JPH11146134A - Solid-state image pickup element - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a solid-state image pickup element that simultaneously detects pluralities of optical signals corresponding to each color by eliminating a timewise deviation and a spatial deviation. SOLUTION: In the solid-state image pickup element 1 that has pluralities of sensor arrays 2R, 2G, 2B where the sensor arrays 2R, 2G, 2B receive/detect each color component of an incident light respectively and a spectrum means 5 dispersing an incident light L is placed above the sensor arrays 2R, 2G, 2B. Thus the incident light L' dispersed by the spectrum means 5 is received and detected respectively by the sensor arrays 2R, 2G, 2B in the solid-state image pickup element 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device suitable for application to, for example, a line sensor, particularly a color CCD line sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in an image capturing apparatus such as a copying machine or an image scanner, a CCD in which sensors are arranged one-dimensionally, that is, a CCD line sensor is used as an image pickup device.

Some color image capturing apparatuses such as a color copying machine and a color image scanner use a color CCD line sensor as a color separation method.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine using this method. In the copying machine 50, light L from a light source such as a fluorescent lamp 51 is applied to the original 52, and reflected light L 'from the original 52 is passed through a mirror 53 to a CCD line sensor 54.
And read it. The original 52 is scanned in the left-right direction in the figure, whereby image information of the entire original 52 is read by the CCD line sensor 54.

At this time, the original 52 and the CCD line sensor 54 are relatively scanned. That is, for example, a configuration is adopted in which the original 52 moves with respect to the stationary CCD line sensor 54 or the CCD line sensor 54 moves with respect to the stationary original 52.

In general, in a color separation system using a color CCD line sensor, a color filter corresponding to each color (for example, R, G, B, C, M, Y, G, etc.) is attached to the CCD line sensor 54, and this color filter is used. Performs color separation.
This method includes a dot sequential method and a line sequential method.

In the dot sequential method, for example, when three color filters of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) are formed, as shown in FIG. On each sensor pixel 56 of the sensor array 55, a color filter 57 is provided in which color filters R, G, and B of each color are repeatedly arranged so that the color changes for each pixel 56.

In the line sequential system, for example, when forming three color filters of R (red), G (green), and B (blue), as shown in FIG. 6, three sensor rows 55 (55R, 55G, 5)
5B) on the sensor pixel 56, color filters 57 (57R, 57G, 57) in which color filters of the same color are arranged in a line.
B) are arranged such that the color changes line by line.

In this case, each sensor row 55R, 55G, 5
5B, a light receiving unit (a so-called sensor pixel) 56 composed of a plurality of photodiodes serving as pixels in a one-dimensional array, temporarily storing light energy incident on the light receiving unit, and then reading a gate unit adjacent to the sensor row (Not shown)
Is turned on, the signal charge is read, and the signal charge is read by C provided in parallel on one side or both sides of the sensor row.
The data is sequentially transferred using a CD register (not shown).

[0010] CCD line sensor 5 for line sequential system
7 is shown in FIG. This CCD line sensor 54
Represents three single CCD line sensors (sensor rows) for the image sensor 58, that is, R (red) line sensors 58R and G (green).
A line sensor 58G and a B (blue) line sensor 58B are formed. Each line sensor 58R, 58G, 58
B is an R sensor row 55R as shown in FIG.
It has a G sensor row 55G and a B sensor row 55B.
The sensor rows 55R, 55G, and 55B are arranged in parallel, and each of the sensor rows 55R, 55G, and 5 (not shown).
A CCD register is arranged on one side or both sides of 5B.

Further, each of the line sensors 58R, 58G, 5
8B, a color filter 57 (57) corresponding to each color is provided.
R, 57G, 57B) are formed. Image sensor 58
Is protected by the package 59 and the glass 60 on the upper surface thereof. Reference numeral 61 denotes a terminal pin.

Normally, when an image such as a manuscript is captured, CC
The sensor array is scanned vertically on the D line sensor. For this reason, the line-sequential system having many color filters of the same color in a line has higher resolution than the dot-sequential system.

[0013]

However, the line-sequential system has a disadvantage that a spatial and temporal deviation occurs with respect to the point-sequential system. This will be described with reference to FIG.

Conventionally, in a copying machine using a line-sequential type color CCD line sensor, a position of a document 52 from which an image is to be captured is first read by a red line sensor 58R of an image sensor 58 as shown in FIG. 8A. . Then, FIG.
As shown in B, a certain position read by the red line sensor 58R is read again by the green sensor row 55G. Further, FIG.
As shown in (5), reading is also performed by the blue line sensor 58B. Through this series of processes, an image at a certain position can be captured.

However, in practice, the three color line sensors 58R, 58G, and 58B cannot simultaneously capture optical signals, so that the three color signals have a time lag. Also, three color line sensors 58R, 58G,
Since 58B are arranged at a certain interval, a spatial displacement also occurs.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a solid-state imaging device capable of simultaneously detecting a plurality of optical signals corresponding to each color without a temporal shift or a spatial shift. Is what you do.

[0017]

According to the present invention, there is provided a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of sensor rows, each of which receives and detects each color component of incident light. Dispersion means for dispersing light is arranged,
The incident light split by the splitting means is received and detected by each sensor row.

According to the configuration of the present invention described above, the dispersing means for dispersing the incident light is disposed above the sensor row, so that the incident light is disperse and the plural rows of sensors corresponding to the respective colors simultaneously perform the same. An image signal can be obtained by receiving light.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device having a plurality of sensor rows, each of which receives and detects each color component of incident light. Are provided, and each of the sensor rows receives and detects the incident light separated by the splitting means.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram when the solid-state imaging device of the present invention is applied to a color CCD line sensor.

In the color CCD line sensor 1 of the present embodiment, a plurality of single CCD line sensors (image pickup devices) are provided in the image pickup device 2, and in this embodiment, three single CCD line sensors (image pickup devices), that is, R (red) line sensor 2
It is composed of an R, G (green) line sensor 2G and a B (blue) line sensor 2B. Each line sensor 2R, 2
Although not shown, G and 2B each have an R sensor row, a G sensor row, and a B sensor row composed of a plurality of light receiving sections (so-called sensor pixels) each of which is a one-dimensional array of pixels. Although not shown, CCD registers are arranged on one side or both sides of each sensor row.

In this embodiment, the image pickup device 2
An optical component such as a prism 5 capable of dispersing the incident light L ′ is disposed above the optical disk. The prism 5 is mounted on a package 3 in which the image sensor 2 is mounted and which protects the image sensor 2. In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a terminal pin.

Accordingly, when the incident light L 'passes through the prism, the incident light L' is separated according to the refracted light in the wavelength range of each color R, G, and B, so that each light corresponds to the optical path of the separated light. By arranging the single CCD line sensors 2R, 2G, 2B, signals corresponding to three colors R, G, B can be received at the same time.

FIG. 2 shows an image capturing method when the color CCD line sensor 1 shown in FIG. 1 is applied to the copying machine shown in FIG. Light can be received by the three line sensors 2R, 2G, and 2B. As a result, it is possible to capture optical signals at the same position both temporally and spatially.

In a copying machine, a scanner, or the like,
Since the captured image is the same both temporally and spatially, data can be accurately captured. Further, the color CCD line sensor 1 of the present embodiment also has an advantage of being able to capture at high resolution, which is an advantage of the line sequential system.

The angle of incidence of the incident light L 'and the optical characteristics and shape of the prism 5 are not particularly limited, and can be set freely according to design conditions.

According to the above-described embodiment, since the incident light L 'is split into each color by the prism 5, the color filter 57 (57R) is provided on the sensor like the conventional color CCD line sensor 54 shown in FIG. , 57G, 57B).

Accordingly, since the step of forming the color filter is not required, the number of wafer processing steps and the required time can be reduced.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the prism 5 is mounted on the package 3, but the prism 5 may be mounted directly on the image pickup device 2. FIG. 3 shows the configuration in that case.

In the CCD line sensor 11 shown in FIG. 3, the prism 5 for dispersing the incident light L 'is directly mounted on the image pickup device 2 mounted in the package 3. Package 3
Glass 6 on the upper surface of the
Is attached. Other configurations are the same as those of the CCD line sensor 1 of FIG.

Also in this configuration, similarly to the above-described embodiment, the incident light L 'can be dispersed to obtain optical signals corresponding to the respective colors R, G, B.

The solid-state image pickup device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but may take various other configurations without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0033]

According to the present invention described above, by splitting incident light by a splitting means such as a prism, split light of each wavelength can be received simultaneously by a plurality of CCD line sensors. Further, in a copying machine or the like, since images at the same position on the original are simultaneously received by a plurality of CCD line sensors, there is no spatial displacement.

Therefore, since the captured image is the same both temporally and spatially, it can be accurately captured as data. In addition, it has an advantage of being able to capture at high resolution, which is an advantage of the line sequential method.

Further, according to the present invention, since the incident light can be separated only by the splitting means such as the prism, the CCD line sensor does not need a color filter. Therefore, the number of steps in the wafer process can be reduced. Therefore, according to the present invention,
The productivity of the solid-state imaging device is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram (cross-sectional view) of a color CCD line sensor according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image capturing method when the color CCD line sensor of FIG. 1 is applied to a copying machine or the like.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram (cross-sectional view) of another color CCD line sensor according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of a copying machine.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a dot sequential method.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a line sequential method.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram (cross-sectional view) of a conventional color CCD line sensor.

8A to 8C are diagrams showing an image capturing method in a conventional copying machine.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,11 color CCD line sensor, 2 image sensor,
2R, 2G, 2B Single CCD line sensor, 3 packages, 4 terminal pins, 5 prisms, 6 glass, 1
0 originals, 50 copiers, 51 fluorescent lights, 52 originals,
53 mirror, 54 CCD line sensor, 55 sensor row, 55R, 55G, 55B single CCD line sensor (sensor row), 56 sensor pixels (light receiving section), 57,
57R, 57G, 57B color filter, 58 image sensor, 58R, 58G, 58B line sensor, 59 package, 60 glass, 61 terminal pin, 62, L
Light, L 'incident light (reflected light)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A solid-state imaging device having a plurality of sensor rows, each of which receives and detects each color component of incident light, wherein a spectral means for splitting incident light is disposed above the sensor row. A solid-state imaging device, wherein each of the sensor rows receives and detects the incident light split by the splitting means.