JPS5915377A - Image pickup mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the image resolution of a solid state image pickup element without increasing the formation density of the photoelectric converting picture element, by displacing a wedged light transmitting plate in the direction orthogonal to the optical axis to give a displacement to an image forming surface by 1/2 pitch to an image pickup surface. CONSTITUTION:A displacement means is formed by fixing the left and right sides of a holder 4 which supports a light transmitting plate 1 to the tips of bimorphs 5 and 5. These bimorphs are bent in the same direction with impression of voltage, and therefore the plate 1 is displaced. Thus the image forming surface is displayed by 1/2 pitch of a picture element train in a horizontal direction to an image pickup surface 3a. The image pickup outputs obtained from the displacement of the image forming surface are synthesized by a circuit shown in the diagram and finally recorded magnetically as a static color video signals equivalent to a field.

Description

【発明の詳細な説明】 本発明は、光電変換画素の形成密度を向上せしめること
なく固体撮像素子の解像度を向上せしめた撮像機構に関
する。DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an imaging mechanism that improves the resolution of a solid-state imaging device without increasing the formation density of photoelectric conversion pixels.

撮像手段には、撮像管と固体撮像素子とがあるが、前者
に比し後者は、コンパクトであり、残像現象もない等特
性的にも優れているつしかも、固体撮像素子は撮像面を
光電変換画素にて構成して成り、光電変換画素の形成密
度に撮像出力の解像度が制限される。そこで、解像度向
上のための種々の提案が為されているが、高密度化すれ
ばする程製造が困難となり、光電変換特性等の特性劣化
も来し、コスト高ともなる１、そこで、光電変換画素の
形成密度をそのままに解像度のみを向上せしめる撮像機
構が望まれるうその一方法として、撮像面に対し光電変
換画素を画素ピッチの半分だけ変位させ、変位の前後に
於ける撮像出力を合成することが考えられるっ具体的に
は、光学的に結像面を変位させる方法や、光電変換画素
に対するマスク状態を変更する方法や、固体撮像素子自
体を変位せしめる方法とが考えられる。Imaging means include image pickup tubes and solid-state image sensors, but compared to the former, the latter is more compact and has superior characteristics such as no afterimage phenomenon.In addition, the solid-state image sensor uses a photoelectric sensor to cover the imaging surface. It is composed of conversion pixels, and the resolution of the image pickup output is limited by the formation density of the photoelectric conversion pixels. Therefore, various proposals have been made to improve the resolution, but the higher the density, the more difficult it is to manufacture, the more the photoelectric conversion characteristics deteriorate, and the higher the cost1. One method that would be desirable is to have an imaging mechanism that improves only the resolution while keeping the pixel formation density as it is, by displacing the photoelectric conversion pixels with respect to the imaging surface by half the pixel pitch, and composing the imaging outputs before and after the displacement. Specifically, possible methods include a method of optically displacing the imaging plane, a method of changing the mask state for the photoelectric conversion pixel, and a method of displacing the solid-state image sensor itself.

そこで、本発明は、上述する点に鑑み、クサビ形の透過
板を光軸と直交する方向に変位せしめて結像面を撮像面
に対して＆　ピッチだけ変位せしめる新規１つ有効な撮
像機構を提案せんとするものである。Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned points, the present invention provides a new and effective imaging mechanism in which the wedge-shaped transmission plate is displaced in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, and the imaging plane is displaced by & pitch with respect to the imaging plane. This is what I would like to propose.

まず、本発明の基本的な撮像原理に付いて説明するっ第
１図に図示する様に、一般的な撮像素子は、光電変換画
素（Ｃ）・・・を間隙で区切って揃列形成しており、そ
の水平方向に関して光電変換画素（（、・・・・と間隙
の占有比は７；乙に設定されている。そこで、撮像面と
結像面が、画素列の形成ピッチ（Ｐ）の半分だけ変位す
れば、一部重複があるものの光電変換画素（Ｃ）・・・
が異なる２位置を撮像することになる。第２図は、変位
前後の結像面に対する光電変換位置説明図であり、変位
前後の光電変換画素（Ｃ）・・・の位置をハッヂング方
向を異ならせて示しているうよって、変位前後の撮像出
力を合成すれば、光電変換画素の水平方向の形成密度か
２倍に形成酸されたのと等価になり、理論的に水平解像
度は２倍に向上するっ尚、上述する説明は、結像面を固
定した場合の説ツ１であるが、逆に撮像面を固定し７だ
場合にも同様の効果が得られることは自明であるっ そこで、本実施例では、第６図の構成原理図に示す様に
、水平方向に肉厚を異ならしめたクサビ形の透過板（１
１をビデオカメラのレンズ（２）と固体撮像素子（３）
の間に介在せしめ、この透過板（１）を光軸と直交する
方向に変位せしめるものであり、大気より屈折率を大と
する透過板（１）に対する光の透過幅を変更せしめ、透
過光の光路を、光電変換画素（Ｃ）の画素列形成、ピッ
チ（Ｐ）の半分だけ変位ｔ１′１〜めるものである。尚
、本実施例に採用する透過板（１）に！１、厚さ２間、
１す（卒１５°、屈折率１．４８３の光学…１１１７で
形成され、この透過板（１）を光軸と直交する方向Ｋ　
［１，１８朋変位すしめ、結像面をＩＯＦクロン変位ぜ
１．めるものである。First, the basic imaging principle of the present invention will be explained. As shown in FIG. In the horizontal direction, the photoelectric conversion pixels (...) and the gap occupancy ratio are set to 7; If only half of the photoelectric conversion pixel (C) is displaced, although there is some overlap, the photoelectric conversion pixel (C)...
This means that images will be taken at two different positions. Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram of photoelectric conversion positions on the imaging plane before and after displacement, and the positions of photoelectric conversion pixels (C) before and after displacement are shown in different hatching directions. If the imaging outputs are combined, it will be equivalent to doubling the horizontal formation density of photoelectric conversion pixels, and the horizontal resolution will theoretically be doubled. Theory 1 is based on the case where the image plane is fixed, but it is obvious that the same effect can be obtained even when the image plane is fixed and the configuration shown in FIG. 6 is used in this embodiment. As shown in the principle diagram, a wedge-shaped transparent plate (1
1 is a video camera lens (2) and a solid-state image sensor (3)
This device displaces the transmitting plate (1) in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis, changing the transmission width of light to the transmitting plate (1), which has a refractive index higher than that of the atmosphere, and changing the transmitted light. The optical path of the photoelectric conversion pixels (C) is shifted by half the pitch (P) of the pixel row formation of the photoelectric conversion pixels (C). Note that the transparent plate (1) used in this example! 1. 2 meters thick,
1 (15°, optical with a refractive index of 1.483...
[1. It is something that can be enjoyed.

そこで、本実施例は、このクサビ形の透）６り板（１１
の変位手段、Ｊ−、ｌ、て第４図に模式的に図示する様
な構成、を採用している。即ち、本実施例の変位手段は
、透過板（１）を支持するホルダー（４）の左右両（１
１１Ｉ辺をバイモルフ（５）（５）の先端に固定しＣ成
り、印加電圧（でより同方向に１１「１記パイ七」レフ
（５）（５）をたわ斗亡て前記透過板（１）を変位せし
めており、撮（型面（ろａ）に対１−結像而は水１７一
方向に画素列当ピッチだけ変位せしめられるっ 上述する結像面の変位（でよって得られる撮像出力は、
第５図に図示する様な回路によって合成され、最終的に
１フイ一ルド分の静止カーラーＱＪ３像信号とて磁気証
、録される。第５図に図示するへ成回路は、撮像出力を
垂直帰線期間内に−Ｈメモリ（３ｈ）に転送し、記憶し
だ撮像出力を順次導出す２フイールド（Ｆ２）の撮像期
間以内（Ｍ間ｔ）で透過板（１）を変位せしめ第１フイ
ールド（Ｆｌ）と第６フイールド（Ｆ３）の撮像出力を
合成している。Therefore, in this embodiment, this wedge-shaped transparent plate (11
The displacement means, J-, l, have a configuration as schematically shown in FIG. 4. That is, the displacement means of this embodiment is arranged to move the left and right sides (1) of the holder (4) that supports the transmission plate (1).
Fix the 11I side to the tip of the bimorph (5) (5), form C, and apply a voltage (by applying voltage), 11 "1 Ki 7" ref (5) (5) is thrown in the same direction and the transparent plate ( 1) is displaced, and the water 17 is displaced in one direction by the pitch corresponding to the pixel row. The imaging output is
The signals are synthesized by a circuit as shown in FIG. 5, and are finally recorded as a magnetic signal as a stationary curler QJ3 image signal for one field. The output circuit shown in FIG. 5 transfers the imaging output to the -H memory (3h) within the vertical retrace period, and sequentially derives the imaging output after storing it within the imaging period (M) of 2 fields (F2). At interval t), the transmission plate (1) is displaced and the imaging outputs of the first field (Fl) and the sixth field (F3) are combined.

そのだめ、撮像出力ＬＬ、第１切換スイツチ（ＳＷｌ）
に」：つて＠１フィールド（Ｆｌ）と第６フイールド（
Ｆ５）の撮像出力以外を地絡しており、第１フイールド
（Ｆｌ）の撮像出力と第６フイールド（Ｆ５）の撮像出
力とを第２切換スイツチ（ＳＷ２）にて遅延回路（６）
と非遅延路に切換えている。尚、前記遅延回路（６）は
ＣＯＤ又はＲＡＭで構成されるを６Ｉと１７、遅延時間
はほぼ２フイールド（正確には２フイールドと画素半ピ
ッチ分の遅延敞）に設定されているっ第６シ月奥スイッ
チ（ＳＷ３）Ｖよ、第６フイールド（Ｆ３）の撮像出力
と、遅延された第１フイールド（Ｆｌ）の撮像出力を交
互に選択して、同一光電変換画素（Ｃ）・・・の光電変
換出力が時間的に前後する様に合成するっこの合成出力
は、信号処理回路（７）　Ｋ−Ｃ，睡度信り（Ｙ）と色
差イｄす（Ｒ−Ｙ）（Ｂ−Ｙ）に変換されて２早出され
、図示看略した後段の回路に於て、従来と同様のプロセ
スを経て磁気記録が為さ７Ｌる。尚第６図の信り波形（
トラ（Ｓ２１（Ｓｓ）は第１〜第６切換スイツチ（ＳＷ
Ｉ）（ＳＷ２）（ＳＷ３）　　のスイッチング制向１人
力であり、撮像出力の垂直又は水平同期信号に向ＪＸＪ
＋せしめられていイ）っ 上述する動作は、−回の録画動作を示しているが、上述
のＦ１作を連続化するには、透過板（１１の変位を２フ
イールド毎に反転−Ｗしめ、各１．’Ｊ換スイツチを４
フイ一ルド同期（Ｅ）で作動せしめれば４フイールド併
に合成、しだ撮像信号を連Ｗｅ的に得ることもできる）
　（ｆ、ｌ　Ｌ、イのり５合録画のクイミングは当然の
こと乍ら、各９）換スイッチの切換状晦にて規定され、
連続記録が１司能であるものの１画曲を選択記録する場
合には僅かではあるが、時間遅れを米ずつ 捷だ、ｎｒＪ記透過板（１１の変位手段としてはパイモ
ルフを利用しだが、それ以外にプランジャーやステンビ
ングモータ等を削ることもできるっ＾ 尚、本′Ａリ−１の様なりナピ形の透過板を用いると結
像面が水平方向に僅か歪むが、この世みは歪に応じて光
電変換画素列の形成ピッチを少し変更すれｔよ良く多少
の歪を問題としないのであれば、従来通りの素子を利用
すれは良い。Otherwise, the imaging output LL, the first changeover switch (SWl)
ni”: @1 field (Fl) and 6th field (Fl)
The imaging output of the first field (Fl) and the imaging output of the sixth field (F5) are connected to the ground by the delay circuit (6) using the second changeover switch (SW2).
and switching to the non-delay path. The delay circuit (6) is composed of COD or RAM (6I and 17), and the delay time is set to approximately 2 fields (to be exact, 2 fields and a delay of half a pixel pitch). Switch (SW3) V alternately selects the imaging output of the 6th field (F3) and the delayed imaging output of the 1st field (Fl), and selects the same photoelectric conversion pixel (C)... This combined output, which is synthesized so that the photoelectric conversion outputs of Y) and output 2 early, and magnetic recording is performed 7L in a subsequent circuit (not shown) through the same process as in the prior art. In addition, the trust waveform in Figure 6 (
The tiger (S21 (Ss) is the first to sixth changeover switch (SW
I) (SW2) (SW3) Switching is controlled by one person, and the vertical or horizontal synchronization signal of the imaging output is controlled by one person.
The above operation shows - times of recording operation, but in order to make the above F1 work continuous, the displacement of the transmission plate (11 is reversed every 2 fields -W), Each 1. 'J exchange switch 4
If operated in field synchronization (E), it is possible to combine all four fields and obtain continuous imaging signals)
(Quiming for f, l, l, inori 5-go recording is of course regulated by the switching status of each 9) switching switch,
Although the continuous recording is one function, when selectively recording one stroke of music, the time delay is slightly reduced, but it is possible to use a pymorph as a displacement means for the NrJ record transmission plate (11). In addition, it is also possible to cut the plunger, steven motor, etc. ^ In addition, if you use a napi-shaped transmission plate like the one in this book A Lee-1, the image plane will be slightly distorted in the horizontal direction, but in this world there is no distortion. If the formation pitch of the photoelectric conversion pixel rows is slightly changed depending on the situation, and some distortion is not a problem, it is fine to use conventional elements.

よって、発明によれば、り→ノビ形の透過板を変位せし
めるだけで高解像度の撮像出力を得ることができ、その
効果は大である。Therefore, according to the invention, high-resolution imaging output can be obtained simply by displacing the transmissive plate in the shape of a nozzle, which is highly effective.

【図面の簡単な説明】[Brief explanation of the drawing]

第１図は、光電変換画素の模式的配置図、第２図は本発
明の詳細な説明図、第６図は本発明の撮像機構の模式的
説明図、第４図は本発明の一実施例機構を示す斜視図、
第５図は同機構の合成回路ブロック図、第６図は第５図
の要部波形図を示す。 主な図番の説明 （１１・・・透過板、（５）・・・変位手段、（３）・
・・固体撮像素子、（Ｃ）・・・光電変換画素。FIG. 1 is a schematic layout diagram of photoelectric conversion pixels, FIG. 2 is a detailed explanatory diagram of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the imaging mechanism of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the present invention. A perspective view showing an example mechanism,
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the synthesis circuit of the same mechanism, and FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram of the main part of FIG. Explanation of main drawing numbers (11...transmission plate, (5)...displacement means, (3)...
...Solid-state image sensor, (C)...Photoelectric conversion pixel.

Claims (1)

【特許請求の範囲】[Claims] （ＩＩ　　ビデオカメラのレンズと固体撮像素子の間に
配され像の水平方向に肉厚を異ならしめたクサビ形の透
過板と、該透過板を像の水平方向に変位せしめ、結像面
を前記固体撮像素子上の光電変換画素列の半ピツチだけ
変更せしめる変位手段と、変更の前後に於ける撮像出力
を合成する合成回路とをそれぞれ設けて成る撮像機構。(II) A wedge-shaped transmission plate is placed between the lens of the video camera and the solid-state image sensor, and has a thickness that varies in the horizontal direction of the image. An imaging mechanism comprising a displacement means for changing only half the pitch of a photoelectric conversion pixel array on a solid-state imaging device, and a synthesis circuit for synthesizing imaging outputs before and after the change.