JPH03198484A - Solid-state image pickup device and picture display method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To simplify the configuration of a circuit by transferring a light charge in a horizontal direction during a period, which is the 1/n horizontal scanning period of a reproduced picture, and outputting a video signal according to the set of an operation timing so that the picture of the 1/n reproduced picture can be displayed in horizontal and vertical directions in a specified range on the reproduced picture. CONSTITUTION:A solid-state image pickup device is composed of a CCD solid- state image pickup element 10, driving circuit 11, vertical transfer timing setting circuit 12 and horizontal transfer timing setting circuit 13. The driving circuit 11 transfers the light charge in the horizontal direction during the period, which is the 1/n horizontal operation period of the reproduced picture, and according to the set of the operation timing by the timing setting circuits 12 and 13, the video signal is obtained so as to display the picture of the 1/n reproduced picture in the horizontal and vertical directions in the specified range on the reproduced picture. Thus, the circuit can be simplified.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention provides a solid-state imaging device that forms an image in a specific range of a playback screen, and a solid-state imaging device that forms an image on a playback screen using a plurality of these solid-state imaging devices. The present invention relates to a screen display method for simultaneously displaying images.

(B) Prior Art A surveillance system using a plurality of television cameras is constructed so that images from each television camera can be played back simultaneously. In this way, you can obtain multiple playback screens at the same time by playing back the images from each TV camera on multiple TV monitors, or by dividing the screen of the TV monitor and displaying the images from each TV camera in each divided area. There are ways to play each. In general monitoring systems, although high resolution is not particularly required, it is necessary to obtain a large number of playback screens, and therefore there is a tendency to adopt a method of displaying a plurality of playback screens on one television monitor.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an imaging system that displays a plurality of playback screens on one television monitor. Here, 4
A case is shown in which four playback screens are displayed on a television monitor (5) using three television cameras (1) to (4).

Each television camera (1) to (4) is connected in parallel to the main controller (6), and each television camera (1)
The video signals Y, -Y outputted from (4) are input to the main controller (6). This main controller (6) includes a synchronization signal generation circuit (6a), a screen control circuit (6b), and a field memory (6C).
In addition to synchronizing the operations of each television camera (1) to (4), each video signal Y, to Y4 is synthesized to create a video signal Y+n that displays four images on one screen, and the television monitor (
5).

The synchronization signal generation circuit (6a) is used for each television camera (1) to
(4) by supplying synchronization signal C to each television camera (1) to
The operation (4) is synchronized to match the timing of each video signal Y, -Y. On the other hand, the screen control circuit (6b)
The video signals Y, ~Y4 obtained from each television camera (1) to (4) are divided by 1/2 in the horizontal scanning period and vertical scanning period.
The video information corresponding to the four videos is temporarily stored in the field memory (6C), and the video information is read out in a predetermined order from the field memory (6C) to create a video signal Ym. That is, the video signals Y, to Y4 are thinned out for each pixel in the horizontal and vertical directions and recorded in the field memory (6C), so that the video information corresponding to the four videos is thinned out by 1/2 of the horizontal scan. 17 vertical scans per period
By being read out every two cycles, a video signal Ym that forms a video by dividing the playback screen into four is obtained. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, when displaying a screen in four divided areas A to D, in the first half of vertical scanning,
Information corresponding to the video signal Yl is read during the first half period of horizontal scanning, and the information corresponding to the video signal Y! is read during the second half period of horizontal scanning. Read the information corresponding to. Then, during the second half of the vertical scan, information corresponding to the video signal Y is read during the first half of the horizontal scan, and information corresponding to the video signal Y is read during the second half of the horizontal scan. The information is read and a video signal Ym is created. Therefore, images from each of the television cameras (1) to (4) are displayed simultaneously in areas A to D of the playback screen.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when realizing the above-mentioned imaging system, the operation of a plurality of television cameras is controlled, and the video signals Y of each television camera (1) to (4) are controlled.

~Y, a main controller (6) that creates a video signal Ym for displaying a 4-split screen is essential.

Such main controller (6) has at least four
Field memory (6C) that can record video information for a screen
) and a screen control circuit (6b) that records information in this field memory (6c), reads out information, and synthesizes it, etc., resulting in a significant increase in cost. .

In addition, since the video signals Yl-Y4 obtained from each television camera (1) to (4) are thinned out and compressed in the horizontal and vertical directions, the original resolution of each television camera (1) to (4) is is not fully utilized, resulting in a very wasteful system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate the waste of television cameras, simplify the circuit for connecting each television camera, and significantly reduce costs.

(d) Means for solving the problem The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem,
The first feature is that the solid-state image sensor has 1/n the number of pixels of the playback screen in the vertical direction and photoelectrically converts the received image to generate information charges according to the image pattern. A driving means for horizontally transferring and outputting the information charges transferred in the vertical direction at the same time as transferring, line by line, and a timing setting means for setting the operation timing of the driving means in accordance with a synchronization signal of a playback screen, The driving means transfers the photoelectric charges horizontally in a period of 1/n of the horizontal scanning period of the reproduction screen, and transfers the photocharges horizontally and vertically within a specific range on the reproduction screen according to the operation timing setting of the timing setting means. The purpose of this is to obtain a video signal that displays a 1/n image of the playback screen.

The second feature is a solid-state image sensor that photoelectrically converts the received image to generate information charges according to the image pattern, and a solid-state image sensor that transfers the information charges in the vertical direction and converts the information charges transferred in the vertical direction. A drive means for transferring and outputting in the horizontal direction, and a timing setting means for setting the operation timing of the drive means in accordance with a synchronization signal of the playback screen, wherein the drive means transfers the photoelectric charge to one of the vertical scanning periods of the playback screen. /
The data is transferred vertically in a period of n, and is transferred horizontally in a period of 1/n of the horizontal scanning period of the playback screen, and the playback screen is horizontally and vertically transferred within a specific range of the playback screen according to the settings of the timing setting means. The objective is to obtain a video signal that displays a video of 1/n of the original size.

As described above, in the screen display recessive mode of displaying an image on the playback screen using a solid-state image pickup device that displays an image in a specific range of the playback screen, a plurality of the solid-state image pickup devices are connected,
The driving means of each solid-state imaging device is operated in accordance with a common synchronizing signal, and the timing setting of each timing setting means is made different for each solid-state imaging device by 1/n period of the horizontal scanning period and the vertical scanning period. , is characterized in that by combining video signals obtained from each solid-state imaging device, the video of each solid-state imaging device is displayed in each divided area of a playback screen divided into n in the horizontal and vertical directions.

(E) Function According to the present invention, the solid-state image sensor is driven during a period of 1/n of the horizontal scanning period and the vertical scanning period, and the driving timing is arbitrarily set within the horizontal scanning period and the vertical scanning period, Since the video signal is output during a specific period within the horizontal scanning period and the vertical scanning period, an image of 1/n of the reproduction screen can be displayed at an arbitrary position on the reproduction screen according to the set drive timing.

In addition, a plurality of solid-state imaging devices in which the solid-state imaging device is driven during a period of 1/n of the horizontal scanning period and the vertical scanning period are connected, and the driving timing of the solid-state imaging device is different for each solid-state imaging device by a fixed period. As a result, each solid-state imaging device can be driven sequentially during the horizontal scanning period and the vertical scanning period, and video signals can be obtained from each solid-state imaging device without overlapping each other.
By combining each video signal, the playback screen can be divided and multiple videos can be displayed simultaneously.

(f) Example An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 is a timing diagram showing the operation of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention.
indicates a horizontal scanning period (IH) unit, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the solid-state imaging device.

The Freno transfer type CCD solid-state image sensor (10) is
An imaging section (IOI), an accumulation section (105) and a horizontal transfer section (
The information charge generated in the imaging unit (IOI) by photoelectric conversion is transferred and accumulated in the storage unit (105), and the information charge in the storage unit (10S) is transferred to the horizontal transfer unit (IOH).
) is output as a video signal Y. This COD (
10), the number of pixels in the vertical direction of the imaging unit (IOI) is set to 1/2 the number of pixels of the playback screen, and the number of pixels of the storage unit (105) is also set correspondingly.

On the other hand, the drive circuit (11) that drives the CCD (10) includes a vertical transfer lock generation circuit (IIV) that supplies a vertical transfer lock φ9 to the imaging section (10I), and a storage section (105).
) storage transfer lock 4. A storage and transfer lock generation circuit (115) that supplies the horizontal transfer lock φ□ to the horizontal transfer unit (IOH) and a horizontal transfer lock generation circuit (115) that supplies the horizontal transfer lock φ
IIH), and a vertical transfer timing control circuit (12
) and the output of the horizontal transfer timing control circuit (13), the CCD (10) is pulse-driven. That is, the vertical transfer lock generation circuit (IIV) transfers information charges to the storage section (105) in units of one screen according to the vertical transfer timing signal VT,
) transfers information charges to the horizontal transfer section (10H) in units of one horizontal line in accordance with the horizontal transfer timing signal HT.

Then, the horizontal transfer lock generation circuit (IIH) transfers the information charges transferred from the storage section (105) during the horizontal scanning period (
It is transferred and output in 1/2 period of IH). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the video signal Y has a video period that is 1/2 of IV and IH, and represents a video that has been reduced to 1/2 in the vertical and horizontal directions with respect to the playback screen. In addition, the video signal Y is
Blanking is applied outside the video period according to the vertical blanking signal VBL and the horizontal blanking signal HBL,
Efforts are made to remove noise.

The vertical transfer timing control circuit (12) and the horizontal transfer timing control circuit (13) operate according to the vertical synchronization signal VD and the horizontal synchronization signal HD, respectively, and each synchronization signal VD, Vertical transfer timing signal VT that provides transfer timing with a delay of a period of
and outputs a horizontal transfer timing signal HT. These vertical and horizontal transfer timing control circuits (12) (13) are
The synchronization signal VD of each timing signal VT, HT and the delay with respect to HD are set respectively from O to V/2 and from 0 to H/2, and the position where the video is displayed on the playback screen is determined by the setting of this period. be done. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the vertical transfer timing signal VT is V/
3 delay, horizontal transfer timing signal HT is horizontal synchronization signal H
If the delay is set by H/2 with respect to D, the playback screen will display the vertical and horizontal directions based on the position of 1/3 in the vertical direction and 1/2 in the horizontal direction, as shown in Figure 3. 1/2 of the playback screen (1) is displayed. Here, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, the delay of the vertical transfer timing signal VT is set to V/
2. When the delay of horizontal transfer timing signal HT is changed to H/3, vertical transfer lock φ7 and horizontal transfer lock φ□
The timing is also changed, and the video (project) starts at the position of 1/2 in the vertical direction and 1/3 in the horizontal direction on the playback screen, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. Therefore, the vertical display position of the video can be determined by setting the delay of the vertical transfer timing signal VT, and the horizontal display position of the video can be determined by setting the delay of the horizontal transfer timing signal HT. Here, since the video period of the video signal Y is 1/2 of the vertical scanning period and the horizontal scanning period, each synchronization signal VD, HD of each timing signal VT, HT is used so that the video can be displayed without being separated. Maximum delay is V/2
, H/2.

In this embodiment, the vertical and horizontal directions are 1/2 of the playback screen.
In this example, the number of pixels in the vertical direction of C0D (10) is set to 1/2 or less of that of the playback screen, and the frequency of the horizontal transfer lock φ□ is increased to obtain 172 pixels of the horizontal scanning period. By transferring information charges in the horizontal direction in the following period, it is also possible to obtain an image of 1/2 or less in the vertical and horizontal directions.

In addition, the number of pixels in the vertical direction is equal to the playback screen.
D Even when using a solid-state image sensor, the period of the line sending pulse that transfers information charges to the horizontal transfer section can be shortened to complete the transfer of information charges in 1/2 of the vertical scanning period or less. If configured to do so, it becomes possible to compress images in the vertical direction. In this case, information charges are mixed between two or more pixels during the vertical transfer process.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an imaging system that connects a plurality of solid-state imaging devices as described above and displays images from each solid-state imaging device simultaneously on a television monitor, and FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing its operation. Figure (a) is in 1v units, Figure (b)
indicates IH units.

The television cameras (21) to (24) have a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, and receive video signals Y, -Y, -Y, which display video whose vertical and horizontal directions are 1/2 of the playback screen, respectively. Output. Synchronization signals 01 to c4 are supplied to each television camera (21) to (24) from a synchronization signal generation circuit (25), and the respective operations are synchronized, and the timing of vertical scanning and horizontal scanning is set to V/2. and is set to be shifted by H/2. The synchronization signals C8 to C4 include a vertical synchronization signal CVI or Cvffi and a horizontal synchronization signal C□ or CHI, and the display position of the video on the playback screen is determined by the combination of these synchronization signals. That is, the vertical synchronization signal Cv! is delayed by V/2 with respect to the vertical synchronization signal Cvl, and the horizontal synchronization signal C
□ is set to be delayed by H/2 with respect to the horizontal synchronization signal C□, and the video period I is set in the first half of 1v with the vertical synchronization signal Cv.
VI is set, and the vertical synchronization signal Cv! The video period I0 is set in the second half of IV with horizontal synchronization signal CDI, and the video period I□ is set in the first half of IH with horizontal synchronization signal CDI.
1 allows the video period IH1 to be set in the latter half of IH.

Therefore, the vertical synchronization signal CVl and the horizontal synchronization signal CMl are combined to form a synchronization signal C8, and Cvl and CHl form C1, Cv and CHI form C1, Cvt and CUt form C1, and each television camera By supplying the signals to (21) to (24), the display positions of the images on the playback screen are configured not to overlap with each other. Therefore, the vertical transfer timing VT of each television camera (21) to (24), -
VT, as shown in FIG. 5(a), and VT
t follows CVI, VT and V Ta follow CU, and each vertical blanking signal VBL, ~VB
L, sets video periods Iv, +IVl according to vertical transfer timing signals VT, ~VT, respectively. On the other hand, the horizontal transfer timing signal HT+'-HT4 is as shown in FIG.
As shown in b), HT I and HT follow C□, and H
T and HT, will follow C-, and each horizontal blanking signal HBLj-HBL.

set the video period In++L1 according to the horizontal timing signals HT, ~HT, respectively.

The video signal YI" with the video period set as described above
'Y- has no overlapping video periods,
The video signals Y, -Y4 are combined in a video signal synthesis circuit (26) to create a new video signal Ym, and this video signal Ym is supplied to the television monitor (27). Therefore, on the playback screen of the television monitor (27), images corresponding to the respective video signals Y, -Y4 are simultaneously displayed as shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention.

The television camera (31), which serves as the reference for operation, is equipped with a synchronization signal generation circuit (40).
The operation timing is set according to the synchronization signal C3 from 0). In addition, the television cameras (31) to (34) are equipped with synchronization signal separation circuits (41) to (43) and timing change circuits (44) to (46), so that the output of the standard television camera (31) is Each of the six periodic signal separation circuits (41) to (43) connected in parallel is connected to the television camera (31).
), that is, the video signal Y, and supplies it to each timing change circuit (44) to (46), and each timing change circuit (44) to (46) converts the vertical synchronization signal or horizontal synchronization signal is delayed for a certain period and the synchronization signal C8~
For example, the timing change circuit (44
), only the horizontal synchronization signal is delayed by H/2, in the timing change circuit (45) only the vertical synchronization signal is delayed by V/2, and in the timing change circuit (46), the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals are delayed by H/2. By being delayed by H/2 and V/2, each synchronization signal C8-C4 matches the case shown in FIG. 4, and the operation of each television camera (31)-(34) follows the timing chart shown in FIG. Therefore, each TV camera (31
) to (34) are synthesized by a video signal synthesis circuit (35) to create a video signal Ym, which is supplied to a television monitor (36), similar to that shown in FIG. The video corresponding to each video signal Y1 to Y4 is displayed on the TV monitor (
36) can be displayed simultaneously on the playback screen.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8, the output of the television camera (32) to (
34) can be connected in series, and in this case, a plurality of video signal synthesis circuits (35a) to (35c) are provided on the output side of each television camera (31) to (34), and each video signal A video signal Ym is created by sequentially combining Y1 to Y4. The video signal Ym obtained in this way is the same as when the video signals Y, to Y4 are combined at once as shown in FIG. 7, and by giving this video signal Ym to the television monitor (36), Images corresponding to each video signal Y, -Y can be displayed simultaneously on the playback screen of the television monitor (36).

In the above embodiment, the case where four television cameras are connected and four images are displayed on one playback screen is illustrated, but it is also possible to connect five or more television cameras and selectively display them. By operating on the playback screen, only necessary images from five or more TV cameras are displayed on the playback screen, and by further shortening the video period set for each TV camera, five or more TV cameras can be displayed on the playback screen. It is also possible to display the video by dividing it into, for example, nine parts.

In addition, when the number of TV cameras to be connected increases, it is possible to connect some parts in series and others in parallel as necessary to ensure efficient connection of each camera. can.

(G) Effects of the Invention According to the present invention, the video period can be set to an arbitrary period by setting the operation timing of the CCD, and the reduced video can be displayed at an arbitrary position on the playback screen. Even if a CCD with low resolution is used, the apparent resolution can be increased by compressing the video signal.

In addition, by operating multiple solid-state imaging devices without overlapping video periods, multiple videos can be displayed on the same playback screen simply by combining the video signals of each solid-state imaging device. The connection between the solid-state imaging devices can be simplified, and since the solid-state imaging device itself does not require a large number of pixels, the scale of each solid-state imaging device itself can be reduced, and a significant reduction in cost can be expected.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a timing diagram showing the operation of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing its configuration, FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a playback screen, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the screen display method of the present invention. A block diagram showing the imaging system used, FIG. 5 is a timing diagram showing its operation, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the configuration of the playback screen, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are block diagrams showing other examples of the imaging system. , FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an imaging system using a conventional screen display method, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a playback screen. (1) to (4), (21) to (24), (31
)～(34)...TV camera, (5), (2
7) , (36)...TV monitor, (6)...
・Main controller, (10)...CCD solid-state image sensor, (11)...Drive circuit, (12)...Vertical transfer timing setting circuit, (13)...Horizontal transfer timing setting circuit, (25)... ), (40)...
Synchronous signal generation circuit, (26), (35)... Video signal synthesis circuit, (41) to (43)... Synchronous signal separation circuit, (44) to (46)... Timing change circuit.

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) A solid-state image sensor that has 1/n the number of pixels of the playback screen in the vertical direction and photoelectrically converts the received image to generate information charges according to the image pattern, which transfers the information charges in the vertical direction and A driving means for horizontally transmitting and outputting the information charges transferred in the vertical direction line by line, and a timing setting means for setting the operation timing of the driving means in accordance with a synchronization signal of a playback screen, the driving means transfers the photoelectric charge in the horizontal direction in a period of 1/n of the horizontal scanning period of the reproduction screen, and the horizontal and vertical directions of the reproduction screen are transferred within a specific range on the reproduction screen according to the operation timing setting of the timing setting means. A solid-state imaging device characterized by obtaining a video signal for displaying a 1/n video. (2) A solid-state image sensor that photoelectrically converts the received image to generate information charges according to the image pattern, which transfers the information charges in the vertical direction and transfers the information charges transferred in the vertical direction horizontally for each line. and a timing setting means for setting the operation timing of the driving means in accordance with a synchronization signal of the reproduction screen, wherein the driving means transfers the photoelectric charge to 1/n of the vertical scanning period of the reproduction screen. The horizontal and vertical directions are transferred within a specific range of the playback screen according to the operation timing setting of the timing setting means. A solid-state imaging device characterized in that it obtains a video signal that displays an image of 1/n of a playback screen. (3) A plurality of solid-state imaging devices according to claim 1 or 2 are connected, and the driving means of each solid-state imaging device is operated according to a common synchronization signal, and the timing setting of each of the timing setting means is individually controlled. The horizontal scanning period and the vertical scanning period are different for each solid-state imaging device in units of 1/n period, and each divided area of the playback screen is divided into n in the horizontal and vertical directions by combining the video signals obtained from each solid-state imaging device. A screen display method characterized by displaying images from each solid-state imaging device. (4) The screen display method according to claim 3, characterized in that a plurality of the solid-state imaging devices are connected in parallel and a common synchronization signal is supplied to each solid-state imaging device. (5) A claim characterized in that a plurality of the above-mentioned solid-state imaging devices are connected in series, and a synchronization signal supplied to the first-stage solid-state imaging device is sequentially supplied from the output side of the solid-state imaging device to the next-stage solid-state imaging device. Screen display method described in Section 3. (6) The screen display method according to claim 3, characterized in that a plurality of solid-state image sensors are connected in parallel and in series.