US6157406A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image pickup apparatus and method of controlling the same
Assignee: Maxell Ltd
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Filing: 1998-11-02
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Granted: 2000-12-05
•
Expires: 2018-11-02
Abstract
Abstract An image pickup apparatus capable of generating a motion picture and a still picture. An amount of exposure in a still imaging mode is increased as compared with the amount of exposure for mode is increased as compared with the amount of exposure for one field in the motion picture imaging mode, preferably twice as large as the latter. In the still picture mode, electric charges are swept out from a CCD by an exposure control simultaneously with closing of a diaphragm for adjusting the amount of exposure. Upon occurrence of error in the closing operation of the diaphragm, the amount of exposure in the still picture mode is set to a design value. On the basis of difference between the design value and an actually measured value of the amount of exposure, gain for video signal is corrected. In the motion picture mode, the diaphragm and the electronic shutter speed is adjusted for preventing flicker from making appearance under illumination of a fluorescent lamp in indoor photographing. The adjusted speed can be +E,fra 1/100+EE sec.
Inventors
- 👤 Noriyuki Iura
- 👤 Tomoyuki Kurashige
- 👤 Naoki Yamamoto
- 👤 Takuya Imaide
- 👤 Hiroaki Kami
- 👤 Yoshihiro Todaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/745; H04N23/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
146 words
An electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture and a still picture, comprising: a diaphragm which intercepts partially or wholly incident light, said diaphragm being closed when imaging said still picture; an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal; an image sensor driving circuit which drives said image sensor device; a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device; and a control circuit which controls said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit; wherein said control circuit determines an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure determined during imaging said moving picture, and controls said diaphragm to close from a last aperture of imaging said moving picture.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
146 words
An electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture and a still picture, comprising: a diaphragm which intercepts partially or wholly incident light, said diaphragm being closed when imaging said still picture; an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal; an image sensor driving circuit which drives said image sensor device; a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device; and a control circuit which controls said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit; wherein said control circuit determines an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure determined during imaging said moving picture, and controls said diaphragm to close from a last aperture of imaging said moving picture.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control circuit controls said diaphragm to be opened widely when imaging said moving picture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and drives said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges at starting of a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and said control circuit controls said diaphragm to maintain the aperture during a field after sweeping out of the electronic charges from said image sensor device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and drives said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges during a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
173 words
An electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture and a still picture, comprising: a diaphragm which intercepts partially or wholly incident light, said diaphragm being closed when imaging said still picture; a diaphragm control circuit which controls said diaphragm; an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal; an image sensor driving circuit which drives said imaging sensor device; a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device; a shutter button which initiates starting of imaging said still picture; and a control circuit which controls said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit; wherein said control circuit determines an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure determined during imaging said moving picture, and said control circuit maintains a last aperture of imaging said motion picture from operation of said shutter button to a next field.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
173 words
An electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture and a still picture, comprising: a diaphragm which intercepts partially or wholly incident light, said diaphragm being closed when imaging said still picture; a diaphragm control circuit which controls said diaphragm; an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal; an image sensor driving circuit which drives said imaging sensor device; a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device; a shutter button which initiates starting of imaging said still picture; and a control circuit which controls said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit; wherein said control circuit determines an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure determined during imaging said moving picture, and said control circuit maintains a last aperture of imaging said motion picture from operation of said shutter button to a next field.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control circuit controls said diaphragm to be opened widely when imaging said moving picture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and drives said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges at starting of a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and said control circuit controls said diaphragm to maintain the aperture during a field after sweeping out of the electronic charges from said image sensor device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and drives said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges during a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
193 words
An electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture in a moving picture mode and a still picture in a still picture mode, comprising: a diaphragm which intercepts partially incident light in the moving picture mode, said diaphragm being closed in said still picture mode; an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal; an image sensor driving circuit which drives said imaging sensor device; a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device; a shutter button which initiates starting of imaging said still picture; and a control circuit which controls said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit in said moving picture mode; wherein said control circuit determines an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure measured in said moving picture mode, and controls said diaphragm to close from a last aperture of said moving picture mode when said moving picture mode is changed to said still picture mode by operation of said shutter button.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
193 words
An electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture in a moving picture mode and a still picture in a still picture mode, comprising: a diaphragm which intercepts partially incident light in the moving picture mode, said diaphragm being closed in said still picture mode; an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal; an image sensor driving circuit which drives said imaging sensor device; a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device; a shutter button which initiates starting of imaging said still picture; and a control circuit which controls said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit in said moving picture mode; wherein said control circuit determines an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure measured in said moving picture mode, and controls said diaphragm to close from a last aperture of said moving picture mode when said moving picture mode is changed to said still picture mode by operation of said shutter button.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said control circuit controls said diaphragm to be opened widely when imaging said moving picture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and drives said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges at starting of a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and said control circuit controls said diaphragm to maintain the aperture during a field after sweeping out of the electronic charges from said image sensor device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
An electronic camera apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said image sensor driving circuit drives said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and drives said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges during a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of controlling an electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture and a still picture, wherein the electronic camera includes a diaphragm which intercepts partially or wholly incident light, said diaphragm being closed when imaging said still picture, an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal, an image sensor driving circuit which drives said image sensor device, a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device, and a control circuit, the method comprising the steps of: controlling said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit; determining an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure determined during imaging said moving picture; and controlling said diaphragm to close from a last aperture of imaging said moving picture.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of controlling an electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture and a still picture, wherein the electronic camera includes a diaphragm which intercepts partially or wholly incident light, said diaphragm being closed when imaging said still picture, an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal, an image sensor driving circuit which drives said image sensor device, a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device, and a control circuit, the method comprising the steps of: controlling said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit; determining an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure determined during imaging said moving picture; and controlling said diaphragm to close from a last aperture of imaging said moving picture.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 16, further comprising the step of widely opening said diaphragm when imaging said moving picture.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and driving said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges at starting of a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and controlling said diaphragm to maintain the aperture during a field after sweeping out of the electronic charges from said image sensor device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 17, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and driving said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges during a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of controlling an electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture and a still picture, wherein the electronic camera includes a diaphragm which intercepts partially or wholly incident light, said diaphragm being closed when imaging said still picture, a diaphragm control circuit which controls said diaphragm, an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal, an image sensor driving circuit which drives said imaging sensor device, a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device, a shutter button which initiates starting of imaging said still picture, and a control circuit, the method comprising the steps of: controlling said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit; determining an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure determined during imaging said moving picture; and maintaining a last aperture of imaging said motion picture from operation of said shutter button to a next field.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of controlling an electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture and a still picture, wherein the electronic camera includes a diaphragm which intercepts partially or wholly incident light, said diaphragm being closed when imaging said still picture, a diaphragm control circuit which controls said diaphragm, an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal, an image sensor driving circuit which drives said imaging sensor device, a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device, a shutter button which initiates starting of imaging said still picture, and a control circuit, the method comprising the steps of: controlling said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit; determining an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure determined during imaging said moving picture; and maintaining a last aperture of imaging said motion picture from operation of said shutter button to a next field.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 21, further comprising the step of widely opening said diaphragm when imaging said moving picture.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and driving said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges at starting of a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and controlling said diaphragm to maintain the aperture during a field after sweeping out of the electronic charges from said image sensor device.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 22, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and driving said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges during a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of controlling an electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture in a moving picture mode and a still picture in a still picture mode, wherein the electronic camera includes a diaphragm which intercepts partially incident light in the moving picture mode, said diaphragm being closed in said still picture mode, an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal, an image sensor driving circuit which drives said imaging sensor device, a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device, a shutter button which initiates starting of imaging said still picture, and a control circuit, the method comprising the steps of: controlling said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit in said moving picture mode; determining an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure measured in said moving picture mode; and controlling said diaphragm to close from a last aperture of said moving picture mode when said moving picture mode is changed to said still picture mode by operation of said shutter button.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of controlling an electronic camera which enables imaging a moving picture in a moving picture mode and a still picture in a still picture mode, wherein the electronic camera includes a diaphragm which intercepts partially incident light in the moving picture mode, said diaphragm being closed in said still picture mode, an image sensor device which converts said incident light focused thereon into an electric signal, an image sensor driving circuit which drives said imaging sensor device, a signal processing circuit which processes the electric signal outputted from said image sensor device, a shutter button which initiates starting of imaging said still picture, and a control circuit, the method comprising the steps of: controlling said diaphragm and said image sensor driving circuit according to an amount of exposure determined based on a luminance signal outputted from said signal processing circuit in said moving picture mode; determining an amount of exposure for imaging said still picture based on an amount of exposure measured in said moving picture mode; and controlling said diaphragm to close from a last aperture of said moving picture mode when said moving picture mode is changed to said still picture mode by operation of said shutter button.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 26, further comprising the step of widely opening diaphragm when imaging said moving picture.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and driving said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges at starting of a closing operation of said diaphragm.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and controlling said diaphragm to maintain the aperture during a field after sweeping out of the electronic charges from said image sensor device.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 27, further comprising the steps of driving said image sensor device to sweep out the charges at a given timing and driving said image sensor device to sweep out the electronic charges during a closing operation of said diaphragm.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-05 | 2004-06-05 | 2004-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-05 | 2008-06-05 | 2008-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-05 | 2012-06-05 | 2012-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |