JPS63114386A - Electronic image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the titled device small in size, light in weight and low in cost by using a time expansion circuit to eliminate the need for a mechanical shutter and a frame memory. CONSTITUTION:No shutter is interposed between an image pickup lens 1 and an imager 3 and the read speed of the imager 3 operated by an imager driver 4 is twice the speed of a conventional video camera. The signal read is subjected to desired processing by a signal processing circuit 7 and recorded on a magnetic recording medium 14 by a magnetic head 12 via a switch 40 switched at each horizontal scanning period, a time expansion circuit 41, a FM modulation circuit 42 and a head amplifier 43 forming an odd field system circuit. Moreover, the signal is recorded on the medium 14 similarly via a time expansion circuit 44, a FM modulation circuit 45 and a head amplifier 16 forming an even field system circuit.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an electronic imaging device, and more specifically, to an electronic imaging device that uses two signals corresponding to odd and even fields of a video signal obtained by an imaging means. This invention relates to an electronic imaging device that simultaneously records images on two tracks.

[Conventional technology]

An example of an electronic still camera that records two signals corresponding to odd and even fields of a video signal obtained by an imaging device on two tracks is shown in FIG. It is designed to operate as shown in Figure 8.

That is, a mechanical shutter 2 is arranged in the optical path of the photographing lens 1 for forming a subject image, and behind this shutter 2, for example, an interline transfer type COD imager 3 is arranged. There is. This imager 3 is
Scanning is controlled by the imager driver 4 to match a desired television system (for example, NTSC system).

Further, the shutter 2 is controlled to open and close by a driver 6 that is operated by the output of a photosensor 5 that measures the light from a subject.

8(a) prior to exposure.
) The unnecessary accumulated charge is discharged at the timing shown by ).

Thereafter, the drive is controlled by the driver 6 based on the output of the optical sensor 5, and the shutter 2 is opened for a predetermined period of time as shown in FIG. 8(b), thereby exposing the imager 3 to light.

Photocharges are accumulated in the pixels of the imager 3, and then, based on the control from the imager driver 4, the accumulation corresponding to each pixel in the odd field is performed using a control signal as shown in FIG. 8 (C1). Each of the charges is transferred to a vertical transfer register, and through a horizontal shift register, odd field data is obtained at the output of the imager 3 at the timing shown in FIG. 8(d).

Furthermore, based on the control from the imager driver 4, each of the accumulated charges corresponding to each pixel in the even field is transferred to the vertical transfer register by a control signal as shown in FIG. Figure 8(f) is the output of
Even field data is obtained at the timing shown in .

The odd field and even field data thus obtained are alternately obtained as the output of the imager 3, and the output is subjected to desired signal processing by the signal processing circuit 7 and then sent to the FM modulation circuit 8. FM modulation suitable for magnetic recording is performed, and the signal is sent to each of two head amplifiers 10 and 11 provided corresponding to the odd and even field signal systems via a switch 9 that can be switched for each odd and even field. Supplied. The respective outputs of the head amplifiers 10 and 11 are magnetically recorded on two different tracks of the magnetic recording medium 14 by two magnetic heads 12 and 13 corresponding to the odd fields, and then recorded on tracks corresponding to the even fields. magnetically recorded on the track. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, lines n, n+l, n+2--, corresponding to odd-numbered fields, and line d, corresponding to even-numbered fields.

d+1. The IH data for each horizontal scanning period of d + 2-... The recording method is compatible with the imager's interlace mode.

On the other hand, as a conventional example of an imaging section, a case where the imaging section is configured using an imager having a filter arrangement shown in FIG. 6 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the case of an odd field, the sum signal of H and H2 is output on the first line, the sum signal of H1 and H4 is output on the second line, and the sum signal of each adjacent row is output in the same manner. In the case of an even field, the sum signal of Ht and H5 is generated on the 1st line, and H on the 2nd line.
The sum signal of 4 and Hs is output in the same manner as the sum signal of the adjacent row shifted by one row from that in the odd field.

The sum signal of two adjacent rows obtained in an odd field is H+ + Ht −C)F + G,
Y e + M g + −−−−−−−
---2G+B, 2R+B
+G−−−−−−−−=・Hl +Ha
-Y e +G, Cy +Mg +--
−−−−−−−−−−−−−2G+R, 2'B+R+
G----・-・-・-・・The sum of adjacent signals in the row direction is 2G+B+2R+B+G-2G+R+28
+R+G value 2R+3G+2B This signal is defined as the luminance signal Y.

The difference between adjacent signals in the row direction is Hl +)[, in the case of 2G+B-2R-B-G-G-2R H3+l (in the case of 4, 2G+R-28-R-G-G-2B). Let R-Y be a color difference signal, and 2
To detect the sum of adjacent signals in the row direction, where R-G corresponds to B-Y and 2B-G, the original signal (H
+ +Ht Hs +Ha・・−・・・−) is integrated (
To detect the difference between adjacent signals in the row direction, the high-frequency components of the original signal can be envelope-detected.

That is, in the imager 3, a Y signal, which is a luminance signal, is sequentially generated for each IH, and an R-signal, which is a color difference signal, is generated for each IH.
A Y signal and a BY signal are generated alternately. Therefore, taking the case of an odd field as an example, the first
As shown in Figure 2, the output of the imager 3 is mixed by the adder 21 to produce a signal in which the low frequency component Y signal and the high frequency component RY signal are combined, and the low frequency signal Y signal and A signal in which the B-Y signals of the high-frequency signals are synthesized is obtained alternately.

Taking the case of an even field as an example, as shown in FIG. 13, the output of the imager 3 is mixed by the adder 21, so that the Y signal of the low frequency signal and the BY signal of the high frequency signal are generated. The combined signal and the combined signal of the low frequency signal Y signal and the high frequency signal RY signal are obtained alternately.

The signal at the output end of the adder 21 obtained in this way is passed through the low-pass filter 22 to
Y)-2R+3G+2B is converted into a word code, passes through the bypass filter 23, and passes through the detection circuit 24 (RY)-2R-G (B-Y)-28-G. After this signal is FM-modulated by an FM modulation circuit similar to that described above, magnetic recording is performed on a desired magnetic recording medium.

Further, as another example of an electronic still camera, one constructed as shown in FIG. 14 is also considered.

That is, the imager driver 31 for scanning the imager 3 is configured so that odd field outputs and even field outputs are generated alternately. The output of 1
The field or frame data of the imager 3 is temporarily stored via a memory 33 while being supplied to the same signal processing circuit 7 as described above via a switch 32 which is switched alternately for each field.

After the odd field signal processing is completed, the memory 33
By switching the switch 32, the data is supplied to the signal processing circuit 7 as even field data,
After being FM modulated by the FM modulation circuit 8, magnetic recording is performed in the same manner as described above.

Furthermore, as shown in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 60-180285, arbitrary two outputs corresponding to odd and even fields are taken out simultaneously as outputs of an imager, and then these two outputs are combined into two outputs. Magnetic recording is performed on two recording tracks.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, in the former example, a mechanical shutter must be used, which complicates the mechanical structure and reduces its reliability, and also poses problems in terms of size, weight, and cost. be.

In the latter case, a mechanical shutter is not used, which avoids complicating the mechanical configuration, but a frame memory must be used, which is expensive and has a large size.

Due to weight and power consumption, it is not at a stage where it can be applied to electronic imaging devices.

An object of the present invention is to provide a small, lightweight, and low-cost electronic imaging device that eliminates the need for a mechanical shutter and frame memory by using a time expansion circuit that is much smaller than a frame memory.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the electronic I
The imager has a vertical transfer register section for transferring charges accumulated in each of a plurality of photosensitive pixels arranged in rows and columns in a non-interlaced manner in the column direction, and one register section for transferring data in the row direction. a solid-state image sensor having a horizontal transfer register section, an imaging means for forming a subject image on a light-receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor, and images corresponding to odd and even fields read out in time series from the solid-state image sensor. video signal selection means for selecting respective signals; time expansion means for time-expanding the video signals selected by the video signal selection means for each horizontal line; and odd and even fields obtained from the time expansion means, respectively. The present invention is characterized in that it is configured to include an information recording means for recording the signals on the recording medium almost simultaneously via the conversion means.

[For production]

An electronic imaging device according to the present invention includes a vertical transfer register having a number of stages necessary for non-interlacing transfer of charges accumulated in each of a plurality of bright light pixels arranged in a row direction and a column direction in a column direction. The video signals corresponding to the odd and even fields read out in time series from the output of a solid-state image sensor having one horizontal transfer register section that transfers data in the row direction corresponding to the row direction and the odd and even fields are respectively displayed. The video signal selected by the signal selection means is time-expanded for each horizontal line, and the signals of the odd and even fields obtained therefrom are almost simultaneously recorded on the recording medium via the conversion means.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6.

First, a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. This embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a black and white electronic still camera.

In FIG. 1, the above-mentioned shutter 2 is not inserted between the photographing lens 1 and the imager 3, and the imager 3 is operated by an imager driver 4.
The readout speed is assumed to be twice that of a normal video camera.

That is, one horizontal scanning period is I/2H, and the charges of all pixels of the imager 3 are read out in a non-interlaced manner in one field (1/60 sec). The signals read out in this way are as follows. After the desired processing is performed by the signal processing circuit 7, a time expansion circuit 41, an FM modulation circuit 42, and a head amplifier 43 forming an odd field system circuit are connected via a switch 40 that opens and closes every cycle of II('. A magnetic recording medium 1 is read by a magnetic head 12 similar to that described above.
4. Magnetic recording is now possible.

Also, a time expansion circuit 44 that forms an even field system circuit via a switch 40 that opens and closes every IH' period. F
M modulation circuit 45. Magnetic recording is performed on the magnetic recording medium 14 by the same magnetic head 13 as described above via the head amplifier 46. The output of imager 3 is
Prior to photographing, the unnecessary accumulated charges are first discharged as shown by ta+ in FIG. Immediately after this, during the T image for a predetermined period of time corresponding to the brightness of the subject.
3, the photoelectric charge is accumulated, and then, based on the control from the imager driver 4, a control signal as shown in FIG. The accumulated charges of all middle pixels are simultaneously transferred to the vertical transfer register. The time from the end of unnecessary charge discharge until the accumulated charges of all pixels are transferred to the vertical shift register becomes the substantial exposure time.

After the time indicated by T in FIG. 2, the vertical transfer register is shielded from light, so that subsequent exposure to imager 3 has virtually no effect on the signal charge.
As shown in FIG. 3 (al), the signals of both fields are output alternately for each line.

Next, as shown by (C1) in FIG. 3(b), the odd field and the even field are sorted by a switch 40 which is switched every 11(').

The data of the odd and even fields obtained in this way is transferred to the odd and even fields through a switch 40 which is switched every As shown in FIG. 3(d) and (el), the time axes are each expanded by two times by the time expansion circuits 41 and 44, and input to the two FM modulation circuits 42 and 45, respectively.
M modulation is performed.

In this way, the signal obtained every 1" cycle is expanded twice, and the signal that has become null is compensated for and the returned normal signal is supplied to each of the head amplifiers 43 and 46, and the same process as described above is carried out. magnetic recording is performed on the magnetic recording medium 14 by the magnetic heads 12 and 13. That is, the two magnetic heads 12
．． 13, magnetic recording is performed on two different tracks of the magnetic recording medium 14 in the trunk corresponding to the odd-numbered field, and at the same time, magnetic recording is performed almost simultaneously on the track corresponding to the even-numbered field.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. This embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a color electronic still camera. The filter arrangement shown in FIG. 6 is assumed. Odd number in order to read out charges of all pixels of the imager 3 in a non-interlaced manner within one field period as described above.

Outputs corresponding to even fields can be obtained at the same time. In addition, the imager 3 controls the time from the end of unnecessary charge discharge to the time when the exposure corresponding to the photometric output of the optical sensor 5 is completed by the imager driver 4 until the charge of all pixels is transferred to the vertical shift register. Therefore, it can be applied electrically.

In the case of the imager shown in Fig. 6, the output of the imager 3 as shown in Fig. 5 +al is delayed by a time of 1/2H, that is, a time corresponding to 1'' on the imager, as shown in Fig. 4. The output of the imager 3 is supplied to the adder circuit 52 via the circuit 51, and the output of the imager 3 is also directly supplied to the adder circuit 52.By this addition, the output of the imager 3 is directly supplied to the adder circuit 52. All the sums for the rows are obtained (see Figure 5(b)).The output of this adder circuit 52 is calculated at the IH period as shown in Figures 5(C) and (d). 1/2H by each of the two expansion circuits 54, 58 via switches 53 which open and close alternately.
The period of IH is expanded to twice the time, and odd field data and even field data of the IH period are obtained (fifth
(e), (r)) - Each of these data passes through a low-pass filter 55, and becomes a luminance signal (Y)-2R+3G+ corresponding to an odd field.
The signal is converted into a 2B signal, passed through a bypass filter 56, and then a detection circuit 57, whereby two color difference signals (R-Y)=2R-G (B-Y)-2B-G are obtained for each line. It will be done. After this signal is FM-modulated by an FM modulation circuit similar to that described above, it is magnetically recorded on a desired magnetic recording medium to become a recording signal.

Also, even in the even field system, the low pass filter 59. Bypass filter 60. The detection circuit 61 generates a luminance signal (Y)-2R+3G+2 corresponding to the even field by passing it through the low-pass filter 59 in the same manner as described above.
It is converted into a B signal, passes through a bypass filter 60,
By passing through the detection circuit 61, two color difference signals (R-Y)-2R-G (B-Y)-28-G are obtained for each line, and this signal is FM modulated by the same FM modulation circuit as described above. After that, magnetic recording is performed on the desired magnetic recording medium corresponding to the even field.

Above, as an example of a method for performing color separation using two adjacent lines, an example of the image ten of the filter array shown in FIG. 6 has been described, but it is of course not limited to this. . An imager filter array that completes color separation in one line,
For example, in the case of the one shown in FIG. 15, the 1/2H delay circuit 51 and the adder circuit 52 are not necessary. Furthermore, the circuits 55 to 61 may be changed depending on the color separation method. Further, although the case where the scanning speed of the imager is doubled has been described, the present invention is not limited to this.

Note that the output of the imager 3 in each of the embodiments of the color electronic still camera described above is taken out by lines when Cy, Mg, G, and Ye pixels are selectively arranged as shown in FIG. For example, the output obtained by combining the output of line H! and the output of line H2 is made to correspond to an odd field, and the output obtained by combining the output of line H3 and line H4 is made to correspond to the next line. The output obtained by combining the output of line H1 and the output of line H1 is made to correspond to the even field, the output obtained by combining the output of line H4 and the output of line H3 is made to correspond to the next line, and so on. Odd and even fields may be generated by combining comrades.
It goes without saying that the odd and even field lines may be formed independently.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic imaging device with a simplified mechanical configuration without reducing sensitivity and resolution.

That is, a mechanical shutter is not required, and a small, lightweight, and low-cost electronic imaging device can be obtained. Further, since the dark current is small and the storage time can be shortened, an electronic imaging device with low dark current and improved S/N ratio and short recording time can be obtained, and trunk access is fast and snapshot speed can be increased.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an electronic imaging device showing a first embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are diagrams for explaining the operation, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation, FIG. 6 is an arrangement diagram showing an example of an imager filter, and FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a conventional electronic imaging device. A circuit diagram showing an example of a still camera. Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the operation. Figure 9 is a conceptual diagram for explaining odd and even fields. Figure 1O is a diagram for explaining interlaced scanning. Figure 11 is a circuit diagram showing another example of a conventional electronic still camera, Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the operation, and Figure 14 is a circuit diagram showing another example of a conventional electronic still camera. Circuit Diagram Showing Another Example FIG. 15 is an arrangement diagram showing another example of the imager filter. 3−・−・−−−1−−In the image−4−・−・−・−
・Driver 7 --- Signal processing circuit 40 --- Switch (video signal selection means) 4
1, 44-----Time expansion circuit 42, 45
・−・・−−−−−FM modulation circuit 43, 46−−−
-----------Hefed Amp 12, 13------・-・
Magnetic head (information recording means) 14--・-------1 Magnetic recording medium (1 No.) Saki [Yield -J co! 1-111-F road
- rr rr+11-'Ar
) 4 yen;] 8th record erase 9 figure kudzu 10 former 勺 ° revised f 1-9 do [5 = =] - 1 `` = lower Te 111i ≧ 4 chi ■ Father - 4 - Rudo - [EII = = 1 --1==7
? Possible==1-1"ko〒;≧]ki IIIP≧] See 12 Figure 1H12H4J
Hs+)-Is7 filter 131g

Claims (1)

[Claims] A vertical transfer register section for transferring charges accumulated in each of a plurality of photosensitive pixels arranged in the row direction and column direction in a non-interlaced manner in the column direction, and one unit for transferring data in the row direction. a solid-state image sensor having a horizontal transfer register section; an imaging means for forming a subject image on a light-receiving surface of the solid-state image sensor; and images corresponding to odd and even fields read out in time series from the solid-state image sensor. video signal selection means for selecting respective signals; time expansion means for time-expanding the video signals selected by the video signal selection means for each horizontal line; and each of an odd field and an even field obtained from the time expansion means. an information recording means for recording the signals on a recording medium almost simultaneously via a conversion means.