JPH04317278A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an excellent image even when an object has a moving part and a stationary part. CONSTITUTION:Memories 3 and 4 storing plural image pickup signals with different storage time, a movement detection circuit 6 detecting the movement of the object from the plural image pickup signals, and a switching circuit 7 selecting one image pickup signal from plural image pickup signals with different storage time outputted from the memories 3 and 4 are provided. The image pickup signal with long storage time is selected when the object is stationary, and the image pickup signal with short storage time is selected when the object is moving.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging device, and more particularly to an imaging device using a two-dimensional image sensor.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, video cameras are equipped with an electronic shutter function, and when capturing an image of a moving subject, this electronic shutter function is used to shorten the storage time and improve the dynamic resolution. was used.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the conventional video camera described above, in order to shorten the storage time of the entire subject, if the moving part of the subject is bright and the surrounding area is dark, the moving part The problem was that the surrounding area could not be clearly seen.

[0004] In this case, if the storage time is increased to match the dark surrounding area, there is a problem that the moving part will be blurred and the image will be captured with good quality for both the moving bright area and the surrounding dark area. It was difficult to obtain.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The imaging device of the present invention includes a memory means for storing a plurality of imaging signals having different storage times, and a detection unit for detecting the movement of a subject from at least one imaging signal of the plurality of imaging signals. and signal selection means for selecting one imaging signal from a plurality of imaging signals having different accumulation times outputted from the memory means, based on the detection result of the movement of the subject by the detection means, and the subject is stationary. If the object is moving, an image signal with a long accumulation time is selected, and if the object is moving, an image signal with a short accumulation time is selected.

[0006]

[Operation] The present invention images a subject at a plurality of different accumulation times, stores a plurality of image signals with different accumulation times in a memory, and selects an image signal with a short accumulation time for moving parts, and By selecting an imaging signal with a long accumulation time for moving parts, and increasing the dynamic resolution for moving parts,
The surrounding stationary parts make it possible to obtain a good image with a high S/N ratio.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an imaging device according to the present invention, in which 1 is an image sensor, 2 is a signal processing circuit for processing an output signal of the image sensor 1, and 3 and 4 are Frame memory (which stores processed signals as a memory means)
Below, F. M. It is abbreviated as ). 5 is an amplifier whose gain can be controlled externally, and 6 is an F. M. 3, F. M.
A motion detection circuit serves as a detection means for determining a moving part from the output signal of F.4, and F.7 detects a moving part from the output signal of the motion detection circuit 6. M. 3, F. M. A switching circuit serves as a signal selection means for switching the output signal of 4, and a signal processing circuit 8 processes the output signal of the switching circuit 7.

Next, the operation of the above-mentioned imaging device will be explained.

An image signal for one screen (low-speed shutter signal) accumulated by the image sensor 1 within the longer accumulation time is passed through the signal processing circuit 2 to the F. M. The image signal for one screen (high-speed shutter signal) written to F.3 and stored within the shorter storage time is stored in F.3. M. 4 is written. F. M.
The output signal of No. 3 is input as is to the motion detection circuit 6, and F
．． M. The output signal of 4 is amplified through an amplifier 5 and input to a motion detection circuit 6. The amplifier 5 has a gain that can be controlled externally. M. It is controlled by the magnitude of the output signal of step 4. F. M. 3, F. M. The motion detection circuit 6 determines the moving part from the signal No. 4, and sends a switching control signal to the switching circuit 7. If the motion detection circuit 6 determines that it is a moving part of the subject, F. M. 4 output signal (signal accumulated within the shorter accumulation time) is selected, and if it is determined that the subject is stationary, F.4 is selected. M. No. 3 output signal (signal accumulated within the longer accumulation time) is selected, and a video signal is synthesized through the signal processing circuit 8.

In the embodiments described above, the low-speed shutter signal and the high-speed shutter signal are stored in each memory, so the low-speed shutter signal and the high-speed shutter signal may be read out from the image pickup device in either order. Furthermore, although the case has been described in which two of a plurality of imaging signals having different accumulation times are combined, the present invention can also be applied to a case in which three or more imaging signals are combined.

[0011]

[Effects of the Invention] As described above in detail, according to the imaging device of the present invention, an object is imaged at a plurality of different accumulation times, a plurality of imaging signals having different accumulation times are stored in a memory, and a moving object is captured. By selecting the imaging signal with the shortest accumulation time for the moving part and selecting the imaging signal with the longer accumulation time for the stationary part, the dynamic resolution is increased for the moving part, and the surrounding stationary part is selected. It is possible to obtain a good image with a high S/N ratio.

The present invention can be particularly suitably used for subjects whose moving parts are bright and their surroundings are dark.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block configuration diagram showing an embodiment of an imaging device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Imaging device 2 Signal processing circuit 3 Frame memory (F.M.) 4 Frame memory (F.M.) 5 Amplifier 6 Motion detection circuit 7 Switching circuit 8 Signal processing circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A memory means for storing a plurality of imaging signals having different accumulation times; a detection means for detecting a movement of a subject from at least one of the plurality of imaging signals;
signal selection means for selecting one imaging signal from a plurality of imaging signals with different storage times outputted from the memory means based on the detection result of the motion of the subject by the detection means; An imaging device that selects an imaging signal with a long time, and when moving, selects an imaging signal with a short accumulation time.