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US5539460A
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Image pickup apparatus and drive method which controls exposure by controlling a charge accumulation time
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1994-06-13
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Granted: 1996-07-23
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Expires: 2014-06-13
Abstract
Abstract An image pickup device and a drive method for the device, controls the exposure by controlling a charge accumulation time of the device without using an iris. The accumulation time T is approached from near zero to a proper accumulation time at the power-on of the image pickup device.
Inventors
- 👤 Kyoji Tamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:20
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/75
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A drive method for an image pickup device for controlling the exposure by changing a charge accumulation time T of the image pickup device field-by-field for a plurality of fields, wherein the charge accumulation time T increases from near zero to a proper charge accumulation time over the plurality of fields at the power-on of the image pickup device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A drive method for an image pickup device for controlling the exposure by changing a charge accumulation time T of the image pickup device field-by-field for a plurality of fields, wherein the charge accumulation time T increases from near zero to a proper charge accumulation time over the plurality of fields at the power-on of the image pickup device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
A drive method for an image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the accumulation of charge for a predetermined time t3 is discretely executed a predetermined number of times n so that the charge accumulation time T=t3×n, wherein n is an integer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
A drive method for an image pickup device according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined time t3 is varied so that the accumulation time T is gradually approached from near zero to the proper accumulation time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
A drive method for an image pickup device according to claim 2, where the predetermined number of times n is varied so that the accumulation time T is gradually approached from near zero to the proper accumulation time.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A drive method for an image pickup device according to claim 1, wherein the accumulation of charge is executed continuously over the charge accumulation time T.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: (a) image pickup means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal; and (b) exposure control means for controlling the exposure by changing a charge accumulation time T of the image pickup means field-by-field for a plurality of fields, wherein the charge accumulation time T increases from near zero to a proper accumulation time over the plurality of fields at the power-on of the image pickup apparatus.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
73 words
An image pickup apparatus comprising: (a) image pickup means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal; and (b) exposure control means for controlling the exposure by changing a charge accumulation time T of the image pickup means field-by-field for a plurality of fields, wherein the charge accumulation time T increases from near zero to a proper accumulation time over the plurality of fields at the power-on of the image pickup apparatus.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
A drive method for an image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the accumulation of charge for a predetermined time t3 is discretely executed a predetermined number of times n so that the charge accumulation time T=t3×n, wherein n is an integer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
A drive method for an image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined time t3 is varied so that the accumulation time T is gradually approached from near zero to the proper accumulation time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A drive method for an image pickup apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined number of times n is varied so that the accumulation time T is gradually approached from near zero to the proper accumulation time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A drive method for an image pickup apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the accumulation of charge is executed continuously over the charge accumulation time T.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4614966A
Cited
US4914518A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-23 | 2000-01-22 | 2000-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-23 | 2004-01-22 | 2004-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-23 | 2008-01-22 | 2008-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |