EP0417397A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Solid-state camera
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1990-05-22
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2010-05-22
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a solid-state camera comprising a solid-state image sensor element(12) composed of a plurality of planarly arranged units of picture element cells(20), drive means(13) for supplying a pulse power source thereto, signal process means(14) for obtaining a picture image signal by processing an output signal from each the unit of picture element cells(20), detection means(142) for generating a detection signal based on an output voltage value corresponding to the picture image signal, and sensitivity adjustment means(132) for generating a sensitivity adjustment signal to adjust sensitivity required based on the detection signal(133) in each the unit of picture element cells(20). This camera controls output signals for read transistors corresponding to the respective picture element cells(20) and the respective picture element cells(20) in a unit row at the same time, and adjusts an output voltage value from each the unit of picture element cells(20) based on an output voltage value of each unit of picture element cells(20) in a previous line, frame or field by stop signal registers for stopping output signals of the picture element cells(20).
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshiyuki Matsunaga
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N25/00; H04N25/60; H04N25/62; H04N25/625; H04N25/50; H04N25/53; H04N25/533; H04N25/535
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A solid-state camera comprising: a solid-state image sensor element (12) composed of a plurality of units of picture element cells (20) planarly arranged therein for outputting electric signals obtained by photoelectric conversion of incident light; drive means(13) for driving the solid-state image sensor element(12); and signal process means(14) for processing the signals outputted from the solid-state image sensor element(12) to obtain picture image signals; wherein the signai process means(14) having means(142) for detecting a position to receive strong light over a predetermined strength introduced onto the solid-state image sensor element(12) and generating a detection signal; and the drive means(13) having sensitivity adjustment means(132) for outputting sensitivity adjustment signals(133) to adjust sensitivity of each the unit of picture element cells(20) existing in a specific portion in the solid-state image sensor element(12) based on the detection signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
A solid-state camera comprising: a solid-state image sensor element (12) composed of a plurality of units of picture element cells (20) planarly arranged therein for outputting electric signals obtained by photoelectric conversion of incident light; drive means(13) for driving the solid-state image sensor element(12); and signal process means(14) for processing the signals outputted from the solid-state image sensor element(12) to obtain picture image signals; wherein the signai process means(14) having means(142) for detecting a position to receive strong light over a predetermined strength introduced onto the solid-state image sensor element(12) and generating a detection signal; and the drive means(13) having sensitivity adjustment means(132) for outputting sensitivity adjustment signals(133) to adjust sensitivity of each the unit of picture element cells(20) existing in a specific portion in the solid-state image sensor element(12) based on the detection signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A solid-state camera according to claim 1, wherein the solid-state image sensor element(12) is composed of a line address type CCD sensor comprising vertical CCD(22) and horizontal CCD(24); the sensitivity adjustment means(132) has an electron shutter function; and sensitivity of each the unit of the picture element cells (20) is adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment means (132) based on the electron shutter function thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A solid-state camera according to claim 2, wherein the electron shutter function of the sensitivity adjustment means(132) includes read gates(21) provided corresponding to the respective picture element cells(20), stop gates(28) respectively connected to the read gates(21) in series, and exhaustion drains(26) respectively connected to the stop gates(28) in series and provided at end portions of the vertical CCD(22) so as to exhaust output signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A solid-state camera according to claim 3, wherein each the stop gate(28) is respectively opened at the same timings as a read pulse and an exhaustion pulse for exhausting the output signal to each the exhaustion drain(26), both of which are supplied to each the read gate(21), in the position to receive strong light over a predetermined strength.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A solid-state camera according to claim 3, wherein each the read gate(21) is composed of a MOS transistor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A solid-state camera according to claim 2, wherein picture image signals from each the unit of picture element cells (20) in an area where the sensitivity is to be adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment means(132) are adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment means(132) based on the output from the picture element cells(20) of the previous line in the solid-state image sensor element(12).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
60 words
A solid-state camera according to claim 2, wherein picture image signals from each the unit of picture element cells(20) in an area where the sensitivity is to be adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment means(132) are adjusted by the sensitivity adjustment means(132) based on the output from the picture element cells(20) of the previous field in the solid-state image sensor element(12).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
144 words
A signal processing method of a solid-state camera comprising: a step of outputting electric signals generated by photoelectric conversion of incident light received by a solid-state image sensor element(12) composed of a plurality of planarly arranged picture element cells(20); a step of processing an output signal from a unit of picture element cells(20) of a previous field by an output signal process means(14), and detecting a position of a unit of picture element cells(20) in the solid-state image sensor element(12) corresponding to the output signal when the output signal is over a predetermined value, then generating a detection signal; a step of outputting a sensitivity adjustment signal to the unit of picture element cells(20) based on the detection signal; and a step of controlling the output signal of the unit of picture element cells(20) to be an object based on the sensitivity adjustment signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
144 words
A signal processing method of a solid-state camera comprising: a step of outputting electric signals generated by photoelectric conversion of incident light received by a solid-state image sensor element(12) composed of a plurality of planarly arranged picture element cells(20); a step of processing an output signal from a unit of picture element cells(20) of a previous field by an output signal process means(14), and detecting a position of a unit of picture element cells(20) in the solid-state image sensor element(12) corresponding to the output signal when the output signal is over a predetermined value, then generating a detection signal; a step of outputting a sensitivity adjustment signal to the unit of picture element cells(20) based on the detection signal; and a step of controlling the output signal of the unit of picture element cells(20) to be an object based on the sensitivity adjustment signal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
145 words
A signal processing method of a solid-state camera comprising: a step of outputting electric signals generated by photoelectric conversion of incident light received by a solid-state image sensor element(12) composed of a plurality of planarly arranged picture element cells(20); a step of processing an output signal from a unit of picture element cells(20) of a previous line by an output signal process means(14), and detecting a position of a unit of picture element cells(20) in the solid-state image sensor element(12) corresponding to the output signal when the output signal is over a predetermined value, then generating a detection signal; a step of outputting a sensitivity adjustment signal to the unit of picture element cells(20) based on the detection signal; and a step of controlling the output signal of the unit of picture element cells (20) to be an object based on the sensitivity adjustment signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
A signal processing method of a solid-state camera comprising: a step of outputting electric signals generated by photoelectric conversion of incident light received by a solid-state image sensor element(12) composed of a plurality of planarly arranged picture element cells(20); a step of processing an output signal from a unit of picture element cells(20) of a previous line by an output signal process means(14), and detecting a position of a unit of picture element cells(20) in the solid-state image sensor element(12) corresponding to the output signal when the output signal is over a predetermined value, then generating a detection signal; a step of outputting a sensitivity adjustment signal to the unit of picture element cells(20) based on the detection signal; and a step of controlling the output signal of the unit of picture element cells (20) to be an object based on the sensitivity adjustment signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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