric conversion time and the second photoelectric conversion time shorter than the first photoelectric conversion time within the one field period, the charge accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit as a second signal as a color component A photoelectric conversion time control circuit that outputs a second drive signal for reading to the reading unit every time;
A correction circuit that corrects and outputs the second signal read from the reading unit based on the second drive signal for each color component;
The first signal is discharged after being read by the reading unit,
The correction circuit includes:
A slice circuit that separates the second signal for each color component into a signal of a predetermined level or higher corresponding to the predetermined voltage and a signal of less than the predetermined level ;
An amplifying circuit for amplifying a signal of the predetermined level or more for each color component extracted by the slice circuit;
A solid-state imaging camera, characterized by comprising a combining circuit for combining the predetermined level or more signal amplified by the signal and the amplifier circuit is less than the predetermined level.   3. The solid-state imaging camera according to claim 1, further comprising an enhancement circuit that enhances a predetermined frequency component of the second signal corrected by the correction circuit.

Images