JPH09182092A - Image composing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a satisfactory composited image by correcting the variance of spectral sensitivity caused by a spectral prism, etc., among three primary colors R, G and B and also correcting the unevernness of brightness and colors of the composited image through every RGB gain control of every CCD based on the spectral sensitivity characteristic of every CCD that is previously stored. SOLUTION: The light received from an object is dispersed into four beams by a 4-split prism 1 via a lens 10. These beams undergo the photoelectric conversion via the CCD 2a to 2d and are separated into the RGB signals by the color separation circuits 4a to 4d via the sample/hold circuits 3a to 3d. Then the RGB signals corresponding to every CCD undergo the gain control via the R, G and B gain control circuits 7a to 9d respectively. On the other hand, a color balance control circuit 6 calculates the control data for the RGB signals of every CCD based on the spectral sensitivity characteristics of RGB of every CCD which are previously stored in a color correction gain table 6a and sends the calculated control data to the circuits 7a to 9d respectively. In such a constitution, a satisfactory composited image is obtained.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus suitable for use in a high-definition electronic camera that captures a still image using a plurality of image pickup devices, and more particularly to a variation in color spectral characteristics due to a plurality of image pickup systems. The present invention relates to an image synthesizing device that adjusts to reduce the noise.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of dividing an image pickup area by a plurality of image pickup elements, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 141141/1994, a high-precision image is obtained by dividing an optical path into a plurality of pieces and photographing each by the image pickup element. Is disclosed. In this method, adjacent imaging areas are photographed while partially overlapping each other.

Further, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 1-252079, as a method of dividing an image pickup area using a plurality of image pickup elements, the optical path is vertically split and two image pickup elements are used to take a vertical image. A method for improving directional image quality is disclosed.

[0004]

However, in both of the above-mentioned prior arts, a half mirror or a spectral prism is used to divide the light amount when dividing the optical path, but the light amount reaching each image sensor is not necessarily the same. None, and light 3
The light quantity ratio varies depending on the color wavelengths of the primary colors RGB.

Therefore, when the image pickup signals from the respective image pickup devices are combined and reproduced in one image, the difference in lightness and the hue appears due to the difference in the light amount and the difference in the spectral characteristics, and the display is unsightly. However, the above-mentioned prior art has not disclosed any solution to the problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to divide an image pickup region into a plurality of regions by a spectral prism or a half mirror, and use a CCD corresponding to the divided regions. When taking a picture, it is possible to detect variations in the spectral sensitivity of each of the three primary colors RGB of light due to the spectral prism or the like, and the occurrence of brightness or color unevenness in the combined image for each CC.
It is to obtain a good composite image by performing correction by adjusting each RGB gain of D.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, an image synthesizing apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention images a subject divided by an optical path dividing means with a plurality of corresponding image pickup devices. In an image synthesizing device for synthesizing two images, a storage unit that stores the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the optical path splitting unit, a video signal processing unit that converts the output of each imaged divided subject image into a video signal, and the video image. And a video signal correction means for correcting the signal using the spectral sensitivity characteristic stored in the storage means.

Then, the image synthesizing apparatus according to the second aspect takes an optical path dividing means for dividing the subject image into a plurality of parts and the divided subject images respectively, and outputs the output of each of the imaged divided subject images. A signal processing unit for outputting as a signal, a storage unit for storing the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the optical path dividing unit, a control unit for outputting the video signal and the spectral sensitivity characteristic, and an output from the output control unit. On the basis of the above, there is provided a calculation means for performing a correction calculation for synthesizing into one image.

Further, the image synthesizing apparatus according to the third aspect takes an optical path dividing means for dividing an object image into a plurality of parts and the divided object images respectively, and outputs the output of each of the imaged divided object images. An image capturing device comprising signal processing means for outputting as a signal, storage means for storing the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the optical path dividing means, and control means for outputting the video signal and the spectral sensitivity characteristic, It is characterized by further comprising a calculation means for performing a correction calculation for combining into one image based on an output signal outputted from the control means of the image capturing device.

By taking such means, the image synthesizing apparatus of the present invention has the following operation. When an image is captured by using a plurality of image sensors by dividing the area into regions, the spectral sensitivity variation in the half mirror or the spectral prism used when the light from the lens is dispersed is preliminarily set to RGB for each spectral optical path. A predetermined correction coefficient is obtained by measuring for each (the three primary colors of red, green, and blue light), and the signal output from each image pickup element when actually picking up an image of the subject is used for each image pickup element. In addition, it is possible to reduce variations in the spectral characteristics between CCDs by performing calculations using a predetermined method for each RGB signal. As a result, in the electronic camera, it is possible to easily realize uniform image composition in which the image data picked up by a plurality of image pickup devices is combined into a single image so that the difference in image quality between the image regions is not noticeable.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a first embodiment of an electronic camera using four image pickup devices (CCDs: Charge Coupled Devices) to which the present invention is applied.

As shown in the figure, a four-division prism 1 is arranged on the optical path of the lens 10, and CCDs 2a to 2d are arranged on four side surfaces of the four-division prism 1. The output of this CCD2a~2d is connected to the sample and hold (S / H) circuit 3 a to 3 d, the output of the sample-and-hold circuit 3 a to 3 d, each through a color separation circuit 4 a to 4 d _R - gain Adjustment circuits 7a to 7
d, each G _- gain adjusting circuit 8a to 8d, each B _- gain
The adjustment circuits 9a to 9d are respectively connected. Then, these R, G, B _- gain adjusting circuits 7a to 7d,
The outputs of 8a to 8d and 9a to 9d are connected to the color balance adjustment control circuit 6. In addition, the output of the reference synchronization signal generation circuit 5 is connected to the color separation circuits 4a to 4d and the color balance adjustment control circuit 6.

In such a structure, the light from the subject is split into four by the prism 1 via the lens 10, and each of the split light is imaged and photoelectrically converted by the four CCDs 2a to 2d. This plurality of CCDs 2a-2
The output signal photoelectrically converted by the signal d is sampled and held by the sample and hold (S / H) circuits 3a to 3d at a predetermined timing, and is further RG by the color separation circuits 4a to 4d.
Color separated into B.

The R signal corresponding to each CCD is R _-- gain.
Gain adjustment (gain adjustment) in each of the adjustment circuits 7a to 7d
Is performed, the G signal is subjected to gain adjustment (gain adjustment) by the G _- gain adjustment circuits 8a to 8d, and the B signal is changed to B
_- each gain adjustment by gain adjustment circuits 9a to 9d (gain adjustment) is performed.

At this time, from the reference synchronizing signal generating circuit 5, the operation timing signal of the CCD (not shown), the timing signal to each of the sample and hold 3a to 3d, and the color separating circuits 4a to 4d as shown by the dotted lines. CC to
Various synchronization signals such as a timing signal for dividing the D signal into RGB are generated.

Further, in the color balance adjustment control circuit 6,
Preliminarily EEP the spectral sensitivity characteristic data for each RGB of each CCD
The color correction gain table 6a is held by using a storage element such as a ROM, a ROM, a RAM, and a flash memory. Based on this spectral sensitivity characteristic data, each RGB of each CCD is stored.
The data obtained by calculating the gain adjustment setting data for
It is sent to the ain adjusting circuit. The color balance adjustment control circuit 6 is realized by, for example, a so-called single-chip microcontroller.

Further, the data of the color correction gain table 6a described here is measured and stored at the time of manufacturing adjustment of the product to which the present invention is applied, and is stored in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory or the like. Here, the data acquisition method of the color correction gain table 6a is not particularly limited. Based on this color correction gain table data, each RGB signal of each CCD whose gain has been adjusted is taken out as an output.

In FIG. 2, four CCDs 2a-2d are provided.
An image at the time of image capturing and combining using is shown and described. In the figure, four CCDs divide one image area into four vertically and two horizontally, and each CC
D is arranged so as to have an area that partially overlaps vertically and horizontally adjacent CCDs.

Here, the color balance adjustment control circuit 6 is
Is generally realized by software processing of a single-chip microcontroller (hereinafter referred to as a personal computer), but the processing of the microcomputer will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, reset start (step S1)
0), various initial settings (step S11) are performed to initialize various data for microcomputer operation. In the next color correction initial setting (step S12), as described above with reference to FIG. 1, the gain setting control in each RGB gain adjustment circuit corresponding to each CCD is performed based on the color correction gain table data held in advance. Subroutine processing to be performed is performed (described later in FIG. 4). It should be noted that the color correction initial setting (step S12) can be sufficiently operated by sending it once when the data transfer processing microcomputer having a value determined for each CCD is turned on.

Further, the main routine (step S13)
This is a loop process in the case where the microcomputer includes other processing functions, such as a key button input process and a brightness level adjustment process, which are constantly performed.

Next, the subroutine "color correction initial setting" executed in step S12 of FIG. 3 will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the subroutine is started (step S120), the color correction gain data for each gain adjustment circuit is called from the color correction gain table data (step S121), and then each gain adjustment circuit 7
9 to 9 and the color balance adjustment control circuit 6 through data communication, the RGB color correction gain data corresponding to the CCD 2a is transferred to the corresponding gain adjustment circuits 7 to 9 (step S122). It goes without saying that communication between these circuits may be serial communication, parallel communication, or any communication that can be applied to communication between ICs.

The contents of the communication data are basically 8-bit data, but the data length is not limited to 9-bit or any other data length. Further, the CCD 2b is step S123, the CCD 2c is step S124, and the CCD 2d is step S12.
In step 5, the same processing as in step S122 is performed, then the process returns to the main routine and the subroutine ends (step S126).

Next, FIG. 5 shows RGB between CCDs according to the present invention.
The sensitivity level and the correction value with respect to the wavelength of light in the case where there is spectral variation for each image are shown as an image. Here, two CCDs will be briefly illustrated and described.

In the figure, since four CCDs are originally used, the amount of light of 1/4 in the RGB wavelength peak value is shown as the reference sensitivity ratio. First, looking at the R sensitivity ratio,
The R sensitivity ratio of both CCD 2a and CCD 2b is higher than the reference sensitivity ratio, and CCD 2b has a sensitivity higher than the reference sensitivity ratio. Therefore, in order to make each sensitivity ratio the reference sensitivity ratio, the reference sensitivity ratio may be divided by the current sensitivity ratio. Now C
If the correction values calculated by the CD2a and CCD2b are G1R and G2R, and the original sensitivity ratios K1R and K2R and the reference sensitivity ratio Rg are given,
Each correction value is as follows.

G1R = Rg / K1R (1) G2R = Rg / K2R (2) Since other G and B can be obtained by the same method, the description thereof will be omitted.

When the correction is executed based on this correction value, the sensitivity characteristic changes as shown by the arrow in the figure, and the corrected result shows that the image pickup signal having no variation in the sensitivity ratio is obtained as shown in FIG. Will be obtained. Further, here, it is shown that the reference is matched, but there is also a method of matching using any one of the four CCDs as a reference.

Next, in FIGS. 7 and 8, it is stated that the data acquisition method of the color correction gain table 6a is not particularly limited. However, acquisition of the color correction gain table data at the time of manufacturing the electronic camera of the present embodiment is described. An example of the method will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, three adjustment charts of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), which are color references, are prepared, and 4 of the electronic cameras applicable to the present invention are prepared. Two CCD
The imaging area is set so that the entire area is imaged in the chart. First, when a red (R) chart is imaged, as shown in FIG. 8, a video signal from the imaging circuit unit 20a of the electronic camera 20 (illustrated in a simplified form in FIG. 1) is displayed on the image of the adjustment jig 21. Image data for one screen of red (R) data corresponding to four CCDs is stored and set in the memory 21a. This is adjusted table data creation circuit 21b.
Then, the average image data in each CCD is calculated, and the above-mentioned (1), from the reference red (R) data set in advance,
The correction data for red (R) is calculated using the calculation method shown in equation (2). Similarly, green (G), blue (B)
Also, it is possible to obtain correction data by changing the adjustment chart. Finally, the RGB correction data is stored in the EEPROM of the electronic camera 20 to complete the adjustment. still,
The replacement of the color charts and the operation of the adjustment jig may be performed artificially, or the charts may be automatically switched and the images may be synchronously taken by the electronic camera.

Next, with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 9, an adjustment sequence in the above-mentioned adjustment jig shown in FIG. 8 will be described. When the adjustment mode is started (step S5)
0), first, the adjustment chart is set to red (R), and when a request for capturing red (R) data is obtained manually (step S
51), the R data of each CCD is stored in the image memory in the jig from the electronic camera (step S52). Next, R correction value data corresponding to each CCD is obtained from the stored R image data (step S53).

Details of the process for obtaining the correction value are shown in FIG.
As shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3, starting from the subroutine start (step S70), the average value of all image data of each CCD is calculated (step S71), and the average value is calculated from the preset reference value ( 1), (2)
The correction value data is calculated by the calculation method represented by the formula (step S72), the obtained correction value data is temporarily stored for each color of RGB (step S73), and the process returns to the main flow by return (step S74).

Further, in the main flow, correction value data is obtained in steps S54 to S56 for green (G) data and steps S57 to S59 for blue (B) data in exactly the same manner as red (R), and temporarily stored. The corrected RGB correction value data is stored in the EEPROM in the electronic camera (step S60), and the adjustment mode ends (step S6).
1).

According to the first embodiment described above,
When an image area is divided into four vertically and two horizontally by four CCDs and a prism or half mirror for splitting light, the prism or half mirror used for splitting the light It is possible to eliminate unevenness in brightness and unevenness in color due to the display area of the screen caused by variations in spectral sensitivity corresponding to the three primary colors RGB, and a good image can be obtained. Also,
By using the embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of C
It is also possible to eliminate variations in spectral sensitivity between CDs and variations due to element variations in the image pickup circuit.

Next, as a second embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, in a system in which image data from an electronic camera is taken into a personal computer,
An example of performing the image combining process on a personal computer will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a second embodiment of an electronic camera which uses four image pickup devices (hereinafter referred to as CCD) to which the present invention is applied and which can directly transfer image data from a main body to a personal computer. Is.

In the figure, the light from the subject is the lens 1
Via 0, each of the four separated and separated by the prism 1 is imaged and photoelectrically converted by the four CCDs 2a to 2d. Next, the output signals photoelectrically converted by the plurality of CCDs 2a to 2d are sampled and held (S / S).
H) 3a to 3d are sampled and held at a predetermined timing, and the video signal corresponding to each CCD is processed by the video processing 11a.
11d, various video signal processing such as color separation, gamma correction, knee processing, etc. is performed, and the output video signal of each video signal processing circuit is stored in the video memory 12 as a file for each CCD and RGB. At this time, the operation timing signal of the CCD (not shown) from the reference synchronization signal generation circuit 5,
Timing signals to each sample hold 3a-3d,
As shown by the dotted lines, each image processing 11a to 11d
Various synchronizing signals such as a timing signal for generating a timing signal for obtaining the synchronization with are generated. Furthermore, R
The ISC microcomputer 13 holds in advance the spectral sensitivity correction data for each RGB of each CCD as a color correction gain table by using a storage element such as EEPROM, ROM, RAM, and flash memory. 12 and 1 by combining the image data files of
Convert to an image data file as shown in 3
From T14, the image data is transmitted to a personal computer (not shown).

The image data stored in the image memory may be an image picked up once or a plurality of image data picked up a plurality of times. Also, the image memory 1
The image data stored in 2 is JPEG (Joint Photogra
It may be an image file compressed using an image compression algorithm such as the Phic Expert Group).

12 and 13 are views showing an image of a data format when data is transmitted from the electronic camera body to the personal computer. In the figure, reference numeral 13a is an overall file view of the image data of the CCD image sensor unit of the image file, which is divided into a header in which various conditions regarding the file are written and an image data area in which the RGB image data is written. ing. This header part shows the file start marker SOF (Start Off Fail), the date data, the file identification data, the position identification data, the correction value data, and other necessary data, which are not particularly specified, as indicated by 13b.

Each of them will be described in more detail with reference numeral 1.
3c and 13d, the data structure has a data structure in which a parity bit for data check (P in the figure) is added to 8 bits as one unit, and the head marker is "011111".
0 ", and date data is in 1-unit order:" year "," month ","
The data of "day" is represented by using the following 12 bits for identifying the file for identifying each imaged screen, and the position indication indicating which of the four CCDs 2a to 2d shown in FIG. In addition, in 13d, the correction value data is represented by 7 bits in the order of R, G, and B. However, here, only one example of the image data file is shown, and The data format and the method of adding the correction value data are not limited.

The operation sequence for making the image data from the electronic camera a composite screen on the personal computer will be described below with reference to the flow chart of FIG. First, when the processing is started (step S200), after confirming that the camera body and the personal computer are connected, the image data is captured (step S201), and the image data is temporarily stored in the hard disk. (Step S202). Here, as a device for temporarily storing the image data, an MO or a write-once CD-RO is used.
It may be M, a recordable DVD (digital video disk), or the like. Next, the image files for each CCD are combined into one image (step S203) and displayed on the monitor (step S204).

Here, in step S203, the color balance correction process is performed. Although details are shown in the subroutine flowchart of FIG. 15, first, the image combining process starts (step S401) and the A file (CCD2a) is started. Image file) is developed in the work area of the memory, and color correction processing for each RGB is performed (step S402). In this color correction processing, the correction value of the image data file is multiplied by this correction coefficient for each dot to perform gain correction and image data is reconstructed.

Remaining B file (image file of CCD 2b), C file (image file of CCD 2c), D
The file (CC2d image file) is processed in steps S403 to S405 in exactly the same manner, and the color balance correction of the image data of all the images is performed. Next, each CCD
As shown in FIG. 2, a part of the imaged area is overlapped, so a process of joining the images of the overlapped part is performed (step S406), the subroutine ends, and the process returns to the main routine.

Next, after being displayed on the monitor, it is judged whether or not the image processing is to be ended (step S205). Y
If it is ES, the sequence ends at the end (step S208). If NO, it is determined whether or not the next displayed composite image is output to the printer (step S206).
If YES, the printer output process (step S207) is performed, and if NO, the step S207 is skipped,
It is determined whether the next image is to be read (step S
209) If not read, the process from step S205 is repeated, and if it is determined to read, the process returns to image data reading (step S201) and a new image file combining process is executed.

Next, in a system for synthesizing image data from an electronic camera on a personal computer as in the case of the second embodiment described above, when a floppy disk is used as an intermediate medium for transferring a captured image file. The third embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 16 shows the configuration of a main part of a third embodiment of an electronic camera which uses four CCDs to which the present invention is applied and which uses a floppy disk as a recording medium capable of directly transferring image data from a main body to a personal computer. FIG. First,
The light from the subject is split into four by the prism 1 through the lens 10 and each of the split four CCDs 2a ...
The image is formed in 2d and photoelectrically converted.

Next, the output signals photoelectrically converted by the plurality of CCDs 2a to 2d are sampled and held (S / S).
H) 3a to 3d are sampled and held at a predetermined timing, and the video signals corresponding to the respective CCDs are subjected to various video signal processing such as color separation, gamma correction, and knee processing in video processing 11a to 11d. The output video signal of the video signal processing circuit is stored in the video memory 12 as a file for each RGB for each CCD. At this time, an operation timing signal of a CCD (not shown), a timing signal to each of the sample-holds 3a to 3d from the reference synchronization signal generation circuit 5, and each video processing 1 as shown by a dotted line.
Various synchronizing signals such as a timing signal for generating a timing signal for obtaining synchronization with 1a to 11d are generated.

Further, in the RISC microcomputer 13, the spectral sensitivity correction data for each RGB of each CCD is preliminarily EEPRO.
A color correction gain table is held by using a memory element such as M, ROM, RAM, or flash memory. The spectral sensitivity characteristic data and the image data file of the image memory 12 are combined to generate a color correction gain table as shown in FIGS. image data·
Convert to file, IF (interface) circuit 1
Floppy disk 1 from magnetic head 16 via
Image data is written in 8.

The rotation motor 17 for the floppy disk 18 is controlled by the RISC microcomputer 13. The image data file written in the floppy disk 18 is read by the personal computer. The image data stored in the floppy disk 18 may be an image captured once or a plurality of image data captured multiple times. The image data stored in the floppy disk 18 is JPEG (Joint Photog
An image file compressed using an image compression algorithm such as raphic Expert Group) may be used.

Next, FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an operation sequence for making image data from the electronic camera into a composite screen on a personal computer. First, starting from the process start (step S300), it is confirmed that the floppy disk 18 is loaded, and then the image data import process is performed (step S301). The following processing is exactly the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 14, so the following description will be omitted. In the third embodiment, a floppy disk is used as an intermediate medium between the electronic camera and the personal computer, but an IC memory card or MO disk is used.
A disk medium such as (magneto-optical disk), MD, DVD, PD may be used.

As described above, according to the second and third embodiments, the color correction processing on the software of the personal computer is performed simultaneously with the image composition without performing the color correction processing on the electronic camera body. By doing so, the burden of hardware on the camera body is reduced, the circuit scale can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced. Further, by using the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to simultaneously correct the spectral sensitivity variations among a plurality of CCDs used and variations due to element variations in the imaging circuit.

According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the following constitution can be obtained. (1) Optical path splitting means for splitting a subject image into a plurality of portions, signal processing means for picking up each of the split subject images, and outputting the output of each picked-up split subject image as a video signal, and the signal processing First storage means for storing the video signal output from the means, and spectral sensitivity characteristics of the optical path splitting means, and the spectral sensitivity characteristics and the first storage means corresponding to the spectral sensitivity characteristics. An image comprising: output control means for outputting the stored content; and operation means for performing a correction operation for combining into one image based on the output signal output from the output control means. Synthesizer. (2) Optical path splitting means for splitting a subject image into a plurality of portions, signal processing means for picking up the split subject images, and outputting the output of each picked-up split subject image as a video signal, and the signal processing. First storage means for storing the video signal output from the means, second storage means for storing the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the optical path splitting means, and video signal stored in the first storage means And an output control means for externally outputting the spectral sensitivity characteristic stored in the second storage means, and based on an output signal from the output control means of the image capture device, An image synthesizing apparatus comprising: an arithmetic unit that performs a correction arithmetic for synthesizing into one image; and an image synthesizing unit that synthesizes an image based on the output of the arithmetic unit. (3) The image synthesizing apparatus as described in (1) or (2) above, wherein the video signal output from the signal processing means is a signal processed based on the three primary colors or their complementary colors. . (4) The synthesizing apparatus according to (3), wherein the storage area of the first storage unit is divided for each of the image pickup data and the color signal.

[0052]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
When the imaging area is divided into a plurality of areas by a spectral prism or a half mirror and the image is taken by a CCD corresponding to the divided area, variations in spectral sensitivity of the three primary colors RGB of the spectral prism or the like, and composition It is possible to provide an image synthesizing apparatus that corrects the occurrence of image brightness and color unevenness by adjusting each RGB gain of each CCD to obtain a good synthetic image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration centered on a color correction portion of an electronic camera when an image pickup area is photographed by four CCDs in a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic image diagram of a CCD image pickup area when the image pickup area related to the first embodiment is divided into four and an image pickup area at the time of bonding and combining.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main sequence showing a process of a color variation adjustment control circuit in the configuration diagram of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a sequence of a subroutine showing detailed processing of a color correction initial setting portion in the main flow of FIG.

FIG. 5 is an image diagram showing original sensitivity variations for each of RGB.

FIG. 6 is an image diagram showing sensitivity after correcting the sensitivity variation shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing an adjustment test chart and an image pickup area of each CCD during initial adjustment.

FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing a connection between an electronic camera and an adjustment jig at the time of initial adjustment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a sequence at the time of adjusting the adjustment jig.

10 is a flowchart showing a sequence of a subroutine for obtaining a correction value in the sequence of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an electronic camera unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a format of an image file created by an electronic camera in the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a format example of an image file created by an electronic camera in the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of image composition processing on the personal computer side in the second embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a sequence of a sub-routine of image stitching processing in the main sequence of FIGS. 14 and 15.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of an electronic camera unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a main sequence of image composition processing on the personal computer side in the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 4-division prism 2a-2d Imaging device (CCD) 3a-3d Sample and hold circuit 4a-4d RGB color separation circuit 5 Reference sync signal generation circuit 6 Color balance adjustment control circuit 7a-7d R _- gain adjustment circuit 8a-8d G _- gain adjustment circuit 9a to 9d B _- gain adjustment circuit 10 lens 11a~11d video processing circuit 12 an image memory 13 RISC microcomputer 14 EXIT 15 IF circuit 16 the magnetic head 17 motor 18 floppy disk

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An image synthesizing apparatus for synthesizing a subject image split by an optical path splitting means by a plurality of corresponding image pickup devices to synthesize into one image, a memory storing spectral sensitivity characteristics of the optical path splitting means. Means, a video signal processing means for converting the output of each of the imaged divided object images into a video signal, and a video signal correction means for correcting the video signal by using the spectral sensitivity characteristic stored in the storage means, An image synthesizing apparatus comprising: 2. An optical path dividing means for dividing a subject image into a plurality of portions, a signal processing means for respectively capturing the divided subject images, and outputting an output of each of the captured divided subject images as a video signal, A storage unit that stores the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the optical path splitting unit, a control unit that outputs the video signal and the spectral sensitivity characteristic, and one image based on the output from the output control unit. An image synthesizing apparatus, comprising: a calculation unit that performs the correction calculation of 1. 3. An optical path dividing means for dividing a subject image into a plurality of portions, a signal processing means for respectively capturing the divided subject images, and outputting the output of each of the captured divided subject images as a video signal, From the control means of the image capturing device, an image capturing device comprising storage means for storing the spectral sensitivity characteristic of the optical path splitting means, and control means for outputting the video signal and the spectral sensitivity characteristic. An image synthesizing apparatus comprising: a calculation unit that performs a correction calculation for synthesizing into one image based on the output signal that is output.