JPS5936482A - Solid-state element camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the resolution, by splitting a image pickup ray with an optical path splitter and arranging a solid-state image pickup element to the split paths respectively so that the non-photosensitive range between picture elements is covered. CONSTITUTION:The image pickup ray incident from an object through a image pickup lens 11 is split into a image pickup ray incident to a solid-state image pickup element 13 after going straight through a prism 12 and a image pickup ray incident to a solid-state image piuckup element 13' after being reflected on the prism 12. The optical image in the line direction of the matrix, i.g., the optical image of the same vertical position shifted by a half the horizontal picture element interval, is made incident to both the elements 13, 13'. The output from both the elements 13, 13' is amplified at amplifiers 14, 14' and positioned at a delay circuit 15, added at a mixing circuit 16 and led out via an amplifier circuit 17.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designed to image a subject using a solid-state image sensor having pixels arranged in a matrix, and sequentially output video signals of each pixel by readout scanning in the horizontal and vertical directions. It concerns the solid-state camera that has become popular.

This Yuzu solid-state image sensor is, for example, 12.7. (horizontal,)
490 (vertical) x 408 (horizontal) pixels are arranged in an image size of 9.7 (vertical) mm, but
As shown in the figure, there is normally a C
Regardless of the type, such as CD type or MQS type, there is a circuit for reading out the video signal, so there is no photosensitive area 2.
exists.

Therefore, although solid-state cameras have many advantages, they have the disadvantage of being inferior in resolution to conventional image pickup tubes.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solid-state camera with improved resolution.

Next, the present invention will be explained based on the illustrated embodiments.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 12 denotes an optical path splitter that divides the optical path of the imaging light beam incident through the imaging lens 11 into two, and in this case is composed of a prism equipped with a semi-transparent mirror 12'. Image sensors 13 and 13' having the same structure are arranged on the optical path divided into two by the prism 12, and their positional relationship is such that the vertical alignment is the same for the same optical image, or the horizontal direction is a dead area. In order to cover each other, the pixels are shifted from each other in the horizontal direction by a distance of 1// m pixels in the horizontal direction. That is, assuming that FIG. 1 shows some pixels of a solid-state sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as an element) 3, the light-receiving part of the pixel of the element 3' is the light-receiving part of the pixel at the corresponding matrix position of the element 3. 1 and the next light receiving section 1 in the horizontal scanning direction. 14 and 14' are preamplifiers that amplify the video signals supplied from the associated elements 13 and 13', respectively; This is a delay circuit that temporally delays each video signal of the element 3' in response to the shift. 16 is a mixing circuit that uses an adder circuit to integrate the video signals of the pixel elements 13 and 13';17;
18 is an amplifier circuit that amplifies the added video signal and outputs it at low impedance; 18 is an amplifier circuit that amplifies the summed video signal and outputs it at low impedance; This is a control circuit that generates vertical bladder evacuation scanning pulses.

Next, the operation will be explained with reference to FIG.

The imaging light beam that enters from the subject through the swimming lens 11 travels straight through the prism 12, enters the element 13, is reflected by the semi-transparent mirror 12', is further reflected by the prism surface 12, and enters the element 13'. The imaging beam is split into two.

Due to the above-mentioned positional relationship of the pixel elements 13.13', optical images at the same vertical position are incident on the pixel elements 13.13', shifted by 1/2 of the pixel interval in the line direction of the matrix, that is, in the horizontal direction. In this state, when the control circuit 18 supplies readout scanning pulses for horizontal rask scanning to the pixel elements 13 and 13', video signals a and b are sequentially generated from the pixel at the starting end of the uppermost horizontal line. . These are respectively amplified by preamplifiers 14 and 14', and then
The video signal from ' is compared to the positional deviation by the delay circuit 15;
2 (video signal C), the mixing circuit 16
It is added to the video signal a amplified by . As a result, the mixing circuit 16 generates a video signal d that can be exposed to the photographer's light beam that is incident on the non-sensitized area between each pixel of the horizontal force of one probe 13, and the video signal d is passed through the amplifier circuit 17 horizontally. A video signal with improved directional resolution is output. In this way, a video signal that doubles the horizontal resolution of the matrix pixels is output for each horizontal line, making it possible to monitor a clearer image using, for example, a monitor scope. 1 In FIG. 2, the optical path splitter can also be constructed with an anti-transparent mirror and a reversing mirror in place of the prism 12. In this case, if a solid-state image sensor with a reverse readout direction is manufactured, the reversing mirror is becomes unnecessary. To adjust the time point at which the video signal is generated, instead of using the delay circuit 15, the readout scanning pulse may be delayed or the readout scanning pulse may be generated in two series. In the same way, depending on the mutual positional relationship of both solids 3@ and image system, it is possible to cover the insensitive area purple of pixels 1 & I in the vertical direction, and by increasing the splitting path of the optical path splitter, the horizontal and vertical directions can be covered. You can also improve the resolution at the same time. The mixing circuit 16 can also be configured with a switch circuit that alternately selects the video 48.

As described above, according to the present invention, an imaging light beam is divided by an optical path splitter, and a solid-state image sensor is arranged in each split path in a positional relationship that covers the light-free area between pixels, thereby achieving a solid-state device with improved resolution. Cameras will become possible, and even minute objects such as IC circuits will be able to be imaged more precisely.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a part of the arrangement of light receiving sections of each pixel of a solid-state image sensor, FIG. 2 shows a circuit configuration of a solid-state camera according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 shows waveforms of each part thereof. ■... Light-receiving section 2. Light-insensitive area 12... Prism 13.13'... Solid-state image sensor agent Fuku
Masaharu Tome Procedural Amendment IIB September 1, 2015 Kazuo Wakasugi, Commissioner of the Japan Patent Office1, Indication of the case: 1987 Patent Application No. 1461002, Title of the invention: Solid-state camera 3, Person making the amendment Relationship with Iku Naka Special ¥1 Applicant rlj'll 1-39-8 Nogata, Nakano-ku, Tokyo
Mr. Ueno Building Name (Name) Flow Re Engineering Co., Ltd. 4 Agent 〒166 6. Will the number of inventions increase due to amendment? , Figure 2 of sleeve closures

Claims (1)

[Claims] An optical path splitter for the light beam, a plurality of solid-state image sensors arranged in a positional relationship that mutually covers the light-free area between pixels in the plurality of optical paths divided by the splitter, and a readout scanning device. A solid-state device camera characterized in that it has a mixing circuit that integrates video signals of each of the solid-state image sensors that are sequentially generated in accordance with the positional relationship.