JPH10145683A - Image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable the setting operation of shutter speed even in a single use state by providing a signal select switch for selecting either an external shutter control signal or a shutter control signal supplied from a trigger shutter control part. SOLUTION: A signal selection switch 7 is an analog switch for selectively supplying either the external shutter control signal inputted through a shutter control signal input terminal 13 or the shutter control signal supplied from a trigger shutter control part 5 to a CCD driving part 2. While the switch control signal supplied from an external connecting state discriminating part 8 is at a high level, the shutter control signal from the trigger shutter control part 5 is supplied to the CCD driving part 2 and while the switch control signal is at a low level, the external shutter control signal from the shutter control signal input terminal 13 is supplied to the CCD driving part 2. Corresponding to the external connecting state of the shutter control signal input terminal 13, the signal selection switch can be automatically switched and controlled as well.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus using a solid-state image pickup device having an electronic shutter function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The applicant of the present invention has proposed an interline transfer (IT) type solid-state imaging device (CC).
An image pickup apparatus having an electronic shutter function for adjusting the exposure time without using a mechanical iris by controlling the charge accumulation time of a D image sensor is disclosed in
No. 119776.

In this image pickup apparatus, the readout signal shown in FIG. 5B output during a vertical blanking period VBLK in which the vertical blanking signal shown in FIG. The charge stored in each pixel of the photoelectric conversion unit is read out to the vertical transfer unit. The above C
The charge storage time of the CD image sensor is controlled by a reset signal shown in FIG. 5C, and when the reset signal is supplied, the CCD image sensor sweeps out the charge stored in the pixel to the overflow drain. It has become.

Therefore, no charge is accumulated in the CCD image sensor while the reset signal is being supplied (charge sweep-out period). Therefore, the above CCD
From the time the reset signal supplied to the image sensor is stopped, effective charges are accumulated in the photoelectric conversion unit of the CCD image sensor. By controlling the timing at which the reset signal is stopped, a charge storage time,
That is, the shutter speed can be controlled.

[0005] The above-mentioned image pickup apparatus can change the shutter speed in accordance with the movement of a subject by using such an electronic shutter function, which is particularly advantageous for capturing an image in a high-speed moving body.

[0006] By the way, factory automation
In fields such as (FA: Factory Automation) and sports clinics, a camera control unit is connected to an imaging device using a solid-state imaging device with an electronic shutter function, and a shutter control signal corresponding to a trigger signal is sent from the camera control unit. By supplying an image to a subject at an arbitrary timing by supplying the image signal to an image pickup apparatus, a video signal obtained as an image pickup output is supplied to an image processing apparatus to perform image processing.

[0007]

By the way, in a conventional image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a subject by using a solid-state image pickup device having an electronic shutter function, a drive pulse for controlling the electronic shutter function is generally created on the image pickup apparatus side. In the case of setting the shutter speed from the outside, for example, setting by RS232C or the like requires the mediation of a control circuit unit such as a microcomputer that decodes a command and outputs a signal for controlling a driving pulse. Thus, there is a problem that the shutter speed cannot be set.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an image pickup apparatus which enables a shutter speed setting operation not only in an external control mode but also in a single use state.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus comprising: a light receiving section for generating an electric charge corresponding to an amount of incident light;
A vertical transfer unit to which the charges generated in the light receiving unit are transferred; a horizontal transfer unit to output the charges transferred through the vertical transfer unit; and a charge sweeping unit, which is stored in the light receiving unit. A solid-state imaging device having an electronic shutter function of sweeping out the accumulated charge to the charge sweeping section, and stopping the sweeping of the charge to the charge sweeping section for a predetermined time in accordance with a shutter control signal, after the predetermined time has elapsed. Reading the imaging charge accumulated in the light receiving unit as effective charge to the vertical transfer unit,
After performing high-speed vertical transfer of the imaging charge read to the vertical transfer unit for a predetermined number of transfer cycles, normal vertical transfer is performed, and the effective charge excluding the predetermined number of lines of imaging charge by the high-speed vertical transfer is converted to an imaging signal. A trigger unit for generating a shutter control signal at a settable timing in accordance with a trigger signal input via a trigger signal input terminal; An external shutter control signal input via a shutter control signal input terminal and a signal selection switch for selectively supplying the shutter control signal supplied from the trigger shutter control unit to the drive unit.

In the image pickup apparatus according to the present invention, the signal selection switch is switched and set by, for example, a manual operation.

The imaging apparatus according to the present invention further includes, for example, an external connection state determination unit for determining an external connection state of the shutter control signal input terminal, and the external connection state determination unit determines the external connection state of the shutter control signal input terminal. The signal selection switch is automatically switched and controlled by the external connection state determination unit.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] The present invention, for example, as shown in FIG.
A D image sensor 1 is driven by a CCD drive unit 2, and an image pickup output obtained from the CCD image sensor 1 is converted into a video signal output terminal 1 by a signal processing unit 3 as a video signal.
1 is applied to the image pickup apparatus 10 that outputs the image data through the camera 1.

The CCD image sensor 1 has an interline transfer (IT:
An interline transfer) type CCD image sensor, which is stored in a light receiving section S _ODD corresponding to each pixel in an odd field, a light receiving section S _EVEN corresponding to each pixel in an even field, and light receiving sections S _ODD and S _EVEN. The vertical transfer unit V _{REG from} which the read charges are read out, and the horizontal transfer unit H _REG which outputs the charges read out to the vertical transfer unit V _REG as an image signal in units of one horizontal line, include light receiving units S _ODD , S By controlling the potential of the substrate formed below the _{EV EN} , the charge stored in each of the light receiving sections S _ODD and S _EVEN is swept away to the substrate, and the charge storage time is controlled. It has a shutter function.

The image pickup apparatus 10 includes the CCD
A trigger shutter control unit 5 for generating a timing signal TGVD and a shutter control signal INT / SHC to be supplied to the drive unit 2; a synchronization signal generation unit 6 for supplying a synchronization signal to the signal processing unit 3 and the trigger shutter control unit 5; Part 2
Selection switch 7 for switching a shutter control signal to be supplied to the camera, and the signal selection switch 7 according to an external connection state.
And a synchronization signal input terminal 12 connected to the synchronization signal generation unit 6 as an external signal input terminal, and a shutter connected to the signal selection switch 7 as an external signal input terminal. It has a control signal input terminal 13 and a trigger signal input terminal 14 connected to the trigger shutter controller 5.

The trigger shutter control unit 5 is provided with the CC
A timing generator for generating a timing signal required for driving the D image sensor 1 by the CCD driving unit 2 based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generation unit 6, and via the trigger signal input terminal 14 When a trigger signal is supplied, the shutter control signal INT / SHC is output after a lapse of a predetermined period from the timing of the synchronization signal based on the trigger signal.
The trigger shutter control unit 5 includes a setting operation unit 5A for variably setting the pulse width of the shutter control signal INT / SHC, thereby enabling the charge accumulation period of the CCD image sensor 1, that is, the electronic shutter function. The shutter speed can be variably set.

The synchronizing signal generator 6 comprises a synchronizing signal generator capable of external synchronization, and a synchronizing signal input terminal 12.
When an external synchronization signal is supplied to the signal processing unit 3 and the trigger shutter control unit 5, a synchronization signal in an external synchronization mode synchronized with the external synchronization signal is supplied to the signal processing unit 3 and the trigger shutter control unit 5.
When no external synchronizing signal is supplied to the synchronizing signal input terminal 12, an internal synchronizing mode synchronizing signal is supplied to the signal processing section 3 and the trigger shutter control section 5.

The signal selection switch 7 selectively selects an external shutter control signal input through the shutter control signal input terminal 13 and a shutter control signal supplied from the trigger shutter control unit 5 to the CCD driving unit. 2. When a switch control signal supplied to a control terminal of the analog switch is in a high level state, a shutter control signal from the trigger shutter control unit 5 is supplied to the CCD drive unit 2; If the switch control signal is in a low level state, an external shutter control signal from the shutter control signal input terminal 13 is supplied to the CCD drive unit 2.

Further, in the external connection state detecting section 8, a camera control unit is connected to external input terminals, that is, the synchronous signal input terminal 12, the shutter control signal input terminal 13, and the trigger signal input terminal 14 via connection connectors. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the switch includes a switch 8A connected to the control terminal of the signal selection switch 7 and a pull-up resistor 8B. The switch 8A is a normally open switch that is closed by connecting a connector to the external input terminal, and supplies a low-level switch control signal to the control terminal of the signal selection switch 7 in the closed state. When a positive power supply voltage is supplied to the pull-up resistor 8B and the switch 8A is open, the signal selection switch 7B is turned on.
, A high-level switch control signal.

In the imaging device 10 having such a configuration, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the camera control unit 20 including the trigger shutter control unit 25 and the synchronization signal generation unit 26 is connected to an external input terminal, that is, the synchronization signal input terminal 1.
2. When connected to the shutter control signal input terminal 13 and the trigger signal input terminal 14 via a connection connector, the external connection state detector 8 gives a low level switch control signal to the control terminal of the signal selection switch 7. Therefore, an external shutter control signal is supplied from the trigger shutter control unit 25 on the camera control unit 20 side to the CCD drive unit 2 via the signal selection switch 7.

Here, the trigger shutter control section 25 of the camera control unit 20 determines the shutter control signal E based on the synchronization signal supplied from the synchronization signal generator 26 after a lapse of a predetermined period from the timing of the synchronization signal.
XT / SHC, and outputs the shutter control signal EXT / SHT.
The SHC is supplied to a shutter control signal input terminal 13 of the imaging device 10. The trigger shutter control unit 25 includes a setting operation unit 25A for variably setting the pulse width of the shutter control signal EXT / SHC, thereby enabling the charge accumulation period of the CCD image sensor 1, that is, the electronic shutter function. The shutter speed can be variably set. Also, the synchronization signal generator 26 on the camera control unit 20 side
Generates a predetermined synchronization signal based on the trigger signal,
This synchronization signal is supplied to the trigger shutter control unit 25 and to the synchronization signal generator 6 of the imaging device 10 via the synchronization signal input terminal 12, and the trigger signal is supplied to the imaging device 10. Trigger shutter control unit 5
Through the trigger signal input terminal 14.

Therefore, in the imaging apparatus 10, when the camera control unit 20 is connected, the synchronizing signal generator 6 operates in the external synchronizing mode, and drives the CCD image sensor 1 according to the synchronizing signal in the external synchronizing mode. Driven by the section 2, the imaging output obtained from the CCD image sensor 1 is output by the signal processing section 3 as a video signal via the video signal output terminal 11.
During the imaging operation in the external synchronization mode, the electronic shutter function of the CCD image sensor 1 is controlled by the trigger shutter control unit 25 on the camera control unit 20 side.

In the single use state where the camera control unit 20 is detached, the image pickup apparatus 10 operates in accordance with a synchronization signal obtained by operating the synchronization signal generator 6 in the self-running mode.
Is driven by a CCD driving unit 2, and an image pickup output obtained from the CCD image sensor 1 is output by a signal processing unit 3 as a video signal via a video signal output terminal 11. The electronic shutter function of the CCD image sensor 1 is controlled by the built-in trigger shutter control unit 5 during the imaging operation in the self-propelled mode.

That is, in the image pickup apparatus 10, the external connection state judging section 8 for judging the external connection state of the shutter control signal input terminal 13 allows the signal selection in accordance with the external connection state of the shutter control signal input terminal 13. The electronic shutter function of the solid-state imaging device 1 can be performed by automatically switching and controlling the switch 7, and the shutter speed setting operation can be performed not only in the external control mode but also in the single use state.

In the image pickup apparatus 10, even if the external connection state judging section 8 is omitted and the signal selection switch 7 is switched and set manually, the shutter speed setting operation is performed only in the external control mode. However, it can be performed even in a single use state.

[0026]

According to the imaging apparatus of the present invention, an external shutter control signal input through a shutter control signal input terminal and a shutter control signal supplied from a trigger shutter control section are selectively supplied through a signal selection switch. The driving unit drives the solid-state imaging device having the electronic shutter function, so that the trigger shutter control unit can control the electronic shutter function of the solid-state imaging device.

That is, in the imaging apparatus according to the present invention,
For example, by manually switching and setting the signal selection switch, the shutter speed can be set not only in the external control mode but also in a single use state.

In the imaging apparatus according to the present invention, for example, an external connection state determining unit for determining an external connection state of the shutter control signal input terminal may be used in accordance with an external connection state of the shutter control signal input terminal. The selection switch can be automatically switched and controlled.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image pickup apparatus in which the shutter speed setting operation can be performed not only in the external control mode but also in the single use state.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a CCD image sensor in the imaging device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an external connection state determination unit in the imaging device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a camera control unit is connected to the imaging device.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing an operation of a conventional imaging device.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 CCD image sensor, 2 CCD drive unit, 3 signal processing unit, 5 trigger shutter control control unit, 6 synchronization signal generation unit, 7 signal selection switch, 8 external connection state judgment unit, 10 imaging device, 11 video signal output terminal, 1
2 synchronization signal input terminal, 13 shutter control signal input terminal, 14 trigger signal input terminal, 20 camera control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A light receiving unit for generating electric charge according to the amount of incident light, a vertical transfer unit to which the electric charge generated by the light receiving unit is transferred, and an electric charge transferred via the vertical transfer unit. A solid-state imaging device having an electronic shutter function of sweeping off the charge accumulated in the light receiving unit to the charge sweeping unit, and a charge transfer unit that discharges the charge accumulated in the light receiving unit. The sweeping of the electric charge to the sweeping unit is stopped for a predetermined time, and after the predetermined time has elapsed,
The image pickup charge stored in the light receiving unit is read out to the vertical transfer unit as effective charge, and normal vertical transfer is performed after high-speed vertical transfer of the image pickup charge read out to the vertical transfer unit for a predetermined number of transfer cycles, A driving unit for outputting effective charges excluding a predetermined number of lines of imaging charges by the high-speed vertical transfer as image signals through the horizontal transfer unit by normal vertical transfer, and a trigger input via a trigger signal input terminal A trigger shutter control unit for generating a shutter control signal at a freely settable timing according to a signal; an external shutter control signal input through a shutter control signal input terminal; and a shutter control signal supplied from the trigger shutter control unit. An image pickup apparatus, comprising: a signal selection switch to be supplied to the driving unit. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the signal selection switch is set by manual operation. 3. An external connection state determination unit for determining an external connection state of the shutter control signal input terminal, wherein the signal selection switch is set in accordance with the external connection state of the shutter control signal input terminal. 2. The image pickup apparatus according to claim 1, wherein switching control is automatically performed by the following.