JPH04207588A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To allow high-grade image pickup having a good contrast by increasing the contrast value to approximately the max. value upon ending of the incidence of the electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded on a photosensitive layer member. CONSTITUTION:The contrast value (the contrast voltage which is the difference between the potential of a bright part and the potential of a dark part) on a recording layer member CML (recording layer) changes transiently according to the characteristics (bright resistance and dark resistance) of the photosensitive layer member PCL. The contrast value attains approximately the max. value upon ending of the incidence of the electromagnetic radiation fluxes to be recorded on the photosensitive layer member PCL. Then, the images of most of the incident electromagnetic radiation fluxes are efficiently picked up on the photosensitive layer member PCL. The high-grade image pickup having the good contrast is executed in this way even if the open time of an optical shutter or electrical shutter time is arbitrarily changed and set according to the image pickup state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an imaging device that records electromagnetic radiation information using a photoreceptor layer member and a recording layer member, and the present invention relates to an imaging device that records electromagnetic radiation information using a photoreceptor layer member and a recording layer member. The present invention relates to an imaging device that captures high-quality images with good contrast even when the electrical shutter time is arbitrarily set variably.

(Prior Art) The apparatus and method for recording electromagnetic radiation information using a photoreceptor layer member and a recording layer member are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 1-291860, as invented and filed by the present applicant. "Recording medium and recording, 11 cattle system" (filed on November 9, 1989), "Method for recording electromagnetic radiation information" described in patent application No. 2-29938 (February 1, 1990)
(filed on March 2, 1990), [Recording method of electromagnetic radiation information and imaging device method (filed on March 1990) described in Japanese Patent Application No. 74390/1990
There are 230 applications per month).

As shown in FIG.
2, and the above-mentioned 1. second electrode Etl,
It is configured to supply a predetermined voltage between Et2, and allows electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded (for example, light incident from the subject O via the lens TL) to be incident on the photoreceptor layer member PCL. Thus, the electromagnetic radiation information to be recorded is recorded on the recording layer member CML.

Photoreceptor layer member P of electromagnetic radiation flux being recorded
The amount of exposure to CL can be set by an optical shutter Ps, and an electric shutter consisting of a switch SW and a power source E is used to set the amount of exposure to the first CL. Second electrode E
It is configured so that a voltage showing a predetermined variation pattern can be applied between tl and Et2, and images are taken at the timing shown in FIG. 6, for example.

In the imaging device configured as described in ``-1 above, the resistance (rate) of the photoreceptor layer member PCL changes depending on whether or not light (electromagnetic radiation) is incident, as will be detailed later. , carriers are generated and the apparent upper resistance value becomes smaller, that is, it changes from dark resistivity to bright resistivity), and as a result, this dark resistivity as the voltage across the recording layer portion $4' CM L The difference between the voltage change due to the bright resistivity and the voltage change due to the bright resistivity is recorded as a change in the contrast voltage (contrast value).

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) In such an imaging device that provides a subject image to the photoconductive layer member PCL (photoconductive layer) and records information corresponding to the recording layer member CML (recording layer), it is necessary to It is necessary to set the optical shutter time to various values depending on the brightness and purpose of use. For example, you can shoot a subject in low light for a long time to obtain the necessary contrast, shoot a moving subject with the shutter open to record the subject's movement trajectory, or conversely, shoot a moving subject at high speed. One way to use it is to capture an image with a shutter and record it as a still image.

However, in such an imaging device, as shown in FIG.
And as shown in (B), the recording layer member CML (recording layer)
The above contrast voltage (difference between bright and dark potentials) is
It changes transiently depending on the voltage application time by the electric shutter.

As a result, in order to accommodate the various image transfer conditions mentioned above,
The simple shutter timing explained in Fig. 6 is not sufficient, but high-quality imaging with good contrast can be achieved by setting the optical shutter opening time and electrical shutter time arbitrarily and variably according to the imaging condition. I couldn't do it.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a first electrode and a second electrode.
A predetermined voltage is supplied between the electrodes of the photoreceptor layer member and the recording layer member disposed between the electrodes of the photoreceptor layer member, and an electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded is incident on the photoreceptor layer member. In an imaging apparatus that records electromagnetic radiation information to be recorded on the recording layer member as a contrast value transiently generated by the photoreceptor layer member, 1. A photoreceptor layer disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. A predetermined voltage is supplied between the electrodes of the member and the recording layer member, and electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded is made incident on the photoreceptor layer member, so that the photoreceptor layer member transiently generates In an imaging device that records electromagnetic radiation information targeted for recording on the recording layer member, the contrast value is approximately a maximum value while a predetermined voltage is being supplied between the electrodes. The present invention provides an imaging device that satisfies the following.

(Function) In the imaging device configured as described above, the contrast value (contrast voltage that is the difference between the bright area potential and the dark area potential) on the recording layer member CML (recording layer) is The contrast value changes transiently depending on the characteristics (bright resistance and dark resistance) of the contrast value, and reaches a substantially maximum value after the electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded has finished being incident on the photoreceptor layer member CML. Therefore, most of the incident electromagnetic radiation flux is imaged on the photoreceptor layer member CML without waste.

Furthermore, in the imaging device configured as described above,
The contrast value (contrast voltage, which is the difference between the bright potential and the dark potential) on the recording layer member CML (recording layer) is determined by the characteristics (bright resistance and dark resistance) of the photoconductor layer member PCL.
The contrast value changes transiently according to the contrast value, and the contrast value becomes approximately maximum while a predetermined voltage is being supplied between the electrodes.

Therefore, most of the electromagnetic radiation flux imaged on the photoreceptor layer member CML is recorded on the recording layer member CML (recording layer) without waste.

(Embodiment) An embodiment of the imaging device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

First, let us explain the configuration of the imaging device in Figures 2 (A) and (B).
) for details. In the same figures (A) and (B), 0 is the subject, TL is the imaging lens, PS is the optical shutter, Etl is the transparent electrode, Et2 is the electrode, PCL is the photoconductor layer member made of a photoconductor, and CML is the recording material. layer member, SW is a switch, E is a power supply (voltage V), and CTL
(L) is an opening/closing control signal used to control the opening/closing operation of the optical shutter PS described above, and CTL (V) is an opening/closing control signal of the electrical shutter, that is, the opening/closing control signal used to control the operation of supplying and shutting off the operating voltage to the imaging device. This is a switching control signal for the switch SW. In the imaging device illustrated in the same figure, a power source E is connected between the transparent electrode Ell and the electrode Et2 via a switch SW, and the transparent electrode Etl is
A predetermined electric field is generated between the electrode Et2 and the electrode Et2.

When a high-definition optical image is applied to one end surface of the photoreceptor layer member PCL described above, a high-definition optical image is formed on the other end surface under the application of an electric field of appropriate strength. Photoconductor materials with properties that allow them to generate charge images (e.g., inorganic amorphous materials)
It uses silicone and diazo pigment, which is an organic material.

The recording layer member CML described above is made of a material having a high insulation resistance value (for example, silicone resin) that allows the electrostatic latent image (charge image) formed on the surface of the recording layer member CML to remain in the same pattern for a long period of time. ), or a recording layer member that records information targeted for recording by retaining a charge image on its own; various materials on which information is recorded (
For example, liquid crystal, PLZT, electrochromic material) are used. Further, as the recording layer member CML, for example, a polymer-liquid crystal memory film formed by dispersing liquid crystal in a polymer material may be used.

In the imaging device, an optical shutter PS receives an opening/closing control signal CT.
When it is in the open state by L (L), an optical image of the subject O is formed by the imaging lens TL on the photoreceptor layer member PCL via the transparent substrate BP1 and the transparent electrode Etl. Furthermore, an opening/closing control signal CTL (V) used to control the opening/closing operation of switch SW, which is an electric shutter.
When the switch SW is turned on, a predetermined voltage (higher than the discharge starting voltage between the photoconductor layer member PCL and the recording layer member CML) is applied from the power source E between the transparent electrode Ell and the electrode Et2. A voltage of a certain voltage value) is applied, and recording corresponding to the optical image of the subject O formed on the photoreceptor layer member PCL is performed on the recording layer member CML (see FIG. 1).

When the light flux incident through the imaging lens TL passes through the transparent electrode Ell and enters the photoreceptor layer member PCL during the period when the optical shutter PS is in the open state, the electric resistance value of the photoreceptor layer member PCL changes to that value. The electric resistance value of each part of the photoreceptor layer member PCL changes according to the amount of light of the incident light flux (changes from dark resistance (rate) to bright resistance (rate)), and the electric resistance value of each part of the photoreceptor layer member PCL corresponds to the light amount of each part of the subject. It is in a state where it is changing.

In this state, the switch SW is turned on, and between the transparent electrode Etl and the electrode Et2,
When a voltage is applied that makes the voltage between the photoreceptor layer member PCL and the recording layer member CML higher than the discharge starting voltage, the photoreceptor layer member PCL A charge corresponding to the state of change in the electrical resistance value is attached to the recording layer member CML, and an electrostatic latent image (charge image) corresponding to the optical image of the subject and a physical charge corresponding to the change in the electric field are attached to the recording layer member CML. -Chemical changes are recorded.

In other words, the resistance (rate) of the photoreceptor layer member PCL changes depending on whether or not light (electromagnetic radiation) is incident, and carriers are generated in the area where light is incident, and the apparent resistance value decreases, causing darkness. As a result, the difference between the voltage change due to the dark resistivity and the voltage change due to the bright resistivity is recorded as a change in contrast voltage (contrast value) as the voltage across the recording layer member CML. be done.

Next, the shutter timing of the imaging device shown in FIGS. 1(A) to 1(C) will be described in detail.

As shown in (A) and (C) of the same figure, in this imaging device,
The resistance value, especially the bright resistance, of the photoreceptor layer member is adjusted so that the contrast value becomes approximately the maximum value (tse<tm) after the electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded has finished being incident on the photoreceptor layer member. The value is set appropriately.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in this imaging device, while a predetermined voltage is being supplied between the electrodes, the contrast value becomes approximately the maximum value (tflI<t
ef'), for example, the resistance value, particularly the bright resistance value, of the photoreceptor layer member is set relatively large. Here, the electrical characteristics of the imaging device shown in FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3.

The equivalent resistance of the photoreceptor layer member PCL is Re, and the equivalent capacitance is C.
c, the equivalent resistance of the recording layer member CML is R1, and the equivalent capacitance is C,+. Then, the equivalent circuit of the imaging device is
As shown in the figure, when the step response is calculated for the voltage V across the recording layer member CML, it becomes as follows. However, in this way, the voltage V across the recording layer member CML becomes the capacitance-divided voltage VO (reciprocal ratio of each capacitance) immediately after voltage application, and shifts to resistance-divided voltage as time passes. In other words, the contrast voltage (difference between bright area potential and dark area potential) on the recording layer member CML changes transiently depending on the voltage application time by the electric shutter, and its transient characteristics depend on the photoreceptor layer member CML. It depends on the resistance value, especially the bright resistance value. Therefore, the time when the contrast value of the recording layer member CML reaches a substantially maximum value can be determined by appropriately setting the resistance value of the photoreceptor layer member, particularly the bright resistance value Pe.
Can be adjusted arbitrarily.

In other words, the voltage application time for which the contrast voltage reaches its maximum value is determined by the impedance (equivalent capacitance and resistance) of the photoconductive layer.
When the bright resistivity of the photoconductive layer is large, it takes a long time (tl) to maximize the contrast potential generated on the recording layer (Figure [A]); When the resistivity is small, the contrast potential on the recording layer reaches its maximum in a short period of time (t2) (see [B] in the same figure).

Based on this principle, in the present imaging device, after the electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded has finished being incident on the photoreceptor layer member by an optical shutter, the contrast value becomes approximately the maximum value. The resistance value of the photoreceptor layer member PCL is set to (tsa<ta). In other words, the contrast value (contrast voltage, which is the difference between the bright area potential and the dark area potential) on the recording layer member CML (recording layer) is transient depending on the characteristics (bright resistance and dark resistance) of the photoreceptor layer member PCL. After the electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded finishes being incident on the photoreceptor layer member CML, the contrast value reaches a substantially maximum value. Therefore, most of the incident electromagnetic radiation flux is imaged on the photoreceptor layer member CML without waste, and high-quality imaging with good contrast can be obtained.

Further, in the present imaging device, while a predetermined voltage is being supplied between the electrodes by an electric shutter, the resistance value of the photoreceptor layer member is set so that the contrast value becomes approximately the maximum value. (tIII<ter). In other words, the contrast value on the recording layer member CML (recording layer) (contrast voltage, which is the difference between the bright area potential and the dark area potential) is determined by the characteristics (bright resistance and dark resistance) of the photoreceptor layer member PCL.
The contrast value changes transiently according to the contrast value, and the contrast value becomes approximately maximum while a predetermined voltage is being supplied between the electrodes.

Therefore, most of the electromagnetic radiation flux imaged on the photoreceptor layer member CML is recorded on the recording layer member CML (recording layer) without waste, and high-quality recording with good contrast can be obtained.

In this way, according to this imaging device, even if the optical shutter time or electrical shutter time (electric field application time) is changed depending on the imaging state, the imaging results do not change and high-quality imaging can be achieved. can be done.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 4(B) and 4(C), when the photoreceptor layer member PCL has an optical history, optically excited carriers remain even after the optical shutter is closed. In this case, as shown in (A) and (C) of the same figure, after the remaining carriers are gone, the contrast value may be set to approximately the maximum value (te < tm).

(Effects of the Invention) As detailed above, according to the present invention, good contrast can be achieved even if the optical shutter opening time and the electrical shutter time are arbitrarily set variably according to the imaging state. High-quality imaging can be achieved.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIGS. 1(A) to 1(C) are diagrams showing an embodiment of the imaging device according to the present invention, and FIG.
A) and (B) are configuration diagrams of the imaging device, FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit of the imaging device, and FIGS. 4(A) to (C) are diagrams showing modified examples.
Fig. 5 is a diagram explaining a general example, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing conventional shutter timing, and Figs. 7 (A) and (B) are diagrams showing the relationship between electric field application time and voltage in the recording layer member. be. 0...Subject, TL...Imaging lens, PS...Optical shutter, Etl...Transparent electrode, Et2...Electrode, PCL...
・Photoconductor layer member by photoconductor, CML...Recording layer member, SW...Switch, E...Power source, R...Equivalent resistance of photoconductor layer member, C...Photoconductor layer member R: Equivalent resistance of the recording layer member, C: Equivalent capacitance of the recording layer member. Patent applicant: Victor Japan Co., Ltd. Figure 1 (△) (B) Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 10

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A predetermined voltage is applied between the photoreceptor layer member and the recording layer member disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and recording is performed on the photoreceptor layer member. In an imaging device, the electromagnetic radiation information targeted for recording is recorded on the recording layer member as a contrast value transiently generated by the photoreceptor layer member by making the electromagnetic radiation flux targeted for recording incident. An imaging device characterized in that the contrast value reaches a substantially maximum value after the electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded finishes being incident on the photoreceptor layer member. (2) A predetermined voltage is applied between the photoreceptor layer member and the recording layer member disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and recording is performed on the photoreceptor layer member. In an imaging device, the electromagnetic radiation information targeted for recording is recorded on the recording layer member as a contrast value transiently generated by the photoreceptor layer member by making the electromagnetic radiation flux targeted for recording incident. An imaging device characterized in that the contrast value is approximately at a maximum value while a predetermined voltage is being supplied between the electrodes. (3) A predetermined voltage is supplied between the electrodes by an electric shutter to the photoreceptor layer member and the recording layer member disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an optical An electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded is made incident on the photoreceptor layer member by a shutter, and is recorded on the recording layer member as a contrast value transiently generated by the bright resistance and dark resistance of the photoreceptor layer member. In an imaging device for recording electromagnetic radiation information targeted for recording, after the electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded ends being incident on the photoreceptor layer member by the optical shutter, the contrast value reaches a substantially maximum value. An imaging device characterized in that a resistance value of the photoreceptor layer member is set so that the following is true. (4) A predetermined voltage is supplied between the electrodes by an electric shutter to the photoreceptor layer member and the recording layer member disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an optical An electromagnetic radiation flux to be recorded is made incident on the photoreceptor layer member by a shutter, and is recorded on the recording layer member as a contrast value transiently generated by the bright resistance and dark resistance of the photoreceptor layer member. In an imaging device for recording electromagnetic radiation information, which is a target of An imaging device characterized in that a resistance value of a body layer member is set.