JP2012109767A - Imaging apparatus and imaging system - Google Patents

Imaging apparatus and imaging system Download PDF

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JP2012109767A
JP2012109767A JP2010256589A JP2010256589A JP2012109767A JP 2012109767 A JP2012109767 A JP 2012109767A JP 2010256589 A JP2010256589 A JP 2010256589A JP 2010256589 A JP2010256589 A JP 2010256589A JP 2012109767 A JP2012109767 A JP 2012109767A
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imaging
light
emitting element
light emitting
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Toru Murase
亨 村瀬
Shigenori Takagishi
成典 高岸
Miki Kusao
幹 草尾
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Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Sumitomo Electric Industries Ltd
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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an imaging apparatus capable of sufficiently reducing power consumption accompanied with the emission of auxiliary light.SOLUTION: A monitoring device 3 as an imaging apparatus includes: an imaging part 12 having light receiving elements and periodically repeating an electric charge accumulation period for accumulating electric charges in the light receiving elements so as to image an object; an emission part 13 having light emitting elements and turning on the light emitting elements so as to emit auxiliary light for imaging by the imaging part 12; and a control part 14 for controlling the imaging part 12 and the emission part 13. The control part 14 performs the synchronization control of the operations of the imaging part 12 and the emission part 13 to thereby allow the light emitting elements to be turned on in the electric charge accumulation period and to be turned off in at least a partial period in a period other than the electric charge accumulation period.

Description

本発明は、撮像装置及び撮像システムに関する。   The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus and an imaging system.

監視カメラによって所定の監視エリアを撮影することにより、監視エリアへの侵入者を検知する監視装置が広く実用化されている。このような監視装置においては、一般的に、監視カメラによって撮影した監視エリアの映像をモニタに表示し、表示された映像を監視者が目視することによって、監視エリアへの侵入者が監視される。また、夜間における監視を行うべく、監視エリアに向けて補助光を照射するための補助光照射器を備えた監視装置も実用化されている。   A monitoring device that detects an intruder into a monitoring area by photographing a predetermined monitoring area with a monitoring camera has been widely put into practical use. In such a monitoring apparatus, generally, an intruder into the monitoring area is monitored by displaying a video of the monitoring area captured by the monitoring camera on the monitor and viewing the displayed video by the monitoring person. . In addition, in order to perform monitoring at night, a monitoring apparatus including an auxiliary light irradiator for irradiating auxiliary light toward a monitoring area has been put into practical use.

下記特許文献１には、補助光として赤外光を照射する照明機器を備えた撮像装置が開示されている。   Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an imaging device including an illumination device that emits infrared light as auxiliary light.

特許第４３１０３０９号公報Japanese Patent No. 4310309

しかしながら、夜間の監視期間において補助光を常時照射したのでは、消費電力が増大する。また、監視エリア内に何等かの移動物体を検知した場合のみ補助光を照射するという制御も可能ではあるが、移動物体の検知期間内においては補助光が常時照射されるため、消費電力の削減効果は不十分である。   However, if the auxiliary light is always radiated during the night monitoring period, the power consumption increases. In addition, it is possible to control to irradiate auxiliary light only when any moving object is detected in the monitoring area, but the auxiliary light is always radiated during the detection period of the moving object, thus reducing power consumption. The effect is insufficient.

本発明はかかる事情に鑑みて成されたものであり、補助光の照射に伴う消費電力を十分に削減することが可能な撮像装置及び撮像システムを得ることを目的とするものである。   The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an imaging apparatus and an imaging system capable of sufficiently reducing power consumption associated with irradiation of auxiliary light.

本発明の第１の態様に係る撮像装置は、受光素子を有し、当該受光素子に電荷を蓄積する電荷蓄積期間を周期的に繰り返すことにより、対象物を撮像する撮像部と、発光素子を有し、当該発光素子を点灯させることにより、前記撮像部による撮像のための補助光を照射する照射部と、前記撮像部及び前記照射部を制御する制御部と、を備え、前記制御部は、前記電荷蓄積期間においては前記発光素子が点灯し、前記電荷蓄積期間でない期間の少なくとも一部期間においては前記発光素子が消灯するように、前記撮像部及び前記照射部の動作を同期制御することを特徴とするものである。   An imaging apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a light receiving element, and an imaging unit that captures an object by periodically repeating a charge accumulation period in which charges are accumulated in the light receiving element, and a light emitting element. An illumination unit that emits auxiliary light for imaging by the imaging unit, and a control unit that controls the imaging unit and the irradiation unit by turning on the light emitting element, and the control unit includes: The operations of the imaging unit and the irradiation unit are synchronously controlled so that the light emitting element is turned on during the charge accumulation period and the light emitting element is turned off during at least a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period. It is characterized by.

第１の態様に係る撮像装置によれば、制御部は、受光素子の電荷蓄積期間においては発光素子が点灯し、電荷蓄積期間でない期間の少なくとも一部期間においては発光素子が消灯するように、撮像部及び照射部の動作を同期制御する。従って、発光素子が常時点灯される場合と比較すると、補助光の照射に伴う消費電力を削減することが可能となる。しかも、電荷蓄積期間でない期間に受光素子に入射された対象物からの反射光は、対象物の画像形成に寄与しないため、電荷蓄積期間でない期間の少なくとも一部期間において発光素子を消灯する制御を行っても、対象物の画像を支障なく形成することができる。   According to the imaging device according to the first aspect, the control unit turns on the light emitting element during the charge accumulation period of the light receiving element and turns off the light emitting element during at least a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period. The operations of the imaging unit and the irradiation unit are controlled synchronously. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption associated with irradiation of auxiliary light as compared with the case where the light emitting element is always turned on. In addition, since the reflected light from the object incident on the light receiving element during the period other than the charge accumulation period does not contribute to the image formation of the object, the light emitting element is controlled to be turned off at least during a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period. Even if it goes, the image of the object can be formed without hindrance.

本発明の第２の態様に係る撮像装置は、第１の態様に係る撮像装置において特に、前記発光素子の発光強度は、常時点灯される発光素子の発光強度よりも高く設定されていることを特徴とするものである。   In the imaging device according to the second aspect of the present invention, in particular, in the imaging device according to the first aspect, the light emission intensity of the light emitting element is set higher than the light emission intensity of the light emitting element that is always lit. It is a feature.

第２の態様に係る撮像装置によれば、発光素子の発光強度は、常時点灯される発光素子の発光強度よりも高く設定されている。従って、対象物からの反射光の強度が上がり、信号対雑音比を向上することができるため、高画質の撮像画像を得ることが可能となる。しかも、電荷蓄積期間でない期間においては発光素子が消灯されるため、発光素子の発光強度を高く設定することに伴う消費電力の増大を必要最小限に抑制することができる。   According to the imaging device according to the second aspect, the light emission intensity of the light emitting element is set to be higher than the light emission intensity of the light emitting element that is always lit. Therefore, the intensity of the reflected light from the object is increased and the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved, so that a high-quality captured image can be obtained. In addition, since the light-emitting element is turned off during a period other than the charge accumulation period, an increase in power consumption associated with setting the light emission intensity of the light-emitting element to be high can be suppressed to the minimum necessary.

本発明の第３の態様に係る撮像システムは、受光素子を有し、当該受光素子に電荷を蓄積する電荷蓄積期間を周期的に繰り返すことにより、対象物を撮像する撮像装置と、発光素子を有し、当該発光素子を点灯させることにより、前記撮像装置による撮像のための補助光を照射する照射装置と、前記撮像装置及び前記照射装置を制御する制御装置と、を備え、前記制御装置は、前記電荷蓄積期間においては前記発光素子が点灯し、前記電荷蓄積期間でない期間の少なくとも一部期間においては前記発光素子が消灯するように、前記撮像装置及び前記照射装置の動作を同期制御することを特徴とするものである。   An imaging system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an imaging device that has a light receiving element and periodically captures a charge accumulation period in which charges are accumulated in the light receiving element, and a light emitting element. And an illumination device that emits auxiliary light for imaging by the imaging device by turning on the light emitting element, and a control device that controls the imaging device and the illumination device. The operations of the imaging device and the irradiation device are synchronously controlled so that the light-emitting element is turned on during the charge accumulation period and the light-emitting element is turned off during at least a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period. It is characterized by.

第３の態様に係る撮像システムによれば、制御装置は、受光素子の電荷蓄積期間においては発光素子が点灯し、電荷蓄積期間でない期間の少なくとも一部期間においては発光素子が消灯するように、撮像装置及び照射装置の動作を同期制御する。従って、発光素子が常時点灯される場合と比較すると、補助光の照射に伴う消費電力を削減することが可能となる。しかも、電荷蓄積期間でない期間に受光素子に入射された対象物からの反射光は、対象物の画像形成に寄与しないため、電荷蓄積期間でない期間の少なくとも一部期間において発光素子を消灯する制御を行っても、対象物の画像を支障なく形成することができる。   According to the imaging system of the third aspect, the control device turns on the light emitting element during the charge accumulation period of the light receiving element and turns off the light emitting element during at least a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period. The operations of the imaging device and the irradiation device are controlled synchronously. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption associated with irradiation of auxiliary light as compared with the case where the light emitting element is always turned on. In addition, since the reflected light from the object incident on the light receiving element during the period other than the charge accumulation period does not contribute to the image formation of the object, the light emitting element is controlled to be turned off at least during a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period. Even if it goes, the image of the object can be formed without hindrance.

本発明によれば、補助光の照射に伴う消費電力を十分に削減することが可能な撮像装置及び撮像システムを得ることが可能となる。   ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to obtain the imaging device and imaging system which can fully reduce the power consumption accompanying irradiation of auxiliary light.

本発明の実施の形態に係る監視装置の使用状況の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows an example of the usage condition of the monitoring apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 監視装置の外観を模式的に示す図である。It is a figure which shows typically the external appearance of a monitoring apparatus. 監視装置の機能構成を示すブロック図である。It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of a monitoring apparatus. 撮像部の構成を簡略化して示す図である。It is a figure which simplifies and shows the structure of an imaging part. 制御部による撮像部及び照射部の同期制御を示すタイミングチャートである。It is a timing chart which shows the synchronous control of the imaging part and irradiation part by a control part. 照射部における発光素子の発光制御を示すタイミングチャートである。It is a timing chart which shows the light emission control of the light emitting element in an irradiation part. 監視装置と同等の機能を備える監視システムを示す図である。It is a figure which shows the monitoring system provided with the function equivalent to a monitoring apparatus.

以下、本発明の実施の形態について、図面を用いて詳細に説明する。なお、異なる図面において同一の符号を付した要素は、同一又は相応する要素を示すものとする。   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the element which attached | subjected the same code | symbol in different drawing shall show the same or corresponding element.

図１は、本発明の実施の形態に係る監視装置３（撮像装置）の使用状況の一例を示す図である。通信基地局１が山中に設置されており、通信基地局１の周囲はフェンス２で取り囲まれている。この例において、監視装置３は、所定の撮影エリアとして、フェンス２を含む監視エリア４を撮影することにより、フェンス２を乗り越えて通信基地局１へ侵入しようとする侵入者を監視する用途で使用される。なお、図１の例では通信基地局１に一つの監視装置３のみが設置されているが、通信基地局１の周囲を死角無く監視するために、複数の監視装置３が設置されてもよい。   FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a usage state of a monitoring device 3 (imaging device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. A communication base station 1 is installed in the mountains, and the communication base station 1 is surrounded by a fence 2. In this example, the monitoring device 3 is used for the purpose of monitoring an intruder trying to get over the fence 2 and enter the communication base station 1 by shooting the monitoring area 4 including the fence 2 as a predetermined shooting area. Is done. In the example of FIG. 1, only one monitoring device 3 is installed in the communication base station 1, but a plurality of monitoring devices 3 may be installed in order to monitor the surroundings of the communication base station 1 without blind spots. .

図２は、監視装置３の外観を模式的に示す図である。また、図３は、監視装置３の機能構成を示すブロック図である。図３を参照して、監視装置３は、監視エリア４の画像を撮像するための撮像部１２と、撮像部１２による撮像のための補助光を照射する照射部１３と、撮像部１２及び照射部１３を制御する制御部１４とを備えて構成されている。   FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating the appearance of the monitoring device 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the monitoring device 3. With reference to FIG. 3, the monitoring device 3 includes an imaging unit 12 for imaging an image of the monitoring area 4, an irradiation unit 13 that emits auxiliary light for imaging by the imaging unit 12, an imaging unit 12, and irradiation. And a control unit 14 that controls the unit 13.

図４は、撮像部１２の構成を簡略化して示す図である。撮像部１２は、複数のレンズを有する光学系３０と、行列状に配列された複数の受光素子を有するＣＣＤ等の受光素子部３１とを含んで構成されている。   FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a simplified configuration of the imaging unit 12. The imaging unit 12 includes an optical system 30 having a plurality of lenses and a light receiving element unit 31 such as a CCD having a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a matrix.

撮像の対象物からの反射光Ｌ１は、光学系３０によって受光素子部３１上に導光される。受光素子部３１を構成する各受光素子は、反射光Ｌ１の受光強度に応じた量の電荷を蓄積し、蓄積した電荷を電流として取り出すことにより電気信号Ｄ１を出力する。これにより、対象物の画像が形成される。撮像部１２によって撮影された画像は、通信基地局１内又は遠隔地の監視センタ内に設置された液晶ディスプレイ等の表示部３２に表示される。   The reflected light L <b> 1 from the object to be imaged is guided onto the light receiving element unit 31 by the optical system 30. Each light receiving element constituting the light receiving element unit 31 accumulates an amount of charge corresponding to the received light intensity of the reflected light L1, and outputs the electric signal D1 by taking out the accumulated charge as a current. Thereby, an image of the object is formed. An image captured by the imaging unit 12 is displayed on a display unit 32 such as a liquid crystal display installed in the communication base station 1 or a remote monitoring center.

図３を参照して、照射部１３は、ＬＥＤ等の複数の発光素子を備えて構成されており、８５０ｎｍ帯又は９４０ｎｍ帯等の任意の波長帯の赤外光を補助光として照射する。   With reference to FIG. 3, the irradiation part 13 is comprised including several light emitting elements, such as LED, and irradiates infrared light of arbitrary wavelength bands, such as a 850 nm band or a 940 nm band, as auxiliary light.

図２を参照して、撮像部１２のレンズと、照射部１３とが、筐体１１の前面に取り付けられている。図３に示した制御部１４は、筐体１１の内部に配置されている。   With reference to FIG. 2, the lens of the imaging unit 12 and the irradiation unit 13 are attached to the front surface of the housing 11. The control unit 14 illustrated in FIG. 3 is disposed inside the housing 11.

監視装置３は広角カメラを用いて構成されており、この場合、撮像部１２は、監視エリア４の全体を撮影可能なように、視野が固定されている。またこの場合、監視エリア４の全体に対して補助光を照射可能なように、照射部１３による補助光の照射範囲が固定されている。   The monitoring device 3 is configured using a wide-angle camera. In this case, the field of view of the imaging unit 12 is fixed so that the entire monitoring area 4 can be captured. In this case, the irradiation range of the auxiliary light by the irradiation unit 13 is fixed so that the auxiliary light can be irradiated to the entire monitoring area 4.

但し、監視装置３は、パンチルト機能及びズーム機能を搭載したＰＴＺカメラを用いて構成されていてもよい。この場合、変化する撮像部１２の撮影範囲に補助光を照射可能なように、照射部１３による補助光の照射範囲を、撮像部１２の撮影範囲に応じて可変に制御してもよい。   However, the monitoring device 3 may be configured using a PTZ camera having a pan / tilt function and a zoom function. In this case, the irradiation range of the auxiliary light by the irradiation unit 13 may be variably controlled according to the shooting range of the imaging unit 12 so that the auxiliary light can be irradiated to the shooting range of the imaging unit 12 that changes.

本実施の形態において、監視装置３は、夜間における通信基地局１への侵入者を監視する用途で使用され、撮像部１２は、照射部１３から照射された赤外光に対する対象物からの反射光を受光することによって、対象物を撮像する。   In this Embodiment, the monitoring apparatus 3 is used in the use which monitors the intruder to the communication base station 1 at night, and the imaging part 12 is reflection from the target object with respect to the infrared light irradiated from the irradiation part 13. An object is imaged by receiving light.

なお、夜間のみならず日中における監視も可能であり、この場合には、撮像部１２は、太陽光に対する対象物からの反射光を受光することによって、対象物を撮像する。   It is possible to monitor not only at night but also during the day. In this case, the imaging unit 12 captures an image of the object by receiving reflected light from the object with respect to sunlight.

図５は、制御部１４による撮像部１２及び照射部１３の同期制御を示すタイミングチャートである。図５の上段には撮像部１２の動作を示しており、下段には照射部１３の動作を示している。   FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the synchronous control of the imaging unit 12 and the irradiation unit 13 by the control unit 14. The upper part of FIG. 5 shows the operation of the imaging unit 12, and the lower part shows the operation of the irradiation unit 13.

受光素子部３１を構成する各受光素子は、期間Ｐ１で示す電荷蓄積期間において、反射光Ｌ１の受光強度に応じた量の電荷を蓄積する。また、電荷蓄積期間以外の期間Ｐ２においては、各受光素子からの蓄積電荷の取り出しが行われる。期間Ｐ１及び期間Ｐ２は、画像のフレームレート（例えば３０ｆｐｓ）に応じた所定の周期で交互に繰り返される。   Each light receiving element constituting the light receiving element unit 31 accumulates an amount of charge corresponding to the received light intensity of the reflected light L1 in the charge accumulation period indicated by the period P1. In the period P2 other than the charge accumulation period, the accumulated charges are taken out from the respective light receiving elements. The period P1 and the period P2 are alternately repeated at a predetermined cycle corresponding to the frame rate (for example, 30 fps) of the image.

制御部１４は、撮像部１２の上記動作に同期させて、照射部１３が備える発光素子の点灯及び消灯を制御する。具体的には、期間Ｐ１においては発光素子が点灯状態となり、期間Ｐ２においては発光素子が消灯状態となるように、発光素子の動作タイミングを制御する。   The control unit 14 controls lighting and extinguishing of the light emitting elements included in the irradiation unit 13 in synchronization with the above-described operation of the imaging unit 12. Specifically, the operation timing of the light emitting element is controlled so that the light emitting element is turned on in the period P1 and the light emitting element is turned off in the period P2.

例えば、制御部１４から照射部１３に対してパルス状の駆動信号を入力し、パルスの論理が「１」の期間に発光素子を点灯させ、「０」の期間に発光素子を消灯させることにより、動作タイミングを制御することができる。あるいは、制御部１４から照射部１３に対して正弦波状の駆動信号を入力し、駆動信号の値が所定の閾値以上となる期間に発光素子を点灯させ、閾値未満となる期間に発光素子を消灯させることにより、動作タイミングを制御することができる。   For example, by inputting a pulse-like drive signal from the control unit 14 to the irradiation unit 13, the light emitting element is turned on during the period when the pulse logic is “1”, and the light emitting element is turned off during the period “0”. The operation timing can be controlled. Alternatively, a sinusoidal drive signal is input from the control unit 14 to the irradiation unit 13, the light emitting element is turned on during a period when the value of the drive signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value, and the light emitting element is turned off during a period when the drive signal value is less than the threshold value. As a result, the operation timing can be controlled.

図５を参照して、例えば時刻Ｔ１においては、電荷蓄積期間が開始されると同時に、発光素子の点灯が開始されている。また、続く時刻Ｔ２においては、電荷蓄積期間が終了されると同時に、発光素子が消灯されている。さらに、続く時刻Ｔ３においては、電荷蓄積期間が開始されると同時に、発光素子の点灯が開始されている。   Referring to FIG. 5, for example, at time T <b> 1, lighting of the light emitting element is started simultaneously with the start of the charge accumulation period. At the subsequent time T2, the light emitting element is turned off simultaneously with the end of the charge accumulation period. Further, at the subsequent time T3, the lighting of the light emitting element is started simultaneously with the start of the charge accumulation period.

なお、電荷蓄積期間の開始タイミングと発光素子の点灯開始タイミングとは互いに一致していることが望ましいが、厳密に一致している必要はなく、多少のずれがあっても構わない。同様に、電荷蓄積期間の終了タイミングと発光素子の消灯タイミングとは互いに一致していることが望ましいが、厳密に一致している必要はなく、多少のずれがあっても構わない。   Although it is desirable that the charge accumulation period start timing and the light emitting element lighting start timing coincide with each other, it is not necessary to exactly match, and there may be a slight deviation. Similarly, it is desirable that the charge accumulation period end timing and the light emitting element extinguishing timing coincide with each other, but it is not necessary to exactly coincide with each other, and there may be a slight deviation.

図６は、照射部１３における発光素子の発光制御を示すタイミングチャートである。破線で示した特性は、撮像画像に定常的に含まれるノイズレベルＺ０を示している。一点鎖線で示した特性は、発光素子を常時点灯させる制御（つまり期間Ｐ１のみならず期間Ｐ２においても点灯させる制御）を行う場合の赤外光の発光強度Ｚ１を示している。実線で示した特性は、撮像部１２の動作に同期させて発光素子を間欠的に点灯させる制御（つまり期間Ｐ１において点灯させ期間Ｐ２において消灯させる制御）を行う場合の赤外光の発光強度Ｚ２を示している。   FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the light emission control of the light emitting element in the irradiation unit 13. The characteristic indicated by the broken line indicates the noise level Z0 that is constantly included in the captured image. The characteristic indicated by the alternate long and short dash line indicates the emission intensity Z1 of infrared light in the case of performing control for always lighting the light emitting element (that is, control for lighting not only in the period P1 but also in the period P2). The characteristic indicated by the solid line is the emission intensity Z2 of infrared light in the case of performing control to turn on the light emitting element intermittently in synchronization with the operation of the imaging unit 12 (that is, control to turn on the light in the period P1 and turn off the light in the period P2). Is shown.

発光素子を常時点灯させる制御を行う場合には、照射部１３における消費電力及び発熱を抑制する必要があるために、発光強度Ｚ１をある程度低く抑える必要がある。従って、発光強度Ｚ１はノイズレベルＺ０に近く設定されるため、信号対雑音比が小さくなる。   In the case of performing control to always turn on the light emitting element, it is necessary to suppress the power consumption and heat generation in the irradiation unit 13, and therefore it is necessary to suppress the light emission intensity Z1 to some extent. Therefore, since the emission intensity Z1 is set close to the noise level Z0, the signal-to-noise ratio becomes small.

一方、撮像部１２の動作に同期させて発光素子を間欠的に点灯させる制御を行う場合には、発光素子の消灯期間において消費電力等は生じないため、発光強度Ｚ１に比べて発光強度Ｚ２を十分に高く設定することができる。これにより、対象物からの反射光の強度が上がり、信号対雑音比を向上することができるため、高画質の撮像画像を得ることが可能となる。   On the other hand, in the case of performing control to intermittently turn on the light emitting element in synchronization with the operation of the imaging unit 12, power consumption or the like does not occur in the light extinguishing period of the light emitting element, and therefore the light emission intensity Z2 is compared with the light emission intensity Z1. It can be set high enough. As a result, the intensity of reflected light from the object can be increased and the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved, so that a high-quality captured image can be obtained.

図７は、監視装置３と同等の機能を備える監視システム１０（撮像システム）を示す図である。撮像部１２に相当する撮像装置２２と、照射部１３に相当する照射装置２３と、制御部１４に相当する制御装置２４とが、フレーム２１に取り付けられている。撮像装置２２は、複数の受光素子を内部に有し、当該受光素子に電荷を蓄積する電荷蓄積期間を周期的に繰り返すことにより、対象物を撮像する。照射装置２３は、撮像装置２２による撮像のための補助光を照射する。制御装置２４は、電荷蓄積期間においては発光素子が点灯し、電荷蓄積期間でない期間においては発光素子が消灯するように、撮像装置２２及び照射装置２３の動作を同期制御する。このように本発明は、一つの筐体内に全ての機能を集約した単体の装置として構成してもよく、あるいは、複数の機能を複数の装置に分散したシステムとして構成してもよい。   FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a monitoring system 10 (imaging system) having the same function as the monitoring device 3. An imaging device 22 corresponding to the imaging unit 12, an irradiation device 23 corresponding to the irradiation unit 13, and a control device 24 corresponding to the control unit 14 are attached to the frame 21. The imaging device 22 has a plurality of light receiving elements inside, and images a target object by periodically repeating a charge accumulation period in which charges are accumulated in the light receiving elements. The irradiation device 23 emits auxiliary light for imaging by the imaging device 22. The control device 24 synchronously controls the operations of the imaging device 22 and the irradiation device 23 so that the light emitting elements are turned on during the charge accumulation period and are turned off during periods other than the charge accumulation period. As described above, the present invention may be configured as a single device in which all functions are integrated in one housing, or may be configured as a system in which a plurality of functions are distributed to a plurality of devices.

本実施の形態に係る監視装置３（及び監視システム１０）によれば、制御部１４は、受光素子の電荷蓄積期間においては発光素子が点灯し、電荷蓄積期間でない期間においては発光素子が消灯するように、撮像部１２及び照射部１３の動作を同期制御する。従って、発光素子が常時点灯される場合と比較すると、補助光の照射に伴う消費電力を削減することが可能となる。しかも、電荷蓄積期間でない期間に受光素子に入射された対象物からの反射光は、対象物の画像形成に寄与しないため、電荷蓄積期間でない期間において発光素子を消灯する制御を行っても、対象物の画像を支障なく形成することができる。なお、電荷蓄積期間でない期間の全期間において発光素子を消灯するのではなく、電荷蓄積期間でない期間の一部期間において発光素子を消灯するように制御してもよい。   According to the monitoring device 3 (and the monitoring system 10) according to the present embodiment, the control unit 14 turns on the light emitting element during the charge accumulation period of the light receiving element, and turns off the light emitting element during the period other than the charge accumulation period. As described above, the operations of the imaging unit 12 and the irradiation unit 13 are synchronously controlled. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption associated with irradiation of auxiliary light as compared with the case where the light emitting element is always turned on. In addition, since the reflected light from the object incident on the light receiving element during the period other than the charge accumulation period does not contribute to the image formation of the object, even if control is performed to turn off the light emitting element during the period other than the charge accumulation period. An image of an object can be formed without hindrance. Note that the light emitting element may be controlled to be turned off during a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period, instead of turning off the light emitting element during the entire period other than the charge accumulation period.

また、発光素子の発光強度Ｚ２は、常時点灯される発光素子の発光強度Ｚ１よりも高く設定されている。従って、対象物からの反射光の強度が上がり、信号対雑音比を向上することができるため、高画質の撮像画像を得ることが可能となる。しかも、電荷蓄積期間でない期間においては発光素子が消灯されるため、発光素子の発光強度を高く設定することに伴う消費電力の増大を必要最小限に抑制することができる。   The light emission intensity Z2 of the light emitting element is set to be higher than the light emission intensity Z1 of the light emitting element that is always lit. Therefore, the intensity of the reflected light from the object is increased and the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved, so that a high-quality captured image can be obtained. In addition, since the light-emitting element is turned off during a period other than the charge accumulation period, an increase in power consumption associated with setting the light emission intensity of the light-emitting element to be high can be suppressed to the minimum necessary.

なお、今回開示された実施の形態はすべての点で例示であって制限的なものではないと考えられるべきである。本発明の範囲は、上記した意味ではなく、特許請求の範囲によって示され、特許請求の範囲と均等の意味及び範囲内での全ての変更が含まれることが意図される。   The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined not by the above-mentioned meaning but by the scope of claims for patent, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.

３ 監視装置
４ 監視エリア
１０ 監視システム
１２ 撮像部
１３ 照射部
１４ 制御部
２２ 撮像装置
２３ 照射装置
２４ 制御装置 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Monitoring apparatus 4 Monitoring area 10 Monitoring system 12 Imaging part 13 Irradiation part 14 Control part 22 Imaging apparatus 23 Irradiation apparatus 24 Control apparatus

Claims (3)

受光素子を有し、当該受光素子に電荷を蓄積する電荷蓄積期間を周期的に繰り返すことにより、対象物を撮像する撮像部と、
発光素子を有し、当該発光素子を点灯させることにより、前記撮像部による撮像のための補助光を照射する照射部と、
前記撮像部及び前記照射部を制御する制御部と、
を備え、
前記制御部は、前記電荷蓄積期間においては前記発光素子が点灯し、前記電荷蓄積期間でない期間の少なくとも一部期間においては前記発光素子が消灯するように、前記撮像部及び前記照射部の動作を同期制御する、撮像装置。 An imaging unit that has a light receiving element and periodically captures a charge accumulation period for accumulating charges in the light receiving element,
An illuminating unit that has a light emitting element and illuminates auxiliary light for imaging by the imaging unit by turning on the light emitting element;
A control unit for controlling the imaging unit and the irradiation unit;
With
The control unit operates the imaging unit and the irradiation unit so that the light emitting element is turned on during the charge accumulation period, and the light emitting element is turned off during at least a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period. An imaging device that performs synchronous control. 前記発光素子の発光強度は、常時点灯される発光素子の発光強度よりも高く設定されている、請求項１に記載の撮像装置。   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emission intensity of the light emitting element is set to be higher than the light emission intensity of the light emitting element that is always lit. 受光素子を有し、当該受光素子に電荷を蓄積する電荷蓄積期間を周期的に繰り返すことにより、対象物を撮像する撮像装置と、
発光素子を有し、当該発光素子を点灯させることにより、前記撮像装置による撮像のための補助光を照射する照射装置と、
前記撮像装置及び前記照射装置を制御する制御装置と、
を備え、
前記制御装置は、前記電荷蓄積期間においては前記発光素子が点灯し、前記電荷蓄積期間でない期間の少なくとも一部期間においては前記発光素子が消灯するように、前記撮像装置及び前記照射装置の動作を同期制御する、撮像システム。 An imaging device having a light receiving element and periodically capturing a charge accumulation period for accumulating charges in the light receiving element, and imaging an object;
An irradiation device that has a light emitting element and emits auxiliary light for imaging by the imaging device by turning on the light emitting element;
A control device for controlling the imaging device and the irradiation device;
With
The control device operates the imaging device and the irradiation device so that the light-emitting element is turned on during the charge accumulation period, and the light-emitting element is turned off during at least a part of the period other than the charge accumulation period. An imaging system that performs synchronous control.
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Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000306684A (en) * 1999-04-23 2000-11-02 Hitachi Ltd Image monitor device and its illumination control method
JP2004243016A (en) * 2003-02-17 2004-09-02 Pentax Corp Light source device of endoscope
US20070139525A1 (en) * 2005-12-16 2007-06-21 Gekko Technology Limited Producing a video signal
JP2009055107A (en) * 2007-08-23 2009-03-12 Omron Corp Image pickup device and image pickup control method

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2000306684A (en) * 1999-04-23 2000-11-02 Hitachi Ltd Image monitor device and its illumination control method
JP2004243016A (en) * 2003-02-17 2004-09-02 Pentax Corp Light source device of endoscope
US20070139525A1 (en) * 2005-12-16 2007-06-21 Gekko Technology Limited Producing a video signal
JP2009055107A (en) * 2007-08-23 2009-03-12 Omron Corp Image pickup device and image pickup control method

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