JPH08331505A - Image recording device and image reproducing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To record a video signal of an object with a broader luminance distribution in comparison with that of a conventional device by providing plural image pickup means and a recording means storing all or part of plural video signals obtained for a signal storage time onto a prescribed recording medium. CONSTITUTION: An image of an object image light is formed onto a light receiving face of an image pickup element 2 through an image pickup optical system 1. The image pickup element 2 provides an output of a standard illuminance signal 11 as a 1st video signal read for a storage period of, e.g. 1/60sec and a high illuminance signal 12 as a 2nd video signal read for a storage period of 1/1000sec in two output signals whose signal charge storage periods differ. The standard illuminance signal 11 and the high illuminance signal 12 are amplified respectively by amplifiers 3, 4, given to signal processing circuits 5, 6, in which prescribed signal processing is conducted and converted into digital signals by A/D converters 7, 8. The digitized video information is recorded on a recording medium 10 through a recording circuit 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus which can be used in, for example, a video camera or a still camera which records a video signal from an image pickup apparatus whose incident light amount handling range is expanded on a recording medium, and an image recording apparatus thereof. The present invention relates to an image reproducing device capable of adjusting the brightness of the output video signal based on a user's instruction when reproducing and outputting the video signal from a medium recorded by the image recording device. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, CCDs used in video cameras and still cameras have a narrow dynamic range.
The illuminance range to be imaged is optimally adjusted by adjusting the amount of light incident on the CD or adjusting the accumulation time of the signal charge using an electronic shutter. A video signal captured by optimally adjusting the illuminance range with a diaphragm or electronic shutter is recorded on a medium such as a tape or a disk.

FIG. 28 shows a conventional image pickup method.
As shown in FIG. 28, the illuminance of the subject differs by 100 to 1000 times between a dark room and an outdoor area where the sun shines. Therefore, the optimum illuminance is obtained by opening the diaphragm when photographing a dark room and closing the diaphragm when photographing a bright outdoors.

[0004]

However, in the method according to the prior art, when there are both a dark room and a bright outdoors, it is impossible to set an aperture that can photograph both of them at the same time. Therefore, when the photographer attaches importance to the room and adjusts the aperture in a dark room to record the image captured on the recording medium, when the recording medium is reproduced and viewed on the display, the observer can see the outdoor portion. Even if you want to see it, there is a problem that the outdoor part is white out and you cannot see it.

On the other hand, if the aperture is adjusted to a bright outdoors during recording at the time of shooting, even if the user tries to view the indoor part during reproduction, the indoor part is blacked out and cannot be seen.

As described above, the conventional technique has a problem in that it is not possible to see a portion where the illuminance of the subject is significantly different from that at the time of shooting because the image can be recorded only in a limited range of the illuminance of the subject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus capable of recording a video signal of a subject having a wider luminance distribution than the conventional one.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image reproducing apparatus in which the range of reproducible subject illuminance can be widened as compared with the conventional one.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of image pickup means having different signal charge storage periods in one field or one frame, and a plurality of video signals obtained in those signal storage periods. Among these, the image recording apparatus is provided with a recording unit that records all or a part of the image on a predetermined recording medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the recording means is an image recording apparatus for recording all of the plurality of video signals on the recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a selecting means for selecting one of the plurality of video signals output from the image pickup means based on a predetermined reference, and the recording means. An image recording device for recording the selected video signal.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of video signals having different signal charge storage periods are first and second types of video signals, and the first video signal is the second video signal. The signal charge accumulation period is longer than a signal, and selecting any one of the video signals based on a predetermined reference means the first
When the value of the video signal is less than a predetermined threshold value, the first video signal is selected, and when the value of the first video signal is equal to or more than the threshold value, the second video signal is selected. An image recording device which is to select a video signal.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the identification information for identifying which of the two types of video signals the one video signal selected by the selection means is, The image recording apparatus is provided with identification information adding means for adding the selected video signal.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, when the selecting means selects at least the second video signal, the selecting means uses the selected second video signal and the threshold value.
The image recording apparatus includes a correction unit that corrects and outputs the selected second video signal.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the recording means is an image recording apparatus having a parameter recording means for recording a parameter used by the correcting means for performing the correction on the recording medium.

The present invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the recording means multiplexes the parameter used by the correcting means for performing the correction to the second video signal and records it on the recording medium. And an image recording device having a converting unit.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading means for reading a plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect, and the reading means. Selection / output means for selecting and outputting any one of the plurality of output video signals based on a predetermined reference, and displaying or outputting an image using the selected signal Image display for
An output unit and a subject illuminance range designating unit for designating a subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output unit are provided, and the selected signal is displayed in the image display at least within the designated subject illuminance range. An image reproducing device which is displayed or output by the output means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, when the luminance level of the selected signal in the designated illuminance range of the subject exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, the luminance level falls within the upper limit. Further, the image reproducing apparatus is provided with a brightness level changing means for changing the brightness level of the selected signal within the subject illuminance range.

The present invention according to claim 11 is a reading means for reading a plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods recorded in the recording medium by the image recording device according to claim 3, and the reading means. An image display / output unit for displaying or outputting an image using the output signal, and a subject illuminance range designating unit for designating a subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output unit,
It is an image reproducing apparatus in which the read signal is displayed or output by the image display / output means at least within the designated subject illuminance range.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when the luminance level of the read signal in the designated subject illuminance range exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, it falls within the upper limit. As described above, the image reproducing apparatus is provided with the brightness level changing means for changing the brightness level of the read signal within the subject illuminance range.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading means for reading a plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect, and the reading means. Selection / output means for selecting and outputting any one of the plurality of output video signals based on a predetermined reference, and displaying or outputting an image using the selected signal. Image display for
Output means, area designating means for designating a predetermined area in the displayable or outputable image area in the display / output means, and pixels based on luminance in the designated area Calculation means for calculating the distribution of numbers,
A subject illuminance range determining means for determining a subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output means in the designated area using the calculation result, and designating within the determined subject illuminance range. In the image reproducing device, the signal in the displayed area is displayed or output by the image display / output means.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the case where the brightness level of the signal in the designated area of the determined illuminance range of the object exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, it is within the upper limit. The image reproducing apparatus is provided with a brightness level changing means for changing the brightness level of the signal within the designated area so that

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reading means for reading a plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect, and the reading means. An image display / output unit for displaying or outputting an image using the output signal, and a unit for designating a predetermined region in the image region capable of being displayed or output in the display / output unit The area designating means, the computing means for computing the distribution of the number of pixels based on the brightness in the designated area, and the calculation result are used to display the display in the designated area.・
A subject illuminance range determining means for determining a subject illuminance range reproduced by the output means, and a signal within a designated area within the decided subject illuminance range is displayed on the image display / display device.
The image reproducing device is displayed or output by the output means.

In the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, if the brightness level of the signal in the designated area of the determined illuminance range of the object exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, it is within the upper limit. The image reproducing apparatus is provided with a brightness level changing means for changing the brightness level of the signal within the designated area so that

According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of video signals having different signal charge storage periods are first and second types of video signals, and the first video signal is the second video signal. When the signal charge accumulation period is longer than the signal and the image recording device selects any one of the video signals based on a predetermined reference, the value of the first video signal is less than a predetermined threshold value. In this case, the first video signal is selected, and when the value of the first video signal is equal to or more than the threshold value, the second video signal is selected.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the image recording apparatus identifies which one of the two types of video signals the one video signal selected by the selection means is. The image reproducing apparatus is provided with identification information adding means for adding the identification information of No. 1 to the selected video signal.

According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the selecting means of the image recording apparatus uses the selected second video signal and the threshold value when selecting at least the second video signal. And an image reproducing device having a correcting means for correcting and outputting the selected second video signal.

The present invention according to claim 20 is characterized in that the recording means of the image recording apparatus has an image having a parameter recording means for recording a parameter used by the correcting means for performing the correction on the recording medium. It is a playback device.

The present invention according to claim 21 is characterized in that the recording means of the image recording apparatus multiplexes a parameter used by the correcting means for performing the correction into the second video signal and records it on the recording medium. The image reproducing apparatus has a parameter multiplexing unit for performing the operation.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the plurality of image pickup means have different signal charge accumulation periods in one field or one frame, and the recording means selects a plurality of video signals obtained in those signal accumulation periods. , All or part of the data is recorded on a predetermined recording medium.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the recording means records all of the plurality of video signals on the recording medium.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the selecting means selects any one of the plurality of video signals output from the imaging means based on a predetermined reference, and the recording means, The selected video signal is recorded.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods are two kinds of video signals, a first video signal and a second video signal, and the first video signal is the second video signal. If the signal charge accumulation period is longer than the signal and one of the video signals is selected on the basis of a predetermined reference, the first video signal value is less than a predetermined threshold value. A video signal is selected, and when the value of the first video signal is equal to or more than the threshold value, the second video signal is selected.

In the present invention according to claim 5, the identification information adding means identifies which of the two types of video signals the one video signal selected by the selection means is. Identification information is added to the selected video signal.

In the present invention according to claim 6, the correction means comprises:
When at least the second video signal is selected, the selected second video signal is corrected and output using the selected second video signal and the threshold value.

According to the present invention of claim 7, the parameter recording means records the parameter used by the correcting means for performing the correction on the recording medium.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the parameter multiplexing means multiplexes the parameter used by the correcting means for performing the correction with the second video signal and records the multiplexed signal on the recording medium.

According to the present invention of claim 9, the reading means reads, selects and outputs a plurality of video signals recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus of claim 2 and having different signal charge accumulation periods. The means selects and outputs one of the read video signals based on a predetermined reference, and outputs the image display / output means.
An image is displayed or output using the selected signal, and the subject illuminance range designating unit designates the subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output unit, and at least within the designated subject illuminance range. The image display / output means displays or outputs the selected signal.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the brightness level changing means, when the brightness level of the selected signal within the designated subject illuminance range exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, The brightness level of the selected signal within the subject illuminance range is changed so as to be within the upper limit.

According to the present invention of claim 11, the reading means reads a plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus of claim 3, and reads the video signals. Using the received signal,
Image display / output means for displaying or outputting an image,
The subject illuminance range designation means designates a subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output means, and the read signal is displayed or displayed by the image display / output means within at least the designated subject illuminance range. Is output.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, the brightness level changing means is arranged so that when the brightness level of the read signal in the designated object illuminance range exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means. , So that it fits within the upper limit,
The brightness level of the read signal within the subject illuminance range is changed.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the reading means reads, selects and outputs a plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to the second aspect. Means selects one of the read video signals based on a predetermined reference and outputs the video signal, and the image display / output means uses the selected signal. , Displaying or outputting an image, the area designating means designates a predetermined area within the displayable or outputable image area of the display / output means, and the calculating means defines the area within the designated area. , A distribution of the number of pixels based on the brightness is calculated, and the subject illuminance range determination means uses the calculation result to determine the subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output means in the designated area. Decided, decided In it has been the object illuminance range, the signal in the designated region is the display or output by the image display and output unit.

In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the brightness level changing means, the brightness level of the signal in the designated area of the determined subject illuminance range exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means. In this case, the luminance level of the signal in the designated area is changed so that it falls within the upper limit.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the reading means reads a plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect and displays an image. The output means displays or outputs an image using the read signal, and the area designating means designates a predetermined area within the displayable or outputable image area of the display / output means. Then, the calculation means calculates the distribution of the number of pixels based on the brightness in the designated area, and the subject illuminance range determination means uses the calculation result to calculate the distribution within the designated area. , Determining the subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output means,
Within the determined subject illuminance range, the signal in the designated area is displayed or output by the image display / output means. According to the 16th aspect of the present invention, the brightness level changing means, when the brightness level of the signal within the specified area of the determined subject illuminance range exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, The luminance level of the signal in the designated area is changed so that it falls within the upper limit.

In the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the plurality of video signals having different signal charge storage periods are the first and second video signals.
The first video signal is the second video signal.
The signal charge accumulation period is longer than the video signal, and in the image recording device, selecting any one of the video signals based on a predetermined criterion means that the value of the first video signal is less than a predetermined threshold value. In some cases, the first video signal is selected, and in the case where the value of the first video signal is equal to or more than the threshold value, the second video signal is selected.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the identification information adding means identifies which of the two types of video signals the one video signal selected by the selecting means is. Identification information is added to the selected video signal.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the correction means uses the selected second video signal and the threshold value to select the second video signal at least when the second video signal is selected. The second video signal is corrected and output.

According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, the parameter recording means records the parameter used by the correction means for performing the correction on the recording medium.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the parameter multiplexing means multiplexes the parameter used by the correcting means for performing the correction with the second video signal and records the multiplexed video signal on the recording medium.

Further, the image recording apparatus of the present invention includes, for example, an image pickup means for obtaining two video signals having different signal charge storage periods in a constant signal charge storage period represented by a field or frame of the video signal, and two image pickup means. It is provided with means for separately recording video signals on a recording medium, or means for selecting or correcting two video signals for each predetermined number of pixels and recording them.

In addition, the image reproducing apparatus of the present invention has, for example, two different signal charge accumulation periods which are recorded on the image recording medium separately or after being selected or corrected for each predetermined number of pixels.
Video signal reproducing means for reproducing one video signal, subject illuminance range specifying means for specifying a subject illuminance range to be displayed or output, or area specifying means for specifying an area for the video, and converting the brightness level of the reproduced video signal And a level converting means for

In the image recording apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration, for example, the image signal for obtaining the two image signals having different signal charge accumulation periods is used to obtain the image signal of the object having the standard illuminance during the standard charge accumulation period. , In the charge accumulation period shorter than the standard, a video signal obtained by imaging a subject with high illuminance is obtained. The two video signals obtained are either as they are or 2
By selecting one video signal for each pixel or correcting two video signals and recording the video signal on the recording medium by the video signal recording means, the video signal of a subject having a wide luminance distribution can be recorded.

Further, the image reproducing apparatus of the present invention reproduces, for example, a video signal of standard illuminance and high illuminance from a recording medium, and outputs the video signal instructed by the user by the subject illuminance range designating means or the area designating means. By converting the brightness level suitable for the video signal output device by the level converting means, it is possible to selectively display or output at the time of reproduction even when the illuminance of the subject is significantly different.

[0054]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 (a), 3 (b) and 4.
This will be described with reference to (a) and FIG. 4 (b).

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the image recording apparatus of the present invention. The subject image light passes through the photographing optical system 1 and forms an image on the light receiving surface of the image sensor 2. The image sensor 2 outputs two output signals having different signal charge accumulation periods, for example, the standard illuminance signal 11 as the first video signal of the present invention read out in the accumulation period of 1/60 seconds and the accumulation period of 1/1000 seconds. The high illuminance signal 12 as the second video signal of the present invention read out in step 1 is output. The standard illuminance signal 11 and the high illuminance signal 12 are amplified by the amplifiers 3 and 4, respectively, subjected to predetermined signal processing by the signal processing circuits 5 and 6, and then converted into digital signals by the A / D converters 7 and 8. . This digitized video information is
It is recorded on the recording medium 10 through the recording circuit 9.

On the recording medium 10, both the standard illuminance signal 11 read during the 1/60 second accumulation period and the high illuminance signal 12 read during the 1/1000 second accumulation period are recorded. Therefore, for example, when the amount of incident light is extremely large, a saturated saturation signal in the saturated state is recorded as the standard illuminance signal 11, and at the same time, a high illuminance signal 12 in the same pixel that has not yet reached the saturation state is recorded. .
Needless to say, this saturation signal is not necessary at the time of reproduction, but there is an advantage that the configuration of the device is simple. This state is shown in FIG. 6 described later. In FIG. 6, S
₁ (θ) represents the standard illuminance signal 11, and S ₂ (θ) represents the high illuminance signal 12. The horizontal straight line portion at the right end of the S ₁ (θ) signal indicates that it is in a saturated state.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the recording format when the recording medium is a magnetic tape. In addition to video information, audio information and other additional information are also recorded on the magnetic tape. Here, as the video information, as described above, two pieces of video information of standard illuminance and high illuminance are separately recorded.

An image pickup device capable of reading out two output signals having different signal charge accumulation periods substantially at the same time is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 5-145887, and its structure is shown in FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b). ). This image sensor has 2
It has a structure of 8 gates per pixel, and a maximum of 3 packet signals can be sent per 2 pixels (Fig. 3 (b)).
reference). Further, in FIG. 3A, a maximum of 2 packet signals can be sent per 2 pixels. As a result, two pixels are set as one unit and two different accumulation periods (for example, 1 /
The signals of 60 seconds and 1/1000 second) can be read out independently. The configuration of FIG. 3A can be applied to the interlaced type, and the configuration of FIG. 3B can be applied to the non-interlaced type.

FIG. 27 shows an A-FIE of a normal TV frame.
The timings of storing, reading, and transferring different signal charges in two storage periods of an odd line pixel and an even line pixel in LD and B-FIELD are shown. The odd line pixel and the even line pixel are preliminarily made to coincide with each other in the timing of starting the accumulation period by a well-known vertical electronic shutter operation (VOD-sweep).

The even-line pixels obtain the even-line first signal charge 205 according to the signal incident during the period T11. V
The read operation to the CCD is performed at the timing of 210. On the other hand, the odd-line pixels obtain the odd-line first signal charge 206 by the signal incident during the period of T12, and VCC
The read operation to D is performed at the timing of 211.
Further, in the V-Blank period, the even-line pixels obtain the even-line second signal charge 207 by the signal incident during the period of T2 (227). The read operation to the VCCD is performed at the timing of 212. On the other hand, the odd-numbered line pixels receive the second-line signal charge 2 of the odd-numbered line due to the signal incident during the period 228 set to the same accumulation period as T2.
08 is obtained, and the read operation to the VCCD is performed at the timing of 213. The same operation is performed for B-FIELD.

FIGS. 4A and 4B are views for explaining the performance of the image pickup device. The standard illuminance information can be obtained by setting a variable accumulation period of 1/60 seconds and the high illuminance information of 1/1000 to 1/100000 seconds.
When the accumulation period of high illuminance information is 1/1000 second,
High illuminance information is 16 times the standard illuminance information, 1/10000
When the second is set, it is possible to deal with the illuminance of the subject which is 1600 times.

With the configuration described above, in the present embodiment, two pieces of video information of standard illuminance and high illuminance are recorded on the recording medium at the time of shooting, so that video information with a wide dynamic range can be recorded. In the present embodiment, an example in which a video signal is converted into a digital signal and recorded is described, but analog recording may be used. The recording medium is not limited to the magnetic tape, but may be a disk or a solid-state memory.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows the arrangement of an image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the first embodiment, the standard illuminance information and the high illuminance information are separately recorded in the state of including the unnecessary saturation signal at the time of reproduction, whereas in the present embodiment, the standard illuminance information and the high illuminance information are recorded separately. This is different from the high illuminance information in that one pixel is selected and recorded with two pixels as one unit. That is, in this embodiment, an unnecessary saturation signal is not recorded during reproduction.

In order to realize this function, the selection circuit 13,
The gate circuits 14 and 15 and the identification bit addition circuit 16 are provided. The selection means of the present invention includes a selection circuit 13 and a gate circuit 1.
It is a means including 4, 15 and the like.

The operation of the selection circuit 13 and the gate circuits 14 and 15 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 6 shows the amount of incident light θ on the horizontal axis.
The standard illuminance output S of the amplifier circuit 3₁(Θ), amplifier circuit 4
High illuminance output S₂It shows the relationship of (θ). This
Where θ_TIs S as a threshold₁(Θ_T) To decide
Is a predetermined amount of light. This light amount θ _TRepresents standard illuminance
Signal S₁At a light amount slightly lower than the incident light amount at which (θ) is saturated
is there. The selection circuit 13 uses S₁(Θ) is the threshold value S₁(Θ
_T), The gate circuit 14 is opened and S₁(Θ) is S
₁(Θ_T) In the above case, the gate circuit 15 is opened. However,
The gate circuit 15 is S₂(Θ) and S₂(Θ_T)
Difference of {S₂(Θ) -S₂(Θ_T)} Is output
ing. In this way, the selection circuit 13 defines two pixels as one unit.
The video signal to be input to the signal processing circuit 5 is selected.
It

The difference {S ₂ (θ) -S ₂ (θ _T )} is output because the same information amount is recorded with a smaller number of bits than when the signal of S ₂ (θ) is recorded as it is. This is because it can be done, and the convenience at the time of reproduction on the reproduction device side is taken into consideration. That is, the process for ensuring the continuity of the standard illuminance signal output S ₁ (θ) and the high illuminance signal output S ₂ (θ) on the reproducing device side becomes simpler.

The identification bit adding circuit 16 includes a selection circuit 13
An image in which the identification bit that identifies which of the two image signals (standard illuminance and high illuminance) with different signal charge accumulation periods selected by 2 is one digitized image signal for each unit is digitized Append to bit of signal. For example, 7 bits are assigned to the video signal and 1 bit is added to the identification bit. By setting the identification bit to the most significant bit, it is possible to reproduce a video without a feeling of strangeness even in a reproducing device that does not recognize the identification bit.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the recording format when the recording medium is a magnetic tape. In addition to video information, audio information and other additional information are also recorded on the magnetic tape. Here, as the image information, as described above, two pieces of image information of standard illuminance and high illuminance are selected for each unit with 2 pixels as one unit, and 1 is selected.
It is recorded as one video information.

As described above, the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment selects two image information of standard illuminance and high illuminance in units of two pixels so as not to record an unnecessary saturation signal during reproduction, Since the information is recorded on the recording medium, it is possible to more efficiently record video information having a wide dynamic range.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of an image recording apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

The same parts as those in FIG. 5 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, analog recording will be described as an example, but digital recording may be used. In the case of digital recording, an A / D converter is inserted after the correction circuit 17. The main differences between this embodiment and the second embodiment are shown below. That is, in the second embodiment, when the standard signal S ₁ (θ) is equal to or larger than the threshold value S ₁ (θ _T ), the difference between the high illuminance signal and the predetermined value {S ₂ (θ) −S ₂ (Θ _T )} was recorded. On the other hand, in the present embodiment,
Difference {S ₂ (θ) -S ₂ (θ _T )} and threshold S
_The difference is that the high illuminance signal is corrected and recorded using ₁ (θ _T ). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the correction circuit 17 is provided as the correction means of the present invention.

The configuration of the correction circuit 17 is the same as the selection circuit 13, the gate circuits 14 and 1 described in the second embodiment with reference to FIG.
5, a signal processing circuit 5, and an A / D converter 7. The correction circuit 17 further has an addition circuit (not shown) between the gate circuit 15 and the signal processing circuit 5 in addition to the above configuration. As will be described later, this adder circuit is a circuit for adding the threshold value S ₁ (θ _T ) to the output of the gate circuit 15. In this embodiment, the identification bit adding circuit 16 is not necessary.

Next, a correction method in the correction circuit 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b).

FIG. 9A shows a case where the amount of light incident on the image pickup device is used as a reference and the light output from the image pickup device has different accumulation periods.
It shows the relationship between the two output signals.

S ₁ (θ) is a signal representing the standard illuminance read in the accumulation period of 1/60 seconds, and S ₂ (θ) is
It is a signal representing the high illuminance read in the accumulation period of 1/1000 second. 9 (b) is a signal corrected by the correction circuit 17, and the correction calculation by the correction circuit 17 is performed using (Equation 1).

[0080]

[Equation 1]

When S ₁ (θ) <S ₁ (θ _T ) S (θ) = k ₁ · S ₁ (θ) · S ₁ (θ) ≧ S ₁ (θ _T ) S (θ) = K ₁ · S ₁ (θ _T ) + k ₂ · {S ₂ (θ) −S
₂ (θ _T )} Here, θ _T is a predetermined light amount for determining S ₁ (θ _T ) as a threshold value, and is the same as that described above. Further, k ₁ and k ₂ are predetermined compression correction coefficients for bit-compressing the two signals. Both k ₁ and k ₂ are numbers 1 or less.

As described above, the image recording apparatus according to the present embodiment corrects two pieces of video information of standard illuminance and high illuminance.
And is recorded on the recording medium as one piece of video information having a continuous relationship as shown in FIG. 9B. Therefore, video information with a wide dynamic range can be recorded.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows the arrangement of an image recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The operation of recording the corrected video information in the present embodiment is the third operation.
This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG.

In the third embodiment, only the video information is recorded in the recording medium 10, but in the present embodiment,
The difference is that the correction parameters used in the above correction are also recorded. Therefore, the correction parameter recording circuit 18 as the parameter recording means of the present invention is provided. The recording means of the present invention is a means including the recording circuit 9 and the correction parameter recording circuit 18.

The correction parameters recorded by the correction parameter recording circuit 18 are the same as those of the correction circuit 17 described in the third embodiment.
K ₁ , k ₂ , S ₁ (θ _T ), S of the correction calculation (Equation 1) in
₂ (θ _T ). The correction parameter recording circuit 18 records the correction parameter in a portion different from the video information on the recording medium 10.

(Fifth Embodiment) FIG. 11 shows the arrangement of an image recording apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. Like the fourth embodiment, the present embodiment records the correction parameter in the recording medium 10. However, the difference from the fourth embodiment is that the correction parameter is multiplexed and recorded in the video signal. It is a point. To this end, the present embodiment includes a multiplexing circuit 19 as the parameter multiplexing means of the present invention. The recording means of the present invention is a means including a recording circuit 9 and a multiplexing circuit 19.

The operation of the multiplexing circuit 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 (a) -12 (c). 12A is a video signal after correction, FIG. 12B is a signal showing a correction parameter,
FIG. 12C shows a signal in which a correction parameter signal is multiplexed with a video signal. In this way, the multiplexing circuit 19 multiplexes the correction parameter signal during the vertical blanking period of the video signal.

(Sixth Embodiment) FIG. 13 shows the arrangement of an image reproducing apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the image recording apparatus of the first embodiment reproduces the video information from the recording medium 10 in which the video information of the standard illuminance and the video information of the high illuminance are separately recorded, and displays the video information on the display. , A video signal for outputting to a printer.

In the present embodiment, the correction circuit 22, the level conversion circuit 23, and the subject illuminance range designation circuit 24
Images in the illuminance range of the subject designated by the user can be output to a display or a printer.

The operation of the correction circuit 22 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 (a) and 14 (b). The luminance values of the standard illuminance image information and the high illuminance image information reproduced by the reproduction circuit 21 with respect to the subject illuminance are as shown in FIG. S ₁
(Θ) is the brightness value of standard illuminance, and S ₂ (θ) is the brightness value of high illuminance. FIG. 14B is a diagram showing a result of correcting S ₁ (θ) and S ₂ (θ) by the correction circuit 22. The correction circuit 22 corrects these brightness values so that the relationship between the brightness value and the brightness value of the subject becomes linear.

For this reason, the correction circuit 22 uses the S ₁ (θa) in the pixel where the S ₁ (θ) has not reached the saturation level.
And S ₂ (θa) ratio k (k = S ₁ (θa) / S ₂ (θ
a), where θa ≦ θ _T ) is obtained, and the correction signal S (θ) is obtained from (Equation 2).

[0092]

(Equation 2)

When S ₁ (θ) <S ₁ (θ _T ) S (θ) = S ₁ (θ) When S ₁ (θ) ≧ S ₁ (θ _T ) S (θ) = k S ₂ (θ) where θ _T is a predetermined illuminance equal to or lower than the subject illuminance at which the signal S ₁ (θ) representing the standard illuminance is saturated. This θ
_T represents the same content as θ _T described in FIG.

The signal corrected by the correction circuit 22 is shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the dynamic range of the brightness is very wide and exceeds the displayable brightness range of the output device. Therefore, it is impossible to simultaneously output the entire brightness range from low brightness to high brightness to a display or a printer.
Therefore, the subject illuminance range designation circuit 24 designates the range of the subject illuminance that the user wants to output, and the level conversion circuit 23 converts the subject illuminance range into a luminance level that can be output to a display or a printer.

The conversion operation is shown in FIG. In FIG. 15, the range indicated by a and b is the range of subject illuminance designated by the user, and the range indicated by c is the brightness range that can be output by a display, a printer, or the like. Therefore, the level conversion circuit 23 performs conversion from the range of a or b to the range of c.

FIG. 16 shows another conversion example. In the conversion of FIG. 15, since the brightness value is saturated outside the specified subject illuminance range, the image cannot be viewed. However, by performing the conversion shown in FIG. 16, an image outside the specified range can be seen to some extent although it is not in the best state.

In FIG. 16, of the brightness values of the video signal, the range of brightness values within the specified range is represented by c1, and the range of brightness values outside the specified range is represented by c2 and c3, respectively. The entire range of values is represented by c (corresponding to c described in FIG. 15). In this case, with respect to the brightness value within the specified range, the same conversion as that shown in FIG. 15 is performed, but with respect to c2 and c3 outside the specified range, the brightness level is compressed.

(Seventh Embodiment) FIG. 17 shows the arrangement of an image reproducing apparatus according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the image recording apparatus of the first embodiment reproduces the video information from the recording medium 10 in which the video information of the standard illuminance and the video information of the high illuminance are separately recorded, and displays the video information on the display. , A video signal for outputting to a printer. The same parts as those in FIG. 13 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

In this embodiment, the operation until the correction circuit 22 corrects the standard illuminance and high illuminance video signals is the sixth operation.
Since it is the same as the embodiment, description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, the area designation circuit 25 can output to a display or a printer (display / output means) so that the gradation of the image of the area designated by the user is added.

As shown by the broken line in FIG. 18, when the user designates a region around a person by using the region designating unit including the region designating circuit 25, the brightness range as the calculating unit of the present invention. The calculation circuit 26 calculates the luminance range for the pixels existing in the designated area. After the brightness range in the designated area is obtained, the operation by the level conversion circuit 23 for converting the brightness level in the specified range into the brightness level that can be output to the display or the printer is the same as in the sixth embodiment. is there. When the brightness range calculated by the brightness range calculation circuit 26 exceeds the outputtable range of the output device, the clip level is determined so that the number of pixels to be clipped is minimized.

The luminance range calculation circuit 26 calculates the distribution of the number of pixels based on the luminance in the designated area, and uses the calculation result to display / output means in the designated area. Determines the subject illuminance range to be reproduced. As an example of how to use the calculation result of the pixel number distribution, there is a method of calculating the pixel number distribution as described above and finding the subject illuminance range in which the largest number of pixels is obtained.

(Embodiment 8) FIG. 19 shows the arrangement of an image reproducing apparatus according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the image recording apparatus according to the second embodiment records one piece of video information of standard illuminance and video information of high illuminance by selecting one of two pixels as one unit. The recording medium 10 outputs a video signal for reproducing the video information and displaying it on a display or outputting it to a printer. The same parts as those in FIG. 13 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The reproduction circuit 27 of this embodiment reproduces a video signal in which standard illuminance and high illuminance are mixed at the pixel level.
As described in the second embodiment, the video signal has an additional 1-bit identification bit for distinguishing between the standard illuminance and the high illuminance, and the identification circuit 28 uses the identification bit to determine the standard illuminance and the high illuminance. To separate.

The basic operation of the correction circuit 29 is the same as that of the correction circuit 22 described in the sixth embodiment, and the standard illuminance and the high illuminance are corrected so that the relationship of the luminance value with respect to the illuminance of the subject becomes linear. However, in the present embodiment, the information for each pixel is only the information of either the standard illuminance or the high illuminance, and therefore the pixel identified by the identification circuit 28 as the standard illuminance is output as it is.

On the other hand, for the pixel identified by the identification circuit 28 as having a high illuminance, the luminance data S ₂ of the high illuminance is multiplied by k and added to the maximum value S ₁ max that can be taken by the standard illuminance and output. FIG. 20 shows the manner of correction. Here, in order to correct the standard illuminance and the high illuminance so that the relationship of the luminance value with respect to the subject illuminance becomes linear, k is the ratio of the standard illuminance to the high illuminance storage time (standard illuminance storage). time/
High illuminance storage time). When the ratio of the accumulation time is unknown, the user is allowed to set the value of k, and k is set so that the user does not feel uncomfortable when viewing the output result.

After correcting the standard illuminance and the high illuminance by the correction circuit 29, the subject illuminance range designating circuit 24 designates the range of the subject illuminance that the user wants to output, and the level conversion circuit 23 outputs the brightness level that can be output to the display or printer. The operation of converting to is similar to that of the sixth embodiment, and description thereof will be omitted.

(Ninth Embodiment) FIG. 21 shows the arrangement of an image reproducing apparatus according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the operation until the correction circuit 29 corrects the standard illuminance and high illuminance video signals is the same as in the eighth embodiment. Further, after correcting the standard illuminance and the high illuminance by the correction circuit 29, the level conversion circuit 23 converts the brightness level output to the display or printer so that the image of the area in the area specified by the user is given gradation by the area specification circuit 25. The operation is similar to that of the seventh embodiment. Therefore,
The description is omitted.

(Tenth Embodiment) FIG. 22 shows the arrangement of an image reproducing apparatus according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the image recording apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is used to record the video information in which the video information of the standard illuminance and the video information of the high illuminance are corrected, and the recording medium 10 in which the correction parameters for correction are recorded. , And outputs a video signal for reproducing the video information and the correction parameter for display on a display or output to a printer.

In the present embodiment, the reproducing circuit 27 reproduces the video signal in which the standard illuminance and the high illuminance are corrected, and the correction parameter reproducing circuit 30 is as described in the fourth embodiment. Correction calculation (Equation 1) k ₁ , k ₂ , S ₁ (θ _T ), S
Reproduce the signal with each value of ₂ (θ _T ).

The correction signal conversion circuit 31 converts the video signal S (θ) in which the standard illuminance and the high illuminance are corrected into S ′ (θ) so that the relationship between the luminance value and the luminance value of the subject becomes linear. The conversion method is shown in FIG. 23, and the conversion equation is shown in (Equation 3).

[0111]

[Equation 3]

When S (θ) <k ₁ · S ₁ (θ _T ), S ′ (θ) = S ₁ (θ) / k ₁ · S (θ) ≧ k ₁ · S ₁ (θ _T ) When S ′ (θ) = (1 / k ₂ ) · {S (θ) −k ₁ · S ₁ (θ _T )} · S ₁
(θ _T ) / S ₂ (θ _T ) + S ₁ (θ _T ) After converting the video signal S (θ) corrected by the correction signal conversion circuit 31 into S ′ (θ), the illuminance range designating circuit 2 for subject
The operation of designating the range of subject illuminance to be output by the user 4 and converting it to the brightness level that can be output to the display or printer by the level conversion circuit 23 is the same as that of the sixth embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

(Eleventh Embodiment) FIG. 24 shows the arrangement of an image reproducing apparatus according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the image recording device of the fifth embodiment multiplexes the correction parameter for the correction on the video signal in which the video information of the standard illuminance and the video information of the high illuminance are corrected. , An example of outputting a video signal for reproducing the video information and the correction parameter from the recording medium 10 in which the multiplexed video signal is recorded and displaying the information on the display or outputting to the printer.

The difference between the present embodiment and the tenth embodiment is that in the present embodiment, the separation circuit 32 for separating the correction parameter information multiplexed into the video signal and the video information.
It is a point equipped with. The operation of the separation circuit 32 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12C, the correction parameter signal multiplexed in the vertical blanking period of the video signal as shown in FIG.
And (b), the video signal and the correction parameter signal are separated. The processing after the correction signal conversion circuit 31 for the separated video signal and correction parameter is the same as that of the tenth embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

(Embodiments 12 and 13) The twelfth aspect of the present invention
25 and 26 show the configurations of the image reproducing apparatuses according to the thirteenth embodiment and the thirteenth embodiment, respectively. In the present embodiment, the operation until the video signal in which the standard illuminance and the high illuminance are corrected by the correction signal conversion circuit 31 so that the relationship of the luminance value with the subject illuminance becomes linear is the tenth embodiment, The same as in the eleventh embodiment,
The operation of converting the brightness level output to the display or the printer by the level conversion circuit 23 so that the gradation of the image of the area specified by the user by the area specification circuit 25 is added is the same as in the seventh embodiment. Is omitted.

[0116]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention has an advantage that a video signal of a subject having a wider luminance distribution can be recorded as compared with the prior art.

Further, the present invention has an advantage that the range of the illuminance of the reproducible subject can be made wider than the conventional one.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration block diagram of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a recording format of a magnetic tape according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a diagram illustrating a structure of an image sensor. (B): It is a figure explaining the structure of another type of an image sensor.

4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating the performance of the image sensor.

FIG. 5 is a configuration block diagram of an image recording apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of incident light and the output of an amplifier circuit.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a recording format of a magnetic tape according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a configuration block diagram of an image recording apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 (a): In the third embodiment of the present invention,
It is a figure which shows the relationship of two output signals which are output from an image pick-up element and which differ in a storage period on the basis of the amount of incident light to an image pick-up element. (B): It is a figure which shows the signal corrected by the correction circuit in the 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration block diagram of an image recording apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a configuration block diagram of an image recording apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

12A to 12C are diagrams illustrating the operation of the multiplexing circuit according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration block diagram of an image reproducing device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14A is a diagram showing luminance values with respect to subject illuminance of standard illuminance image information and high illuminance image information reproduced by the reproducing circuit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention. (B): S by the correction circuit of the sixth embodiment of the present invention
Is a diagram illustrating a ₁ (theta) and S ₂ (θ) and the result corrected for.

FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the level conversion circuit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating another example of the operation of the level conversion circuit according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a configuration block diagram of an image reproduction device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation of a region designating circuit according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a configuration block diagram of an image reproducing device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the correction circuit according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a configuration block diagram of an image reproduction device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a configuration block diagram of an image reproducing device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the correction signal conversion circuit according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a configuration block diagram of an image reproducing device according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a configuration block diagram of an image reproducing device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a configuration block diagram of an image reproducing device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing timings of accumulating and reading out and transferring signal charges having two different accumulation periods.

FIG. 28 is a diagram illustrating an imaging method according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Image sensor 9 Recording circuit 10 Recording medium 13 Selection circuit 14, 15 Gate circuit 16 Identification bit addition circuit 17, 22, 29 Correction circuit 18 Correction parameter recording circuit 19 Multiplexing circuit 21, 27 Reproduction circuit 23 Level conversion circuit 24 Subject illuminance Range designation circuit 25 Region designation circuit 26 Luminance range calculation circuit 28 Identification circuit 30 Correction parameter reproduction circuit 31 Correction signal conversion circuit 32 Separation circuit

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of image pickup means having different signal charge accumulation periods in one field or one frame, and a plurality of video signals obtained in those signal accumulation periods,
Recording means for recording the whole or a part on a predetermined recording medium,
An image recording apparatus comprising: 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording means records all of the plurality of video signals on the recording medium. 3. A selection means for selecting any one of the plurality of video signals output from the image pickup means based on a predetermined standard, and the recording means includes the selected video signal. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image is recorded. 4. The plurality of video signals having different signal charge storage periods are two types of video signals, a first video signal and a second video signal, wherein the first video signal is more than the second video signal in the signal charge storage period. Is long and selecting any one of the video signals based on a predetermined reference means that when the value of the first video signal is less than a predetermined threshold value, the first video signal is selected, , If the value of the first video signal is greater than or equal to the threshold value,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second video signal is selected. 5. The identification information for identifying which of the two types of video signals the one video signal selected by the selection means is, is added to the selected video signal. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: identification information adding means. 6. The selecting means corrects the selected second video signal by using the selected second video signal and the threshold value when selecting at least the second video signal. The image recording apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a correction unit that outputs the image. 7. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the recording unit has a parameter recording unit for recording a parameter used by the correcting unit to perform the correction on the recording medium. . 8. The recording means includes a parameter multiplexing means for multiplexing a parameter used by the correcting means for performing the correction on the second video signal and recording the multiplexed video signal on the recording medium. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6. 9. A reading unit for reading a plurality of video signals recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to claim 2 and having different signal charge accumulation periods, and the plurality of read video images. Selection of any one of the video signals based on a predetermined standard and output
Output means, image display / output means for displaying or outputting an image using the selected signal, and subject illuminance range designation for designating a subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output means An image reproducing apparatus, characterized in that the selected signal is displayed or output by the image display / output means within at least the designated subject illuminance range. 10. If the brightness level of the selected signal in the specified subject illuminance range exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, the subject illuminance range is set to fall within the upper limit. 10. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a brightness level changing unit that changes the brightness level of the selected signal. 11. A reading means for reading a plurality of video signals recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to claim 3 and having different signal charge accumulation periods, and utilizing the read signals. An image display / output unit for displaying or outputting an image, and a subject illuminance range designating unit for designating a subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output unit, and at least the designated subject illuminance. An image reproducing apparatus, wherein the read signal is displayed or output by the image display / output means within a range. 12. When the brightness level of the read signal in the specified subject illuminance range exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, the subject illuminance range is set so as to be within the upper limit. 12. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a brightness level changing unit that changes a brightness level of the read signal in the inside. 13. A reading means for reading a plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to claim 2, and the plurality of read video images. Selection of any one of the video signals based on a predetermined standard and output
An output unit, an image display / output unit for displaying or outputting an image by using the selected signal, and a predetermined region in the displayable or outputable image region of the display / output unit Area specifying means for specifying, a calculating means for calculating the distribution of the number of pixels based on the brightness in the specified area, the specified area by using the calculation result And a subject illuminance range determining means for determining a subject illuminance range reproduced by the display / output means, and a signal within a designated area within the determined subject illuminance range is the image display / output means. An image reproducing device characterized by being displayed or output by the above. 14. If the luminance level of a signal within the designated area of the determined illuminance range of the subject exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, the designation is made so as to be within the upper limit. 14. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising a brightness level changing unit that changes a brightness level of a signal in the selected area. 15. A reading unit for reading a plurality of video signals recorded in the recording medium by the image recording apparatus according to claim 3 and having different signal charge accumulation periods, and utilizing the read signals. An image display / output unit for displaying or outputting an image, an area designating unit for designating a predetermined area in the displayable or outputable image area of the display / output unit, Calculating means for calculating the distribution of the number of pixels based on the brightness in the specified area, and using the calculation result, reproduced by the display / output means in the specified area A subject illuminance range determining means for determining a subject illuminance range, and a signal within a designated area within the determined subject illuminance range is displayed or output by the image display / output means. Image reproducing apparatus according to claim. 16. When the luminance level of a signal in the designated area of the determined illuminance range of the subject exceeds the maximum limit of the image display / output means, the designation is made so as to be within the upper limit. 16. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 15, further comprising a brightness level changing unit that changes a brightness level of a signal in the selected area. 17. The plurality of video signals having different signal charge accumulation periods are first and second types of video signals,
The signal charge storage period of the first video signal is longer than that of the second video signal, and in the image recording device, selecting any one of the video signals based on a predetermined reference means that the value of the first video signal Is less than a predetermined threshold, the first
16. A video signal is selected, and when the value of the first video signal is equal to or more than the threshold value, the second video signal is selected. Image playback device. 18. The image recording device selects the identification information for identifying which of the two types of video signals the one video signal selected by the selection means is. 18. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising identification information adding means for adding to the generated video signal. 19. The selecting means of the image recording device,
When at least the second video signal is selected, it has a correction means for correcting and outputting the selected second video signal by using the selected second video signal and the threshold value. The image reproducing device according to claim 17, wherein 20. The recording means of the image recording device,
20. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising a parameter recording unit for recording a parameter used by the correcting unit to perform the correction on the recording medium. 21. The recording means of the image recording device,
20. The image reproducing apparatus according to claim 19, further comprising parameter multiplexing means for multiplexing the parameter used by the correction means for performing the correction with the second video signal and recording the multiplexed video signal on the recording medium. .