JPH04267211A - Solid image pick-up device - Google Patents
Solid image pick-up deviceInfo
- Publication number
- JPH04267211A JPH04267211A JP3028777A JP2877791A JPH04267211A JP H04267211 A JPH04267211 A JP H04267211A JP 3028777 A JP3028777 A JP 3028777A JP 2877791 A JP2877791 A JP 2877791A JP H04267211 A JPH04267211 A JP H04267211A
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- image
- group
- lens
- light
- image sensors
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 title abstract 2
- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000003384 imaging method Methods 0.000 claims description 67
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 11
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 8
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000691 measurement method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 description 1
- -1 silver halide Chemical class 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Automatic Focus Adjustment (AREA)
- Focusing (AREA)
Abstract
Description
【０００１】0001
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、ビデオカメラ等に適用
される固体撮像装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solid-state imaging device applied to video cameras and the like.
【０００２】0002
【従来の技術】ビデオカメラ装置として、撮像レンズの
フォーカス制御を自動的に行ういわゆるオートフォーカ
ス機構が備わり、被写体に常に合焦状態となるようにし
たものがある。このオートフォーカス機構は、合焦方式
の原理から分類すると、測距方式とピント検出方式があ
る。測距方式は、被写体までの距離を測距し、これに応
じてレンズを位置制御するものである。ピント検出方式
は、撮像面でのピントを検出し、ピントが合った位置に
レンズを位置制御するものである。2. Description of the Related Art Some video camera devices are equipped with a so-called autofocus mechanism that automatically controls the focus of an imaging lens so that the subject is always in focus. This autofocus mechanism can be categorized based on the principle of the focusing method: a distance measurement method and a focus detection method. The distance measurement method measures the distance to the subject and controls the position of the lens accordingly. The focus detection method detects the focus on the imaging surface and controls the position of the lens to the focused position.
【０００３】ピント検出方式の一例を図５〜図７を参照
して説明すると、例えばピントが合った合焦時には、図
５のＡに示すように、撮像レンズｌの各部を通過した光
ａ０ ，ｂ０ ，ｃ０ が撮像面ｍに収束し、図５のＢ
に示すように、撮像面ｍでピントの合った像Ｚ０ が得
られる。
そして、この図５に示す合焦状態よりもフォーカス位置
がずれていわゆる前ピン状態になると、図６のＡに示す
ように、撮像レンズｌの各部を通過した光ａ１ ，ｂ１
，ｃ１ が撮像面ｍよりも後に収束し、図６のＢに示
すように、撮像面ｍで各光がそれぞれ別の像Ｚａ１ ，
Ｚｂ１ ，Ｚｃ１ となってしまう。また、いわゆる後
ピン状態になると、図７のＡに示すように、撮像レンズ
ｌの各部を通過した光ａ２ ，ｂ２ ，ｃ２ が撮像面
ｍよりも前で収束し、図７のＢに示すように、撮像面ｍ
で各光がそれぞれ別の像Ｚａ２ ，Ｚｂ２ ，Ｚｃ２
となってしまう。この場合、前ピン状態と後ピン状態と
では、像のずれる方向が逆になり、ずれる方向とずれ量
を検知することで図５に示す合焦状態にさせるオートフ
ォーカス制御ができる。
この方式のオートフォーカス制御機構は、例えば特開昭
５４−１４５１３３号公報に記載されている。An example of the focus detection method will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. For example, when the focus is in focus, the light a0, which has passed through each part of the imaging lens l, is b0 and c0 converge on the imaging plane m, and B in Fig. 5
As shown in the figure, a focused image Z0 is obtained on the imaging surface m. When the focus position deviates from the focused state shown in FIG. 5 and becomes a so-called front-focus state, as shown in A of FIG.
, c1 converge after the imaging surface m, and as shown in FIG. 6B, each light beam forms a separate image Za1 ,
This results in Zb1 and Zc1. In addition, when the so-called rear focus state occurs, as shown in A of FIG. 7, the lights a2, b2, and c2 that have passed through each part of the imaging lens l converge in front of the imaging surface m, as shown in B of FIG. , the imaging plane m
Each light produces a separate image Za2 , Zb2 , Zc2
It becomes. In this case, the direction in which the image shifts is opposite between the front focus state and the back focus state, and by detecting the shift direction and shift amount, autofocus control can be performed to bring the image into the focused state shown in FIG. 5. This type of autofocus control mechanism is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 145133/1983.
【０００４】ここで、このずれる方向とずれ量の検知は
、例えば複合プリズムと複数の受光素子とで構成される
センサで行われ、このセンサは撮像装置とは別に設置さ
れる。即ち、図８に示すように、撮像レンズ１１を介し
た像光を固体撮像装置１３の撮像面に結像させるように
光路が構成される場合、撮像レンズ１１と固体撮像装置
１３との間に、ビームスプリッタ１２を配置し、このビ
ームスプリッタ１２で分岐された光をフォーカス位置検
出用のセンサ１４に入射させる。[0004] Here, the direction and amount of deviation are detected by a sensor composed of, for example, a composite prism and a plurality of light receiving elements, and this sensor is installed separately from the imaging device. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, when the optical path is configured so that the image light passing through the imaging lens 11 is imaged on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 13, there is a gap between the imaging lens 11 and the solid-state imaging device 13. , a beam splitter 12 is arranged, and the light split by the beam splitter 12 is made to enter a sensor 14 for detecting a focus position.
【０００５】このようにすることで、センサ１４で固体
撮像装置１３の撮像面での合焦状態が検出でき、このセ
ンサ１４の検出出力に応じて撮像レンズ１１を駆動させ
ることで、オートフォーカス制御ができる。[0005] By doing so, the sensor 14 can detect the in-focus state on the imaging surface of the solid-state imaging device 13, and by driving the imaging lens 11 according to the detection output of the sensor 14, autofocus control is performed. Can be done.
【０００６】[0006]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】ところが、このように
ビームスプリッタを使用して固体撮像装置の撮像面に向
かう光を分岐させると、それだけ撮像光にロスが生じ、
撮像される画像が暗くなってしまう。また、合焦状態を
検出するセンサの構成も複雑である不都合があった。こ
のため、このような方式のオートフォーカス制御は、銀
塩フィルムによるスチルカメラに使用されることが多く
、合焦状態の検出と撮像とを同時に行う必要があるビデ
オカメラにはほとんど使用されていない。特に、３原色
等の複数の色成分に分離して、それぞれ別の撮像体で撮
像を行う３板式のビデオカメラに適用すると、色成分の
分離手段としてのビームスプリッタと合焦状態検出用セ
ンサのためのビームスプリッタが必要になり、光路構成
が非常に複数になってしまい、実現が困難であった。[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when a beam splitter is used to split the light directed toward the imaging surface of a solid-state imaging device, a loss occurs in the imaging light.
The captured image becomes dark. Furthermore, the configuration of the sensor for detecting the in-focus state is also complicated. For this reason, this type of autofocus control is often used in still cameras that use silver halide film, and is rarely used in video cameras, which need to detect the focus state and capture images at the same time. . In particular, when applied to a three-chip video camera that separates multiple color components such as the three primary colors and captures images using separate image pickup bodies, it is possible to use a beam splitter as a color component separation means and a focus state detection sensor. A beam splitter is required for this purpose, resulting in a very large number of optical path configurations, making it difficult to implement.
【０００７】本発明の目的は、この種の方式のオートフ
ォーカス制御が、固体撮像装置を使用して簡単にできる
ようにすることにある。An object of the present invention is to enable this type of autofocus control to be easily performed using a solid-state imaging device.
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明は、例えば図１に
示すように、マトリクス状に配置された複数の撮像子Ｄ
ａ，Ｄｂ，Ｄａ，Ｄｂ‥‥に被写体からの被撮像光が入
射され、撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂ，Ｄａ，Ｄｂ‥‥で被撮像光
が光電変換されて出力されるようになされた固体撮像装
置において、複数の撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂ，Ｄａ，Ｄｂ‥‥
の上面にそれぞれレンズＬａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌａ，Ｌｂ‥‥を
設けると共に、複数の撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂ，Ｄａ，Ｄｂ‥
‥の上面にそれぞれ設けられたレンズＬａ，Ｌｂ，Ｌａ
，Ｌｂ‥‥のうち互いに隣接した第１，第２のレンズＬ
ａ，Ｌｂに、同一方向から入射した光が第１，第２のレ
ンズＬａ，Ｌｂの下面にそれぞれ位置する第１，第２の
撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂ上の異なる部分にそれぞれ入射するよ
うに、第１，第２のレンズＬａ，Ｌｂが位置決めされ、
第１，第２の撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂの出力信号の比較結果に
基づいて、合焦状態を検出するようにしたものである。[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a plurality of image sensors D arranged in a matrix, as shown in FIG. 1, for example.
A solid-state imaging device in which light to be imaged from a subject is incident on a, Db, Da, Db..., and the imaged light is photoelectrically converted and output by image sensors Da, Db, Da, Db... , a plurality of image sensors Da, Db, Da, Db...
Lenses La, Lb, La, Lb... are provided on the top surface of each, and a plurality of image sensors Da, Db, Da, Db...
‥ Lenses La, Lb, La provided on the top surface respectively
, Lb..., the first and second lenses L adjacent to each other
a, Lb such that light incident from the same direction is incident on different parts of the first and second image sensors Da and Db located on the lower surfaces of the first and second lenses La and Lb, respectively. The first and second lenses La and Lb are positioned,
The in-focus state is detected based on the comparison result of the output signals of the first and second image sensors Da and Db.
【０００９】[0009]
【作用】このようにしたことで、隣接する第１，第２の
撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂの出力信号が同じレベルであるとき、
合焦状態であると判断でき、この固体撮像装置の出力だ
けで合焦状態の検出ができ、合焦状態の検出用センサが
不要になる。[Operation] By doing this, when the output signals of the adjacent first and second image sensors Da and Db are at the same level,
It can be determined that the object is in focus, and the in-focus state can be detected using only the output of this solid-state imaging device, eliminating the need for a sensor for detecting the in-focus state.
【００１０】0010
【実施例】以下、本発明の一実施例を図１〜図２を参照
して説明する。DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.
【００１１】図１は本例の固体撮像装置の要部を示す図
で、図２は本例の固体撮像装置を使用したビデオカメラ
の、オートフォーカス制御に関する回路構成を示した図
である。まず、図２を用いて固体撮像装置の配置状態を
説明すると、図中１は撮像レンズを示し、この撮像レン
ズ１を介して被写体よりの像光を、固体撮像装置（以下
ＣＣＤと称する）２の撮像面に結像させる。なお、撮像
レンズ１は実際には複数枚（群）のレンズで構成され、
この複数枚のレンズの内の一部のレンズでフォーカス調
整レンズが構成される。そしてＣＣＤ２は、受光部であ
る撮像子がマトリクス状に複数個（例えば４１万個）配
置され、この撮像子に蓄積した信号電荷を、各水平ライ
ン毎に順次読出して撮像信号とするものである。この場
合、本例においてはＣＣＤ２の撮像面の直前に、レンズ
アレー３を配置する。このレンズアレー３は、それぞれ
の撮像子に対応した微小な凸レンズがマトリクス状に配
置されて構成される。FIG. 1 is a diagram showing essential parts of the solid-state imaging device of this example, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration related to autofocus control of a video camera using the solid-state imaging device of this example. First, the arrangement of the solid-state imaging device will be explained with reference to FIG. image on the imaging plane. Note that the imaging lens 1 is actually composed of multiple lenses (groups).
A focus adjustment lens is made up of some of the plurality of lenses. The CCD 2 has a plurality of image sensors (for example, 410,000) arranged in a matrix as light receiving sections, and the signal charges accumulated in the image sensors are sequentially read out for each horizontal line and used as image signals. . In this case, in this example, the lens array 3 is placed immediately in front of the imaging surface of the CCD 2. This lens array 3 is constructed by arranging minute convex lenses corresponding to the respective image pickup elements in a matrix.
【００１２】図２は、このＣＣＤ２の各撮像子とレンズ
アレー３の各レンズとの配置状態を示す図で、所定水平
ラインの隣接する４画素の構成を示す。この図２におい
て、Ｄａ，ＤｂはＣＣＤ２の撮像子を示し、第１群の撮
像子Ｄａと第２群の撮像子Ｄｂとに別れている。また、
Ｌａ，Ｌｂはレンズアレー３のレンズを示し、第１群の
レンズＬａと第２群のレンズＬｂとに別れている。そし
て、ＣＣＤ２の撮像面には、各ラインで１個毎に第１群
の撮像子Ｄａと第２群の撮像子Ｄｂとが配置してある。
そして、第１群の撮像子Ｄａの真上に第１群のレンズＬ
ａを配置し、第２群の撮像子Ｄｂの真上に第２群のレン
ズＬｂを配置する。そして、ＣＣＤ２を構成する全ての
水平ラインの各撮像子とレンズアレー３の各レンズとを
、同様に第１群と第２群とに分けて構成する。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the arrangement of each image sensor of the CCD 2 and each lens of the lens array 3, and shows the configuration of four adjacent pixels on a predetermined horizontal line. In FIG. 2, Da and Db indicate image sensors of the CCD 2, which are divided into a first group of image sensors Da and a second group of image sensors Db. Also,
La and Lb indicate lenses of the lens array 3, which are divided into a first group of lenses La and a second group of lenses Lb. On the imaging surface of the CCD 2, a first group of image sensors Da and a second group of image sensors Db are arranged one by one in each line. Then, the first group lens L is placed directly above the first group image sensor Da.
a, and a second group of lenses Lb is placed directly above the second group of image pickup elements Db. The image sensors of all the horizontal lines constituting the CCD 2 and the lenses of the lens array 3 are similarly divided into a first group and a second group.
【００１３】そして本例においては、第１群の撮像子Ｄ
ａを、第１群のレンズＬａの中心軸に対して所定距離ｄ
だけ一方にずらして配置すると共に、第２群の撮像子Ｄ
ｂを、第２群のレンズＬｂの中心軸に対して所定距離ｄ
だけ他方にずらして配置する。In this example, the first group of image sensors D
a at a predetermined distance d with respect to the central axis of the first lens group La.
The second group of image sensors D
b at a predetermined distance d with respect to the central axis of the second lens group Lb.
the other side.
【００１４】このように配置したことで、第１群の撮像
子Ｄａと第２群の撮像子Ｄｂとで、受光角度に選択性を
持つようになる。即ち、例えば第１群の撮像子Ｄａ，第
２群の撮像子Ｄｂ共に、レンズＬａ，Ｌｂの中心軸を通
過する光ａは、それぞれの撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂに到達する
が、一方に所定角度ずれてレンズＬａ，Ｌｂに入射した
光ｂは、第２群の撮像子Ｄｂにだけ到達し、第１群の撮
像子Ｄａにはこの光ｂは到達しない。また、他方に所定
角度ずれてレンズＬａ，Ｌｂに入射した光ｃは、第１群
の撮像子Ｄａにだけ到達し、第２群の撮像子Ｄｂにはこ
の光ｃは到達しない。With this arrangement, the first group of image sensors Da and the second group of image sensors Db have selectivity in their light receiving angles. That is, for example, light a passing through the central axes of the lenses La and Lb of both the first group of image sensors Da and the second group of image sensors Db reaches the respective image sensors Da and Db, but at a predetermined angle. The light b that is deviated and incident on the lenses La and Lb reaches only the second group of image sensors Db, and does not reach the first group of image sensors Da. Furthermore, the light c that is incident on the lenses La and Lb with a predetermined angle deviation from the other reaches only the first group of image sensors Da, and does not reach the second group of image sensors Db.
【００１５】ここで、図２による構成の説明に戻ると、
図中４は駆動パルス発生回路を示し、この駆動パルス発
生回路４が出力するパルスに同期して、ＣＣＤ２の各撮
像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂに蓄積した信号電荷を各水平ライン毎に
読出す。そして、読出された信号電荷を出力回路５に供
給し、この出力回路５で電荷量に応じて信号レベルが変
化する撮像信号とし、この撮像信号を撮像信号出力端子
６を介して後段の映像信号処理回路（図示せず）に供給
し、所定のフォーマットの映像信号に変換する。この場
合、この出力回路５が出力する撮像信号には、第１群の
撮像子Ｄａが蓄積した信号電荷による撮像信号Ｓａと、
第２群の撮像子Ｄｂが蓄積した信号電荷による撮像信号
Ｓｂとが順次得られる撮像信号（Ｓａ＋Ｓｂ）が出力さ
れる。[0015] Returning to the explanation of the configuration shown in FIG. 2,
In the figure, reference numeral 4 denotes a drive pulse generation circuit, and in synchronization with the pulses output by this drive pulse generation circuit 4, the signal charges accumulated in each of the image sensors Da and Db of the CCD 2 are read out for each horizontal line. The read signal charges are then supplied to the output circuit 5, which outputs them as an image signal whose signal level changes according to the amount of charge, and this image signal is sent to the subsequent stage as a video signal via the image signal output terminal 6. The signal is supplied to a processing circuit (not shown) and converted into a video signal in a predetermined format. In this case, the imaging signal outputted by the output circuit 5 includes an imaging signal Sa caused by signal charges accumulated by the first group of image sensors Da, and
An image signal (Sa+Sb) is output, in which an image signal Sb based on the signal charges accumulated by the second group of image sensors Db is sequentially obtained.
【００１６】また、出力回路５が出力する撮像信号（Ｓ
ａ＋Ｓｂ）を分離回路７に供給する。そして、駆動パル
ス発生回路４が出力するパルスを、この分離回路７にも
供給し、このパルスに同期して、第１群の撮像子Ｄａが
蓄積した信号電荷による撮像信号Ｓａと、第２群の撮像
子Ｄｂが蓄積した信号電荷による撮像信号Ｓｂとに分離
する。そして、この分離した撮像信号Ｓａと撮像信号Ｓ
ｂとを、比較回路８に供給する。この比較回路８では、
隣接した撮像信号Ｓａと撮像信号Ｓｂとのレベルを比較
し、比較結果をレンズ駆動回路９に供給する。このレン
ズ駆動回路９は、比較回路８での比較結果に基づいて撮
像レンズ１のフォーカス調整レンズを駆動させる駆動信
号を作成し、この駆動信号をレンズ駆動用モータ１０に
供給し、フォーカス調整レンズを所定位置に移動させる
。この場合、レンズ駆動回路９では、予め設定された所
定範囲内の画素の撮像信号についての比較結果だけを用
いて、駆動信号を作成する。なお、この駆動信号の作成
に使用する画素範囲の設定は、合焦状態を検出する範囲
に応じて行われる。そして、この駆動信号としては、隣
接する撮像信号Ｓａと撮像信号Ｓｂとのレベルが等しい
とき、レンズ駆動用モータ１０を停止させてフォーカス
調整レンズを固定させ、隣接する撮像信号Ｓａと撮像信
号Ｓｂとのレベルが異なるとき、レベルが大きい方が何
れかに応じて、対応した方向にフォーカス調整レンズを
移動させるようにレンズ駆動用モータ１０を駆動させる
。[0016] Furthermore, the image pickup signal (S
a+Sb) is supplied to the separation circuit 7. Then, the pulse outputted by the drive pulse generation circuit 4 is also supplied to this separation circuit 7, and in synchronization with this pulse, an imaging signal Sa based on the signal charges accumulated by the image pickup elements Da of the first group and an image pickup signal Sa of the second group The image sensor Db is separated into an image signal Sb based on the signal charge accumulated by the image sensor Db. Then, the separated image signal Sa and image signal S
b is supplied to the comparator circuit 8. In this comparison circuit 8,
The levels of the adjacent imaging signals Sa and Sb are compared, and the comparison result is supplied to the lens drive circuit 9. This lens drive circuit 9 creates a drive signal to drive the focus adjustment lens of the imaging lens 1 based on the comparison result of the comparison circuit 8, supplies this drive signal to the lens drive motor 10, and drives the focus adjustment lens. Move it to the specified position. In this case, the lens drive circuit 9 creates a drive signal using only the comparison results of the image pickup signals of pixels within a predetermined range set in advance. Note that the pixel range used to create this drive signal is set depending on the range for detecting the in-focus state. When the levels of the adjacent imaging signal Sa and the imaging signal Sb are equal, the driving signal stops the lens driving motor 10 to fix the focus adjustment lens, and the adjacent imaging signal Sa and the imaging signal Sb When the levels are different, the lens drive motor 10 is driven to move the focus adjustment lens in the corresponding direction depending on which one has the larger level.
【００１７】このようにして本例のビデオカメラを構成
したことで、ＣＣＤ２の撮像信号に基づいてオートフォ
ーカス制御が行える。即ち、ＣＣＤ２の出力回路５から
出力される撮像信号（Ｓａ＋Ｓｂ）を分離回路７で、第
１群の撮像子Ｄａが蓄積した信号電荷による撮像信号Ｓ
ａと、第２群の撮像子Ｄｂが蓄積した信号電荷による撮
像信号Ｓｂとに分離した後、比較回路８で両撮像信号Ｓ
ａ，Ｓｂの差を検出することで、合焦状態にあるか否か
が判別できる。この判別は、従来例として図５〜図７で
説明した合焦状態，前ピン状態，後ピン状態の検出と同
様の原理に基づいて行われるものである。By configuring the video camera of this example in this way, autofocus control can be performed based on the imaging signal of the CCD 2. That is, the image pickup signal (Sa+Sb) output from the output circuit 5 of the CCD 2 is separated by the separation circuit 7 into the image pickup signal S resulting from the signal charges accumulated by the first group of image sensors Da.
a and an imaging signal Sb resulting from the signal charges accumulated by the second group of image sensors Db, and then a comparison circuit 8 separates both imaging signals S
By detecting the difference between a and Sb, it can be determined whether or not the lens is in focus. This determination is performed based on the same principle as the detection of the in-focus state, front-focus state, and rear-focus state described in the conventional example with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.
【００１８】この検出状態について説明すると、隣接す
る所定の第１群の撮像子Ｄａと第２群の撮像子Ｄｂとに
、例えばレンズアレー３の対応するレンズＬａ，Ｌｂの
中心軸を通って入射する像光ａがあったときには、何れ
も対応した撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂがこの像光を受光して電荷
を蓄積するが、一方に所定角度ずれてレンズＬａ，Ｌｂ
に入射した光ｂは、第２群の撮像子Ｄｂにだけ到達し、
他方に所定角度ずれてレンズＬａ，Ｌｂに入射した光ｃ
は、第１群の撮像子Ｄａにだけ到達する。To explain this detection state, the incident light enters the adjacent predetermined first group of image pickup elements Da and second group of image pickup elements Db through the central axes of the corresponding lenses La and Lb of the lens array 3, for example. When there is an image light a, the corresponding image sensors Da and Db receive this image light and accumulate charges, but the lenses La and Lb are shifted by a predetermined angle to one side.
The light b incident on reaches only the second group of image sensors Db,
Light c incident on lenses La and Lb shifted by a predetermined angle to the other
reaches only the first group of image sensors Da.
【００１９】ここで、図５のＢに示した合焦状態にある
一点に収束した像Ｚ０ のＣＣＤ２への入射状態につい
て考えると、所定の範囲内の隣接する第１群の撮像子Ｄ
ａと第２群の撮像子Ｄｂとにこのピントの合った像Ｚ０
が入射したとすると、第１群の撮像子Ｄａと第２群の
撮像子Ｄｂとの何れにも、同様の光量の像光が入射して
、蓄積する電荷量が隣接する撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄｂで等しく
なる。ところが、図６のＢ或いは図７のＢに示したよう
に、合焦状態でない像光が入射すると、所定の角度以上
で入射する光ｂと光ｃとは、それぞれの撮像子Ｄａ，Ｄ
ｂが選択的に受光するので、各隣接画素間での受光光量
が等しくなくなる。Now, considering the incident state of the image Z0 converged on one point in the focused state shown in FIG.
This focused image Z0 on a and the second group image sensor Db
is incident on the image sensors Da and Db of the first group, and image light of the same amount is incident on both the image sensors Da of the first group and the image sensor Db of the second group, and the amount of accumulated charge is greater than that of the image sensors Da and Db of the adjacent image sensors. becomes equal. However, as shown in FIG. 6B or FIG. 7B, when image light that is not in focus is incident, light b and light c that are incident at a predetermined angle or more are
Since the pixels b selectively receive light, the amount of light received by each adjacent pixel is not equal.
【００２０】従って、所定の範囲内の第１群の撮像子Ｄ
ａが出力する撮像信号Ｓａと、第２群の撮像子Ｄｂが出
力する撮像信号Ｓｂとは、合焦状態でない像光が入射す
るとレベルが不均一になり、何れか一方の群の撮像信号
Ｓａ又はＳｂの加算信号の方が大きくなり、焦点のずれ
を像のずれとして検出できる。このとき、前ピン状態の
場合と後ピン状態の場合とでは、像のずれが逆になり、
撮像信号のレベルが大きくなる群が逆になる。Therefore, the first group of image sensors D within a predetermined range
When image light that is not in a focused state is incident, the level of the imaging signal Sa outputted by the sensor a and the imaging signal Sb outputted by the second group image sensor Db becomes uneven, and the imaging signal Sa of one of the groups becomes uneven. Alternatively, the added signal of Sb becomes larger, and the shift in focus can be detected as a shift in the image. At this time, the image shift is reversed between the front focus state and the back focus state,
The groups in which the level of the imaging signal increases are reversed.
【００２１】このため、比較回路８で判別した両撮像信
号Ｓａ，Ｓｂの差が少なくなるように、撮像レンズ１の
フォーカス調整状態を変化させることで、合焦状態に近
づき、最も両撮像信号Ｓａ，Ｓｂの差が少なくなったと
き、合焦状態と判断して撮像レンズ１のフォーカス調整
を停止させることで、自動的にフォーカス調整を行うオ
ートフォーカス制御が行われる。Therefore, by changing the focus adjustment state of the imaging lens 1 so that the difference between the two imaging signals Sa and Sb determined by the comparison circuit 8 is reduced, the focusing state is approached, and both imaging signals Sa and Sb are brought closer to each other. .
【００２２】このようにして行われるオートフォーカス
制御は、ＣＣＤ２が出力する撮像信号に基づいて行われ
るので、合焦状態の判定用の専用のセンサとこのセンサ
へ撮像光を分岐させる手段が必要なく、それだけ構成が
簡単であると共に、撮像レンズ１を通過した像光を焦点
検出用のセンサに分岐させる必要がないので、ＣＣＤ２
の撮像面に到達する像光にロスがなく、明るい像光を撮
像することができる。このため、合焦状態の判定を連続
的に行う必要のあるビデオカメラに好適であり、３原色
等の複数の色成分に分離して、それぞれ別の撮像体で撮
像を行う３板式のビデオカメラにも本例の方式によるオ
ートフォーカス制御を適用することが可能になる。[0022] Since the autofocus control performed in this manner is performed based on the imaging signal outputted by the CCD 2, there is no need for a dedicated sensor for determining the in-focus state and a means for branching the imaging light to this sensor. , the configuration is that simple, and there is no need to branch the image light that has passed through the imaging lens 1 to the focus detection sensor, so the CCD 2
There is no loss in the image light that reaches the imaging surface, and bright image light can be captured. For this reason, it is suitable for video cameras that need to continuously determine the focus state, and is a three-panel video camera that separates multiple color components such as the three primary colors and captures images with separate image pickup bodies. It is also possible to apply autofocus control according to the method of this example.
【００２３】なお、上述実施例においては、ＣＣＤ２に
おいて第１群の撮像子Ｄａと第２群の撮像子Ｄｂとを単
に１画素ずつ交互に配置するようにしたが、例えば図３
に示すように、或る水平ラインの所定位置に第１群の撮
像子Ｄａと第２群の撮像子Ｄｂとを配置したとき、次の
水平ラインでは第１群の撮像子Ｄａと第２群の撮像子Ｄ
ｂとが逆に配置される（即ち、第１群の撮像子Ｄａ，第
２群の撮像子Ｄｂ‥‥と並んだ水平ラインの次では第２
群の撮像子Ｄｂ，第１群の撮像子Ｄａ‥‥の順序で並ぶ
）ようにし、斜め方向の像のずれを検出できるようにし
ても良い。このようにすることで、像のずれ（即ち焦点
のずれ）の検出精度がより高くなる。なおこの場合に、
図３ではレンズＬａ，Ｌｂを等間隔で配置して、撮像子
Ｄａ，Ｄｂの配置位置をこのレンズＬａ，Ｌｂに対して
所定距離ｄだけずらすようにしたが、逆に撮像子Ｄａ，
Ｄｂを等間隔で配置して、レンズＬａ，Ｌｂを撮像子Ｄ
ａ，Ｄｂに対して所定距離ｄだけずらすようにしても良
い。In the above-mentioned embodiment, the first group of image sensors Da and the second group of image sensors Db are simply arranged alternately one pixel at a time in the CCD 2, but for example, as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. Image sensor D
b are arranged in reverse (that is, next to the horizontal line lined up with the first group of image sensors Da, the second group of image sensors Db...
The image pickup elements Db of the group, the image pickup elements Da of the first group, etc. may be arranged in this order, so that image shifts in the diagonal direction can be detected. By doing so, the accuracy of detecting the image shift (that is, the focus shift) becomes higher. In this case,
In FIG. 3, the lenses La and Lb are arranged at equal intervals, and the positions of the image sensors Da and Db are shifted by a predetermined distance d with respect to the lenses La and Lb.
Db are arranged at equal intervals, and the lenses La and Lb are connected to the image sensor D.
It may be made to shift by a predetermined distance d with respect to a and Db.
【００２４】また、ＣＣＤ２の各撮像子の上に配置した
レンズアレーの微小レンズは、ＣＣＤ２の撮像面に平行
に所定距離ｄだけずらすようにしたが、図４に示すよう
に、レンズアレー３′の各レンズＬａ′，Ｌｂ′を、Ｃ
ＣＤ２′の各撮像子Ｄａ′，Ｄｂ′の真上に所定角度θ
だけそれぞれ異なる方向に傾斜させて配置するようにし
ても良い。このようにすることで、各群の撮像子Ｄａ′
，Ｄｂ′で入射角度による受光状態の選択性を持つよう
になり、上述したＣＣＤ２と同様の効果が得られる。Furthermore, the microlenses of the lens array placed above each image sensor of the CCD 2 are shifted by a predetermined distance d parallel to the imaging surface of the CCD 2, but as shown in FIG. Each lens La', Lb' of C
A predetermined angle θ is placed directly above each image sensor Da', Db' of CD2'.
They may be arranged so as to be inclined in different directions. By doing this, the image sensor Da′ of each group
, Db', the light receiving state has selectivity depending on the incident angle, and the same effect as the above-mentioned CCD 2 can be obtained.
【００２５】また、本発明は上述実施例に限らず、その
他種々の構成が取り得ることは勿論である。Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various other configurations may be adopted.
【００２６】[0026]
【発明の効果】本発明の固体撮像装置によると、隣接す
る第１，第２の撮像子に入射角度による受光状態の選択
性を持たせるようにしたことで、この第１，第２の撮像
子の出力信号が同じレベルであるとき、合焦状態である
と判断でき、この固体撮像装置の出力だけで合焦状態の
検出ができ、合焦状態の検出用センサ等が不要になり、
簡単で効率の良い構成で合焦状態の検出ができる。Effects of the Invention According to the solid-state imaging device of the present invention, the first and second image pickup elements adjacent to each other are made to have selectivity in light receiving state depending on the angle of incidence. When the output signals of the two objects are at the same level, it can be determined that the object is in focus, and the in-focus state can be detected using only the output of this solid-state imaging device, eliminating the need for a sensor for detecting the in-focus state.
The in-focus state can be detected with a simple and efficient configuration.
【図１】本発明の一実施例による固体撮像装置の要部を
示す構成図である。FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of a solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
【図２】本発明の一実施例による固体撮像装置を使用し
たビデオカメラの回路構成を示す構成図である。FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a circuit configuration of a video camera using a solid-state imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
【図３】本発明の固体撮像装置の他の実施例の要部を示
す構成図である。FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of another embodiment of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention.
【図４】本発明の固体撮像装置の他の実施例の要部を示
す構成図である。FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing main parts of another embodiment of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention.
【図５】合焦状態を示す説明図である。FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a focused state.
【図６】前ピン状態を示す説明図である。FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a front pin state.
【図７】後ピン状態を示す説明図である。FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a rear pin state.
【図８】従来のオートフォーカス制御用センサの配置例
を示す構成図である。FIG. 8 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the arrangement of conventional autofocus control sensors.
１ 撮像レンズ ２ 固体撮像装置（ＣＣＤ） ３ レンズアレー ４ 駆動パルス発生回路 ５ 出力回路 ６ 撮像信号出力端子 ７ 分離回路 ８ 比較回路 ９ レンズ駆動回路 １０ レンズ駆動用モータ Ｄａ 第１群の撮像子 Ｄｂ 第２群の撮像子 Ｌａ 第１群のレンズ Ｌｂ 第２群のレンズ 1 Imaging lens 2 Solid-state imaging device (CCD) 3 Lens array 4 Drive pulse generation circuit 5 Output circuit 6 Imaging signal output terminal 7 Separation circuit 8 Comparison circuit 9 Lens drive circuit 10 Lens drive motor Da 1st group image sensor Db 2nd group image sensor La 1st group lens Lb 2nd group lens
Claims (1)
子に被写体からの被撮像光が入射され、上記撮像子で上
記被撮像光が光電変換されて出力されるようになされた
固体撮像装置において、上記複数の撮像子の上面にそれ
ぞれレンズを設けると共に、上記複数の撮像子の上面に
それぞれ設けられたレンズのうち互いに隣接した第１，
第２のレンズに、同一方向から入射した光が上記第１，
第２のレンズの下面にそれぞれ位置する第１，第２の撮
像子上の異なる部分にそれぞれ入射するように、上記第
１，第２のレンズが位置決めされ、上記第１，第２の撮
像子の出力信号の比較結果に基づいて、合焦状態を検出
するようにしたことを特徴とする固体撮像装置。1. A solid-state imaging device, wherein light to be imaged from a subject is incident on a plurality of image sensors arranged in a matrix, and the light to be imaged is photoelectrically converted by the image sensors and output. , a lens is provided on the top surface of each of the plurality of image sensors, and a first,
The light incident on the second lens from the same direction is the first lens,
The first and second lenses are positioned so that the light is incident on different parts of the first and second image pickup elements respectively located on the lower surface of the second lens, and the first and second image pickup elements A solid-state imaging device characterized in that a focus state is detected based on a comparison result of output signals of.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3028777A JP2959142B2 (en) | 1991-02-22 | 1991-02-22 | Solid-state imaging device |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3028777A JP2959142B2 (en) | 1991-02-22 | 1991-02-22 | Solid-state imaging device |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH04267211A true JPH04267211A (en) | 1992-09-22 |
| JP2959142B2 JP2959142B2 (en) | 1999-10-06 |
Family
ID=12257836
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP3028777A Expired - Fee Related JP2959142B2 (en) | 1991-02-22 | 1991-02-22 | Solid-state imaging device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP2959142B2 (en) |
Cited By (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001083407A (en) * | 1999-09-13 | 2001-03-30 | Canon Inc | Image pickup device |
| JP2007293370A (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2007-11-08 | Olympus Corp | Imaging apparatus |
| JP2008028105A (en) * | 2006-07-20 | 2008-02-07 | Nikon Corp | Solid-state imaging element and imaging apparatus using same |
| JP2008224801A (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2008-09-25 | Nikon Corp | Focus detector and imaging apparatus |
| US7715703B2 (en) | 2006-01-05 | 2010-05-11 | Nikon Corporation | Image sensor and image capturing device |
| WO2011045850A1 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2011-04-21 | キヤノン株式会社 | Focusing device and focusing method |
| WO2012008209A1 (en) * | 2010-07-12 | 2012-01-19 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Solid-state image pickup device |
| US8531583B2 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capturing apparatus and image processing method |
| US8654227B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2014-02-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detection apparatus, focus detection method, and image sensing apparatus |
| US8860873B2 (en) | 2010-08-03 | 2014-10-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detection apparatus and image pickup apparatus |
| JP2015018969A (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2015-01-29 | ソニー株式会社 | Solid-state image pickup device and electronic apparatus |
| US9083879B2 (en) | 2012-04-10 | 2015-07-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detection apparatus, control method thereof, and image pickup apparatus |
| US9204033B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2015-12-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capture apparatus |
| US9762787B2 (en) | 2012-06-25 | 2017-09-12 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus having auto-focusing function and its control method |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2010061756A1 (en) | 2008-11-27 | 2010-06-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Solid-state image sensing element and image sensing apparatus |
| JP5329348B2 (en) * | 2009-08-28 | 2013-10-30 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus using the same |
| JP2011059337A (en) | 2009-09-09 | 2011-03-24 | Fujifilm Corp | Image pickup apparatus |
| JP5232118B2 (en) | 2009-09-30 | 2013-07-10 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Imaging device and electronic camera |
| WO2011061998A1 (en) | 2009-11-20 | 2011-05-26 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Solid-state imaging device |
| KR102039464B1 (en) | 2013-05-21 | 2019-11-01 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Electronic sensor and control method of the same |
-
1991
- 1991-02-22 JP JP3028777A patent/JP2959142B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (20)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP2001083407A (en) * | 1999-09-13 | 2001-03-30 | Canon Inc | Image pickup device |
| US7715703B2 (en) | 2006-01-05 | 2010-05-11 | Nikon Corporation | Image sensor and image capturing device |
| JP2008028105A (en) * | 2006-07-20 | 2008-02-07 | Nikon Corp | Solid-state imaging element and imaging apparatus using same |
| JP2008224801A (en) * | 2007-03-09 | 2008-09-25 | Nikon Corp | Focus detector and imaging apparatus |
| JP2007293370A (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2007-11-08 | Olympus Corp | Imaging apparatus |
| JP4567712B2 (en) * | 2007-07-30 | 2010-10-20 | オリンパス株式会社 | Imaging device |
| US8531583B2 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capturing apparatus and image processing method |
| EP2809063A2 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2014-12-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capturing apparatus and image processing method |
| US8890972B2 (en) | 2008-03-11 | 2014-11-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capturing apparatus and image processing method |
| US8654227B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2014-02-18 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detection apparatus, focus detection method, and image sensing apparatus |
| US8488956B2 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2013-07-16 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus adjusting apparatus and focus adjusting method |
| WO2011045850A1 (en) | 2009-10-13 | 2011-04-21 | キヤノン株式会社 | Focusing device and focusing method |
| JP5620992B2 (en) * | 2010-07-12 | 2014-11-05 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Solid-state imaging device |
| WO2012008209A1 (en) * | 2010-07-12 | 2012-01-19 | 富士フイルム株式会社 | Solid-state image pickup device |
| US9070799B2 (en) | 2010-07-12 | 2015-06-30 | Fujifilm Corporation | Solid state imaging device with microlens shifted from the center of the photo diode |
| US8860873B2 (en) | 2010-08-03 | 2014-10-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detection apparatus and image pickup apparatus |
| US9204033B2 (en) | 2011-01-06 | 2015-12-01 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image capture apparatus |
| US9083879B2 (en) | 2012-04-10 | 2015-07-14 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Focus detection apparatus, control method thereof, and image pickup apparatus |
| US9762787B2 (en) | 2012-06-25 | 2017-09-12 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image pickup apparatus having auto-focusing function and its control method |
| JP2015018969A (en) * | 2013-07-11 | 2015-01-29 | ソニー株式会社 | Solid-state image pickup device and electronic apparatus |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JP2959142B2 (en) | 1999-10-06 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| JPH04267211A (en) | Solid image pick-up device | |
| EP2247975B1 (en) | Image forming apparatus | |
| JP4007713B2 (en) | Imaging device | |
| JP3975395B2 (en) | Camera system | |
| US6819360B1 (en) | Image pickup element and apparatus for focusing | |
| JP4983271B2 (en) | Imaging device | |
| JP5211590B2 (en) | Image sensor and focus detection apparatus | |
| JP4858179B2 (en) | Focus detection apparatus and imaging apparatus | |
| JPS5891410A (en) | Focusing method of image pickup device | |
| CN103843318A (en) | Image capturing apparatus and control method thereof | |
| JPH0261006B2 (en) | ||
| WO2002099498A1 (en) | Device for determining focused state of taking lens | |
| JP2004046132A (en) | Automatic focusing system | |
| JP4567712B2 (en) | Imaging device | |
| JPS58207013A (en) | Focusing detecting method | |
| JP2001016493A (en) | Multi-viewing angle camera apparatus | |
| JP2003279842A (en) | Focus state detector for photographing lens | |
| JPH03117182A (en) | Video camera | |
| JPH03280005A (en) | Automatic focusing device | |
| JPH09101450A (en) | Image pickup device | |
| JP2003279847A (en) | Focus state detector for photographing lens | |
| JP4700588B2 (en) | Photoelectric conversion device and focus detection device | |
| JPH0275282A (en) | Solid-state image pickup element | |
| JPS59146009A (en) | Focusing detecting method | |
| JPH089396A (en) | Electronic camera |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FPAY | Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database) |
Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20080730 Year of fee payment: 9 |
|
| FPAY | Renewal fee payment (event date is renewal date of database) |
Free format text: PAYMENT UNTIL: 20090730 Year of fee payment: 10 |
|
| LAPS | Cancellation because of no payment of annual fees |