JP3918292B2 - Video imaging device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a video camera device that images a subject using a solid-state image sensor.In placeSuitable for installationVideoWith regard to the imaging device, in particular, the saturation of the light receiving element of the CCD image sensor equipped with an electronic shutter was prevented, and the dynamic resolution was controlled to eliminate the unnaturalness of the dynamic image.VideoThe present invention relates to an imaging apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Today's video camera apparatuses are provided with a solid-state imaging unit (so-called CCD image sensor) formed of a plurality of light receiving elements as imaging means because it can be made smaller and lighter and lower in cost than an imaging tube. . As this CCD image sensor, a frame transfer type CCD image sensor (FTCCD), a frame interline type CCD image sensor (FITCCD), an interline type CCD image sensor (ILCCD), an all pixel readout type CCD image sensor, and the like are known. Yes.
[0003]
Among these, for example, an interline CCD image sensor (ILCCD) is configured such that light receiving elements and vertical transfer paths are alternately arranged two-dimensionally. This interline CCD image sensor is provided with two operation modes: a frame accumulation mode and a field accumulation mode. In the frame accumulation mode, only the charges of the light receiving elements on the odd lines are read in the odd field, and only the charges of the light receiving elements on the odd number line are read in the even field. In the field accumulation mode, the charges of all the light receiving elements are read in both the odd field and the even field. In the odd field, each of the nth line, the n + 1th line, the n + 2th line, the n + 3th line,. Charges are added and output in the vertical transfer path respectively, and in the even field, the combination of charges to be added is changed, and each charge of the (n + 1) th line, the (n + 2) th line, the (n + 3) th line, the (n + 4) th line, etc. is vertically Each is added in the transfer path and output.
[0004]
In the frame accumulation mode, charges are read out from each light receiving element every frame, so that the dynamic resolution is lowered. On the other hand, the charges from the light receiving elements in each line are output without addition processing. High vertical resolution can be obtained. On the other hand, in the field accumulation mode, the charges from the light receiving elements in each line are added and output, and the vertical resolution is lowered. On the other hand, the charges are read from all the light receiving elements in one field. Therefore, high dynamic resolution can be obtained.
[0005]
In each of these imaging modes, for example, when imaging a subject with little movement, imaging is performed in the frame accumulation mode, and when imaging a subject with much movement, imaging is performed in the field accumulation mode. Are used properly.
[0006]
On the other hand, in the all-pixel readout type CCD image sensor, the light receiving elements and the vertical transfer paths are alternately arranged two-dimensionally, and the charges vertically transferred from the odd-numbered light receiving elements through the vertical transfer paths are horizontally transferred. And a second horizontal transfer path for horizontally transferring charges vertically transferred from the light receiving elements of the even lines via the vertical transfer path (so-called dual horizontal transfer path). Construction).
[0007]
This all-pixel readout type CCD image sensor reads out charges from all the light receiving elements for each field, and the charges read out from the odd numbered light receiving elements are received through the first horizontal transfer path or even lines. The electric charge read from the element is output through the second horizontal transfer path. As a result, reading of the charges of all the light receiving elements is completed for each field, and the charges read from the light receiving elements of the respective lines are divided into odd-numbered charges and even-numbered charges without being added, and then transferred horizontally. Therefore, both high vertical resolution and dynamic resolution can be obtained.
[0008]
Here, the dynamic range of the imaging signal output from the CCD image sensor depends on the amount of imaging light that can be received by the CCD image sensor. That is, if the charge that can be accumulated in each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor is infinite, a large amount of imaging light can be captured, and the dynamic range of the imaging signal can be expanded. However, in actuality, the charge storage capacity of each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor is finite. When receiving imaging light with a light quantity exceeding the finite capacity, each light receiving element is saturated within the charge storage period, and the captured image is captured. Causes problems such as blooming and smearing.
[0009]
  On the other hand, by controlling the shutter speed of the electronic shutter, which is the speed corresponding to the charge accumulation time of each light receiving element in the CCD image sensor, an arbitrary shutter speed can be realized in the same manner as the mechanical shutter.VideoImaging devices have existed conventionally. In a CCD image sensor, charges are usually accumulated by changing light into an electrical signal at a period of 1/60 seconds. However, the charge accumulation time, that is, the shutter speed is set to 1/1000 seconds, for example, using this electronic shutter. By arbitrarily setting to 1/2000 seconds or the like, the dynamic resolution of the captured image can be improved.
[0010]
  Figure 2 shows the conventionalVideo2 shows a schematic configuration example of an imaging apparatus. The conventional system shown in FIG.VideoThe imaging apparatus includes a CCD image sensor 53 having an electronic shutter function, and has a configuration in which a mechanical shutter is unnecessary by enabling the shutter speed of the electronic shutter to be controlled.
[0011]
Specifically, the lens system 51 is driven and controlled by the mechanical drive unit 60, and the iris (aperture) unit 52 is driven and controlled by the mechanical drive unit 60. It is. Light from the subject via the lens system 51 and the iris unit 52 is incident on a CCD image sensor 53 including a plurality of light receiving elements constituting a plurality of pixels.
[0012]
The CCD image sensor 53 has a function as an electronic shutter, and the shutter speed of the electronic shutter can be arbitrarily set by arbitrarily setting the CCD drive pulse from the CCD drive unit 59. is there. The imaging signal output from each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 53 is sent to a correlated double sampling (CDS) and automatic gain control (AGC) unit 54.
[0013]
The correlated double sampling and automatic gain control unit 54 performs so-called correlated double sampling and automatic gain control on the imaging signal from each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 53. The imaging signal subjected to the correlated double sampling and automatic gain control is sent to an analog / digital conversion (ADC) unit 55.
[0014]
The analog / digital conversion unit 55 converts the imaging signal into a digital signal. This digitally converted imaging signal is sent to the signal processing unit 56.
[0015]
The signal processing unit 56 performs predetermined video process processing or the like on the imaging signal from the analog / digital conversion unit 55 to generate an image signal. The image signal from the signal processing unit 56 is output from the output terminal 62.
[0016]
When the iris unit 52 is fixed and the signal level of the CCD image sensor 53 is controlled by an electronic shutter, the imaging signal supplied to the signal processing unit 56 is sent to the saturation detection unit 57. The saturation detector 57 detects the saturation of the imaging signal from each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 53 by comparing a predetermined threshold value set in advance with the level of the imaging signal. For example, when the level of the imaging signal of a specific pixel or more becomes larger than the threshold value, it is detected that the CCD image sensor 53 is saturated. The saturation detection signal from the saturation detector 57 is sent to a microcomputer 58.
[0017]
The microcomputer 58 drives the CCD prior to controlling the amount of light incident on the CCD image sensor 53 by driving the lens system 51 and the iris unit 52 when the saturation detection signal is supplied from the saturation detection unit 57. The unit 59 is controlled so that the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD image sensor 53 is increased. Thereby, saturation of each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 53 is prevented.
[0018]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  Incidentally, as described above, when the shutter speed of the electronic shutter is increased for the purpose of preventing saturation of the CCD image sensor, the dynamic resolution of the image pickup signal output from the CCD image sensor is increased. That is, the conventional as described aboveVideoIn the imaging apparatus, when the CCD image sensor is saturated, the shutter speed of the electronic shutter is increased against the photographer's intention, resulting in an increase in dynamic resolution and disturbance in the captured moving image (the moving image becomes discontinuous and smooth). There is a disadvantage that it will occur.
[0019]
  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can prevent saturation of a light receiving element of a CCD image sensor having a function of an electronic shutter and eliminate disturbance of a moving image.VideoAn object is to provide an imaging device.
[0020]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  Claim 1According to the present inventionVideoIn order to solve the above-described problems,An electronic shutter, andIt consists of a plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to a plurality of pixels, and the signal charges accumulated by photoelectrically converting the imaging light in each light receiving elementVideoWhile outputting as an imaging signal,By controlling the electronic shutterA solid-state imaging means capable of arbitrarily setting the charge accumulation time;
  Each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging meansAnd comparing the imaging signal from the predetermined threshold value with each of the light receiving elementsSaturation detection means for detecting saturation;
  The imaging signalPer field or frameAdd backDoFeedback type filterWhen,
  Based on the saturation detection output of the saturation detection means, the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging meansIs made shorter than the current value by controlling the electronic shutter, and at the same time, the feedback amount of the feedback filter is made larger than the current value.Control means to control and,
Have
[0021]
  The moving image capturing apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 2 is the moving image capturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
  SaidControl meansSaidControlling the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging means by controlling the electronic shutter so as to prevent each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging means from being saturated;
  The solid-state imaging means adds and outputs the signal output read a plurality of times in one field period or one frame period by the feedback filter.The
[0022]
  Also,The moving image capturing apparatus according to the present invention described in claim 3 is the moving image capturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
  The control means includesWhen the user operates the imaging mode selection key,
  The electronic shutter is controlled so as to prevent each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging unit from being saturated to control the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging unit, and a plurality of solid-state imaging units are provided in one field period or one frame period. A dynamic range expansion mode for adding and outputting the signal output read twice by the feedback filter;
  A normal imaging mode in which the solid-state imaging means outputs a signal output read out in one field period or one frame period without being added by the feedback filter;
chooseTo do.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Hereinafter, according to the present inventionVideoA preferred embodiment of an imaging apparatus will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0024]
  According to the present inventionVideoThe imaging device is, for example, a video camera device.In placeAlthough applicable, FIG. 1 relates to the present invention.VideoAs an embodiment of the image pickup apparatus, it has a CCD image sensor 3 having an electronic shutter function, and by controlling the shutter speed of the electronic shutter, each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3 can be prevented from being saturated. The video camera apparatus will be described as an example.
[0025]
In FIG. 1, for example, an image signal recording / reproducing unit normally provided in a video camera device, an image captured by the CCD image sensor 3, and an image reproduced by the recording / reproducing unit are displayed. A display unit such as an electronic viewfinder or a small liquid crystal monitor is not shown.
[0026]
In the video camera apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, the lens system 1 is driven and controlled by a mechanical system drive unit 10 and the iris (aperture) unit 2 is also driven by a mechanical system. The aperture amount is driven and controlled by the unit 10. Light from a subject or the like whose light amount has been adjusted by the lens system 1 and whose light amount has been adjusted (including adjustment of the depth of field) by the iris unit 2 includes a plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to pixels constituting the image. The light is incident on the light receiving surface of the CCD image sensor 3.
[0027]
Although not shown in FIG. 1, in the preceding stage of the CCD image sensor 3, for example, the arrangement positions of magenta (Mg) and green (G) are reversed for each odd line of the CCD image sensor 3. A complementary color / Mg-G inversion type color filter array is provided. Therefore, magenta (Mg) and green (G) imaging light is incident on each light receiving element of the odd line of the CCD image sensor 3, and the CCD Cyan (Cy) and yellow (Ye) imaging light is incident on each light receiving element of the even line of the image sensor 3. However, this color filter array is an example, and in addition to this, for example, a complementary color / Mg-G sequential color filter array, an RGB color filter array called a primary color / Bayer array, white (W), G, A Cy or Ye color filter array or the like may be provided.
[0028]
The CCD image sensor 3 has a function as an electronic shutter, and the shutter speed of the electronic shutter can be arbitrarily set by arbitrarily setting the CCD drive pulse from the CCD drive unit 9. . Imaging signals output from the respective light receiving elements of the CCD image sensor 3 are sent to a correlated double sampling (CDS) and automatic gain control (AGC) unit 4.
[0029]
The correlated double sampling and automatic gain control unit 4 performs so-called correlated double sampling and automatic gain control on the imaging signal from each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3. The imaging signal subjected to the correlated double sampling and automatic gain control is sent to an analog / digital conversion (ADC) unit 5.
[0030]
The analog / digital conversion unit 5 converts the imaging signal into a digital signal. The digitally converted image signal is sent to the signal processing unit 6.
[0031]
The signal processing unit 6 includes, for example, a digital signal processor (DSP), and performs predetermined video process processing on the image pickup signal from the analog / digital conversion unit 5 to generate an image signal. That is, the signal processing unit 6 performs color separation (RGB) based on the imaging signal obtained by the complementary color filter array, and performs predetermined video process processing or the like on the imaging signal. The image signal from the signal processing unit 6 is sent to the noise reducer (NR) unit 11.
[0032]
The noise reducer unit 11 is a noise reducer having a recursive filter (feedback filter) configuration as shown in FIG. 1, and as a main configuration, a multiplier that multiplies an image signal stored in the memory 24 by a multiplication coefficient K. 23, a multiplier 21 that multiplies the image signal from the signal processing unit 6 by a multiplication coefficient (1-K), an image signal that is multiplied by the multiplication coefficient (1-K) by the multiplier 21, and a multiplier 23. An adder 22 for adding the image signal multiplied by the multiplication coefficient K is stored, and the image signal output from the adder 22 is stored in the memory 24. The multiplication coefficient K takes a value of 0 <K <1, and is a parameter that represents the cyclic amount of the cyclic filter (the feedback amount of the feedback filter). The image signal from the noise reducer 11 is output from the output terminal 12 and sent to a recording system (not shown) for recording or sent to a display system (not shown) for display.
[0033]
Further, the imaging signal supplied to the signal processing unit 6 is also sent to the saturation detection unit 7 via the signal processing unit 6. The saturation detector 7 has a comparison circuit (not shown) that compares a predetermined threshold value set in advance with the level of the imaging signal, and compares the predetermined threshold value with the level of the imaging signal. Thus, it is detected whether each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3 is saturated. That is, the saturation detection unit 7 detects that the CCD image sensor 3 is saturated, for example, when the level of the imaging signal from each light receiving element corresponding to a specific pixel or more is greater than a threshold value. The saturation detection signal from the saturation detector 7 is sent to a microcomputer 8.
[0034]
When the saturation detection signal is supplied from the saturation detection unit 7, the microcomputer 8 drives the lens system 1 and the iris unit 2 to control the amount of light incident on the CCD image sensor 3, prior to the CCD drive. The unit 9 is controlled so as to increase the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD image sensor 3. Thereby, in the video camera device of the present embodiment, saturation of each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3 can be prevented. The lens system 1 and the iris unit 2 are driven by the microcomputer 8 controlling the mechanical system drive unit 10 after the shutter speed control of the electronic shutter.
[0035]
However, when the CCD image sensor 3 is saturated, if the control is performed to increase the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD image sensor 3 in preference to the incident light amount control by the lens system 1 or the iris unit 2, as described above. As a result, the dynamic resolution of the imaging signal output from the CCD image sensor 3 increases, and as a result, the captured moving image is disturbed (the moving image becomes discontinuous and smooth).
[0036]
Therefore, in the video camera device according to the present embodiment, when the CCD image sensor 3 is saturated, the microcomputer 8 controls to increase the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD image sensor 3, and at the same time, noise Control is performed such that the value of the multiplication coefficient K in the coefficient multipliers 21 and 23 of the reducer unit 11 is increased (the amount of cycles is increased).
[0037]
That is, the noise reducer unit 11 is a noise reducer having a recursive filter configuration as shown in FIG. 1 and normally removes noise components included in the image signal. For example, the CCD image sensor 3 is saturated. When the noise reducer 11 is controlled by the microcomputer 8 so that the value of the multiplication coefficient K is increased (the cyclic amount is increased), the cyclic amount of the cyclic filter is increased and the images are averaged. As a result, it is possible to reduce the disturbance of the image whose dynamic resolution is increased by increasing the shutter speed of the electronic shutter (decreasing the dynamic resolution to reduce the change of the image and reduce the unnaturalness). .
[0038]
Thereby, in the video camera device of the present embodiment, saturation of each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3 can be prevented and at the same time, disturbance of the moving image can be eliminated.
[0039]
Incidentally, the CCD image sensor 3 used in the video camera apparatus according to the present embodiment is an all-pixel readout type CCD image sensor that reads out the electric charges accumulated in all the light receiving elements for each field at one time. The sensor 3 can perform imaging in at least two imaging modes of “normal imaging mode” and “dynamic range expansion mode (D range expansion mode)” described below. Further, the CCD image sensor 3 can variably control how to read the electric charge accumulated in the light receiving element according to these imaging modes, and can change the shutter speed of the electronic shutter for each field or for each frame. Yes.
[0040]
Each of these imaging modes can be selected, for example, by the user operating an imaging mode selection key provided on an operation panel (not shown), and the microcomputer 8 can be selected by operating this imaging mode selection key. The image pickup mode thus executed is controlled to be executed, and at the time of reproduction, reproduction control corresponding to the image pickup mode at the time of recording is performed.
[0041]
Here, the NTSC system, which is one of the standard television systems, will be described as an example. The normal imaging mode is a mode in which the charges of the light receiving elements on the odd lines and the even lines are read at intervals of 1/60 seconds. is there. In this normal imaging mode, the reading of the charges of all the light receiving elements is completed for each field, and the charges read from the light receiving elements of each line are divided into odd-numbered charges and even-numbered charges without performing addition processing. Therefore, both high vertical resolution and dynamic resolution can be obtained.
[0042]
On the other hand, the dynamic range expansion mode is a mode in which the odd-numbered line charges and the even-numbered line total charges of each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3 are continuously read, for example, twice every 1/60 seconds, and added. In other words, the imaging mode is such that the charges of the respective light receiving elements constituting the odd field and the even field are read and added every 1/120 seconds, for example.
[0043]
In this dynamic range expansion mode, the odd-numbered line charges and the even-numbered line charges of each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3 are continuously read and added, for example, twice each. A wide image signal can be obtained.
[0044]
In this dynamic range expansion mode, since the charge is read from each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3 twice during one field, each light receiving element is turned on even when the amount of imaging light increases. Saturation can be made difficult.
[0045]
That is, in this case, since the readout control is performed twice during one field, even if the charge for the two readouts is added, the readout control is performed more than when one readout control is performed in one field. Each of the light receiving elements can be made twice as difficult to be saturated. For this reason, it is possible to prevent inconveniences such as blooming or smearing in the captured image due to saturation of the light receiving element.
[0046]
In other words, since the imaging signals for two fields read out from the CCD image sensor 3 during one field in the dynamic range expansion mode have the same imaging time (accumulation time), the imaging signals for these two fields. In addition, the dynamic range of the imaging signal can be expanded, and even if the imaging signal for two fields is added, both have the same dynamic resolution. A good image can be obtained without causing a sense of incongruity in the image.
[0047]
In this example, the charge is read out from each light receiving element twice during one field in the dynamic range expansion mode. However, this is not limited to three times or four times. The read control may be performed for the number of times. As a result, it is possible to make each light receiving element of the CCD image sensor 3 less likely to be saturated three times or four times than when performing one-time readout control in one field as in the normal imaging mode. It can be more prominent.
[0048]
In the video camera device of the present embodiment, the above-described dynamic range expansion mode is used, and the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD image sensor 3 is changed for each field or each frame in the dynamic range expansion mode. Thus, it is possible to make the saturation prevention effect of the CCD image sensor 3 and the effect of suppressing the disturbance of the moving image by the noise reducer unit 11 more remarkable than in the normal imaging mode.
[0049]
That is, in the case of the dynamic range expansion mode, for example, as a first example, when the first odd field is read, for example, the accumulated charge is read from each odd line in 1/60 seconds, and similarly, the first even field is read. When reading, the accumulated charge is read from each even line in 1/500 seconds, and when the second odd field is read, the accumulated charge is read from each odd line in 1/60 seconds, and the second even field is read. Sometimes, the accumulated charge is read from each even line in 1/500 seconds, and the readout operation is repeated in the same manner, and the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD image sensor 3 is changed for each field, so that the CCD image sensor 3 It is possible to prevent the saturation of video and enhance the effect of suppressing video disturbance It is.
[0050]
In the case of the dynamic range expansion mode, for example, as a second example, when reading the first odd field, the accumulated charge is read from each odd line in 1/60 seconds, and the first even field reading is also performed. The accumulated charge is read from each even line in 1/60 seconds, the accumulated charge is read from each odd line in 1/500 seconds for the second odd-numbered field read, and the second even-number field read The accumulated charge is read out from each even field in 1/500 second, and the readout operation is repeated in the same manner, and the shutter speed of the electronic shutter of the CCD image sensor 3 is changed for each frame, so that the CCD image sensor 3 It is possible to increase the effect of preventing saturation and suppressing video disturbance
[0051]
When the shutter speed of the electronic shutter is changed for each field as in the first example, a field memory is used as the memory 24 in FIG. When the shutter speed of the electronic shutter is changed for each frame as in the second example, a frame memory is used as the memory 24 in FIG. Further, in the case of the dynamic range expansion mode as in the first and second examples, for example, a value of 1/2 is used as the multiplication coefficient K.
[0052]
As is apparent from the above description, the video camera device of the present embodiment can prevent the saturation of the CCD image sensor 3 without adding or changing the signal processing of the video camera device, and is unnecessary. In addition, it is possible to suppress an unnatural image due to an increase in dynamic resolution, and it is also possible to output an image that has been expanded to a dynamic range several times or several tens of times that of the prior art.
[0053]
Furthermore, in the video camera device according to the present embodiment, by providing the noise reducer unit 11, an improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio (S / N) of the image signal can be expected.
[0054]
  The above-described embodiment relates to the present invention.VideoAlthough the imaging apparatus has been described as conforming to the NTSC system, which is a Japanese standard television system, the present invention can also be applied to different television systems such as the PAL system and SECAM system.
[0055]
The CCD image sensor 3 is an all-pixel readout type CCD image sensor, but it may be another CCD image sensor such as an interline type CCD image sensor (ILCCD).
[0056]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment described as an example, and various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as the technical idea according to the present invention is not deviated. Of course.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the invention of claim 1VideoImaging deviceAccording to,By controlling the electronic shutterSolid-state imaging means capable of arbitrarily setting the charge accumulation time and each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging meansCompare the image pickup signal fromSaturation detection means for detecting saturation;Imaging signalPer field or frameAdd backDoFeedback type filterAnd based on the saturation detection output of the saturation detection means,Charge storage time of solid-state imaging meansAt the same time as making the electronic shutter shorter than the current value, the feedback amount of the feedback filter is made larger than the current value.Control means to control and,Therefore, saturation of the light receiving element can be prevented and disturbance of the moving image can be eliminated.
[0058]
  According to the invention of claim 2VideoImaging deviceAccording to,The control means controls the charge accumulation time of the solid-state image pickup means by controlling the electronic shutter so as to prevent each light receiving element of the solid-state image pickup means from being saturated, and there are a plurality of solid-state image pickup means in one field period or one frame period. The signal output read once is added by the feedback filter and output.By doingIn addition to expanding the dynamic range, it is possible to prevent saturation of the light receiving element and to prevent disturbance of moving images.The
[0059]
  According to the invention of claim 3VideoImaging deviceAccording to,The control means controls the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging means by controlling the electronic shutter so as to prevent each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging means from being saturated when the user operates the imaging mode selection key. A dynamic range expansion mode in which the signal output read out a plurality of times in one field period or one frame period is added by a feedback filter and output, and a signal output read out in one field period or one frame period by the solid-state imaging means. Select normal imaging mode to output without adding with feedback filterBy doingThe effects described in claim 1 or claim 2 can be obtained, and the shooting mode set by the photographer is controlled to be executed, and playback control is performed according to the shooting mode at the time of recording during playback.It is possible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 relates to the present invention.VideoIt is a block diagram of the principal part of the video camera apparatus of embodiment to which an imaging device is applied.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a conventional video camera device.
[Explanation of symbols]
  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Lens system, 2 ... Iris, 3 ... CCD image sensor, 4 ... Correlated double sampling and automatic gain control part (CDS / AGC part), 5 ... Digital / analog converter, 6 ... Signal processing part, 7 ... Saturation Detection unit, 8 ... microcomputer, 9 ... CCD drive unit, 10 ... mechanical system drive unit, 11 ... noise reducer unit, 21, 23 ... multiplier, 22 ... adder, 24 ... memory.

Claims (3)

Comprising an electronic shutter, and, a plurality of light receiving elements corresponding to the plurality of pixels, and outputs a signal charge accumulated by photoelectric conversion of image pickup light as an imaging signal of the moving image at each light receiving element, said electronic shutter Solid-state imaging means capable of arbitrarily setting the charge accumulation time by controlling
Saturation detection means for detecting saturation of each light receiving element by comparing the imaging signal from each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging means with a predetermined threshold value ;
A feedback filter that feeds back and adds the imaging signal for each field or frame;
Based on the saturation detection output of the saturation detection means, the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging means is made shorter than the current value by the control of the electronic shutter, and at the same time, the feedback amount of the feedback filter is made larger than the current value. Control means to control greatly ,
A moving image imaging apparatus comprising: The control means controls the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging means by controlling the electronic shutter so as to prevent each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging means from being saturated,
The solid-state imaging means, moving picture imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein also be output from the signal output read out multiple times per field period or one frame period are added by the feedback filter. When the user operates the imaging mode selection key,
The electronic shutter is controlled so as to prevent each light receiving element of the solid-state imaging unit from being saturated to control the charge accumulation time of the solid-state imaging unit, and a plurality of solid-state imaging units are provided in one field period or one frame period. A dynamic range expansion mode for adding and outputting the signal output read twice by the feedback filter;
A normal imaging mode in which the solid-state imaging means outputs a signal output read out in one field period or one frame period without being added by the feedback filter;
Moving picture imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the selecting.

Images