JPH09163208A - Image pickup unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a convenient image pickup unit without giving the feeling of incompatibility to a user at the time of monitoring a subject in a display device by driving an imaging device by means of one of a block mode or a skip mode at the time of starting the unit. SOLUTION: When a power source is turned on and initialization is completed, a system controller makes open a shutter 102. Next, a system controller 108 gives an instruction to a driving part 109 to skip the driving mode. In the skip driving mode, an image element formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the imaging device 103 is thinned by a prescribed thinning rate so as to execute scanning. The driving part 109 drives the imaging device 103 by a skip scanning driving signal (timing pulse). Therefore, an animation output is obtained in the display device at the time of starting the unit so that the user can execute framing work without executing any special operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup device capable of recording a still image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject with high definition, it is necessary to increase the driving frequency of the image pickup element in order to maintain the field rate as the number of pixels of the image pickup element increases. For example, HDTV (High Definition
The drive frequency of the image pickup device used in Television) reaches 74.25 MHz. In reality, it is difficult to make such a high-frequency (high-speed) image pickup device, and the manufacturing cost of a circuit that processes data at high speed is high. Therefore, conventionally, in an image pickup apparatus which records a high-definition still image, the field rate is lowered and one field or one frame of image data is read and recorded at a relatively low speed.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a conventional high-definition still image pickup device. In this configuration example, the subject is a CCD (Charged Coupl) from the lens 1101.
ed Device) An image is formed on the image sensor 1102, and photoelectric conversion is performed. The CCD image pickup device 1102 includes a drive unit 110.
It is designed to be driven by the timing pulse generated from No. 3. The image data read from the CCD image sensor 1102 is subjected to signal processing such as gain adjustment in the signal processing unit 1104, and then digitalized by an analog / digital conversion unit (not shown) (hereinafter referred to as A / D conversion unit). It is converted to data and output.

The recording unit 1105 records the digital data as a still image, and is composed of various recording media such as a semiconductor memory. Display signal processing unit 110
Reference numeral 6 is for converting the above digital data into a standard television signal and outputting it. A display memory for input / output rate conversion, a synchronizing signal adding circuit and a digital / analog converter (hereinafter referred to as a D / A converter). That is) and the like. The system controller 1107 performs sequential control of the entire image pickup apparatus, and is composed of a microcomputer or the like. The trigger switch 1108 is a shutter button operated when the operator wants to capture a still image.

Next, the operation of the still image pickup device having such a configuration will be described. When the operator presses the trigger switch 1108, the system controller 110
7 detects the pressing. At this time, the system controller 1107 sends an exposure start and exposure end timing signal to the drive unit 1103, and also the recording unit 110.
A recording start timing signal is sent to the recording medium 5. Drive unit 11
03 receives the exposure start and end timing signals,
Timing pulses necessary for exposure and reading in the CCD image sensor 1102 are generated. As a result, the image signal read from the CCD image sensor 1102 is subjected to predetermined processing by the signal processing unit 1104, and then the recording unit 1105.
Is stored.

At this time, the driving frequency of the CCD image pickup device 1102 is about 10 to 20 MHz for the above reason. If the CCD image pickup device 1102 is composed of a sensor with a high pixel count of horizontal 2048 × vertical 2048, and the drive frequency thereof is 10 MHz, the CCD image pickup device 110
It takes 0.4 seconds to read 2 to 1 screen (1 frame). That is, the frame rate is about 2.5 frames / second.

Prior to this recording operation, the operator monitors the subject with a display device (not shown) connected to the output side of the display signal processing section 1106 in order to adjust the focal length of the subject and adjust the angle of view. During this monitoring, the driving unit 1103 exposes the CCD image sensor 1102,
Reading is continuously performed, and the read image data is subjected to predetermined signal processing in the signal processing unit 1104 and input to the display signal processing unit 1106. Then, the display signal processing unit 1106 thins out the input image data and stores the thinned image data in its own display memory at a predetermined speed. The recording unit 1105 reads out the image data stored in the display memory to convert it into a standard television signal,
After adding a sync signal to this and converting it to an analog signal,
Output.

[0008]

In the still image pickup device having the above-mentioned structure, the frame rate of the image data input to the display signal processing section is about 2.5 frames / sec. Here, the frame rate of the output standard television signal is NTSC (National Television System).
Even if the frame rate is 30 frames / second based on the (Committee) method, it is 0.
The same image is output from the display signal processing unit for 4 seconds.

Therefore, in the conventional still image pickup device as described above, when the subject is monitored by the display device for adjusting the focal length or adjusting the angle of view, the frame rate at which the image data is rewritten is slow and the response is generated. There was a problem that there was a delay and the usability was poor.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional still image pickup device, and provides an image pickup device which is easy to use without giving a feeling of discomfort to the user when the subject is monitored by the display device. The purpose is to do.

[0011]

In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, the present invention uses the following means. (1) An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup optical system that forms an image of incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface, and an image pickup device that photoelectrically converts the incident light formed by the image pickup optical system into an image signal. , An all-pixel mode for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the imaging device, and a pixel in at least a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels and a predetermined thinning rate And a drive circuit for driving and controlling the image sensor so that the image sensor can be switched between one of the two modes of the skip mode for thinning and scanning. It is driven in one of the skip modes.

(2) In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, an image pickup optical system for forming an image of incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface, and photoelectric conversion of the incident light formed by the image pickup optical system into an image signal. Image sensor, all-pixel mode for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor, at least a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block of all pixels, and predetermined thinning-out A skip circuit for thinning out pixels at a certain rate and scanning, and a driving circuit for driving and controlling the above-mentioned image pickup device so as to be able to switch between one of them, and at the end of the operation of the present apparatus, immediately before the end of the operation. A storage medium for storing the types of the various modes is provided, and the image pickup device is driven in the mode stored in the storage medium when the apparatus is started.

(3) In the image pickup apparatus of the present invention, an image pickup optical system for forming an incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface and an incident light formed by the image pickup optical system are photoelectrically converted into an image signal. Image sensor, all-pixel mode for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image sensor, at least a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block of all pixels, and predetermined thinning-out A skip circuit for thinning and scanning pixels at a predetermined rate, and a driving circuit for driving and controlling the image pickup device so as to be switchable between the two modes. The image signal obtained from the image pickup device is subjected to either freeze processing or mute processing.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

The lens 101 is a CM whose image of the subject is described later.
D (Charge Modulation Device) Allows light to pass through so as to form an image on an image sensor. The shutter 102 can be opened and closed to control the exposure time of the CMD image sensor.

The CMD image sensor 103 performs exposure, photoelectric conversion, and signal (analog image signal) reading based on the light sent through the lens 101 and the shutter 102. Note that the CMD image sensor 1 used in this embodiment
No. 03 has a drive frequency of 10 MHz and the total number of pixels is 2048 pixels × 2048 pixels. In this case, the readout time for all pixels is about 0.4 seconds.

Further, the CMD image pickup element 103 is adapted to be driven by a drive section which will be described later. In this case, C
The MD image sensor 103 has a “block”, a “skip”,
It is driven in one of the drive modes of "all pixels".
The "block" is a drive mode for scanning a part (a predetermined range) of pixels, and the "skip" is a drive mode for thinning and scanning the pixels. "All pixels" is
This is a mode for scanning all pixels. Note that processing is performed to obtain a moving image when driving in the "block" or "skip" driving mode, and processing is performed to obtain a still image when driving in the "all pixels" driving mode. .

The signal processing unit 104 performs predetermined signal processing such as gain adjustment on the analog image signal read from the CMD image pickup device 103. Also, the signal processing unit 1
The A / D converter (not shown) is built in 04.
The A / D converter converts the analog image signal processed in the signal processing unit 104 into digital image data. Then, the generated digital image data is
The signal is output from the signal processing unit 104.

The recording unit 105 records the above digital image data as a still image, and is composed of various recording media such as a semiconductor memory. Display signal processing unit 1
Reference numeral 06 is for converting the digital image data into a standard television signal and outputting it. For example, a frame memory for input / output rate conversion, a sync signal adding circuit, a D / A converter, etc. (not shown). It is composed of.

The standard television signal thus output is sent to a display device (not shown), and an image appears on the display screen. When adjusting the focal length or adjusting the angle of view, the subject can be monitored through this display device.

On the other hand, a host computer 107 is provided outside the image pickup apparatus. Host computer 10
Reference numeral 7 is used by the operator to send various commands to the image pickup apparatus, and is composed of a personal computer or the like. On the host computer 107, the operator can use the mouse (not shown) or the like to perform various settings and commands on the display. For example, it is possible to instruct the image pickup apparatus to start up or shut down, or to set or switch the drive mode of the CMD image pickup element 103.
Further, it is possible to change the setting of the thinning number for skip scanning and the setting of block size and position for block scanning.

The system controller 108 performs sequential control of the entire image pickup apparatus, and is composed of a microcomputer or the like. This system controller 108 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) not shown.
y) and the like are built in, and various programs that define the procedure of the sequential control are stored in this ROM. The system controller 108 responds to various commands from the host computer 107 and executes a predetermined program out of various programs stored in the ROM if it is necessary to perform sequential control.

During the sequential control, the system controller 108 sends a drive mode signal indicating the type of drive mode (block scan, skip scan, or all-pixel scan) to the drive unit 109, or at that time. Opening / closing control corresponding to the drive mode is performed on the shutter 102, and the recording unit 105 and the display signal processing unit 106 are controlled.

The drive unit 109 is the system controller 1
In response to the drive mode signal sent from 08, a timing pulse corresponding to the drive mode indicated by the drive mode signal is generated and sent to the CMD image sensor 103. As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 is driven by the timing pulse. At this time, the drive unit 109
The signal processing unit 104, the recording unit 105, and the display signal processing unit 10
A sync signal for timing the processing is sent to each.

The non-volatile memory 110 is used to store information indicating the type of drive mode at the end of imaging due to a power-off operation or the like, and is composed of a storage medium that can retain information even when the power is turned off. .

[Description of CMD Image Sensor] Next, the structure and operation of the CMD image sensor 103 will be described in detail.
FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram showing the configuration of the CMD image sensor 103. The CMD image pickup device 103 includes horizontal selection lines 20 provided corresponding to the pixels 201 made of CMD arranged in a two-dimensional array and the pixels 201 arranged in the column direction.
2, horizontal scanning circuit 203 for column selection, horizontal selection line 2
02, the horizontal selection switch 204, and the output signal line 2 commonly connected to the horizontal selection switch 204.
05, a horizontal storage unit 206 provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the horizontal scanning circuit 203, and pixels 20 arranged in the row direction
1, a vertical selection line 207 provided corresponding to 1, a vertical scanning circuit 208 for row selection, a vertical level mix circuit 210 provided corresponding to the vertical selection line 207, provided corresponding to the vertical scanning circuit 208. And a vertical storage unit 209 that has been created.

The CMD pixel 201 is one unit pixel for which photoelectric conversion is performed, and in this embodiment, this pixel 20 is used.
1 is arranged in about 2000 pixels both horizontally and vertically as described above.

The horizontal selection line 202 is a line for reading out the photoelectrically converted signal, and is connected to the source of the pixel 201. The source of each pixel 201 is connected to the same horizontal selection line 202 for each column. The horizontal selection switch 204 is
It is a switch for selecting the horizontal selection line 202, and the other ends of all the horizontal selection switches 204 are the output signal lines 20.
5 is connected. The control terminals for selectively controlling the horizontal selection switch 204 have the horizontal scanning circuit 203 independently.
It is connected to the. The output signal line 205 is a signal line that reads out the photoelectrically converted signal from the pixel 201 in time series. The horizontal scanning circuit 203 is composed of a shift register that sequentially transfers a horizontal selection pulse (ΦHST) for selectively controlling the horizontal selection switch 204, and clears all shift register stages by an external control pulse (ΦHCL). Have a function. Then, the horizontal scanning circuit 203 is driven by horizontal driving pulses (ΦH1 to ΦH3), and each output stage independently has a horizontal selection switch 204.
Is connected to the control terminal. The horizontal storage unit 206 is provided in one-to-one correspondence with each stage of the shift register, and has a function of storing the position information of the transfer pulse of the shift register by an external control pulse and loading the stored information into the shift register. It is a storage unit.

The vertical selection line 207 is a selection line for setting the pixel 201 to a desired potential which will be described later.
The gates of are connected to the same vertical selection line for each row. Therefore, the potential of each pixel 201 can be controlled in each row. Each of the vertical selection lines 207 is connected to the vertical level mix circuit 210. The vertical level mix circuit 210 is a circuit that switches the potential of the connected vertical selection line 207 at a desired timing. The potential controlled to be switched includes a storage potential (VAC) for storing charges in the pixel 201,
There are four types: an overflow potential (VOF) for discharging the excess charge of the pixel 201, a read potential (VRD) for reading a signal from the pixel 201, and a reset potential (VRS) for discharging the charge of the pixel 201. In the vertical level mix circuit 210, ΦVAR, ΦVAA, ΦV
AO is a switching control pulse, and when these pulses are applied, the reset potential (VR) is applied to all the pixels 201 regardless of the state of the transfer pulse of the vertical scanning circuit.
S), accumulated potential (VAC), overflow potential (VO
F) is applied. The vertical scanning circuit 208 is composed of a shift register that sequentially transfers a vertical selection pulse (ΦVST) for sequentially selecting the vertical selection line 207 to be read out, and the shift register completes by a control pulse (ΦVCL) from the outside. It has a function to clear steps. The vertical scanning circuit 208 uses vertical pulses (ΦV1 to ΦV).
3), each output stage is independently connected to the control terminal of the vertical level mix circuit 210. The vertical storage unit 209 is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with each stage of the shift register, and has a function of storing the position information of the transfer pulse of the shift register by an external control pulse and loading the stored information into the shift register. Is a storage unit having. A drain bias (not shown) is applied to the drain of each CMD pixel.

"Explanation of Operation During All-Pixel Scanning" Next, the operation during all-pixel scanning of the CMD image sensor 103 configured as described above will be described. When a video signal is output from the CMD image sensor 103, a pulse in which the above-described four potentials are combined in time series is required as the potential applied to each row of the CMD pixel 201. In the read selection row, a read potential (VRD) for reading out a signal from a pixel during a valid period of a video signal, and a reset potential (VRS) for discharging an electric charge during a horizontal blanking period.
Therefore, in the non-selected rows, it is necessary to have an accumulated potential (VAC) for accumulating charges during the effective period of the video signal and an overflow potential (VOF) for discharging excess charges during the horizontal blanking period. It is said that.

First, when the vertical selection pulse (ΦVST) is supplied to the bottom register of the shift register which constitutes the vertical scanning circuit 208, the vertical level mix circuit 210 causes the vertical selection line 207 of the bottom row to have a read potential. (VR
D). As a result, the gates of all the pixels 201 in the row direction are set to the read potential via the vertical selection line 207, and the read preparation is completed. At this time, the gate potentials of all the pixels 201 in the other rows that are not selected are set to the storage potential (VAC) by the vertical level mix circuit 210. As a result, the signals of the pixels 201 in the other rows are cut off.

Next, when the horizontal selection pulse (ΦHST) is supplied to the leftmost register of the shift register which constitutes the horizontal scanning circuit 203, the horizontal selection switch 204 connected to the output of this register becomes active. As a result, the signal of the lowermost pixel 201 having the read potential (VRD) among the pixels 201 in the column connected to the leftmost horizontal selection line 202 is read out from the output signal line 205. The horizontal scanning circuit 203 sequentially transfers the horizontal selection pulse (ΦHST) in the right direction by the horizontal drive pulse (ΦH1 and ΦH2), and thereby the signal of the pixel 201 in the bottom row, which is at the read potential (VRD). Are read in order from the left.

During the horizontal blanking period after the reading of all the pixels 201 in the selected row is completed, the vertical level mix circuit 210 sets the gate potential of the pixels 201 in the selected row to the reset potential and is connected to the vertical selection line 207. The electric charges of all the pixels 201 in the row are discharged. In addition, at this timing, the vertical level mix circuit 210 applies an overflow potential to the gate of the pixel 201 in the non-selected row, and the excess charge is discharged.

When the reading and resetting operation of the selected row is completed, the vertical scanning circuit 208 sequentially sends the vertical selection pulse (ΦVST) upward by the vertical driving pulse (ΦV1 and ΦV2) to repeat the horizontal scanning operation described above. This allows the CMD image sensor 103 to sequentially read all the pixels 201 from the lower left pixel to the upper right pixel.

"Explanation of Operation During Block Scan" Next, CM
The operation of the D image sensor 103 during block scanning will be described. This block scanning is realized by two modes. One is designation of a start position of block reading, and the other is reading.

First, the designation of the block read start position will be described. A horizontal selection pulse (ΦHST) and a vertical selection pulse (ΦVST) are applied to the horizontal scanning circuit 203 and the vertical scanning circuit 208, respectively, and each is transferred to an arbitrary position where block reading is desired to start.
Here, the state of the transfer pulse (horizontal selection pulse) of the horizontal scanning circuit 203 is stored in the horizontal storage unit 206 by the horizontal scanning start position storage pulse (ΦHTB). Also,
Similarly, in the vertical scanning circuit 208, the vertical scanning circuit 208 receives the vertical scanning start position storage pulse (ΦVTB).
The state of the transfer pulse (vertical selection pulse) of the vertical storage unit 2
It is stored in 09.

Next, when reading out, instead of the horizontal selection pulse (ΦHST) at the time of all-pixel scanning described above,
By applying the horizontal scanning start position load pulse (ΦHLD), the start position information stored in the horizontal storage unit 206 is loaded into the horizontal scanning circuit 203, so that the reading can be performed from the storage position when the start position is designated. And
When the scanning is ended at an arbitrary position, the horizontal scanning circuit clear pulse (ΦHCL) is applied to clear all the stages of the horizontal scanning circuit, so that the scanning can be ended at that position. Further, the vertical scanning circuit 208 can be similarly scanned by using the vertical scanning start position load pulse (ΦVLD) and the vertical scanning circuit clear pulse (ΦVCL). As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 can realize block reading from any position to any position within the photoelectric conversion region.

"Explanation of Operation during Skip Scan" Next, CM
The operation of the D image sensor 103 during skip scanning will be described. FIG. 3 shows the circuit configuration of the shift register of the horizontal scanning circuit 203 and the vertical scanning circuit 208. First, at the time of scanning all pixels, in FIG. 3, by alternately activating the clock type inverters 311, 312, ... Connected to Φ1 and the clock type inverters 321, 322 ,. Input selection pulses are sequentially transferred. By this, ΦSRn, ΦSR
(N + 1), ΦSR (n + 2), ...

On the other hand, during the skip scanning, the shift register is driven not by the drive pulses Φ1, Φ2 but by the drive pulses Φ1, Φ3. The clock type inverters 331, 332, ... To which Φ3 is applied are connected to the clock type inverters four stages ahead, so that the output is Φ.
Outputs are sequentially made from SRn, ΦSR (n + 4), ΦSR (n + 8), ....

By performing the above driving method for each scanning circuit of the horizontal scanning circuit 203 and the vertical scanning circuit 208, skip scanning can be realized. Further, by adding Φ4 and Φ5 to the shift register, it is possible to easily realize a shift register that transitions to 8 stages ahead or 16 stages ahead. As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 can realize skip driving with an arbitrary number of pixels. That is, the thinning rate can be made variable.

[Description of Drive Unit] Next, the drive unit 109 in this embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the drive unit 109 in FIG. In order to perform each reading of the CMD image sensor 103 described above, the drive unit 109 is provided with a block scan drive signal generation unit 402, a skip scan drive signal generation unit 403, and an all-pixel scan drive signal generation unit 404 corresponding to each. There is. Then, in each drive signal generator, the horizontal and vertical drive pulses (Φ
H1 to ΦH3, ΦV1 to ΦV3), horizontal and vertical selection pulses (ΦHST, ΦVST), horizontal and vertical scan circuit clear pulses (ΦHCL, ΦVCL), horizontal and vertical scan start position storage pulses (ΦHTB, ΦVTB), horizontal and vertical Scan start position load pulse (ΦHLD, ΦVLD)
Is generated. These drive pulses are selected by the drive signal switching circuit 401 according to the drive mode signal from the system controller 108, and the drive pulse signal according to the drive mode is output.

"Explanation of Display Signal Processing Unit" FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the display signal processing unit 106 in FIG. The frame memory 501, under the control of the memory controller 505 described later, temporarily stores the data transmitted from the signal processing unit 104 in order in frame units. The data stored in the frame memory 501 is sent to the switching circuit 502 when read. The switching circuit 502 is also controlled by the memory controller 505, and it is possible to switch between the case where the data from the frame memory 501 is passed as it is and the case where a constant value is passed for mute processing such as performing specific coloring. ing. The D / A converter 503 converts the data sent from the switching circuit 502 into analog data according to the pulse signal from the drive unit. The sync mix circuit 540 sync-mixes the analog signal from the D / A converter 503 and the sync signal from the signal processing unit 104 and outputs the sync signal. The synchronization signal at this time is a signal that passes from the drive unit 103 through the signal processing unit 104, and takes the timing of the beginning of the data in each of the horizontal scanning direction and the vertical scanning direction.

The memory controller 505 controls data writing and reading operations in the frame memory in accordance with commands from the system controller 108,
The switching operation in the switching circuit 502 is controlled. For example, when there is a freeze command from the system controller 108, the memory controller 505 prohibits writing of data to the frame memory. Further, when there is a mute command from the system controller 108, the memory controller 505 causes the switching circuit 502.
To the mute processing state.

[Description of Operation of Imaging Device] Next, the operation of the imaging device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 and 7. In the following description, the processing procedure of the system controller will be the main focus.

In the first embodiment, processing is carried out so as to eliminate the inconvenience that the disturbance of the image when the image pickup is started by the power-on operation or the like makes the user feel uncomfortable. In FIG. 6, first, the host computer 107 issues a start-up command of the image pickup apparatus to the system controller 108. System controller 10
In response to this, 8 turns on the power (step S10).
1). As a result, the system is initialized (step S102).

When the initialization is completed, the system controller 108 puts the shutter 102 in the "open" state (step S103). Here, the open state is set to set the drive mode to “skip” after this. That is, this is to obtain a moving image output with a high field rate.

Next, the system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "skip" (step S104). The command at this time also includes designation of the thinning rate and the like. As a result, the drive unit 109 drives the CMD image sensor 103 with the skip scan drive signal (timing pulse).

After this, the system controller 108
It waits for a command from the host computer 107 (step S105). According to the above processing procedure,
When the apparatus is started up by a power-on operation or the like, it is first driven in the "skip" drive mode. For this reason, a moving image output can be obtained on the display device when the device is started up, so that the user can perform the framing work without performing any special operation. Next, an example in which a part of the above processing procedure is modified is shown below.

In FIG. 7, first, the host computer 107 issues a start-up command of the image pickup apparatus to the system controller 108. In response to this, the system controller 108 turns on the power (step S201). As a result, the system is initialized (step S202).

When the initialization is completed, the system controller 108 puts the shutter 102 in the "open" state (step S203). Here, the open state is set to set the drive mode to "block" after this. That is, this is to obtain a moving image output with a high field rate. The process up to this point is the same as the process procedure described above.

Next, the system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "block" (step S204). The command at this time also includes designation of the position and size of the block to be displayed. As a result, the drive unit 109 drives the CMD image sensor 103 with the block scan drive signal (timing pulse).

After this, the system controller 108
The host computer 107 waits for a command from the host computer 107 (step S205). According to the above processing procedure,
When the apparatus is started up by a power-on operation or the like, it is first driven in the "block" drive mode. Therefore, as in the case of being driven in the above-mentioned "skip" drive mode, a moving image output can be obtained on the display device after the power is turned on, so that the user can perform the framing work without any special operation.

(Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the imaging device according to the second embodiment is
It is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 referred to in the first embodiment.
The same applies to the configurations of the CMD image sensor and the drive unit shown in FIGS. Therefore, the description of the configuration is omitted in the present embodiment.

The second embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments in the processing procedure of the system controller. This second
In the embodiment, processing is performed to eliminate the inconvenience that the same drive state cannot be easily reproduced again when monitoring is interrupted.

The operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 8, first, a host computer 107 issues a command to shut down the imaging device to the system controller 108. System controller 10
Upon receiving this command, the data writing device 8 writes the data indicating the current driving mode and the information related thereto in the nonvolatile memory 110 before turning off the power (step S301). The related information means information such as a thinning rate if the drive mode is “skip”, and the drive mode is “block”.
If so, it means information such as the position and size of the block.
When the writing of information to the nonvolatile memory 110 is completed, the system controller 108 turns off the power (step S302).

After that, the system controller 108
The host computer 107 waits for a command from the host computer 107 (step S303). According to the above processing procedure,
Even after the power is turned off, the information indicating the state of the last drive is stored in the nonvolatile memory 110. This processing procedure is used so that the drive state immediately before shutdown can be reproduced at the time of startup. Next, the processing procedure at the time of startup will be described.

In FIG. 9, first, the host computer 107 issues a start-up command of the image pickup apparatus to the system controller 108. In response to this, the system controller 108 turns on the power (step S401). As a result, the system is initialized (step S402).

When the initialization is completed, the system controller 108 reads out the information stored at the time of shutdown from the non-volatile memory 110 (step S).
403). Based on the information thus read, the system controller 108 determines the state of the drive mode at the time of shutdown (step S404).

If the drive mode at shutdown is "block", the system controller 108 causes the shutter 10 to perform the drive by block scanning.
2 is set to the "open" state (step S405). Next, the system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "block" (step S406). The command at this time also includes designation of the position and size of the block to be displayed. As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “block” drive mode. After that, the system controller 108 waits for a command from the host computer 107 (step S407).

On the other hand, if the drive mode at shutdown is "skip", the system controller 108 puts the shutter 102 in the "open" state in order to enable the drive by skip scanning (step S40).
8). Next, the system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "skip" (step S409). The command at this time also includes designation of the thinning rate and the like. This allows CMD
The image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “skip” drive mode. After that, the system controller 108 waits for a command from the host computer 107 (step S407).

On the other hand, if the drive mode at shutdown is "all pixels", the system controller 108 once puts the shutter 102 in the "blocked" state (initial state) in order to enable driving by scanning all pixels. (Step S410). Next, the system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "all pixels" (step S411). As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “all pixel scanning” drive mode.
Then, the recording operation for generating a still image is performed (step S412). After that, the system controller 108 waits for a command from the host computer 107 (step S407).

According to the above processing procedure, the drive state immediately before shutdown is reproduced at the time of startup. Therefore, even if the user suspends the monitoring work, the desired monitoring work can be immediately continued, so that the work efficiency is improved and the usability is improved. Further, the user is not concerned that the image being monitored disappears and cannot be reproduced when the imaging device is unexpectedly shut down.

(Third Embodiment) Immediately after the drive mode is switched, when a row that has not been scanned up to now starts scanning, the reset operation is not performed during the period when the row is not scanned. No normal output can be obtained during one frame period. The third embodiment improves this problem.

The structure of the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 referred to in the first embodiment. The same applies to the configurations of the CMD image sensor and the drive unit shown in FIGS. Therefore, the description of the configuration is omitted in the present embodiment.

The third embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments in the processing procedure of the system controller. This third
In the embodiment, the processing is performed so as to eliminate the inconvenience that the disturbance of the image that occurs when switching the drive mode gives the user a feeling of strangeness.

The operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In FIG. 10, first, the host computer 107
Then, the system controller 108 is instructed to switch the current driving state to all-pixel scanning. In response to this command, the system controller 108 commands the display signal processing unit 106 to first perform freeze processing before switching to all-pixel scanning. Memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106
Responds to this instruction to prohibit writing of data in the frame memory 501. As a result, the frozen state of the data is maintained (step S501).

In this state, the system controller 108 once sets the shutter 102 to the "blocking" state (initial state) so that the driving by all-pixel scanning can be performed (step S).
502). Next, the system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "all pixels" (step S503). This allows CMD
The image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “all pixel” drive mode.

Since the image is disturbed when the drive mode is switched, the system controller 108 does not start the recording operation immediately, but waits until the image becomes stable (step S504). When the wait is completed, the recording operation for generating the still image is performed (step S505). After this, the system controller 10
8 is in a state of waiting for a command from the host computer 107 (step S506).

According to the above processing procedure, the freeze processing is performed when the drive mode is switched. For this reason,
The image is not disturbed when the drive mode is switched, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable. Next, an example in which a part of the above processing procedure is modified is shown below.

In FIG. 11, first, a command is issued from the host computer 107 to the system controller 108 to switch the current drive state to block scanning. In response to this command, the system controller 108 commands the display signal processing unit 106 to first perform the freeze process before executing the switching to the block scan. In response to this instruction, the memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 responds to the frame memory 50.
Writing of data in 1 is prohibited. This allows
The frozen state of the data is maintained (step S
601).

In this state, the system controller 108 puts the shutter 102 in the "open" state in order to enable driving by block scanning (step S602). Then
The system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "block" (step S603). As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “block” drive mode.

Since the image is disturbed when the drive mode is switched, the system controller 108 waits for a period of about one frame until the image is stabilized (step S604). When the wait is completed, the frozen state is released (step S605). After this,
The system controller 108 is the host computer 1
It waits for a command from 07 (step S60).
6).

According to the above processing procedure, the same effect as in the above-described switching processing to the all-pixel scanning can be obtained. Next, another example in which a part of the above processing procedure is modified will be shown below.

In FIG. 12, first, a command is issued from the host computer 107 to the system controller 108 to switch the current driving state to skip scanning. In response to this command, the system controller 108 commands the display signal processing unit 106 to first perform the freeze process before executing the switching to the skip scan. In response to this instruction, the memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 responds to the frame memory 50.
Writing of data in 1 is prohibited. This allows
The frozen state of the data is maintained (step S
701).

In this state, the system controller 108 sets the shutter 102 to the "open" state in order to enable the drive by skip scanning (step S702). Then
The system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "skip" (step S703). As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “skip” drive mode.

Since the image is disturbed when the drive mode is switched, the system controller 108 waits for a period of about one frame until the image is stabilized (step S704). When the wait is completed, the frozen state is released (step S705). After this,
The system controller 108 is the host computer 1
It waits for a command from 07 (step S70).
6).

According to the above processing procedure, the same effect as in the above-described switching processing to all-pixel scanning or block scanning can be obtained. Up to this point, the case where the freeze process is performed when the drive mode is switched has been described. However, as described below, the mute process may be performed instead. In FIG. 13, first, a command is issued from the host computer 107 to the system controller 108 to switch the current driving state to all-pixel scanning. In response to this command, the system controller 108 commands the display signal processing unit 106 to first perform the mute process before switching to the all-pixel scanning. In response to this command, the memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 commands the switching circuit 502 to switch to the mute processing state. As a result, the switching circuit 502 mutes the incoming data and maintains the muted state (step S801).

Since the processing of steps S802 to S806 is the same as the processing of steps S502 to S506 in FIG. 10, the description thereof will be omitted. According to the above processing procedure, the mute processing is performed when the drive mode is switched. Therefore, the image is not disturbed when the drive mode is switched, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable. Next, an example in which a part of the above processing procedure is modified is shown below.

In FIG. 14, first, a command is issued from the host computer 107 to the system controller 108 to switch the current drive state to block scanning. In response to this command, the system controller 108 commands the display signal processing unit 106 to first perform the mute process before executing the switching to the block scan. In response to this command, the memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 commands the switching circuit 502 to switch to the mute processing state.
As a result, the switching circuit 502 mutes the transmitted data, and the muted state is maintained (step S901).

Since the processing of steps S902 to S906 is the same as the processing of steps S602 to S606 in FIG. 11, description thereof will be omitted. According to the above processing procedure, the same effect as in the case of the above-described switching processing to all-pixel scanning can be obtained. Next, another example in which a part of the above processing procedure is modified will be shown below.

In FIG. 15, first, a command is issued from the host computer 107 to the system controller 108 to switch the current drive state to skip scanning. In response to this command, the system controller 108 commands the display signal processing unit 106 to first perform the mute process before executing the switching to the skip scan. In response to this command, the memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 commands the switching circuit 502 to switch to the mute processing state.
As a result, the switching circuit 502 mutes the transmitted data and maintains the muted state (step S1001).

Since the processing of steps S1002 to S1006 is the same as the processing of steps S702 to S706 in FIG. 12, description thereof will be omitted. According to the above processing procedure, the same effect as in the above-described switching processing to all-pixel scanning or block scanning can be obtained.

(Fourth Embodiment) The configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to the fourth embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 referred to in the first embodiment. The same applies to the configurations of the CMD image sensor and the drive unit shown in FIGS. Therefore, the description of the configuration is omitted in the present embodiment.

The difference between the fourth embodiment and the above-described embodiments lies in the processing procedure of the system controller. This fourth
In the embodiment, processing is performed so as to eliminate the inconvenience caused by the difference in the angle of view when the driving state is switched from block scanning to all-pixel scanning and a still image is captured.

The operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the fourth embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 16, first, a command is issued from the host computer 107 to the system controller 108 to switch the driving state, which is currently block scanning, to all pixel scanning. When the system controller 108 responds to this command, before proceeding to the switching process to the all-pixel scanning,
The process for switching to skip scanning starts. Therefore, the system controller 108 first instructs the display signal processing unit 106 to perform the freeze processing before executing the switching to the skip scanning. The memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 prohibits writing of data in the frame memory 501 in response to this instruction. As a result, the frozen state of the data is maintained (step S1101).

In this state, the system controller 108 sets the shutter 102 to the "open" state so that the drive by skip scanning can be performed (step S1102). Next, the system controller 108 commands the drive unit 109 to set the drive mode to "skip" (step S1103). As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “skip” drive mode.

Since the image is disturbed when the drive mode is switched, the system controller 108 waits for a period of about one frame until the image is stabilized (step S1104). When the wait is completed, the frozen state is released (step S1105). In this way, driving by skip scanning is performed.

Then, the system controller 108
The frame memory 501 waits for a period of about one frame until the writing of data based on skip scanning is completed (step S1106). When the wait is completed, the system controller 108 then starts the switching process to the all-pixel scanning.

The system controller 108 first instructs the display signal processing unit 106 to perform freeze processing before switching to all-pixel scanning. The memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 is
In response to this instruction, writing of data in the frame memory 501 is prohibited. As a result, the frozen state of the data is maintained (step S1107).

In this state, the system controller 108 once sets the shutter 102 to the "blocking" state (initial state) so that the driving by all-pixel scanning can be performed (step S).
1108). The system controller 108 then
The drive unit 109 is instructed to set the drive mode to "all pixels" (step S1109). Thereby, C
The MD image pickup device 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “all pixel scanning” drive mode.

Since the image is disturbed when the drive mode is switched, the system controller 108 does not start the recording operation immediately but waits until the image becomes stable (step S1110). When the wait is completed, the recording operation for generating a still image is performed (step S1111). After that, the system controller 108 waits for a command from the host computer 107 (step S1112).

According to the above processing procedure, when the driving state in the block scanning is transited to the all-pixel scanning, it is once switched to the skip scanning having the same field angle as the all-pixel scanning and then the all-pixel scanning is performed. Since it is switched to, it is possible to more accurately monitor the subject to be captured as a still image.

In the fourth embodiment, the case where the freeze process is performed at the time of switching the drive mode has been described, but a mute process may be performed instead.

(Fifth Embodiment) In block scanning,
Immediately after changing the position or size of the block, when a row that has not been scanned so far starts scanning, the reset operation is also performed while the row is not scanned,
Normal output cannot be obtained in the first one frame period. The fifth embodiment is to improve this period.

The structure of the image pickup apparatus according to the fifth embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 referred to in the first embodiment. The same applies to the configurations of the CMD image sensor and the drive unit shown in FIGS. Therefore, the description of the configuration is omitted in the present embodiment.

The fifth embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments in the processing procedure of the system controller. This fifth
In the embodiment, processing is performed so as to eliminate the inconvenience that the image disturbance that occurs when changing the position or size of the block on the screen during block scanning makes the user feel uncomfortable.

The operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the fifth embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 17, first, the host computer 107 issues a command to the system controller 108 to change the currently set position of the block on the screen to another predetermined position. In response to this command, the system controller 108 commands the display signal processing unit 106 to first perform the freeze process before executing the change to the predetermined position. The memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 prohibits writing of data in the frame memory 501 in response to this instruction. As a result, the frozen state of the data is maintained (step S1201).

In this state, the system controller 108 drives the shutter 1 because it is driven by block scanning.
02 is set to the "open" state (step S1202).
Next, the system controller 108 drives the drive unit 109.
To the drive mode to "block" (step S1203). As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “block” drive mode.

Then, the system controller 108
The drive unit 109 is instructed to change the currently set block position on the screen to a predetermined position (step S1204). In this case, the instruction is executed by, for example, addressing. This causes the block to be moved to the position specified by the instruction.

Since the image is disturbed when the block position is changed, the system controller 108 waits for about one frame until the image is stabilized (step S1205). When the wait is completed, the frozen state is released (step S1206). After that, the system controller 108 determines that the host computer 10
It is in a state of waiting for a command from 7 (step S120).
7).

According to the above processing procedure, the freeze processing is performed when changing the position of the block. For this reason,
The image is not disturbed when the block position is changed, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable.

In the fifth embodiment, the case where the freeze process is performed when changing the position of the block has been described, but a mute process may be performed instead. Although the case where the position of the block is changed has been described in the fifth embodiment, other parameters such as the size of the block may be changed instead.

(Sixth Embodiment) In skip scanning,
Immediately after changing the skip thinning rate, when a row that has not been scanned before starts scanning, the reset operation is also performed during the period when the row is not scanned, so that normal output does not occur during the first one frame period. I can't get it. The sixth embodiment is to improve this period.

The structure of the image pickup apparatus according to the sixth embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG. 1 referred to in the first embodiment. The same applies to the configurations of the CMD image sensor and the drive unit shown in FIGS. Therefore, the description of the configuration is omitted in the present embodiment.

The sixth embodiment differs from the above-mentioned embodiments in the processing procedure of the system controller. This sixth
In the embodiment, processing is performed so as to eliminate the inconvenience that the image disturbance that occurs when changing the thinning rate of pixels during skip scanning makes the user feel uncomfortable.

The operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the sixth embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 18, first, the host computer 107 issues an instruction to the system controller 108 to change the currently set thinning rate of pixels to another predetermined thinning rate. For example, an instruction is issued to change the thinning rate from 4 thinning (incorporating 1 pixel out of 4 pixels) to 2 thinning. In response to this instruction, the system controller 108 first performs the freeze process before executing the change to the predetermined thinning rate, and the display signal processing unit 106.
Command to The memory controller 505 inside the display signal processing unit 106 prohibits writing of data in the frame memory 501 in response to this instruction. As a result, the frozen state of the data is maintained (step S1301).

In this state, the system controller 108 is driven by the skip scanning, so that the shutter 1
02 is set to the "open" state (step S1302).
Next, the system controller 108 drives the drive unit 109.
To the drive mode to "skip" (step S1303). As a result, the CMD image sensor 103 is driven by the drive unit 109 in the “skip” drive mode.

Then, the system controller 108
The drive unit 109 is instructed to change the currently set thinning rate to a predetermined thinning rate (step S1).
304). As a result, the thinning rate specified by the instruction is set.

Since the image is disturbed when the thinning rate is changed, the system controller 108 waits for about one frame until the image becomes stable (step S1305). When the wait is completed, the frozen state is released (step S1306). After that, the system controller 108 waits for a command from the host computer 107 (step S130).
7).

According to the above processing procedure, the freeze processing is performed when changing the thinning rate. Therefore, the image is not disturbed when the thinning rate is changed, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable.

In the sixth embodiment, the case where the freeze process is performed when the thinning rate is changed has been described, but a mute process may be performed instead. (Summary of Embodiments) The following is a summary of the configurations and operational effects of the imaging device shown in the above-described embodiments.

(1) The image pickup apparatus shown in the embodiment is an image pickup optical system 10 for forming incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface.
1, an image pickup element 103 that photoelectrically converts incident light imaged by the image pickup optical system 101 into an image signal, and all pixels for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup element 103 Between a mode and at least one of a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels and a skip mode for thinning and scanning pixels at a predetermined thinning rate. And a drive circuit 109 for controlling the drive of the image pickup device 103 so that the image pickup device 103 can be switched.
3 is driven in either the block mode or the skip mode.

With the above arrangement, when the apparatus is started by turning on the power or the like, the moving image can be immediately output on the display device without any special operation.
An easy-to-use imaging device can be obtained.

(2) The image pickup apparatus shown in the embodiment is an image pickup optical system 10 for forming incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface.
1, an image pickup element 103 that photoelectrically converts incident light imaged by the image pickup optical system 101 into an image signal, and all pixels for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup element 103 Between a mode and at least one of a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels and a skip mode for thinning and scanning pixels at a predetermined thinning rate. And a storage medium 1 for storing the types of the various modes just before the end of the operation of the present device when the operation of the present device is completed.
And the image pickup device 103 when the apparatus is started.
Are driven in the mode stored in the storage medium 110.

With the above configuration, even if the user suspends the monitoring work, the desired monitoring work can be immediately continued, so that the working efficiency is improved and the usability is improved. Further, the user is not concerned that the image being monitored disappears and cannot be reproduced when the imaging device is unexpectedly shut down.

(3) The image pickup apparatus shown in the embodiment is an image pickup optical system 10 for forming an image of incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface.
1, an image pickup element 103 that photoelectrically converts incident light imaged by the image pickup optical system 101 into an image signal, and all pixels for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup element 103 Between a mode and at least one of a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels and a skip mode for thinning and scanning pixels at a predetermined thinning rate. And a drive circuit 109 for driving and controlling the image sensor 103 so that the image signal obtained from the image sensor 103 at the time of switching between the various modes is either freeze processing or mute processing. It has been processed.

With the above structure, the image is not disturbed when the drive mode is switched, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable. (4) The image pickup apparatus shown in the embodiment includes an image pickup optical system 101 that forms an image of incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface, and an image signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the incident light formed by the image pickup optical system 101. Image pickup device 103, and the image pickup device 103
All pixel mode for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of, and at least a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels, and scanning by thinning out pixels at a predetermined thinning rate And a drive circuit 109 for driving and controlling the image sensor 103 so as to be able to switch between one of the two modes of the skip mode, and the image sensor at the time of switching between the various modes. The image signal obtained from 103 is subjected to mute processing.

With the above-mentioned structure, image disturbance does not occur at the time of switching the drive mode as in the case of the above-mentioned image pickup apparatus, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable.

(5) The image pickup apparatus shown in the embodiment is an image pickup optical system 10 for forming incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface.
1, an image pickup element 103 that photoelectrically converts incident light imaged by the image pickup optical system 101 into an image signal, and all pixels for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup element 103 The image sensor 103 is driven so as to be switchable between a mode, a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels, and a skip mode for thinning and scanning pixels at a predetermined thinning rate. A driving circuit 109 for controlling, and in the process of switching from the block mode to the all-pixels mode, temporarily transits to the skip mode to freeze and hold the output image signal to be in the skip mode, and then switches to the all-pixels mode. Depending on the mode, means for maintaining the freeze until the reading of all pixels from the image sensor 103 is completed is provided.

With the above arrangement, when the driving state in the block scanning is changed to the all-pixel scanning, the subject to be captured as a still image can be monitored more accurately.

(6) The image pickup apparatus shown in the embodiment includes the image pickup optical system 101 for forming an incident light from a subject on the image pickup surface and the image pickup optical system 101. The image pickup device 103 photoelectrically converts the incident light that has been formed into an image signal, and the block mode for reading out some pixels out of all the pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device 103. A drive circuit 109 capable of driving the element 103 is provided, and when the position or size of the area to be partially read out is changed in the block mode, the image immediately before this change is freeze-outputted or It is equipped with means for mute output.

With the above arrangement, the image is not disturbed when the position or size of the partial read target area is changed in the block mode.
The monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable.

(7) The image pickup apparatus shown in the embodiment includes the image pickup optical system 101 for forming an image of incident light from a subject on the image pickup surface and the image pickup optical system 101. By the image pickup device 103 that photoelectrically converts the incident light that has been formed into an image signal and the skip mode for thinning out and reading out some of all the pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface of the image pickup device 103. The image sensor 1
And a drive circuit 109 capable of driving
When the thinning rate is changed in the skip mode, a means for freeze-outputting or mute-outputting the image immediately before the change is provided.

With the above-mentioned structure, image disturbance does not occur when the thinning rate is changed in the skip mode, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable.

[0126]

As described in detail above, the present invention has the following effects. (A) The user does not feel uncomfortable when the subject is monitored by the display device, which is convenient.

(B) The image is not disturbed on the display device when the device is activated by turning on the power supply or the like, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable.

(C) Since the desired monitoring work can be immediately continued even if the user temporarily suspends the monitoring work, work efficiency is improved and usability is improved. Further, the user is not concerned that the image being monitored disappears and cannot be reproduced when the imaging device is unexpectedly shut down.

(D) Image disturbance does not occur when the drive mode is switched, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable. (E) When the driving state in the block scanning is changed to the all-pixel scanning, the subject to be captured as a still image can be monitored more accurately.

(F) The image is not disturbed when the position or size of the block relating to the block scanning is changed, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable. Similarly, when the thinning rate of pixels related to skip scanning is changed, the image is not disturbed, and the monitoring user does not feel uncomfortable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an image pickup apparatus according to first to sixth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the CMD image sensor shown in FIG.

3 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration of a shift register which constitutes a horizontal scanning circuit and a vertical scanning circuit in the CMD image pickup device shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a drive unit shown in FIG.

5 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a display signal processing section shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the image pickup apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a shutdown process of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a startup process of the image pickup apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing processing of all-pixel scanning of the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a block scanning process of the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a skip scan process of the image pickup apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation shown in FIG.

14 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation shown in FIG.

15 is a flowchart showing a modified example of the operation shown in FIG.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing processing of all-pixel scanning of the image pickup apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing processing of all-pixel scanning of the image pickup apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process of scanning all pixels of the image pickup apparatus according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 101, 1101 lens 102 shutter 103, 1102 CMD image sensor 104, 1104 signal processing unit 105, 1105 recording unit 106, 1106 display signal processing unit 107 host computer 108, 1107 system controller 109 drive unit 110 non-volatile memory 201 pixel 202 horizontal selection line 203 horizontal scanning circuit 204 horizontal selection switch 205 output signal line 206 horizontal storage unit 207 vertical selection line 208 vertical scanning circuit 209 vertical storage unit 210 vertical level mix circuit 311, 312, ... Clock type inverter 321, 322 Clock type inverters 331, 332, ... Clock type inverter 401 Drive signal switching circuit 402 Block scan drive signal generation section 403 Skip scan drive signal generation section 40 All pixel scanning driving signal generation unit 501 frame memory 502 switching circuit 503 D / A converter 504 sync mixing circuit 505 memory controller 1108 trigger switch

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup optical system for forming incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface, an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting incident light formed by the image pickup optical system into an image signal, and All-pixel mode for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface, at least a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels, and scanning by thinning out pixels at a predetermined thinning rate. And a drive circuit for driving and controlling the image pickup device so that the image pickup device can be switched between one of the two modes of the skip mode for, An imaging device characterized by being driven by any one. 2. An image pickup optical system for forming an image of incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface, an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting the incident light formed by the image pickup optical system into an image signal, and All-pixel mode for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface, at least a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels, and scanning by thinning out pixels at a predetermined thinning rate. A skip circuit for switching between the two modes, and a drive circuit for driving and controlling the image pickup device so as to be switchable between one of them and a type of each of the various modes just before the end of the operation of the apparatus. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a storage medium for operating the image pickup apparatus, wherein the image pickup device is driven in a mode stored in the storage medium when the apparatus is started. 3. An image pickup optical system for forming an image of incident light from a subject on an image pickup surface, an image pickup device for photoelectrically converting the incident light formed by the image pickup optical system into an image signal, and All-pixel mode for scanning all pixels formed on the photoelectric conversion surface, at least a block mode for scanning pixels in a predetermined block among all pixels, and scanning by thinning out pixels at a predetermined thinning rate. And a drive circuit for driving and controlling the image sensor so as to be able to switch between one of the two modes of the skip mode, and a mode for switching between the various modes is obtained from the image sensor. An image pickup device, wherein an image signal is subjected to either freeze processing or mute processing.