JPH06225224A - Ccd television camera device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve operability by reducing a device scale so as to miniaturize a device and simplifying the adjustment of an optical system photographing a subject. CONSTITUTION:The device is provided with the optical system 10, a CCD image pickup element 11, a video signal processing circuit 12, a driving circuit 13, a synchronizing signal generation circuit 14, an electronic shutter circuit 15, a high speed transfer signal generation circuit 16 and a trigger signal output circuit 17. An output video signal is transmitted from the video signal processing circuit 12 by the electronic shutter operation of a state where a detection signal is not inputted from an external part. In an external trigger operation where a detection signal is inputted, the transmission of the output video signal from the video signal processing circuit 12 is stopped in the middle of a field, and a charge in the CCD image pickup element 11 is accumulated and outputted. Then, a system is set to restore to the electronic shutter operation again, and switching for automatically selecting the electronic shutter operation and the external trigger operation is executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is used in a manufacturing inspection system or the like, and transfers unnecessary charges and sweeps them out by a trigger signal based on a detection signal from the outside, and accumulates charges to output a video signal. The present invention relates to a CCD television camera device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent factory inspection lines, automatic inspection of products conveyed at high speed is performed. In such an automatic inspection, a product is photographed by a television camera during high-speed transportation or when transportation is stopped, and the image is identified by, for example, pattern recognition to judge the quality of the product. In this case, each product is detected by a sensor arranged apart from the TV camera in order to capture the image by capturing the image with the TV camera. By using the detection signal at the time of this detection as a trigger signal, the charge of the CCD in the television camera is accumulated and discharged to obtain a video signal of an individual product. This shooting method is called the so-called external trigger method or random shutter method (hereinafter simply referred to as the external trigger method), and outputs a video signal of each product shot for each trigger signal based on the detection signal from the outside. Then, pattern recognition is performed.

Next, a CCD television camera device adopting a conventional external trigger system will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of such a conventional CCD television camera device. In FIG. 3, this device includes a CCD image sensor 1, a video signal processing circuit 2, a drive circuit 3, a synchronizing signal generating circuit 4, and a vertical overdrain (VOD) type electronic device, as will be described in detail below. It has a shutter circuit 5, a mode setting switch 6, and a trigger signal output circuit 7.

The CCD image pickup device 1 forms an image of an image pickup light of a subject through an optical system (not shown), and outputs an image pickup signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the image formation to a video signal processing circuit 2.
The video signal processing circuit 2 performs sample hold and clamp processing on the image pickup signal, and also performs video signal processing such as amplification and reset noise removal processing and gamma (γ) correction. Furthermore, the video signal processing circuit 2
Outputs an output video signal obtained by adding the sync signal output from the sync signal generation circuit 4 to this video signal.

The drive circuit 3 outputs a transfer signal such as a reset signal, a horizontal transfer signal, and a vertical transfer signal to the CCD image pickup device 1. Further, the drive circuit 3 superimposes a charge read signal for transferring the charge accumulated on the pixel of the CCD image pickup device 1 to the vertical transfer register, and outputs it.

The electronic shutter circuit 5 stores a charge for a time corresponding to a shutter operation for each field, and a CCD image pickup of a charge sweep signal for outputting other excess charge from the CCD image pickup device 1. Output to element 1.

In this case, the transfer signal, the charge sweeping signal, etc. are synchronized with the synchronizing signal in order to match the phase with the horizontal synchronizing (HD) signal or the vertical synchronizing (VD) signal from the synchronizing signal generating circuit 4.
A synchronizing signal such as a signal is input to the drive circuit 3 and the electronic shutter circuit 5. Further, the mode setting switch 6 operates the shutter of the electronic shutter circuit 5 at predetermined time intervals and outputs the image pickup for each not-shown subject as an output video signal from the video signal processing circuit 2, which is a normal operation of this apparatus. Manual switching is performed to select the electronic shutter operation or the external trigger operation.

A trigger signal output circuit 7 receives a detection signal from a sensor or the like that has detected an individual subject and outputs a trigger signal for each detection signal. This trigger signal is output by the mode setting switch 6 as an external trigger. When the operation is selected, the drive circuit 3, the synchronization signal generation circuit 4,
It is input to each of the electronic shutter circuits 5.

The operation of the CCD television camera device having the above structure will be described below. FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing processed signals of respective parts in the configuration of this conventional example. In FIGS. 3 and 4, when the mode setting switch 6 selects the electronic shutter operation, the CCD image pickup device 1
Discharges the electric charge once for each field, accumulates the electric charge, further reads out the electric charge, and outputs it as an output video signal from the video signal processing circuit 2. When the operation of this apparatus is started, the aperture of the objective lens of the optical system (not shown), focus adjustment, and gain setting are performed in the electronic shutter operating state.

When these setting preparations are completed, the mode setting switch 6 is switched to select the detection signal. That is, the external trigger operation is selected. In this state, the electronic shutter circuit 5 operates for one horizontal period (1H).
The charge sweep-away signal shown in (c) of FIG. 4 is continuously output for each time so that the charge is not accumulated in the CCD image pickup device 1. Further, the drive circuit 3 is superimposed on the vertical transfer signal as shown in FIG.
The output of the charge read signal shown in middle (d) is stopped. The operation of the electronic shutter circuit 5 and the drive circuit 3 causes CC
There is no charge on the charge transfer register of the D image sensor 1, and the charge stored on the pixel is also discharged every horizontal period (1H).

In the standby state in this external trigger operation, the output video signal from the video signal processing circuit 2 is not sent out. At this time, when the trigger signal shown in FIG. 4A is input from an external sensor or the like, the electronic shutter circuit 5
Outputs only one charge sweep signal, and thereafter stops outputting the charge sweep signal. This allows the CCD
At the same time when the trigger signal is input to the pixels of the image sensor 1, accumulation of electric charges is started.

When a preset accumulation time, that is, a shutter operation end time is reached, a charge read signal is output from the drive circuit 3 to the CCD image pickup device 1. The sync signal generation circuit 4 resets the vertical sync signal and the like shown in (b) of FIG.
It is synchronized with the image pickup signal output from. Then, as shown in (e) of FIG. 4, the image pickup signal (S) from the CCD image pickup device 1 is horizontally synchronized (H
It is sent as an output video signal together with a synchronizing signal such as a D) signal or a vertical synchronizing (VD) signal.

[0013]

In the conventional CCD television camera device as described above, the output video signal from the video signal processing circuit 2 is not transmitted when the mode setting switch 6 selects the external trigger operation. Therefore, it is impossible to adjust the aperture and focus of the objective lens of the optical system when the operation of this apparatus is started. Therefore, the electronic shutter operation is selected in advance by the mode setting switch 6 for adjustment, and then the mode setting switch 6 is switched to select the external trigger operation. Therefore, each time the illumination condition of the subject is changed and the aperture adjustment of the objective lens is required again, the mode setting switch 6 must be switched to select the electronic shutter operation and readjustment must be performed.

In such an apparatus, the mode setting switch 6 is often arranged inside the apparatus in order to reduce the size.
Therefore, when the mode setting switch 6 is incorporated in an image processing apparatus separate from this apparatus, the mode setting switch 6 at a position separated from the optical system to be adjusted is switched, and a person is required to do so each time. Need to move to switch. That is, the conventional CCD television camera device has a drawback of poor operability.

As a proposal of this type, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-164 has been proposed.
Examples thereof include “an image sensor having an electronic shutter function” disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 360 and “imaging device” disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-92171.

In the "image sensor having an electronic shutter function" disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-164360, C
Image signals corresponding to the interlace type A field and B field are output from a CD (image sensor) through a signal path separated into two. The image signals flowing through the individual signal paths are recorded on, for example, a magnetic disk, and then read out alternately to reproduce the image signals matching the interlace system. This eliminates fluctuations in imaging a subject moving at high speed without impairing the advantages of the interline CCD for all frames.

Further, in the "imaging device" of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-92171, the start and stop of light emission are controlled by the timing based on the transfer pulse for transferring the accumulated charge in the solid-state image sensor to the outside, and the image is displayed. Shooting by light emission without adversely affecting the signal.

[0018] These proposals do not consider the improvement of the readjustment of the aperture of the objective lens of the optical system and the improvement of the operability when the illumination condition of the subject changes.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for a manual changeover switch for selecting an external trigger operation for receiving a detection signal from the outside during the operation of the electronic shutter, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of the apparatus and downsize it. An object of the present invention is to provide a CCD television camera device in which adjustment of an optical system for photographing a subject is simplified and operability is improved.

[0020]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, which corresponds to this object, solid-state image pickup means for photoelectrically converting an incident optical signal and outputting the same, and an external input signal for driving the solid-state image pickup means. And a signal processing unit that outputs a trigger signal based on the trigger signal, and based on the trigger signal, transfer and sweep out unnecessary charges in the solid-state imaging device, and then superimpose a transfer signal that accumulates and outputs the charges on the transfer signal. And a transfer processing means for outputting to the solid-state imaging means.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the solid-state image pickup means comprises:
The signal processing means is composed of an interline transfer type CCD image pickup device that photoelectrically converts an optical signal and outputs the signal.
A trigger signal output circuit that outputs a detection signal from the outside as a trigger signal, a vertical overdrain type electronic shutter circuit that drives to discharge charges on pixels in the CCD image sensor, and a vertical transfer pulse is sent to the CCD image sensor. And a CCD driving circuit for transferring the unnecessary charges in the CCD image sensor based on the trigger signal and sweeping them out, and then superimposing a high-speed transfer signal for accumulating and outputting the charges on the vertical transfer pulse. Then, a high-speed transfer signal generating circuit for outputting to a CCD image pickup device is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to the first or second aspect, a photographing means for outputting an optical signal for photographing a plurality of moving subjects and each of the plurality of subjects are detected. It is the structure provided with the detection means which outputs a detection signal.

[0023]

In the CCD television camera device of the present invention having the above-described structure, the output video signal is sent out by the electronic shutter operation which is the normal operation of the device, in the absence of the detection signal input from the outside. Then, in the external trigger operation in which the detection signal is input, the output of the output video signal is stopped in the middle of the field, and the solid-state imaging means accumulates and outputs the electric charge. After that, the operation returns to the electronic shutter operation again. Therefore, a manual changeover switch for setting the external trigger operation during the electronic shutter operation becomes unnecessary. Therefore, the device scale can be reduced and downsized, and adjustment of the optical system for photographing the subject, for example, adjustment of the aperture and focus of the objective lens is simplified and operability is improved.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the CCD television camera device of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a CCD television camera device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment includes an optical system 10 that sends out imaging light captured with an objective lens facing a subject P, which will be described in detail later, and a CC on which the imaging light from the optical system 10 forms an image.
D image pickup device 11 (corresponding to the solid-state image pickup device in the claims), video signal processing circuit 12, and CCD image pickup device 11
It has a drive circuit 13 (corresponding to the solid-state image pickup device drive means in the claims) for sending out a transfer signal to the first and the second, and a synchronization signal generation circuit 14. Further, a vertical overdrain (VOD) type electronic shutter circuit 15, a high-speed transfer signal generation circuit 16 (corresponding to transfer signal output means in the claims), and a trigger signal output circuit 17, which will be described in detail below, are provided. is doing.

The CCD image pickup device 11 outputs an image pickup signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the image pickup light to the video signal processing circuit 12. The video signal processing circuit 12 performs sample hold and clamp processing on the input image pickup signal, amplifies the signal, and further performs signal processing such as reset noise removal and gamma (γ) correction. Further, the video signal processing circuit 12 sends an output video signal obtained by adding the sync signal from the sync signal generating circuit 14 to this video signal. The drive circuit 13 outputs transfer signals such as a reset signal, a horizontal transfer signal, and a vertical transfer signal to the CCD image pickup device 11.

Further, the drive circuit 13 includes the CCD image pickup device 1
A charge read signal for transferring the charge accumulated on one pixel to the vertical transfer register and a high-speed transfer signal for sweeping out unnecessary charges left on the vertical register of the CCD image pickup device 11 when performing an external trigger operation. Is superimposed on the vertical transfer signal and output. High-speed transfer signal generation circuit 16
Outputs a high-speed transfer signal to the drive circuit 13 when a detection signal is input from the outside. The electronic shutter circuit 15 accumulates electric charges for a time division corresponding to the shutter operation, and
A charge sweep-away signal for discharging excess charges to the outside of the CCD image pickup device 11 is output to the CCD image pickup device 11.

Horizontal synchronization (H
The D) signal and the vertical synchronizing (VD) signal are input to the video signal processing circuit 12, the driving circuit 13, and the electronic shutter circuit 15, respectively. Further, the detection signal input from the outside is processed by the trigger signal output circuit 17, and the trigger signal by this processing is supplied to the drive circuit 13,
It is input to the synchronization signal generation circuit 14, the electronic shutter circuit 15, and the high-speed transfer signal generation circuit 16, respectively.

The operation of the CCD television camera device having the above structure will be described below. FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing processed signals of the respective parts in the configuration of this embodiment. In FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, when the trigger signal shown in FIG. 2A is not output from the trigger signal output circuit 17, that is, in the electronic shutter operation in which the electronic shutter circuit 15 operates, the CCD image pickup device 11 is operated for each field. The charge is swept once. After that, the CCD image pickup device 11 accumulates electric charges and further reads them out. Therefore, it is possible to confirm the image of the subject captured by the monitor (not shown) to which the output video signal from the video signal processing circuit 12 is input.

In order to accurately photograph the subject P during this period, the aperture and focus of the objective lens (not shown) of the optical system 10 can be adjusted and the gain can be set. In this state, the detection signal from the outside is input to the trigger signal output circuit 17, and the trigger signal processed here is output. This trigger signal causes the electronic shutter circuit 15 to output the charge sweep-away signal shown in (d) of FIG. 2 in a certain period in order to sweep out all the charges on the pixels of the CCD image pickup device 11, and thereafter stop the subsequent output. To do. From this point, the accumulation of charges on the pixels of the CCD image pickup device 11 is started.

Further, from the high speed transfer signal generation circuit 16 to FIG.
The high-speed transfer signal shown in middle (c) is output, and the drive circuit 13
All the charges remaining on the vertical transfer register of the CCD image pickup device 11 that are superposed on the vertical transfer signal of FIG. Therefore, the output of the video signal from the video signal processing circuit 12 is interrupted when the external trigger signal is input. When the preset accumulation time, that is, the shutter operation time has elapsed since the charge sweep-away signal from the electronic shutter circuit 15 was stopped, the drive circuit 13 outputs the charge read signal shown in (e) of FIG. The charges are read out onto the vertical transfer register and sequentially transferred to the CCD.
It is output from the image pickup device 11 as an image pickup signal.

The output of the charge read signal must be performed after the sweep period of the high-speed transfer signal, which is normally about several tens of μS, is completed and the unnecessary charges on the vertical transfer register are completely removed. In this case, the operation of this device includes (1) and (2) described below.

(1) After inputting the trigger signal, output and stop of the electric charge sweeping signal of the electronic shutter circuit 15 and sweeping out of unnecessary electric charge by the high speed transfer signal are simultaneously performed,
After the shutter time, the charge read signal is output to transfer the charge on the pixel of the CCD image pickup device 11 to the vertical transfer register.

(2) After the trigger signal is input, the high-speed transfer signal is used for sweeping, and then the CCD image pickup device 1
Perform charge sweep-out of 1. At the same time when the sweep-out by the high-speed transfer signal is completed, the output of the charge sweep-out signal is stopped and the charge read-out signal is output after the shutter time.

In the processing of (1), the shutter can be opened in the shortest time after the input of the trigger signal, but the sweeping period by the high-speed transfer signal of several tens μS is normally the fastest electronic shutter.

In the process (2), the shutter speed can be increased, but a time delay corresponding to the sweep period by the high-speed transfer signal occurs before the shutter is opened. The restriction on the shutter speed due to the high-speed transfer and the delay from the input of the detection signal to the opening of the shutter are about several tens of μS. That is, a simple reset operation, which is not the external trigger method operation, is a short time as compared with a delay time of one field required after resetting, which is not a problem in practical use. When all the read charges are transferred to the vertical transfer register, the process by the operation of the drive circuit 13 and the electronic shutter circuit 15, that is, the electronic shutter operation is restored.

By the above operation, the output video signal is sent from the video signal processing circuit 12 by the electronic shutter operation in the state where the detection signal from the outside is not input.
When the detection signal is input, the output of the output video signal from the video signal processing circuit 12 is stopped in the middle of the field. Then, the CCD image pickup device 11 accumulates and outputs electric charge, and then returns to the electronic shutter operation again. In this case, the synchronization signal generation circuit 14 resets the vertical synchronization signal shown in FIG. 2B by the trigger signal and synchronizes with the signal from the CCD image pickup device 11. Then, in FIG. 2 (f)
As shown in, the image pickup signal (S) from the CCD image pickup device 11
Is sent as an output video signal together with a synchronizing signal such as a horizontal synchronizing (HD) signal or a vertical synchronizing (VD) signal through the video signal processing circuit 12.

[0038]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, the output video signal is sent by the electronic shutter operation in the state where the detection signal is not input from the outside. And
In the external trigger operation in which the detection signal is input, the output of the output video signal is stopped in the middle of the field, and the solid-state image sensor (CCD image sensor) accumulates and outputs the electric charge.
After that, the operation returns to the electronic shutter operation again.

This eliminates the need for a manual changeover switch for setting the external trigger operation during the electronic shutter operation, reducing the size of the apparatus and downsizing, and the aperture and focus of the objective lens in the optical system for photographing a subject. This has the effect of simplifying adjustment and improving operability.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing processed signals of respective units in the configuration of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional CCD television camera device.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing processed signals of respective parts in the configuration of the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Optical system 11 CCD image sensor 12 Video signal processing circuit 13 Drive circuit 14 Synchronous signal generation circuit 15 Electronic shutter circuit 16 High-speed transfer signal generation circuit 17 Trigger signal output circuit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A solid-state image pickup means for photoelectrically converting an incident optical signal and outputting the signal, a signal processing means for driving the solid-state image pickup means and outputting a trigger signal based on an external input signal, and the trigger signal. Based on the above, the solid-state image pickup device transfers and sweeps out unnecessary charges, and thereafter, transfer processing means for superimposing a transfer signal for accumulating and outputting the charges on the transfer signal and outputting the superposed signal to the solid-state image pickup means. A CCD television camera device characterized in that 2. The solid-state image pickup means comprises an interline transfer CCD image pickup element for photoelectrically converting and outputting an optical signal, and the signal processing means outputs a trigger signal output circuit for outputting a detection signal from the outside as a trigger signal. A vertical overdrain type electronic shutter circuit for driving to discharge charges on pixels in the CCD image pickup device, and a CCD for sending a vertical transfer pulse to the CCD image pickup device
A drive circuit, and the transfer processing means is configured to operate on the basis of the trigger signal.
Transfers and sweeps out unnecessary charges with a CD image sensor,
2. The CCD television camera device according to claim 1, further comprising a high-speed transfer signal generation circuit for superposing a high-speed transfer signal for accumulating and outputting electric charges on the vertical transfer pulse and outputting it to the CCD image pickup device. . 3. An image pickup unit for outputting an optical signal for picking up a plurality of moving subjects, and a detection unit for outputting a detection signal for detecting each of the plurality of subjects. A CCD television camera device according to claim 2 or claim 3.