JPH01204588A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To adjust the output level of each image pickup means with respect to a reference light by setting variably a photodetection position of the image pickup means at a position adjustment means so as to adjust the photodetection energy of the light or each color. CONSTITUTION:Solid-state image pickup elements (CCD) 3022-3024 are driven synchronously with a drive timing signal sent from a timing generator 3052, a picture signal by, e.g., one line is sent to an amplifier 3025 sequentially, R, G, B signals amplified by the amplifier 3025 are outputted to a recorder via a signal processing system. The energy quantity received by the CCD 3022-3024 vary with the distance between an object and the CCD or a photodetection angle, then it is possible to adjust the level of the R, G, B signals outputted from the signal processing system by using the CCD 3022-3024 alignment mechanism so as to vary and set the photodetection position of the CCD. Thus, the output level of each image pickup means with respect to the reference light is adjusted.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to an imaging device that captures color images.

[Prior art] Generally, an imaging device that captures a color image divides the received light into three
A color separation prism separates the colors into red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and the color-separated light is transferred to a solid-state image sensor ((C:D
) to obtain color signals through photoelectric conversion. Furthermore, imaging devices using color filters for color separation of light are also known.

In this type of conventional imaging device, there is an error in the precision of the mounting position of the CCO for each color, so for example, the output level of each color signal from the imaging device for white light is not equal. In order to reduce this change, conventional imaging devices perform the following correction processing.

(A) ND (Neutral) on the light receiving surface of each CCD.
A density filter is provided to adjust the exposure amount of each CCD to be uniform.

(B) An amplifier circuit is provided to amplify the output signal of each CCD, and the gain of each amplifier circuit is adjusted to set the output level of the color signal to be uniform.

(C) Analog-to-digital conversion is performed on the output signal of the amplifier circuit, and the color signal in the form of a digital signal is corrected so as to be uniform. Generally, a memory called a look-up table, that is, a memory that stores correction values for the magnitude of color signals in a table form, is used for color signal correction.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above-mentioned correction processes of items (A) to (C) have the following problems.

In the correction process using the ND filter in item (A), there is a limit to the correction accuracy of the filter, making it difficult to perform highly accurate correction.

In order to adjust the output level of the amplifier circuit in item (B), it is necessary to provide an amplifier circuit for each color signal, making the entire device expensive.

In order to perform the digital signal correction process in section (C), the range of possible values of the digital signal (dynamic range)
need to be widened. Therefore, the lookup table also has a large capacity, which shortens the correction processing time, and as a result, the processing speed of the entire system is limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an imaging device that can adjust the output level of each CCD with a simple configuration.

[Means for Solving the Problems] A first aspect of the present invention includes a color separation means that separates light received from a subject into three primary colors, and a color signal by photoelectric conversion of each light color separated by the color separation means. A plurality of imaging means that convert the color signal into a color signal and output it, and an imaging means that adjusts either the light receiving position along the optical axis of the light or the incident angle according to the output state of the color signal of the plurality of imaging means. and position adjustment means for correcting the output level of each color signal.

A second aspect of the present invention is a comparison in which a reference level comparison is made between a color signal output from a predetermined one of a plurality of image pickup means and each color signal output from the other image pickup means. The present invention is characterized by comprising: a means for comparing, and a display means for displaying a comparison result of the comparison means.

[Function] In the first embodiment of the present invention, the light receiving position of the imaging means, such as the light receiving angle and the position on the optical path of the light to be received, can be variably set by the position adjusting means to adjust the light receiving energy of each color of light. The output level of each imaging means relative to the reference light can be adjusted. In addition, in the second embodiment of the present invention, the level comparison results of the output signals of a specific imaging means and each of the other imaging means are displayed, so the adjuster can check the display contents while checking the output of the imaging means. You can adjust the level.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 3018 to 3020 are CGo 302
CC that can displace each of 2 to 3024 in the direction of arrow A-C
D position alignment mechanism. 3021 is a separation prism that separates reflected light or transmitted light from an object into three colors.

3022 to 3024 are solid-state image sensors CCO that photoelectrically convert the light separated by the color separation prism 3021.

3025 is each output signal of CCD 3022 to 3024 (
This is an amplifier that amplifies R, G, B signals).

Next, the functions and operations of each part of this embodiment will be explained.

The CCDs 3022 to 3024 are driven in synchronization with a drive timing signal sent from a timing generator 3052, and, for example, image signals for each line are sequentially sent to an amplifier 3025.

The R, G, and B signals amplified by the amplifier 3025 are output to the recording device through a known signal processing system including a sample and hold circuit, a Flambe circuit, a Δ/D converter, and the like.

The amount of energy received by a CCD varies depending on the distance between the subject and the CCD or the angle of light reception, so each CCD
By variably setting the light receiving position of the CCD using the alignment mechanism, the levels of the R, G, and B signals output from the signal processing system described above can be adjusted.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C show detailed configurations of the alignment mechanisms 3018 to 3020 of FIG. 1.

The alignment mechanism shown in the second figure is an example in which an adjuster manually aligns the CCD.

In Fig. 2, the symbols indicating the constituent elements are R, G, B.
The COD corresponding to the subscript is indicated by the letter .

100□, 6. B is a trimming filter that trims the light that passes through the resolving prism 3021.

1011? , G, B are covers for CCO that protect (:CD R, G, 11).

102-105 Rla + a has spring hooks on metal fittings 106-109R, G, B and substrates 118R, G,! These are bolts for fastening the + and CCD covers 101R, G, and 11. 106-109R, a, a are metal fittings for hanging springs 114-117R, G, B. 110~113 R+G+8 is bolt 102~
This is the nut that pairs with 105R, G, and 8.

118R,. , B is a CCD substrate 119R, on which CGo 3022 to 3024 are fixed. , B is a stand for the adjustment screw receiver. 120-123R,. , B is (:(:0302
This is an adjustment screw that adjusts the light receiving position from 2 to '3024.

124-127R1G+8 is long eyebow, 128-135
R. , 3 cover and female thread, 136-143R,G,
[1 is a nut that pairs with the cover screws 128 to 135R1GIB, and 144 is a dark box.

The white light incident on the separation prism 3021 is separated into three colors, each of the primary colors is individually corrected by the trimming filter 100, and then irradiated onto the CCDs 3022 to 3024 for each color.

By detecting the output signal photoelectrically converted by the CCD, the adjuster adjusts the mounting positions of the CCDs 3022 to 3024 so that the chromatic aberration at the light receiving position of each CCD becomes the same.

In Figure 2, the CCD is turned off by the springs 106 to 109) 'Adjustment screws 120 to 1 on the J5 case 144 side
Since the tension is fixed through the screws 23, each CCD can be adjusted by turning the adjusting screws 120 to 123 clockwise.
The zero color magnification can be increased. Also, adjustment screw 1
By turning 20 to 12.3 counterclockwise, the color magnification can be adjusted to a smaller value.

FIG. 3 shows another form of this embodiment.

This example is an example in which the output level of each COD can be visually confirmed.

In FIG. 3, 145 and 146 are decomposition prisms 30
This is a mirror that changes the direction of the transmitted light of 21. 147~.

Reference numeral 149 denotes a waveform shaping amplifier circuit (Amp) for holding and amplifying each COD output.

150 to 152 are A/D' converters that A/D convert the output signals of the waveform shaping circuits 147 to 149;
155 is the upper nbit of the A/D converter output mbit
This is a circuit for extracting t(m>n). 156-1
Reference numeral 58 is a catch circuit that holds the extracted n-bit output data.

A comparator 159 performs a second level comparison between the G signal level output from the latch circuit 157 and the R signal level output from the latch circuit 156, and also performs a second level comparison between the G signal level output from the latch circuit 157 and the B signal level output from the latch circuit 158. A second level comparison with the above G signal level is also performed.

Indicator drivers 160 to 162 light up the light emitting elements 163 to 185 based on the comparison result of the comparator 159. 166 to 168 are resistors for adjusting the current of the indicator.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In order to make the color magnification of R and B colors equal to the color magnification of G color,
First, data of a specific pixel on the G color CCD line is first read out. The signal photoelectrically converted by the 0-color C0D 3023 is waveform-shaped by an analog waveform-shaping amplifier 148. Next, analog waveform shaping amplifier 1
A/D converter 15 with 48 mbit analog outputs
1, each pixel is converted into a digital signal (mb it) and output.

The digital value of this mbit is the upper “n” of the control line 200.
The bit is fetched by circuit 154 and latched by latch circuit 157.

Note that this n bit may be set variably.

This latch data is held and output as is to the A terminal of the comparator 159 unless the designation of the pit n'' and the G color adjustment screws 120a'' and 123a are changed.

Similarly, R or B color data is B1 of the above comparator.
Manual input is applied to the terminal and B2 terminal. When the Bl/B2 select signal 203 instructing the comparison of 8 color data and 0 color data and the comparison of 8 color data and 0 color data is given to the comparator 159 at a predetermined timing, and the indicator is driven by the signal 3 tree, the comparator 159 A signal corresponding to the comparison result is sent to the indicator drivers 163 to 16.
Sent to 5.

For example, if the Bl/B2 select signal instructs B1 comparison, 8 color data and 0 color data are compared,
When 8 color data>0 color data, a signal of level "H" is sent to the indicator driver 160 and other indicator drivers 161.

A signal of level "L" is sent to 162.

As a result, current flows through the light emitting element 163, and the light emitting element 16
3 lights up. Since the B1/B2 selection signal can be generated by a manual changeover switch, the adjuster can select B1/B2 and adjust the output level of each CCD while looking at each light emitting element to be lit.

Furthermore, when outputting color data from each CCD in a frame-sequential manner, the amplifier circuits of the waveform shaping amplifier circuits 147 to 1119 are also the same, so each analog waveform shaping amplifier circuit and each A/
One D converter may be shared.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the results of the first comparison between the 8 color data and the 0 color data and the results of the second comparison between the 8 color data and the 0 color data are transmitted to one set of light emitting elements 163 to 165 by the Bl/B2 select signal. Bl/B is displayed for both purposes.
The light emitting element for displaying the first comparison result and the light emitting element for displaying the second comparison result may be separately provided in accordance with the 2 selection signal.

In addition, in this embodiment, the screws 120 to 123 are manually adjusted to position the CCD, but as shown in FIG.
1 and motors 172 to 174.

Furthermore, the rotation direction of the motor is determined according to the comparison result of the comparator 159, and when the color data match, the motor is stopped by the matching output of the comparator 159.
It also becomes possible to automatically adjust the COD level.

Further, in this example, the CCD is positioned by rotating the screws 120 to 123, but any mechanism that moves the substrate to which the CCD is fixed may be used.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the light receiving position of the imaging means, such as the light receiving angle and the position on the optical path of the received light, are variably set by the position adjusting means, and the light of each color is adjusted. Since the received light energy can be adjusted, the output level of each imaging means with respect to the reference light can be adjusted. Furthermore, since it is possible to adjust the output level of each color signal from the signal processing system, the circuit that electrically adjusts the output level of the imaging means, which was required in the conventional example, can be significantly simplified.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the level comparison results of the output signals of a specific imaging means and each other imaging means are displayed, so that the adjuster can adjust the output level of the imaging means while checking the displayed content. It can be performed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2(A), (B), and (C) are mechanical diagrams showing the configuration of the positioning mechanism of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. A circuit diagram showing a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing another form of a circuit configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. 3018-3020・CcD positioning mechanism, 3021
...Three color separation prism, 3022-3024-(:CD, 3025...Analog circuit section, 3052...Timing generator, 100...
Trimming filter, 101... CCD cover, 102-105... Screws, 106-109... Spring hooks are metal fittings, 110-1
13... Nut, 114-117... Spring, 118... CCD board, 119... Adjustment screw receiver is stand, 120-123... Adjustment screw, 124-127... Eyebrow length 128-135... Screw, 136-143... Nut, 144... Dark box case, 145.146... Mirror, 147-149... Analog waveform shaping amplifier circuit, 150-152...・・A/D converter, 153~1
55...Digital upper n bit selector, 156-158...Latch, 159...Comparator, 160-162...Indicator driver, 163
~165...Indicator, 168~168...Resistor, 169~171...Motor driver, 172~17
4...Motor. Second cause (A) GY

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) Color separation means that separates light received from a subject into three primary colors, and a plurality of color separation means that converts each light color separated by the color separation means into color signals by photoelectric conversion and outputs the color signals. and each of the imaging means by adjusting either the light receiving position along the optical axis of the light or the incident angle according to the output state of the color signal of the plurality of imaging means. An imaging device comprising: position adjustment means for correcting the output level of the color signal. 2) In the imaging device according to claim 1, a color signal outputted from a predetermined one of the plurality of imaging means and each color signal outputted from the other imaging means. An imaging device comprising: comparison means for comparing levels of standards; and display means for displaying comparison results of the comparison means.