JPS59178087A - Color image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid a mistake in a photographing even at an immediate photographing by comparing a white balance control data at a preceding image pickup with a white balance control data at the image pickup of this time so as to display the presence or absence of shift between the data. CONSTITUTION:When a power switch 25 is turned on, the white balance control data is applied from a memory 29 to shift registers 33, 33'. The image is picked up by opening an image pickup switch 27 in this state and a white balance switch 26 is turned on after the end of image pickup. Then, a new white balance control data is obtained from comparators 20, 20', this data is inputted to a comparator 46 and compared with the preceding white balance control data stored in the memory 29. If the white balance data differ, a buzzer 47 is ringed and the photographing is tried again with a new white balance data.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Technical Field) The present invention relates to a color imaging device, and more particularly to a color imaging device that performs so-called white balance adjustment using at least a portion of an imaging means.

(Prior Art) Various systems have been proposed as white balance systems for color imaging devices. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a color imaging device having the white balance system. This example is an example in which the present invention is applied to a color imaging device configured to obtain primary color signals of red, green, and blue (hereinafter referred to as R, G, and B, respectively) from an imaging device.

The image pickup outputs from the image pickup device 1, G, and B, are respectively provided by sampling and hold circuits (hereinafter referred to as S/H) 2.2',
The matrix circuit 6 outputs a luminance signal (Y ) and color difference signal R
-Y, BY are formed.

R-Y and B-Y are fed to DC regenerators 8, 8' each including a low pass filter and a clamp circuit.

The output of the DC regenerators 8 and 8' is determined by a well-known color enhancer circuit 9 together with Y.

Here, for Y, a synchronization signal is added and clipped, and for the color difference signal, the signal is mixed after processing such as modulation, and is outputted from the terminal 11 as a color television signal. 10 is a synchronization signal circuit system that generates blanking signals, color subcarriers, synchronization signals, etc.

4.4' is a gain control circuit as a gain control means,
In this case, since the white balance is adjusted by controlling the R and H levels based on G, it is provided in the RXB transmission path. On the other hand, the outputs of the DC regenerators 8.8' are respectively supplied to comparators 14.14' via smoothing circuits 12.12'. When this signal is at a lower level than the reference voltage from the reference electron generator 13, the up/down counter (hereinafter referred to as U/D)
Counter) 15.15' counts up and counts down when it is at a high level.

The output of the U/D counter 15.15' is supplied to the aforementioned gain control circuit 4.4' via a digital-to-analog converter (hereinafter referred to as D/A) 17.17' to determine the amplification gain.

When a white balance control command is received from a switch (not shown), the image sensor 1. A signal more corresponding to white or gray is output. For example, point the image sensor toward a white object, or place a white transmitting diffuser plate or the like in the photographing light beam. Then, as mentioned above, the color difference signal R- is controlled by the gain control circuit 4.4'.
Y.

It is controlled so that B-Y becomes 0 level. That is, the white balance is adjusted by the output of the U/D counter 15.15'. Thereafter, during imaging, the gain is controlled by the white balance setting value stored in the memory 16, 16'.

Color imaging devices such as those described above have conventionally been used as cameras for video tape recorders (hereinafter referred to as VTRs). However, in recent years, a system has been developed that extracts one field of color image signals from an image sensor, records them on a circular track on a magnetic sheet, and then continuously reproduces the circular tracks during playback to obtain a color still image. Proposed.

In such a system, it is not used for a relatively long time,
Moreover, it is common to perform imaging for a short time. For example, just like a general camera using silver halide film, the white balance must be adjusted every time a photograph is taken just before a shadow is taken, which is used several times every few hours. However, since such a system is used in the same way as a conventional camera as described above, if the white balance is adjusted every time a photograph is taken, a so-called photo opportunity may be missed. On the other hand, if you take images using the white balance settings stored in memory, the interval between images is long, so there is a risk that the white balance will be distorted and you will not even notice τ. This means that the scene can only be recorded as a defective signal.

(Objective) In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, the present invention provides a color imaging device that allows you to take a picture immediately when you want to take a picture, and that does not cause mistakes in taking pictures, such as when taking pictures with a distorted white balance without realizing it. With the goal.

(Examples) The present invention will be explained in detail below based on examples. The citation of the following examples does not limit the scope of the claimed invention, and the claimed invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims. It is something.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a color imaging device as an embodiment of the present invention. Components similar to those in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers and explanations are omitted.

20 and 20' are comparators, the outputs of which are transferred to the data bus 41 via the pan 7 agate 21. 23 is a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) such as a microcomputer, 24 is a system power supply for other systems of this imaging device, 25 is a power switch, 26 is a white balance command switch, and 27 is an imaging command switch. Also C
A portion 23a of the PU 23 is always supported by the backup power supply 31 and remains in an operating state. 32
is an address decoder.

33 and 33' are connected to the CPU 2 via the buffer gate 22.
It is a shift register controlled by 3, and has an 8-bit parallel-in/parallel-out configuration.

The output of this shift register 33.33' is ])/A34
．． 34' to the gain control circuit 4.4'.

A comparator 46 compares the data obtained through the buffer gate 44 and the data obtained through the buffer gate 45. :ff The comparator 46 includes, for example, a subtraction circuit, and generates a control signal when the result of subtracting two data is larger than a predetermined absolute value. This control signal is supplied to the buzzer 47, and when the control signal is input, the buzzer 47 emits a sound.

The operation will be explained below using a flowchart. FIG. 3 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. When the power switch 25 is turned on, 0PU23
Power is supplied to shift register 33, 33' and 0PU
23 becomes operational and shift register 33.33
' is supplied with data stored in the memory 29.

This state is also a standby state in which the camera waits for the white balance switch 26 or the imaging switch 27 to be turned on next.

When the imaging switch 27 is turned on in this state, power is supplied from the system power supply 24 to each system necessary for imaging in this imaging device. At this time, comparators 20, 20', smoothing circuits 12, 12', etc. shown in FIG.
Power is not supplied to parts that are only needed when adjusting the white balance. Imaging is performed when power is supplied to each part of the device. However, the operations of each system and the OPU 23 during imaging are not related to the present invention, and will therefore be omitted. The amplification gains of the gain control circuits 4 and 4' during imaging are determined by white balance control data stored in the shift registers 33 and 33', respectively, as will be described later. After imaging is completed, whether automatic or manual (however, the flowchart in FIG. 3 shows the automatic case), when the imaging switch 27 is turned off,
Cuts off power supply to each part of the device and returns to standby mode.

As described above, when the power switch 25 is turned on, imaging is immediately performed, and the white balance at this time is adjusted by loading control data stored in the memory 29 as will be described later into the shift registers 33 and 33'. ing. As mentioned above, there is a possibility that the white balance is out of alignment.

Therefore, the user turns on the white balance switch 26 in the standby state after imaging. When the white balance switch 26 is turned on, power is supplied to the parts necessary for white balance adjustment. Further, at this time, the user makes sure that a signal corresponding to white or gray is obtained from the image sensor 1 as described above. Then shift register 3
Standard white balance control data is written in 3 and 33', respectively. Standard white balance control data is 0P
Part 23a followed by U23's backup power supply
is stored in The outputs of the shift registers 33 and 33' are converted into analog signals by D/A's 34 and 34', respectively, and then input to gain control circuits 4 and 4' to determine the amplification gains of R and B.

At this time, if the image signal outputted from the terminal 11 is only Y, it means that the white balance has been achieved, and the outputs of the comparators 20 and 20' both become O. On the contrary, B-
When the Y or R-Y color difference signal is output, it means that white balance is not achieved, and the comparator 20
, 20' outputs an output other than O. When one or both of the comparators 20, 20' has an output other than 0, the data stored in the shift registers 33, 33' is rewritten. For example, if the output of the comparator 20 is positive, the data in the shift register 33 is reduced, the general amplification factor is lowered, and R-Y is brought to 0 level. In the example shown in Figure 2, an 8-bit shift register is used, and for example, the standard setting value is 10000000 (21
When the output of the comparator 20 is a positive output, the data in the shift register 33 is first decreased by one to 011.
11111 (2). And still comparator 2
If the output of 0 is a positive output, the data is further reduced by one to become 01111110(2). Comparator 20 below
The data in the shift register 33 is sequentially reduced until the output of the shift register 33 becomes 0. Meanwhile, at the same time, comparator 20
The data in the shift register 33' is also changed according to the output of '. When the outputs of both comparators 20.degree. 20' become O, it means that the white balance adjustment is completed, and the data stored in the shift registers 33 and 33' at this time becomes white balance control data. However, since it does not become completely O, it is actually less than a predetermined absolute value.

Now, at this time, the white balance control data from the previous image capture is stored in the memory 29. This memory 29
Of the control data stored in the shift register 33
The first data is supplied to the shift register 33' and controls the gain control circuit 4.
The data that controls this is called second data.

Next, when the white balance control data newly enters the shift registers 33, 33', these data are compared with the above-mentioned first data and second data. First, the first data stored in the memory 29 is supplied to the comparator 46 via the buffer gate 44, and then the shift register 33 is supplied with the first data stored in the memory 29.
data is sent to the comparator 4 via the buffer gate 45.
Supply to 6. However, at this time, the data in the shift register 33 is controlled by Or'U 23 so that it remains as it is. The comparator 46 then compares these two data, and if the absolute value of the difference between them is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the comparator 46 issues a control signal and the buzzer 47 issues an alarm. And in this case, while the routine is running for a few seconds, the buzzer will sound 4.
7 continues to sound the alarm.

After a few seconds have passed and the routine has finished, the comparator 46
The second data stored in the memory 29 is supplied to the second data via the buffer gate 44, and the data of the shift register 33' is further supplied via the buffer gate 45. Of course, in this case as well, the data in the shift register 33' remains unchanged. The comparator 46 then compares these two data and controls the buzzer 47 while the several seconds elapse routine is being executed as described above.

Then, after a few seconds have passed and the routine is finished, the comparator 4
6 will be deleted. Now buzzer 4
If an alarm is being generated at step 7, the alarm stops. Thereafter, the data in the shift registers 33 and 33' are written into the memory 29 as first data and second data, respectively. When writing to the memory 29 is completed, power supply to systems necessary for white balance adjustment other than the shift registers 33 and 33' is stopped. Then, the white balance switch 26 is returned to the off state, and the original standby state is returned.

If an alarm occurs at this time, the user can determine that the white balance was incorrect in the previous image capture, and if the alarm does not occur, the user can determine that the white balance was correct. Therefore, when the alarm is stopped, the user takes necessary measures such as retaking the image.

If you turn off the power switch 25 in standby mode,
Shift register 33. ．． 33' and the CPU 23 are also stopped, and the system enters a standby state waiting for the power switch 25 to be turned on.

In the above description, the white balance is adjusted immediately after imaging, but as is clear from chart 70 in FIG. 3, the white balance can be adjusted at any time in the standby state. For example, if there is no chance of missing a shank opportunity, you can adjust the white balance just before shooting.

With the configuration described above, you can take a picture right when you want to take a picture, so you won't miss a photo opportunity, and you can immediately check if the white balance is out of order.
This prevents mistakes such as shooting with a distorted white balance and not noticing it.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a color imaging device as another embodiment of the present invention. Components similar to those in FIG. 1 or 2 are given the same reference numerals and explanations are omitted.

The outputs of the comparators 20 and 20' are respectively supplied to the illustrated analog switch 49. The analog switch 49 is controlled by a horizontal synchronizing signal separated by a horizontal synchronizing signal separation circuit 48 from the synchronizing signal obtained from the same signal circuit line 10, and converts the output signals of the comparators 20 and 20' into line sequential signals. Buffer gate 21' accordingly has half the number of bits of buffer gate 21 shown in FIG. With this configuration, the capacity of the data transmission path can be reduced to half.

28 is an indicator 3 that displays whether the control data written in the memory 29 is old or new;
0 is a timer. Further, 50 is an indicator that displays "white balance defect" when the comparator 46 generates a control signal.

The operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 will be explained below using a flowchart. FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG.

When the power switch 25 is turned on, the display 28 displays a display as described below. Also, 0PU23 and shift register 33
, 33' are also supplied with power, the 0PU23 becomes operational, and the shift registers 33, 33' are supplied with data in the memory 29 or standard white balance control data given from the 0PU23, as will be described later. Also, standard white balance control data is stored in the shift register 33.
, 33', it is also supplied to the memory 29. And this state is next the white balance switch 26
Alternatively, it is also in a standby state waiting for the imaging switch 27 to be turned on.

When the imaging switch 27 is turned on in this state, the second
Imaging is performed in the same order as the apparatus shown in the figure, and the apparatus returns to the standby state again. However, as shown in FIG. 5, the imaging switch is turned off manually.

Furthermore, when the white balance switch 26 is turned on after imaging, the shift register 33,
Rewrite the data in 33'. When there is a large difference between the white balance control data stored in the memory 29 from the previous image capture and the new white balance control data, the buzzer 47 emits a tone for several seconds. At the same time, the display 50 displays "white balance failure".

Thereafter, the control data contained in the shift registers 33, 33' are stored in the memory 29 followed by the bank-up power supply 31. At the same time, the timer 30 is reset and restarted. Further, "white balance adjustment completed" is displayed on the display 28 for a predetermined period of time, and the supply of power to threads necessary for white balance adjustment other than the shift registers 33 and 33' is stopped. Then, the white balance switch 26 is returned to the off state, and the original standby state is returned.

If the power switch 25 is turned off in this standby state, the supply of power to the shift registers 33, 33' and 0PU 23 is also stopped, and the system enters a standby state waiting for the power switch 25 to be turned on next.

Next, the operation after the power switch 25 is turned on will be explained. As mentioned above, the CPU 23 and shift registers 33, 3
3' is supplied with power, at this time timer 30
See the value that is being clocked. This is to determine whether the control data stored in the memory 29 is old by checking the time since the last white balance adjustment. That is, if the value measured by the timer 30 is less than or equal to the predetermined value, it is determined that the control data stored in the memory 29 is valid to some extent because not much time has passed since the last white balance adjustment. On the other hand, if the value measured by the timer 3o exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the timer 3o is invalid. If it is determined that the control data is valid, the control data stored in the memory 29 is transferred to the shift register 3.
3, write to 33' and display "setting flow" on the display 28. On the other hand, if it is determined that the data is invalid, the standard white balance control data described above is transferred to the shift register 33,
33', and the display 28 displays "Standard".

This puts the camera in the standby state described above, and waits for the white balance switch 26 or the imaging switch 27 to be turned on.

According to the configuration described above, the user can determine whether the control data in the memory 29 is old or new by looking at the display of "setting flow" or "standard" when the power is turned on.

If you can start imaging immediately and the "setting flow" is displayed, there is no need to adjust the white balance again and use the comparator 46 to determine whether the control data is valid. is displayed, it can be said that it is highly necessary to take the white balance again and determine whether the control data is valid.

Therefore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the embodiment shown in FIG.
This saves a lot of operational effort. Furthermore, especially when shooting still images continuously, the effectiveness of the white balance control data can be used to a certain extent in advance, and the possibility of capturing a large number of images with distorted white balance can be extremely reduced.

(Effects) As described in detail using the embodiments above, according to the present invention, it is possible to take a picture immediately without missing a photo opportunity when you want to take a picture, and it is possible to take a picture without missing a photo opportunity without realizing that the white balance has deteriorated. To obtain a color imaging device that does not cause photographic errors such as those caused by a color error.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a conventional example of a color imaging device having a white balance system, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a color imaging device as an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the device shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a color imaging device as another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart showing the operation of the device shown in FIG. 4. 1 is an image sensor, 4 is a gain control circuit, 8 and 8' are DC regenerators, 12 and 12' are smoothing circuits, 20 and 20' are comparators, and 23 is C! PU, 29 is memory, 33, 33
' is a shift register, 46 is a comparator as comparison means, 47 is a buzzer, and 50 is a display. -142

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) an imaging means for obtaining a color image signal from an optical image; an adjusting means for adjusting the hue of the color image signal obtained by the imaging means; a color imaging device comprising comparison means for comparing a control signal newly generated by the generation means with a control signal newly generated by the generation means. (2) The color imaging device according to claim 1, further comprising output means for performing display or audio output in accordance with the output of the comparison means.