JP5065985B2 - Driving device and imaging device including the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to, for example, a driving device that drives a pixel peripheral recording element for ultra high-speed imaging and an imaging device including the driving device.

  Conventionally, research and development for performing high-speed imaging in an imaging apparatus such as a camera have been performed. Among them, a pixel peripheral recording element (ISIS: In-situ Storage Image Sensor) has been proposed for the purpose of improving the frame rate of the image sensor (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, a pixel peripheral recording type CCD (Charge Coupled Device) will be described as an example of ISIS.

  The pixel peripheral recording type CCD is configured to have a large number of memory CCDs for each pixel, and an image being captured obtained from a light receiving element (hereinafter referred to as “PD (Photo Diode)”) or the like. Information is not directly read out, but continuously stored in the memory CCD, and output after imaging. As a result, signal charges generated by imaging an object or the like in an imaging device or the like are transferred to the memory CCD at high speed, thereby realizing ultra-high speed imaging.

  Next, a configuration example of the pixel peripheral recording type CCD will be described. FIG. 9A shows an example of the configuration of a pixel peripheral recording type CCD per pixel. One pixel of the pixel peripheral recording type CCD has m (M1 to Mm) accumulating CCDs 2 and n (MR1 to MRn) accumulating / reading CCDs 3 corresponding to one PD1. It is configured. In FIG. 9A, signal charges are transferred in the order of PD → M1 → M2 →... → Mm → MR1 → MR2 →.

  FIG. 9B is a diagram showing an arrangement configuration of the pixel peripheral recording type CCD in which the above-described one pixel is two-dimensionally arranged. The pixel peripheral recording type CCD shown in FIG. 9B includes K × L pixels and G horizontal transfer CCDs 4 per vertical line. Here, MRn is connected to MR1 of the storage / readout CCD corresponding to the PD arranged in the lower stage. Therefore, each MR1 can receive both the signal charge transferred from Mm of the corresponding PD and the signal charge transferred from MRn corresponding to the PD arranged in the upper stage, and transfer them to MR2. Further, MRn corresponding to the PD shown in the lowermost stage in FIG. 9B is connected to the horizontal transfer CCD 4, and the signal charge is transferred to the amplifier 5.

  Next, referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a pixel peripheral recording type CCD having 12 pixels of storage CCD, 4 memories of storage / reading CCD, and 2 horizontal transfer CCDs in 8 vertical pixels × 2 horizontal pixels. The principle of super high speed imaging in the pixel peripheral recording type CCD will be described.

  First, nothing is accumulated in the accumulation CCD and the accumulation / read-out CCD at the time of FIG. 10A showing the state before imaging. When imaging starts, signal charges generated in the PD are sequentially transferred from the PD to the accumulation CCD to the accumulation / read-out CCD (FIG. 10B). With the processing so far, the super-high-speed imaging for 16 frames is completed. Thereafter, signal charges generated by imaging are read out.

  As shown in FIG. 10C, the signal charges accumulated in the accumulation / readout CCD are read out to the outside through the horizontal transfer CCD. After all the signal charges accumulated in the accumulation / read CCD are read (FIG. 11D), the signal charges accumulated in the four stages from the lowest stage of the accumulation CCD are transferred to the accumulation / read CCD. (FIG. 11 (e)). The signal charges accumulated in the accumulation / readout CCD are read out through the horizontal transfer CCD (FIG. 11 (f)). By repeating such a transfer operation, all signal charges generated by imaging are read out to the outside.

Based on the principle described above, the pixel peripheral recording type CCD realizes super high speed imaging of about 1 million sheets / second.
JP 2001-345441 A

  However, in the conventional pixel peripheral recording type CCD, the number of memories in the memory CCD is limited (about 100 frames), so only signal charges for a certain number of frames can be accumulated. However, continuous imaging is possible. Therefore, the imaging time for one imaging is a product of the time required for imaging one frame and the number of memory CCDs in one pixel, and is limited to an extremely short time.

  In order to extend the imaging time, it is necessary to increase the number of memory CCDs. To that end, it is necessary to secure an arrangement space for the memory CCDs, and other performances such as reducing the number of pixels must be reduced. On the other hand, if the next imaging is started immediately after one ultra high-speed imaging, the imaging time can be extended. However, in the conventional pixel peripheral recording type CCD, the signal charges generated by the imaging are all read out until it is read out to the outside. Therefore, it is impossible to perform continuous temporal imaging after super-high-speed imaging.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a driving device capable of performing high-speed continuous imaging for a long time without interruption, and an imaging device including the same, following super-high-speed imaging. For the purpose.

The driving device according to the present invention includes a light receiving element that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate a signal charge, a signal charge storage unit that sequentially stores the signal charge from the light receiving element, and a predetermined amount of the stored signal charge. A drive device for driving an image pickup device comprising signal charge reading means for sequentially reading out to a given output destination, wherein the light receiving device receives a first exposure signal for exposing the light receiving device to pick up an image at a first image pickup speed. A first exposure signal output means for outputting to the element; an accumulation signal output means for outputting an accumulation signal for sequentially accumulating the signal charge from the light receiving element in the signal charge accumulation means; and the signal A readout signal output means for outputting a readout signal for sequentially reading out the signal charges accumulated in the charge accumulation means to the output destination to the signal charge readout means; and a signal obtained based on the first exposure signal. After the charge is accumulated in the signal charge accumulating means, a second exposure signal for exposing the light receiving element is output to the light receiving element in order to image at a second imaging speed slower than the first imaging speed. Second exposure signal output means, and the readout signal output means outputs the signal charge obtained based on the second exposure signal following the signal charge obtained based on the first exposure signal. all SANYO to sequentially read out the signal charge reading means,
The signal charge accumulating means includes a plurality of memory units for sequentially accumulating the signal charges from the light receiving elements, and performs a read operation of the signal charge reading means before exposing the light receiving elements at the second imaging speed. In parallel, a predetermined number of specific signal charges out of the signal charges stored in the plurality of memory units are reversely transferred toward the light receiving element, and the specific signal charges obtained by the latest imaging. It has a configuration comprising reverse transfer signal output means for outputting a reverse transfer signal to the signal charge accumulating means for bringing the signal charge into a memory part adjacent to the light receiving element .

With this configuration, the driving device according to the present invention allows the low-speed imaged signal charge obtained on the basis of the second exposure signal following the signal charge obtained on the basis of the first exposure signal. Can be read sequentially, so that high-speed continuous imaging can be performed for a long time without interruption, following super-high-speed imaging.
Also, with this configuration, the drive device of the present invention can perform high-speed continuous imaging for a long time without interruption, following super-high-speed imaging.

  In the driving device of the present invention, after the signal charge storage means sequentially stores the signal charges obtained based on the first exposure signal, the storage signal output means and the read signal output means are respectively The storage signal and the readout signal are alternately output every predetermined period.

  With this configuration, the driving apparatus of the present invention can perform high-speed continuous imaging for a long time without interruption, following super-high-speed imaging.

  The imaging device of the present invention has a configuration including a driving device and the imaging device.

  With this configuration, the imaging apparatus of the present invention can perform high-speed continuous imaging for a long time without interruption, following super-high-speed imaging.

  The present invention can provide a driving device having an effect that high-speed continuous imaging can be performed for a long time without interruption after super-high-speed imaging, and an imaging device including the driving device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An example in which the driving device according to the present invention is applied to a pixel peripheral recording type CCD as an image sensor will be described.

  First, the configuration of the drive device in the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the drive device according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the driving apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment outputs an exposure clock output unit 101 that outputs an exposure clock (ΦPD) and a storage CCD drive clock (ΦM) to the pixel peripheral recording CCD 200. An accumulation CCD drive clock output unit 102, an accumulation / read CCD drive clock output unit 103 that outputs an accumulation / read CCD drive clock (ΦMR), and a horizontal transfer CCD drive clock output unit that outputs a horizontal transfer CCD drive clock (ΦH) 104.

  Here, the exposure clock output unit 101 constitutes first and second exposure signal output means according to the present invention. The accumulation CCD drive clock output unit 102 constitutes accumulation signal output means and reverse transfer signal output means according to the present invention. The accumulation / read CCD drive clock output unit 103 constitutes a read signal output unit according to the present invention.

  The pixel peripheral recording type CCD 200 includes a PD 201 as a light receiving element that receives light from a subject, a memory CCD 210 that accumulates signal charges obtained by imaging, a horizontal transfer CCD 202 that horizontally transfers signal charges, and amplifies signal charges. And an amplifier 203.

  The PD 201 converts an optical signal into an electric signal by absorbing light generated by imaging. The memory CCD 210 is, for example, a plurality of memory cells arranged in a two-dimensional lattice, and each memory cell has a corresponding PD 201. The horizontal transfer CCD 202 accumulates the signal charges transferred from the memory CCD 210 and outputs the accumulated signal charges to the amplifier 203. The amplifier 203 amplifies the signal charge and outputs it as an external signal.

  Specifically, the pixel peripheral recording type CCD 200 has a configuration as shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example in which the pixel peripheral recording type CCD 200 is configured by 8 vertical pixels × 2 horizontal pixels.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the pixel peripheral recording type CCD 200 includes one PD 201, twelve storage CCDs 211 and four storage / read CCDs 212 included in the memory CCD 210 per pixel. The accumulation CCD 211 includes M1, M2,... M12. The accumulation / read CCD 212 includes MR1,... MR4. The pixel peripheral recording type CCD 200 receives each driving clock from the driving device 100 shown in FIG. 1, and operates according to each clock. The accumulation CCD 211 and the accumulation / read CCD 212 correspond to a signal charge accumulation unit and a signal charge readout unit, respectively.

  Specifically, the PD 201 receives an exposure clock (ΦPD) from the exposure clock output unit 101, and outputs a signal charge generated by photoelectric conversion to M1 of the storage CCD 211 according to ΦPD. Each of the twelve storage CCDs 211 receives the storage CCD drive clock (ΦM) from the storage CCD drive clock output unit 102 and sequentially stores the charge from the PD 201 in accordance with ΦM.

  Each of the four accumulation / read CCDs 212 receives the accumulation / read CCD drive clock (ΦMR) from the accumulation / read CCD drive clock output unit 103, accumulates the charges from the accumulation CCD 211 in accordance with ΦMR, and horizontally The data is read out to the transfer CCD 202. Here, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 2, the MR4 of each pixel excluding the lowermost pixel of the pixel peripheral recording CCD 200 is connected to the MR1 of the pixel located in the lower stage. That is, MR1 of each pixel except the uppermost pixel receives signal charges from M12 of the own pixel and MR4 of the pixel one stage above the own pixel, and transfers them to MR2 of the own pixel. Further, as shown in the left diagram of FIG. 2, the lowermost pixel MR4 is connected to the horizontal transfer CCDs 202a and 202b and outputs signal charges to the horizontal transfer CCD 202.

  Each of the two horizontal transfer CCDs 202 receives the horizontal transfer CCD drive clock (ΦH) from the horizontal transfer CCD drive clock output unit 104, horizontally transfers the signal charge from MR4 of the lowermost pixel in accordance with ΦH, and an amplifier. It outputs to 203.

  The driving device 100 has an exposure clock (ΦPD) and CCD drive clocks (ΦM, ΦMR) as a drive clock frequency of about 1 Hz to 100 MHz, and a horizontal transfer CCD clock (ΦH) as a drive clock frequency of about 1 Hz to 100 MHz. What can respond is preferable.

  Next, a driving method of the driving device 100 will be described. The driving device 100 can use a driving method such as two-phase driving, three-phase driving, and four-phase driving for driving the storage CCD 211, the storage / reading CCD 212, and the horizontal transfer CCD 202. As an example, FIG. 3 shows a four-phase driving method for the storage / readout CCD 212.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, among the storage / readout CCD 212, MRd is provided with four electrodes 212a to 212d, which are connected so as to be driven by drive clocks Φ1 to Φ4, respectively. Here, the drive clocks Φ1 to Φ4 are composed of drive waveforms at four different timings. When the storage / read CCD 212 is driven by the drive clocks Φ1 to Φ4 as shown in FIG. 3B, the charge is directed in the direction from the electrodes 212a to 212d (the direction from the PD 201 to the amplifier 203), that is, in the forward direction. Charge is transferred. On the other hand, when the accumulation / read CCD 212 is driven by the drive clocks Φ1 to Φ4 as shown in FIG. 3C, the charge is transferred in the direction from the electrodes 212d to 212a, that is, in the reverse direction. ing. Therefore, the driving device 100 can perform four-phase driving of forward transfer or reverse transfer of signal charges by using a drive clock such as the drive clocks Φ1 to Φ4.

(Driving example)
Next, driving examples according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4 to 7. The pixel peripheral recording type CCD in this driving example is assumed to have the configuration shown in FIG. That is, a pixel peripheral recording type CCD having a configuration of 2 × 8 pixels and including a storage CCD 211 having 12 memories, a storage / reading CCD 212 having 4 memories, and two horizontal transfer CCDs 202 is used. An example of driving in the case where high-speed continuous imaging for a long time is performed without interruption after speed imaging will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a drive waveform in this drive example. 5 to 7 are diagrams illustrating an example of the flow of signal charges in the pixel peripheral recording type CCD 200 corresponding to the drive waveform shown in FIG. 5 to 7, the signal charge accumulation states shown in (a) to (i) are from the time points (a) to (i) shown in FIG. 4, respectively.

  4A, nothing is accumulated in the accumulation CCD 211 and the accumulation / read CCD 212 as shown in FIG. 5A. Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the driving device 100 forwardly transfers the signal charges generated in the PD 201 by ΦPD and ΦM to the storage CCD 211. For example, when one stage is transferred in the forward direction, the signal charge accumulation range is a hatched range shown in FIG. Further, the signal charge accumulation range when the 12 stages are transferred in the forward direction is a hatched range shown in FIG. The process from the time point of FIG. 4B to the time point of FIG. 4C is the driving of ultra high speed imaging. In other words, the first to twelfth imaging by the super high speed imaging is completed at the time of FIG. One imaging speed corresponds to one transfer of ΦPD and ΦM. The processing after the time point in FIG. 4C is driving high-speed continuous imaging for a longer time than before. As shown in FIG. 4C and thereafter, the driving device 100 outputs ΦPD, ΦM, ΦMR, and ΦH, thereby repeatedly performing the signal charge transfer process described below. The imaging speed of one sheet after the time point in FIG. 4C corresponds to one transfer of ΦPD. The drive clock cycle of ΦM, ΦMR, and ΦH is made to correspond to the drive clock cycle of ΦPD. Long-time high-speed continuous imaging is slower in imaging speed than ultra-high-speed imaging.

  Hereinafter, the driving after the time point of FIG. 4C will be specifically described. The driving device 100 causes the signal charge accumulated in the accumulation CCD 211 by ΦM and ΦMR to be forwardly transferred to the accumulation / readout CCD 212 by four stages. Here, the signal charge accumulation range is a hatched range shown in FIG.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6E, the driving device 100 forward-transfers four stages of signal charges stored in the storage / readout CCD 212 and the horizontal transfer CCD 202 by ΦMR and ΦH, and at the same time by ΦM. Reverse direction so that four stages of the signal charges stored in the storage CCD 211 are in a state in which the signal charge obtained by the latest imaging among the signal charges is stored in the storage CCD 211 (corresponding to M1 in FIG. 2) adjacent to the PD 201. Let it be transferred. As a result, out of the signal charges stored in each storage / readout CCD 212, the first to fourth signals in the super-high-speed imaging by the PD 201 in the first stage from the bottom of the pixel peripheral recording CCD 200 (see FIG. 2). Electric charges are output to the outside from the horizontal transfer CCD 202 via the amplifier 203. Note that the signal charge accumulation range at the time of FIG. 4 (e) is the hatched range shown in FIG. 6 (e).

  Next, the driving device 100 further forward-transfers four stages of signal charges accumulated in the accumulation / readout CCD 212 and the horizontal transfer CCD 202 by ΦMR and ΦH. As a result, among the signal charges stored in each storage / readout CCD 212, the first to fourth signal charges in the super-high-speed imaging by the PD 201 at the second stage from the bottom of the pixel peripheral recording CCD 200 are transferred from the horizontal transfer CCD 202. It is output to the outside via the amplifier 203. Thereafter, the driving device 100 transfers the signal charge generated in the PD 201 by ΦPD and ΦM to the storage CCD 211 by one stage. As a result, the first image is taken in a long-time high-speed continuous imaging. The signal charge accumulation range at this time is the hatched range shown in FIG.

  Next, the driving device 100 further transfers the signal charges accumulated in the accumulation / read CCD 212 and the horizontal transfer CCD 202 by ΦMR and ΦH for eight stages. As a result, among the signal charges stored in each of the storage / readout CCDs 212, the first to fourth signal charges in the super-high-speed imaging by the PD 201 in the third and fourth stages from the bottom of the pixel peripheral recording CCD 200 are horizontally transferred. The signal is output from the CCD 202 via the amplifier 203 to the outside. Thereafter, the driving device 100 transfers the signal charge generated in the PD 201 by ΦPD and ΦM to the storage CCD 211 by one stage. As a result, the second image is captured in the long-time high-speed continuous imaging. The signal charge accumulation range at this time is the hatched range shown in FIG.

  Next, the driving device 100 further transfers the signal charges accumulated in the accumulation / read CCD 212 and the horizontal transfer CCD 202 by ΦMR and ΦH for eight stages. As a result, among the signal charges stored in each of the storage / readout CCDs 212, the first to fourth signal charges in the ultra-high-speed imaging by the PD 201 in the fifth and sixth stages from the bottom of the pixel peripheral recording CCD 200 are horizontally transferred. The signal is output from the CCD 202 via the amplifier 203 to the outside. Thereafter, the driving device 100 transfers the signal charge generated in the PD 201 by ΦPD and ΦM to the storage CCD 211 by one stage. As a result, the third image is captured in the long-time high-speed continuous imaging. The signal charge accumulation range at this time is a hatched range shown in FIG.

  Next, the driving device 100 further transfers the signal charges accumulated in the accumulation / read CCD 212 and the horizontal transfer CCD 202 by ΦMR and ΦH for eight stages. As a result, among the signal charges stored in each storage / readout CCD 212, the first to fourth signal charges in the super-high-speed imaging by the PD 201 in the seventh and eighth stages from the bottom of the pixel peripheral recording CCD 200 are horizontally transferred. The signal is output from the CCD 202 via the amplifier 203 to the outside. Thereafter, the driving device 100 transfers the signal charge generated in the PD 201 by ΦPD and ΦM to the storage CCD 211 by one stage. As a result, the fourth image is picked up in high-speed continuous imaging for a long time. The signal charge accumulation range at this time is the hatched range shown in FIG. The signal charge accumulation range is the same as that shown in FIG. Therefore, thereafter, the driving device 100 can continue to read out signal charges to the outside while performing high-speed continuous imaging for a long time by repeating the operations shown in FIGS. 6D to 7I.

  In the second operation (d) to (i), the fifth to eighth images of long-time high-speed continuous imaging are performed, and the fifth to eighth signal charges of ultra-high-speed imaging are simultaneously read out to the outside. .

  In the third operation (d) to (i), the 9th to 12th images for long-time high-speed continuous imaging are performed, and the 9th to 12th signal charges for ultra-high-speed imaging are simultaneously read out. .

  In the fourth operation (d) to (i), the thirteenth to sixteenth images of long-time high-speed continuous imaging are performed, and the first to fourth signal charges of the long-time high-speed continuous imaging are simultaneously transferred to the outside. Read out.

  Thereafter, in the n-th operations (d) to (i), the (n + 9) to (n + 12) -th images of long-time high-speed continuous imaging are performed, and at the same time, the long-time high-speed continuous imaging (n-3). The nth signal charge is read out to the outside.

  As described above, the driving device 100 according to the present embodiment transfers signal charges to the storage CCD 211 in super high speed imaging, and then transfers charges from the PD 201 to the storage CCD 211 and horizontally transfers from the storage / readout CCD 212. By alternately performing charge transfer to the CCD 202 over a certain period, all signal charges obtained by ultra-high speed imaging and long-time continuous high-speed imaging can be read out to the outside.

  Therefore, the driving apparatus 100 can perform high-speed continuous imaging for a long time without interruption, following the super-high-speed imaging. Specifically, the driving device 100 according to the present embodiment displays a high-speed imaged image of about several hundred to several thousand images / second that is temporally followed by an ultra-high-speed imaged image of about tens of thousands to one million images / second. Can be obtained for a long time.

(Imaging device)
Next, an imaging device having the driving device 100 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating the imaging apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the imaging apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment includes a driving device 100, a lens 301, a pixel peripheral recording type CCD 302, an A / D conversion unit 303, a signal processing unit 304, and a video signal memory. 305.

  The imaging apparatus 300 receives an optical signal obtained through the lens 301 by the pixel peripheral recording type CCD 302. The pixel peripheral recording type CCD 302 has a plurality of CCD memories corresponding to each pixel as described above. The pixel peripheral recording type CCD 302 is controlled to transfer signal charges based on drive clocks (ΦPD, ΦM, ΦMR, ΦH) obtained from the drive device 100.

  The pixel peripheral recording type CCD 302 outputs an output signal to the A / D conversion unit 303 based on the driving clock from the driving device 100. The A / D conversion unit 303 converts the analog signal obtained from the pixel peripheral recording type CCD 302 into a digital signal, and outputs the converted digital signal to the signal processing unit 304.

  The signal processing unit 304 rearranges the video signals obtained from the A / D conversion unit 303 in correspondence with the frames, and outputs the rearranged video signals to the video signal memory 305. The video signal memory 305 can store the rearranged video signals obtained from the signal processing unit 304, for example, about several hundred thousand frames. The video signal memory 305 outputs the stored video signal at a predetermined rate. For example, in the case of a normal television rate, the video signal memory 305 outputs a video signal at 30 frames / second.

  As described above, the imaging apparatus 300 includes the driving apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, so that even if a conventional pixel peripheral recording type CCD is used, it is possible to perform high-speed operation over a long period of time without interruption even after ultra-high-speed imaging. Continuous imaging can be performed.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the drive device in one embodiment of this invention, and the pixel periphery recording type CCD driven by this drive device The figure which shows notionally the structure of the pixel of the pixel periphery recording type CCD which the drive device in one embodiment of this invention drives. Explanatory drawing in the case of driving a pixel peripheral recording type CCD by a four-phase driving method in the driving device in one embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the example of the drive waveform of the drive device in one embodiment of this invention Explanatory drawing of the example of a drive of the drive device in one embodiment of this invention Explanatory drawing of the example of a drive of the drive device in one embodiment of this invention Explanatory drawing of the example of a drive of the drive device in one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the structural example of the imaging device provided with the drive device in one embodiment of this invention The figure which shows notionally the structure of the pixel of a pixel periphery recording type CCD. Explanatory diagram when driving a pixel peripheral recording type CCD by a conventional driving method Explanatory diagram when driving a pixel peripheral recording type CCD by a conventional driving method

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Drive apparatus 101 Exposure clock output part (1st and 2nd exposure signal output means)
102 Accumulated CCD drive clock output unit (accumulated signal output means, reverse transfer signal output means)
103 Accumulation / readout CCD drive clock output section (readout signal output means)
104 Horizontal transfer CCD drive clock output unit 200 Pixel peripheral recording type CCD (imaging device)
201 PD (light receiving element)
202 (202a, 202b) Horizontal transfer CCD
203 Amplifier 210 Memory CCD
211 Storage CCD (Signal Charge Accumulation Unit)
212 Storage / Readout CCD (Signal Charge Reading Unit)
212a to 212d Electrode 300 Imaging device 301 Lens 302 Pixel peripheral recording type CCD
303 A / D converter 304 Signal processor 305 Video signal memory

Claims (3)

A light receiving element that photoelectrically converts incident light to generate a signal charge, a signal charge storage unit that sequentially stores the signal charge from the light receiving element, and sequentially read out the stored signal charge to a predetermined output destination A driving device for driving an image pickup device including a signal charge reading unit;
First exposure signal output means for outputting, to the light receiving element, a first exposure signal for exposing the light receiving element for imaging at a first imaging speed;
An accumulation signal output means for outputting an accumulation signal for sequentially accumulating the signal charge from the light receiving element in the signal charge accumulation means;
A readout signal output means for outputting a readout signal for sequentially reading out the signal charges accumulated in the signal charge accumulation means to the output destination;
After the signal charge obtained based on the first exposure signal is accumulated in the signal charge accumulating means, the light receiving element is exposed for imaging at a second imaging speed slower than the first imaging speed. Second exposure signal output means for outputting a second exposure signal to be output to the light receiving element,
The read signal output means causes the signal charge read means to sequentially read the signal charge obtained based on the second exposure signal following the signal charge obtained based on the first exposure signal. der is,
The signal charge storage means includes a plurality of memory units that sequentially store the signal charges from the light receiving element,
A predetermined number of specific signal charges out of the signal charges stored in the plurality of memory units in parallel with the reading operation of the signal charge reading means before exposing the light receiving element at the second imaging speed. Is transferred to the light receiving element, and a reverse transfer signal is set in the signal charge storage means so that the signal charge obtained by the latest imaging among the specific signal charges is stored in a memory unit adjacent to the light receiving element. A drive device comprising reverse transfer signal output means for outputting . After the signal charge storage means sequentially stores signal charges obtained based on the first exposure signal,
2. The drive according to claim 1, wherein the accumulation signal output unit and the readout signal output unit alternately output the accumulation signal and the readout signal at predetermined intervals, respectively. apparatus. An imaging apparatus comprising: the driving apparatus according to claim 1 or 2; and the imaging element.

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