JP4133297B2 - Camera system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the configuration of a camera system such as a camera-equipped mobile phone.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional example, an ultraviolet detection device having an ultraviolet sensor for measuring the amount of ultraviolet rays and a clock function has the following configuration (for example, see Patent Document 1). That is, in this conventional example, a clock function circuit, an ultraviolet sensor constituted by a semiconductor element, an integrator for accumulating charges from the ultraviolet sensor for a predetermined time based on a signal from the clock function circuit, and an output of the integrator An ultraviolet detection device is disclosed that includes an indicator that displays the amount of ultraviolet detection based on the display.
[0003]
In addition, an ultraviolet detector having a function for detecting ultraviolet rays is also on the market, and the user can know the amount of ultraviolet rays falling on the ground by purchasing the device.
[0004]
On the other hand, a camera-equipped mobile phone or the like is equipped with a camera system for acquiring a visible light image. In recent years, the spread of equipment including a small camera system such as a camera-equipped mobile phone tends to be very remarkable.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-18325
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional ultraviolet detecting device including a clock function and an ultraviolet sensor uses a sensor specialized as an ultraviolet detecting element, and therefore can only be used as an ultraviolet sensor. It is difficult in terms of size and price to be generally accepted.
[0007]
Moreover, since the ultraviolet detector has only a function of detecting ultraviolet rays, only those who are in need are purchased.
[0008]
That is, even though UV products are currently attracting attention due to the destruction of the ozone layer and the whitening boom, many people cannot know the danger level of UV rays.
[0009]
On the other hand, current camera systems such as camera-equipped mobile phones can only obtain visible light images even though the cameras are sensitive in a wide wavelength band.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and the purpose thereof is to measure ultraviolet rays useful for skin cancer and cosmetic problems that will increase in the future. It is to provide a camera system such as a camera-equipped mobile phone.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, image data corresponding to visual information is obtained by receiving incident light including a first wavelength region corresponding to human visual information and a second wavelength region corresponding to other than visual information. An optical system for forming an image of incident light, an image sensor for receiving light from the optical system and converting it into an electrical signal corresponding to the incident light, and a second wavelength region A light amount detecting means for detecting the amount of light, a data processing means for performing processing for converting an electrical signal into digital data, a display means for displaying a screen corresponding to the given data, and a light amount detecting means Control processing means for providing the display means with at least one of the output and the image data based on the output of the data processing means.
[0012]
Preferably, the imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion element group having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on the light receiving surface corresponding to the pixels, and the photoelectric conversion element group includes a predetermined number of photoelectric conversion elements and includes incident light. Including a first photoelectric conversion element group that receives light corresponding to image data, and a second photoelectric conversion element group having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements other than the first photoelectric conversion element group, A filter for allowing light in the second wavelength region to pass between the two photoelectric conversion element groups, and the light amount detection means includes a second wavelength that passes through the filter in the second photoelectric conversion element group. It is a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that convert light in the region into electric signals.
[0013]
Preferably, the digital data includes image data acquired in the first photoelectric conversion element group and detection data acquired by the light amount detection unit, and the control processing unit performs pixel addition on the detection data.
[0014]
Preferably, the digital data includes image data acquired in the first photoelectric conversion element group and detection data acquired by the light amount detection unit, and the control processing unit performs frame integration on the detection data.
[0015]
Preferably, the second wavelength region is an ultraviolet region.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera system 100 of a general mobile phone system with a camera.
[0018]
Referring to FIG. 1, a camera system 100 includes an optical system 1 for imaging incident light from the outside, an image sensor 10 for converting the incident light into an electric signal corresponding to the incident light, and analog data of the electric signal. Is converted into digital data, and a data processing unit 8 for performing various processes, a camera control unit 12 for controlling the image sensor 10 and the data processing unit 8, and a memory 6 for storing digital data A data bus DBS for exchanging data among the display unit 4 such as a liquid crystal display, the CPU unit 2 for controlling the mobile phone system, the data processing unit, the display unit, the memory 6 and the control processing unit 3. With. The control processing unit 3 includes a CPU unit 2 and a camera control unit 12.
[0019]
Next, the operation of the camera system 100 will be described. The camera system 100 receives incident light from the outside and passes through the optical system 1. Then, the light receiving surface of the image sensor 10 is converted into an electric signal corresponding to the incident light. Subsequently, the analog data of the electrical signal generated by the image sensor 10 in the data processing unit 8 under the control of the control processing unit 3 is converted into digital data, and various processes are performed. The control processing unit 3 stores the converted digital data in the memory 6. Further, the image data based on the visual information of the digital data stored in the memory 6 under the control of the control processing unit 3 is displayed on the display unit 4.
[0020]
Incident light includes a first wavelength region corresponding to human visual information and a second wavelength region corresponding to other than visual information. In the present invention, the camera system 100 can further detect the amount of light in the second wavelength region. The following describes the camera system 100 that enables detection of the amount of ultraviolet light as an example of the second wavelength region.
[0021]
The imaging element 10 is provided with a photoelectric conversion element group having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to pixels on the light receiving surface. A general camera system is divided into a photoelectric conversion element group of a predetermined number of pixels used for acquiring image data and a photoelectric conversion element group of pixels in a light shielding region. In the present invention, a part of the pixels conventionally used as the light shielding region is used for ultraviolet detection. In other words, a filter that allows ultraviolet light to pass through instead of the light shielding material is provided between the optical system 1 and the photoelectric conversion element group on a part of the pixel that has been used as the light shielding region. Therefore, among the photoelectric conversion elements in the image pickup element that receives incident light, an electrical signal for ultraviolet rays is generated by a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements that receive light passing through the filter. The generated electric signal is converted into digital data by the data processing unit 8. Subsequently, the digital data is stored in the memory 6. By displaying the amount of ultraviolet rays on the display unit 4 based on the stored digital data, the user can know the amount of ultraviolet rays. Further, the control processing unit 3 can display at least one of the ultraviolet ray amount and the image data on the display unit 4. Therefore, the user may select and display either the ultraviolet ray amount or the image data.
[0022]
As a display on the display unit 4, even if the intensity of ultraviolet rays is expressed quantitatively, ordinary people are not familiar with it, so it is desirable to make the display as easy to understand as possible. For example, if the degree of danger is shown in several stages according to the intensity of ultraviolet rays, the user can easily understand.
[0023]
As described above, the present invention can detect the amount of ultraviolet rays falling from the outside using a conventional camera system.
[0024]
FIG. 2 is an image diagram of light incident on the image sensor 10 from the outside.
Referring to FIG. 2, the imaging device 10 includes an imaging unit 26 that receives light 18, an ultraviolet detection unit 28 that receives only ultraviolet rays 20, and an OB (Optical Black) unit 30 that blocks external light. Including. Between the lens 14 and the image sensor 10, an infrared cut filter 16 that blocks only infrared rays, a light blocking material 24 that does not transmit light, and an ultraviolet filter 33 that transmits only ultraviolet rays are provided.
[0025]
Usually, the light 18 passes through the lens 14 and the infrared cut filter 16 and is incident on the imaging unit 26 of the imaging device 10. In the OB unit 30, the light 18 from the light shielding material 24 is completely shielded. The infrared cut filter 16 has a function of shielding light in the infrared wavelength band.
[0026]
In the present invention, in order to further detect the ultraviolet ray 20, the ultraviolet ray detection unit 28 is provided in a part of the pixels of the OB unit. Further, an ultraviolet light passing filter 22 is provided on the ultraviolet light detecting unit 28. The ultraviolet pass filter 22 is a filter that allows only light in the ultraviolet band to pass and blocks light in other wavelength bands. Therefore, only the ultraviolet ray 20 is incident on the ultraviolet ray detection unit 28. The ultraviolet ray detection unit 28 generates charges according to the amount of the ultraviolet ray 20, so that the ultraviolet ray 20 can be measured. The pixel to which the ultraviolet pass filter 22 is attached may be any pixel as long as it is an effective pixel having sensitivity to light having a short wavelength such as ultraviolet rays.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a light receiving surface of the imaging device 10 including the imaging unit 26, the OB unit 30, and the ultraviolet detection unit 28 of the camera system 100.
[0028]
With reference to FIG. 3, the ultraviolet ray detection unit 28 includes a plurality of pixels. By preparing a plurality of pixels of the ultraviolet detection unit 28, pixel addition can be performed. Therefore, detection of ultraviolet rays can obtain higher efficiency. In addition, the detection of ultraviolet rays can be achieved with higher efficiency by performing frame integration. As a result, even the imaging device 10 intended to acquire an image of visible light can increase the measurement efficiency with respect to light in other frequency bands such as ultraviolet rays.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the output waveform of the CCD when a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used as the imaging device.
[0030]
Referring to FIG. 4, the CCD output period includes a reset period 32, a field through period 34, and a signal output period 36. The output waveform of the CCD includes an OB portion output waveform 38, an ultraviolet ray detection portion output waveform 40, and an imaging portion output waveform 42. The signal generated by the CCD includes an OB signal 44 serving as a reference for the OB level, an ultraviolet signal 46 generated by ultraviolet rays, and a visible light signal 48 generated by visible light.
[0031]
The difference between the signal level in the field through period 34 and the signal level in the signal output period 36 is a signal output generated by the CCD.
[0032]
Normally, the OB unit 30 blocks the light 18 with the light blocking member 24 and determines the signal output in the absence of incident light as the OB level of the image. Therefore, the OB signal 44 of the OB section output waveform 38 becomes a reference for the OB level. The difference between the output signal of the imaging unit 26 and the OB level becomes a color signal.
[0033]
Therefore, the color signal has a value obtained by adding the ultraviolet light signal 46 to the visible light signal 48. That is, it can be said that the color signal is always a signal in which an offset by the ultraviolet ray 20 is superimposed.
[0034]
Therefore, consider a case where the ultraviolet light passing filter 22 is used as the light shielding material 24 of the OB unit 30. In this case, the OB level is reduced by the ultraviolet signal as compared with the case where the light is completely blocked. As for the color signal, only the signal generated by the light in the visible light band becomes the color signal. Therefore, since the offset component due to ultraviolet rays is eliminated, this color signal can realize color reproducibility close to human eyes. Further, by attaching the ultraviolet light passing filter 22 as the light shielding material 24 of the OB unit 30, the camera system 100 can determine the OB level and measure the amount of ultraviolet rays at the OB unit. In addition, since it is not necessary to provide a new pixel as the ultraviolet detection unit, the camera system 100 can maintain the same number of effective pixels as before. In addition, the camera system 100 can detect light in any frequency band by replacing the ultraviolet pass filter 22 with a filter that allows only light in any frequency band to pass.
[0035]
The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a user who uses a camera system can not only acquire an image but also know the amount of light having a wavelength other than visual information.
[0037]
In addition, when a filter is attached to a predetermined pixel of the image sensor, it can be used as a measuring device for light having a wavelength other than visual information without changing the configuration of the camera system.
[0038]
Alternatively, when the second wavelength region is set to ultraviolet rays, it is possible to prevent skin cancer that is expected from now on by using a camera system such as a mobile phone with a camera that many people always carry by using it as an ultraviolet ray measuring device. Ultraviolet rays can be measured for beauty that women are particularly concerned about.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a camera system 100 of a general mobile phone system with a camera.
FIG. 2 is an image diagram of light incident on the image sensor 10 from the outside.
3 is a diagram illustrating a light receiving surface of the image sensor 10 including the imaging unit 26, the OB unit 30, and the ultraviolet ray detection unit 28 of the camera system 100. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an output waveform of a CCD when a CCD is used as an image sensor.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Optical system, 2 CPU part, 3 Control processing part, 4 Display part, 6 Memory, 8 Data processing part, 10 Image sensor, 12 Camera control part, 14 Lens, 16 Infrared cut filter, 18 Sunlight, 20 Ultraviolet light, 22 UV pass filter, 24 light shielding material, 26 imaging unit, 28 UV detection unit, 30 OB unit, 32 reset period, 34 field through period, 36 signal output period, 38 OB unit output waveform, 40 UV detection unit output waveform, 42 imaging Part output waveform, 44 OB signal, 46 UV signal, 48 visible light signal, 100 camera system.

Claims (3)

A camera system for receiving image light corresponding to visual information by receiving incident light including a first wavelength region corresponding to human visual information and a second wavelength region corresponding to other than the visual information. There,
An optical system for imaging the incident light;
An image sensor for receiving light from the optical system and converting it into an electrical signal corresponding to the incident light;
A light amount detection means for detecting the light amount in the second wavelength region;
Data processing means for performing processing for converting the electrical signal into digital data;
Display means for displaying a screen corresponding to given data;
Control processing means for providing at least one of the image data based on the output of the light amount detection means and the output of the data processing means to the display means,
The imaging element includes a photoelectric conversion element group having a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged on the light receiving surface corresponding to the pixels,
The photoelectric conversion element group is:
A first photoelectric conversion element group that has a predetermined number of the photoelectric conversion elements and receives light corresponding to the image data out of the incident light; and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements other than the first photoelectric conversion element group A second photoelectric conversion element group,
The first photoelectric conversion element group is provided in a rectangular region,
The second photoelectric conversion element group is formed so as to surround the rectangular region, and is provided in a light shielding region where light from outside is blocked.
In the light shielding region, a light shielding material is provided between the optical system and the second photoelectric conversion element group,
A filter for passing light in the second wavelength region provided between the optical system and a part of the second photoelectric conversion element group instead of the light shielding material ;
The light amount detecting means is a plurality of the photoelectric conversion elements that convert light of the second wavelength region that passes through the filter into the electric signal in the second photoelectric conversion element group,
The camera system, wherein the second wavelength region is an ultraviolet region. The digital data is
The image data acquired in the first photoelectric conversion element group;
Including detection data acquired by the light amount detection means,
The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the control processing unit performs pixel addition on the detection data. The digital data is
The image data acquired in the first photoelectric conversion element group;
Including detection data acquired by the light amount detection means,
The camera system according to claim 1, wherein the control processing unit performs frame integration on the detection data.

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