JPH1169238A - Solid-state image-pickup element and method for driving the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable using one kind of solid-state image-pickup element as an erected image/mirror image. SOLUTION: This solid-state image-pickup element shown in Figure (b) is provided with a photosensor section 1 that applies photoelectric conversion to an incident light and a vertical transfer register that transfers signal charges read by the photo sensor section 1 in the direction of an arrow to form a pixel area 3. A 2nd horizontal transfer register 7 and a 1st horizontal transfer register 6 are formed to an upper and a lower part of the pixel area 3, and output circuits 9, 8 are formed to output terminals. Then a prescribed clock timing is applied to terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 to photograph an 'F' shaped object as shown in Figure (a) and to provide an output of the result to a conventional monitor section. Consequently, an 'F'-shaped image body which is left-right inverted is obtained as shown in Figure (c).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid-state image pickup device used for, for example, a camera-integrated video tape recorder or a video camera and a method of driving the same. The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device which can be used by switching a mounting direction and a driving method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Solid-state image pickup devices such as CCDs are widely used as image pickup devices for camera-integrated video tape recorders and video cameras. 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an operation example of a conventional solid-state imaging device, in which FIG.
(B) is a plan view of the solid-state imaging device, and (c) is an example of monitoring an output signal. The conventional solid-state imaging device in FIG. 4B includes a photosensor unit 1 that photoelectrically converts incident light and accumulates the light.
A pixel region 3 is formed by a vertical transfer register 2 which is arranged for each vertical column of the photo sensor unit 1 and transfers signal charges read via a read gate in the direction of an arrow.

[0005] The signal charges read out to the vertical transfer register 2 are transferred to the horizontal transfer register 4 for each scanning line. The horizontal transfer register 4 transfers the signal charges for one scanning line transferred from the vertical transfer register 2 in the horizontal direction. For example, FDA (Flo)
An output circuit 5 having an (ating Diffusion Amplifier) configuration is arranged. The output circuit 5 converts the signal charge transferred by the horizontal transfer register 4 into a voltage for each bit and outputs the converted signal to the outside.

When an image of an "F" -shaped object as shown in FIG. 4A is picked up by a conventional solid-state image pickup device, it is turned upside down by an optical lens. When the output circuit 5 outputs the signal by the conventional solid-state imaging device formed at the lower left end of the pixel region 3, the lower left → lower right → upper left →
Since signals are output in the order of upper right, upper left → upper right → lower left →
As for the output form in the normal monitor section scanned in the lower right order, an "F" shape in the same direction as the subject example is reproduced as shown in the monitor example of FIG.

When a solid-state image pickup device is used in a normal video camera, there is no problem with such an image pickup / driving method. It is necessary to obtain an inverted mirror image output.

In order to obtain a mirror image output using a conventional solid-state imaging device, for example, a line memory or the like is connected to the outside of the solid-state imaging device, a signal corresponding to one scanning line is read out from the memory after the memory, and a mirror image is read. There is a way to get output. However, in this method, it is necessary to connect a line memory or the like to the outside of the solid-state imaging device, and this is not preferable because there is much waste in circuit scale and cost.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 3-227 discloses an "imaging device" capable of imaging an object in multiple directions with one video camera.
No. 181 is disclosed. However, this “imaging device” has horizontal transfer CCDs above and below the pixel area, and switches the transfer direction by output circuits provided “on both sides” of the horizontal transfer CCD. Had the same problems as

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to obtain a normal image / mirror image output in a conventional solid-state image pickup device and require a new circuit. It is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state imaging device which can use one type of solid-state imaging device for normal image / mirror image by switching the mounting direction, and a driving method thereof.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a solid-state image sensing device comprising: a photosensor section in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix in the horizontal and vertical directions; In a solid-state imaging device that forms a pixel region with a vertical transfer register that transfers a signal from each pixel read out by sequentially selecting a line, the solid-state imaging device is disposed above the pixel region, and is read from each pixel read out to the vertical transfer register. A first horizontal transfer register for transferring the signals in a certain direction in a certain order, and a lower part of the pixel area,
A second horizontal transfer register for transferring a signal from each pixel read out to the vertical transfer register in a certain order in a certain direction, and a mounting direction of the solid-state imaging device such as mounting by rotating by 180 °; By switching the transfer signal applied to the element, the use for the normal image or the mirror image is uniquely determined (by selecting one of the first horizontal transfer register and the second horizontal transfer register). I do.

[0010] Preferably, in the solid-state imaging device of the present invention, an output circuit for converting a signal from each pixel into a voltage and outputting the voltage is arranged on "one side" of the first horizontal transfer register and the second horizontal transfer register. It is desirable.

Further, according to the method of driving a solid-state image pickup device of the present invention, a photosensor section in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix in the horizontal and vertical directions and each horizontal line of the photosensor section are sequentially selected and read out. And a vertical transfer register that transfers the signal from each pixel, and forms a pixel area, and is disposed above the pixel area, and transfers a signal from each pixel read to the vertical transfer register in a certain direction. A method for driving a solid-state imaging device, comprising: a first horizontal transfer register; and a second horizontal transfer register disposed below the pixel area and transferring a signal from each pixel read to the vertical transfer register in a certain direction. At 18
By switching the mounting direction of the solid-state imaging device, such as mounting by rotating by 0 °, and the transfer signal applied to the solid-state imaging device, one type of solid-state imaging device is used for a normal image or a mirror image. Is possible.

Therefore, according to the solid-state image pickup device and the method of driving the same according to the present invention, the solid-state image pickup device is mounted by being rotated by 180 ° with respect to the mounting direction of the solid-state image pickup device, for example, in the case of a mirror image application, and accordingly, the solid-state image pickup device One type of solid-state imaging device can be used for a normal image or a mirror image by switching and inputting a transfer signal to be applied (such as an application sequence of clock timing). However, the use of the solid-state imaging device for a normal image or a mirror image is uniquely determined at the time of mounting. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately produce solid images for normal images and mirror images, and the design and manufacture of the solid-state images are made more efficient. In the solid-state imaging device of the present invention, an output circuit is formed on “one side” of the first horizontal transfer register and the second horizontal transfer register. For example, in a mirror image application, the output circuit is rotated by 180 ° with respect to a normal image application. In addition, the solid-state imaging device is used for normal image / mirror image by replacing the output circuit and outputting the same.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-2 wherein the output circuits provided on both sides of D are driven by switching the transfer direction according to the position of the mirror unit.
The “imaging device” described in Japanese Patent No. 27181 refers to
The operation and effect are different.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the configuration of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention when a normal image is output will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an operation example of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention at the time of outputting a normal image.
(A) is a subject example, (b) is a plan view of a solid-state imaging device,
(C) is an example of monitoring an output signal. Note that portions common to those described in the related art are denoted by the same reference numerals.

A solid-state imaging device according to the present invention as shown in FIG. 1B is provided with a photosensor unit 1 for photoelectrically converting incident light and accumulating the same, and is arranged for each vertical column of the photosensor unit 1.
A pixel region 3 is formed by a vertical transfer register 2 that transfers signal charges read through a read gate in the direction of the arrow. A first horizontal transfer register 6 and a second horizontal transfer register 7 are formed in the upper and lower portions of the pixel region 3 as features of the present invention. Output circuits 8 and 9 are formed at the output ends of the first horizontal transfer register 6 and the second horizontal transfer register 7 so as to be aligned to the left in the drawing (so as to be located on one side of the horizontal transfer register). I have. The terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention have clock timing Vφ4 for transferring the vertical transfer register 2,
Vφ3, Vφ2, and Vφ1 are sequentially connected.

The operation of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention at the time of outputting a normal image will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation timing of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention,
(A) is an example of a four-phase clock timing of a normal image / mirror image,
(B) is an example of signal charge transfer at the time of a normal image, and (c) is an example of signal charge transfer at the time of a mirror image.

In the vertical transfer register 2, for example, FIG.
(A: normal image) Four-phase clock timing Vφ as shown in FIG.
1. Signal charges are transferred at Vφ2, Vφ3, and Vφ4.
That is, the terminals 1, 2, 3, 4 of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention.
With respect to the timing t1 → Vφ1, t2 → Vφ2, t3
By applying a clock timing such that → Vφ3, t4 → Vφ4 is selected, the signal charge A as shown in FIG. 3B is transferred as t1 → t2 → t3 → t4. The signal charge read by the vertical transfer register 2 is transferred to a second horizontal transfer register 7 formed below the pixel region 3.
Is transferred for each scanning line.

In the output circuit 9, the second horizontal transfer register 7
Is converted into a voltage for each bit and output. That is, when the solid-state imaging device of the present invention captures an image of an "F" -shaped subject as shown in FIG. 1A, the monitor section shown in FIG. As a result, an "F" shape in the same direction as that of the subject example is reproduced.

Next, the configuration of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention when outputting a mirror image will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention when outputting a mirror image,
(A) is a subject example, (b) is a plan view of a solid-state imaging device,
(C) is an example of monitoring an output signal.

When a mirror image output is obtained using the solid-state image pickup device of the present invention, the solid-state image pickup device is set at 180 ° from the time of the normal image output.
Rotate and mount (see FIG. 2B). At this time, the first
The relationship between the horizontal transfer register 6 and the second horizontal transfer register 7 is reversed so that the first horizontal transfer register 6 is located at the lower part of the pixel region 3 and one side of the first horizontal transfer register 6 and the second horizontal transfer register 7. The output circuits 8 and 9 thus formed are located rightward on the paper.

At the terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the solid-state imaging device rotated by 180 °, the clock timing for transferring the vertical transfer register 2 is given by Vφ1 ← → Vφ2 and Vφ2.
φ3 ← → Vφ4 is replaced and applied (details will be described later). When clock timings in the same order as in the normal image output are applied, Vφ is applied to the terminal 1 of the solid-state imaging device.
3, Vφ4 at terminal 2, Vφ1 at terminal 3, Vφ2 at terminal 4.
Are connected, the same result can be obtained.

The operation of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention when outputting a mirror image will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the mirror image output operation of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention, a clock timing Vφ as shown in FIG. 3 (a: normal image) is applied to terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the solid-state imaging device.
When Vφ1, Vφ2, Vφ3, and Vφ4 are applied, FIG.
This is inconvenient because signal charges are transferred from below to above in the pixel region 3. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3 (a: mirror image), when the relationship of Vφ1 ← → Vφ2 and Vφ3 ← → Vφ4 is exchanged and applied, the transfer direction of the signal charge is reversed and the pixel charge is transferred from the upper side to the lower side. Will be done.

Accordingly, the signal voltage is such that signal charges are output in the order of lower right → lower left → upper right → upper left of the pixel region 3, and an “F” -shaped object as shown in FIG. Then, when output to a normal monitor unit, the output circuit 8 outputs an “F” shape which is inverted left and right with respect to the subject example as shown in the monitor example of FIG.

That is, the terminals 1 to 4 of the solid-state imaging device
By applying a clock timing as shown in FIG. 3 (a: mirror image) to the data, the data is transferred in the transfer direction shown in FIG. 3 (c). The output circuit 8 converts the signal charge transferred by the first horizontal transfer register 6 into a voltage for each bit and outputs it to the outside. Subsequent operations are the same as those described above.

As a specific effect of the solid-state imaging device and the driving method of the present invention, first, the normal image / mirror image output system can be switched only by switching the mounting direction and the driving method of the solid-state imaging device. There is no need to add a new circuit such as a line memory for mirror image output. Second, by changing the mounting direction and driving method of the solid-state imaging device, one type of solid-state imaging device can be commonly used for normal images / mirror images. Accordingly, it is not necessary to separately produce solid images for normal images and mirror images, and the design and manufacture of the solid-state images are made more efficient. Third, the driving method required for mirror image output in the solid-state imaging device of the present invention need only be changed by changing the arrangement of the solid-state imaging device (synonymous with changing the input of clock timing), and it is necessary to switch the clock timing and bias each time. There is no. Thereby, the production efficiency of the solid-state imaging device and the electronic device using the same is improved. And the like.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various embodiments can be employed. That is, the solid-state imaging device of the present invention is applicable to an interline transfer type, a frame transfer type, and a frame interline type solid-state imaging device, and is not limited to the structure of the solid-state imaging device.

[0028]

As described above, in the solid-state imaging device and the method of driving the same according to the present invention, the solid-state imaging device is mounted by switching and inputting a transfer signal to be applied to the solid-state imaging device in accordance with the mounting direction. One type of solid-state imaging device can be used for a normal image or a mirror image. However, the use of the solid-state imaging device for a normal image or a mirror image is uniquely determined at the time of mounting. This allows
There is no need to separately create a solid-state image sensor for normal image and a solid-state image sensor for mirror image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an operation example of a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention when a normal image is output, where FIG. 1A is an example of a subject, FIG. 1B is a plan view of the solid-state imaging device, and FIG. It is an example.

2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an operation example of a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention when a mirror image is output, where FIG. 2A is a subject example, FIG. 2B is a plan view of the solid-state imaging device, and FIG. It is.

3A and 3B are diagrams showing operation timings of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention, wherein FIG. 3A shows an example of a four-phase clock timing of a normal image / mirror image, FIG. 3B shows an example of signal charge transfer at the time of a normal image, and FIG. Is a signal charge transfer example at the time of a mirror image.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation example of a conventional solid-state imaging device;
(A) is a subject example, (b) is a plan view of a solid-state imaging device,
(C) is an example of monitoring an output signal.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Photo sensor part, 2 ... Vertical transfer register, 3 ... Pixel area, 4 ... Horizontal transfer register, 5, 8, 9 ... Output circuit,
6: first horizontal transfer register, 7: second horizontal transfer register

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A photosensor section in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix in the horizontal and vertical directions, and a vertical line for sequentially selecting each horizontal line of the photosensor section and transferring a signal from each pixel read out. A solid-state imaging device that forms a pixel region with a transfer register, a first horizontal transfer register disposed above the pixel region and transferring a signal from each pixel read to the vertical transfer register in a certain direction; A second horizontal transfer register disposed in a lower part of a pixel area and transferring a signal from each pixel read out to the vertical transfer register in a certain direction, and applying a signal to the mounting direction of the solid-state imaging device and the solid-state imaging device. A solid-state imaging device characterized in that a normal image / mirror image use is uniquely determined by switching transfer signals to be transferred. 2. An output circuit for converting a signal from each pixel into a voltage and outputting the voltage from one side of each output terminal of the first horizontal transfer register and the second horizontal transfer register. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 1. 3. A photosensor unit in which a plurality of pixels are arranged in a matrix in the horizontal and vertical directions, and a vertical line for sequentially selecting each horizontal line of the photosensor unit and transferring a signal from each pixel read out. A first horizontal transfer register, which is arranged above the pixel region and transfers a signal from each pixel read out to the vertical transfer register in a certain direction, while forming a pixel region with the transfer register; A second horizontal transfer register disposed in a lower portion and transferring a signal from each pixel read out to the vertical transfer register in a fixed direction; and a mounting direction of the solid-state image sensor and By switching the transfer signal applied to the solid-state imaging device, one type of solid-state imaging device can be used for normal image / mirror image use. The driving method of the solid-state imaging device.