JPH03212075A - Solid-state image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need for a complicated circuit such as a line memory when digital processing is implemented in the vertical direction by providing a function outputting a signal charged in the vertical direction in addition to a function of a conventional solid-state image pickup device. CONSTITUTION:The device consists of a photoelectric conversion transfer device 1, a horizontal CCD 2, and a vertical CCD 3. Then in addition to a function of outputting a signal charge in the horizontal direction in a conventional device, that is, the signal charge by one scanning line, a function of outputting signal charge in the vertical direction sequentially is provided and both are selected optionally. Thus, when a digital filter or the like is formed by using the signal in the vertical direction, no line memory or the like is required and the similar processing to that in the horizontal direction is implemented.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device for image signal processing used in VTR cameras and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, home VTR cameras have become popular, and digital signal processing technology for image data using solid-state imaging devices has been attracting attention.

A conventional solid-state imaging device will be described below.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional solid-state imaging device.
2 is a photoelectric conversion transfer device, 2 is a horizontal CCD, a is a horizontal signal charge, b is a horizontal output transfer lock, and C is a horizontal signal output terminal.

The operation of the solid-state imaging device configured as described above will be described below.

The photoelectric conversion/transfer device 1' instantaneously transfers the signal charges of all pixels charged and converted by the photoelectric conversion elements to a transfer circuit using a signal generated during a part of the vertical blanking period, and The signal 1 generated at 1 is transferred one scanning line at a time, and a horizontal signal charge 9 is output. Horizontal C
The CD 2 performs parallel-to-serial conversion on the horizontal signal charge a, and outputs a horizontal direction signal, which is a standard image signal, from the horizontal signal output terminal C in synchronization with the horizontal output transfer lock b.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the conventional configuration described above, the signals are output in the same order as in the normal scanning method, so when configuring a digital filter etc. with horizontal signals symmetrically, the delay element is a flip-flop or the like. A relatively simple circuit can be used, but when configuring a digital filter for vertical signals, the delay element requires a line memory or other complicated circuit, and the circuit scale becomes large. However, there was a problem that the cost was high.

The present invention solves the problem described in item i above, and when configuring a digital filter etc. in the vertical direction signal, it can be used in the same way as in the horizontal direction without requiring a line memory etc. The company is known for providing solid-state imaging devices that can perform processing.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve this object, the solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes:
In addition to the conventional function of sequentially outputting signal charges for one scanning line in the horizontal direction, it also has a function of sequentially outputting signal charges in the vertical direction, and has a configuration that allows you to switch between the two at will. ing.

Effect With this configuration, the vertical output signal output from the solid-state imaging device of the present invention is equivalent to the output signal when a conventional solid-state imaging device is rotated 90 degrees, and the vertical signal is digitally output. Even when configuring a filter or the like, there is no need for complicated delay elements such as line memories.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a photoelectric conversion and transfer device, 2 is a horizontal CCD, and 3 is a vertical CC
D, a is horizontal signal charge, b is horizontal output transfer lock, C
is a horizontal signal output terminal, d is a vertical signal charge, e is a vertical output transfer lock, f is a vertical signal output terminal, and g is a horizontal/vertical switching signal.

The operation of the solid-state imaging device of this embodiment configured as described above will be described below.

The photoelectric conversion and transfer device 1 instantly transfers the signal charges of all pixels charged and converted by the photoelectric conversion elements to a transfer circuit using a signal generated during a part of the vertical blanking period, and When the horizontal/vertical switching signal g selects the horizontal direction, all the signal charges in the transfer circuit are transferred one scanning line at a time in the X direction, and the horizontal signal charges a are output. When vertical selection is made, all the signal charges in the transfer circuit are transferred one vertical pixel at a time in the X direction, and vertical signal charges d are output. Horizontal CCD2 is
The horizontal signal charge a is subjected to parallel-to-serial conversion, and a horizontal direction signal is output from the horizontal signal output terminal C in synchronization with the horizontal output transfer lock b.

On the other hand, the vertical ICCD 3 converts the horizontal signal charge d from parallel to serial, and outputs a vertical signal from the vertical signal output terminal f in synchronization with the vertical output transfer lock e.

Note that it is necessary to switch the horizontal/vertical switching signal g after all signal charges in the transfer circuit have been transferred.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by using the circuit of a conventional solid-state imaging device and adding a new signal charge transfer function in the X direction and a vertical CCD, the conventional solid-state imaging A vertical signal output equivalent to the output signal when the device is rotated 90 degrees can be obtained, and a digital signal processing system that does not require circuits such as a complicated line memory can be configured.

Effects of the Invention The present invention provides a function for outputting signal charges in the vertical direction in addition to the functions of conventional solid-state imaging devices. It is possible to reduce the circuit scale and cost without the need for a circuit.

Furthermore, it can be handled in the same way as horizontal digital signal processing, and by switching the horizontal and vertical outputs in a time-sharing manner, it is possible to share the horizontal and vertical processing circuits. Furthermore, it is possible to realize an excellent solid-state imaging device that can significantly reduce the circuit scale.

4. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF llD Plane FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional solid-state imaging device.

1.1...Photoelectric conversion and transfer device, 2...
Horizontal CCD, 3... Vertical CCD, a...
・Horizontal signal charge, b...Horizontal output transfer lock, C...Horizontal signal output terminal, d...Vertical signal charge, e...Vertical output transfer lock, f
...Vertical signal output terminal, g...Horizontal
Vertical switching signal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A photoelectric conversion and transfer device that transfers the signal charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element in the x direction (when vertical is selected) or the y direction (when horizontal is selected) according to the horizontal/vertical switching signal, and the horizontal signal transferred in the y direction. Convert the charge from parallel to serial,
Consisting of a horizontal CCD that outputs horizontal signal charges with a horizontal output transfer lock, and a vertical CCD that converts the vertical signal charges transferred in the x direction from parallel to serial and outputs vertical signal charges with a vertical output transfer lock. A solid-state imaging device featuring: