JP3041276B2 - Positioning method of solid-state image sensor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention belongs to the technical field of a decomposition optical system for splitting incident light into a plurality of light components and a solid-state image pickup device using a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices. The present invention relates to an improvement in a method of aligning relative positions of a plurality of solid-state imaging devices when arranging an imaging device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one technique for increasing the resolution of a solid-state imaging device, there is a so-called multi-plate type pixel shifting method using a decomposition optical system such as a prism and a plurality of solid-state imaging elements. In this method, the spatial arrangement relationship between a plurality of solid-state imaging devices is shifted by, for example, a half pixel pitch in the horizontal and vertical directions of an image, so that the solid-state imaging device corresponds to a non-photosensitive portion in one pixel in one of the solid-state imaging devices. The photosensitive portion in one pixel of the other solid-state imaging device is located at the position where the image is to be displayed, thereby increasing the apparent number of photosensitive portions when viewed as a system. In this system, when arranging the solid-state imaging devices on each light exit surface of the decomposition optical system, how to accurately match the relative positions of the solid-state imaging devices with each other is an issue of high resolution. As a method of checking the alignment state at this time, for example, in the case of a half-pixel shift in the horizontal direction, first, a half-shift is performed in one signal processing path of any two solid-state imaging devices for checking the alignment state. A delay line corresponding to a pixel is inserted. Next, a confirmation signal is obtained by subtracting the output signals of both signal processing circuits from each other, and is displayed on, for example, a television monitor. When the outline in the display image disappears on the monitor and the entire screen is at a uniform level, the relative positional relationship between the two solid-state imaging devices is shifted from each other by half a pixel in the horizontal direction, The alignment state of both can be confirmed.

On the other hand, with respect to the improvement of the vertical resolution by shifting pixels in the vertical direction, the number of scanning lines in the television system is twice as large as that in a normal television system. For this reason, when positioning the solid-state imaging device, a positioning confirmation system having twice the number of scanning lines must be prepared as a confirmation method. In an alignment confirmation system in which the number of scanning lines is twice as large as that of a normal television system, by performing alignment so that two solid-state imaging devices are shifted from each other by one horizontal scanning period, a shift of half a pixel in the vertical direction can be achieved. You can confirm.

However, there is a tendency that the solid-state imaging device itself has a large number of pixels, and if it is desired to maintain the dynamic resolution characteristic when capturing an image of a moving subject at the same level as that of an existing television system, that is, the frame frequency must be reduced. Attempting to maintain the same level increases the frequency for analyzing one pixel and the horizontal scanning frequency, increases the circuit size of the alignment state confirmation system, increases power consumption,
And the point that the cost rises has been a problem.

[0005]

As described above, in a so-called multi-plate type pixel shift system using a disassembling optical system such as a prism and a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices, in particular, two arbitrary solid-state image pickup devices are arranged in the vertical direction of an image. When the positional relationship between the elements is shifted by half a pixel, an alignment confirmation system having twice the number of scanning lines must be prepared in order to confirm the alignment state. If a positioning confirmation system with twice the number of scanning lines is used, the two solid-state imaging devices are aligned with each other so as to be shifted by one horizontal scanning period in the system. You can confirm.

However, there is a tendency that the solid-state imaging device itself has a large number of pixels, and if it is desired to maintain the dynamic resolution characteristic when capturing an image of a moving subject at a level similar to that of an existing television system, that is, the frame frequency must be reduced. Attempting to keep the same level would increase the frequency for analyzing one pixel and the horizontal scanning frequency, increasing the circuit size of the above-described alignment state confirmation system, increasing power consumption, and increasing costs. It becomes a problem.

Therefore, the present invention relates to a so-called multi-plate type pixel shift system using a disassembling optical system such as a prism and a plurality of solid-state image pickup devices, and particularly to a positional relationship between two arbitrary solid-state image pickup devices in the vertical direction of an image. When shifting by half a pixel, there is no need to prepare an alignment confirmation system having twice the number of scanning lines as a normal television system to confirm the displacement, and a method for confirming the alignment of a solid-state imaging device having a simple configuration. The purpose is to provide.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a method for aligning a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention comprises the following means. That is, a prism that splits light incident on an incident surface and emits light from two or more exit surfaces,
In the solid-state imaging device in which a solid-state imaging device is disposed on each of the two or more light emission surfaces, when adjusting the relative positions of the plurality of solid-state imaging devices to a predetermined relationship, at least with respect to the vertical direction of the image, The optical barycenter of each line of the imaging signal output from any two solid-state imaging devices whose relative positional relationship is to be checked is shifted from each other by half of one pixel pitch between the two solid-state imaging devices. Driving the plurality of solid-state imaging devices, and obtaining a signal obtained by subtracting a signal obtained for each of the solid-state imaging devices from each other, thereby confirming a relative positional relationship between the solid-state imaging devices. .

According to such means, it is possible to obtain a signal in which the optical center of gravity of each line of the image signal output from the two solid-state image sensors is mutually shifted by half of one pixel pitch between the two solid-state image sensors. Can be. Therefore, when the high-frequency component of the signal obtained by subtracting these signals from each other becomes substantially 0, the relative positional relationship between the two solid-state imaging devices becomes 1 in the vertical direction.
This is a time when the pixel pitch is shifted by half of the pixel pitch, and the alignment of the two solid-state imaging devices can be confirmed. Moreover, there is no need for an alignment confirmation system having twice the number of scanning lines.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a method for aligning a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention. An optical image from a subject is incident on an optical prism 12 via an optical lens 11. One of the incident lights split into two by the optical prism 12 is output from the light exit surface 121 and is imaged on the CCD image sensor 13. The other of the two split incident lights is output from the light exit surface 122,
An image is formed on the CCD image sensor 14. CCD imaging devices 13, 14
Is driven by a CCD driving pulse to convert an incident optical image into an electric signal. The pulse for driving the CCD is such that the pulse from the pulse generation circuit 15 is CC.
The signal is input to the D image pickup device drive circuit 16 and output therefrom.

Output signals from the CCD image pickup devices 13 and 14 are amplified to predetermined levels by preamplifiers 17 and 18, respectively, and then converted to digital image signals by analog-to-digital (A / D) converters 19 and 20. Converted to data. Each of the image data is subjected to processing described later in the signal processing circuits 21 and 22. Thereafter, the output signals of the signal processing circuits 21 and 22 are input to a subtractor 23, and difference data is calculated for each pixel. Subtractor
The output data of 23 is converted into an analog signal (a signal for confirming the alignment state) by a digital-analog (D / A) converter 24 and is used for determining the alignment of the CCD image sensor. For example, the analog output signal is displayed on a monitor, and it is determined that the alignment is “appropriate” based on the fact that the outline in the image has been canceled. Further, the position may be determined to be “appropriate” based on a point at which the amplitude and energy of the high-frequency component in the analog output signal are minimized.

The details of the driving method of the CCD image pickup devices 13 and 14 and the details of the processing of the signal processing circuits 21 and 22 will be described.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the drive modes of the two CCD image pickup devices 13 and 14 in four continuous fields. The circles in the figure are pixels, and the numbers in parentheses indicate line numbers. These CCD imaging devices 13 and 14 have, for example, an interline transfer type configuration. First, the drive mode of the CCD 13 will be described. In the 4nth (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Field, driving is performed in the frame accumulation mode in which the exposure time is one field period, and (1), (3), (5),
.. Are read out to the vertical transfer CCD. Thereafter, during the same vertical blanking period, a pulse of a predetermined voltage is applied to the substrate of the CCD 13 to sweep out unnecessary charges accumulated on all the light receiving elements to the outside. Next, in the (4n + 1) th field, the exposure time is also 1
Driving in the frame accumulation mode, which is a field period, is shifted by one line with respect to the 4n field (2).
(4), (6) ... The signal charge of the light receiving element on the line is read out to the vertical transfer CCD. Thereafter, during the same vertical blanking period, a pulse of a predetermined voltage is applied to the substrate of the CCD 13 to sweep out unnecessary charges accumulated on all the light receiving elements to the outside. Next, in the (4n + 2) -th field, driving is performed in the field accumulation mode, and ((1) + (2)), ((3) +
(4)), ((5) + (6)),... And vertical transfer C of the signal charges accumulated in the light receiving element by combining the lines.
Read to CD. Next, in the (4n + 3) th field, the same operation is performed in the field accumulation mode, and the line combination is shifted by one line with respect to the (4n + 2) th field (
(2) + (3)), ((4) + (5)), ((6) +
(7)) The signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements are read out to the vertical transfer CCD by combining the lines as in the case of. The electric charges read to these vertical transfer CCDs are transferred one line at a time during a horizontal blanking period, and output to the outside via the horizontal transfer CCDs and an output unit. In the subsequent fields, the drive mode of the above four fields is repeated.

Next, the drive mode of the CCD image sensor 14 will be described. In the 4nth field, it is driven in the field accumulation mode, and ((1) + (2)), ((3) + (4)),
((5) + (6)) The signal charges stored in the light receiving elements are read out to the vertical transfer CCD by combining the lines as shown in FIG. Next, in the (4n + 1) th field, the same driving is performed in the field accumulation mode, and the line combination is shifted by one line with respect to the 4nth field ((2) + (3)),
(4) + (5)), ((6) + (7)),... The signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements are read out to the vertical transfer CCD by combining the lines. Next, in the (4n + 2) -th field, driving is performed in the frame accumulation mode in which the exposure time is one field period, and the signal charges of the light receiving elements on the (2), (4), (6). . Thereafter, a pulse of a predetermined voltage is applied to the substrate of the CCD image sensor 14 within the same vertical blanking period to sweep out unnecessary charges accumulated on all the light receiving elements to the outside. Next, in the (4n + 2) -th field, driving is performed in the frame accumulation mode in which the exposure time is also one field period.
The signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements on the lines (1), (3), (5),... Shifted by the line are read out to the vertical transfer CCD. Thereafter, a pulse of a predetermined voltage is applied to the substrate of the CCD image sensor 14 within the same vertical blanking period to sweep out unnecessary charges accumulated on all the light receiving elements to the outside. The electric charges read to these vertical transfer CCDs are transferred one line at a time during a horizontal blanking period, and output to the outside via the horizontal transfer CCDs and an output unit. In the subsequent fields, the drive mode of the above four fields is repeated.

As can be seen from FIG. 2 by driving as described above, assuming now that the spatial arrangement in the vertical direction of both CCD image pickup devices is the same, the CCD in each field is
The vertical optical centers of gravity of the signals read from the imaging devices 13 and 14 are shifted from each other by half (Py / 2) of one pixel pitch in the vertical direction. However, the interlacing relationship between the output of the (4n + 2) th field and the output of the (4n + 3) th field of the CCD image sensor 14 is opposite to the interlacing relationship of the display device in the corresponding field, and therefore, is not changed. It cannot be used as a display signal. In other words, the order of the odd and even lines of the display device field,
This is because the order of the odd and even lines of the field signal from the CCD image sensor 14 is different.

The following processing is performed for each pixel in the signal processing circuits 21 and 22 of FIG. With respect to the output signal of the CCD imaging device 13, the signal of the 4nth field is doubled and then added to the signal of the (4n + 2) th field, and the result is used as the output signal of the signal processing circuit 21. It is assumed to be data for one field. Similarly, the signal of the (4n + 1) th field is doubled, added to the signal of the (4n + 3) th field, and the result is added to the data of the second field constituting the output signal of the signal processing circuit 21. And On the other hand, with respect to the output signal of the CCD image sensor 14, the signal of the (4n + 2) -th field is doubled,
The signal is added to the signal of the 4n field, and the result is used as the data of the first field constituting the output signal of the signal processing circuit 22. Similarly, after doubling the signal of the (4n + 3) th field, adding it to the signal of the (4n + 1) th field, and adding the result to the data of the second field constituting the output signal of the signal processing circuit 22 That is.

The output signal level of each pixel in FIG. 2 is Vlk, and the level of the signal obtained as a result of the above signal processing is Vlk.
[L] k. Where l is the line number, l = 1,
2,3 ... k is a pixel number in the horizontal direction, and k = 1, 2,
3 ... At this time, the above processing is represented by the following equation.

As for the CCD image pickup device 13, V [l] k = 3 * Vlk + V (l + 1) k (1) On the other hand, for the CCD imaging device 14, V [l] k = Vlk + 3 * V (l + 1) k (2)

FIG. 3 shows the positional relationship between the optical centers of gravity of these signals in the vertical direction. In the figure, (1), (2),
(3) indicate the positions of the original optical centroids of the respective lines of the CCD image pickup device in FIG. 2, and [1], [2], [3] indicate the optics of the signal obtained as a result of the above processing. The position of the target center of gravity is shown. It can be seen that the signals resulting from the processing by the signal processing circuits 21 and 22 are shifted from each other by half the vertical pixel pitch Py in the vertical direction. Moreover, since the MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) characteristics in the vertical direction are the same, when the contour component of the image being output from the subtraction circuit 23 in FIG. This can be confirmed as when the spatial arrangement is shifted by half the vertical one pixel pitch.

The signal processing circuit thus obtained
The processed signals 21 and 22 can be obtained only for one frame (two fields) from the original four fields. Output terminal of Fig. 1
When inputting the output signal from 25 to the display device, it is necessary to control the read timing of the memories in the signal processing circuits 21 and 22 so that the data of one frame is repeatedly displayed every two frames. This means that the smoothness of the motion is slightly degraded when the moving subject is reproduced. However, the above processing is performed only at the time of positioning, and since the subject at this time is a chart which is usually stationary, there is no problem in practical use.

As described above, in the above embodiment,
The two CCD image sensors for confirming the spatial positional relationship in the vertical direction are driven such that the vertical optical centroids of the read lines are shifted from each other by half of one pixel pitch.
Further, in order to make the MTF characteristics in the vertical direction of the two output signals equal, and to match the interlacing relationship of the two fields of the output signal with the interlacing relationship of the display device in the corresponding field, the CCD imaging using a frame memory is performed. 4n in the imaging output signal from the element
The signal of the field and the signal of the (4n + 2) th field are added for each pixel, and the signal of the (4n + 1) th field and the signal of the (4n + 3) th field are added for each pixel. Then, the readout timing of the frame memory is controlled for the data after the addition so as to match the frame frequency of the display device. By subtracting these processing results from each other in a subtractor and monitoring the contour components and high-frequency components of the output signal, the positional relationship between the two CCD image pickup devices can be confirmed. For example, if the output signal of the subtractor is displayed on a display device and the position of the CCD image sensor is adjusted so that the contour component in the vertical direction in the image disappears, then both CCD image sensors become one pixel in the vertical direction to each other. The relationship is shifted by half the pitch. Therefore, when the position of the CCD image sensor is adjusted, the number of scanning lines is two.
There is no need for a positioning confirmation system that is twice as complicated and has a complicated configuration.

In the description of the above embodiment, two CCDs
In order to shift the relative position of the image sensor in the vertical direction by half the vertical one pixel pitch, the purpose is achieved by combining the driving method of the interline transfer type CCD image sensor with the addition process for each pixel. However, it is not limited to this.

The CCD image sensor may be a frame interline type as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 31 denotes an imaging unit, which includes light receiving elements 37 and 38 and a first vertical transfer unit 32. Reference numeral 41 denotes a storage unit having a second vertical transfer unit 42. The entire storage section 41 is shielded from light. 47 is a horizontal transfer unit. Reference numeral 48 denotes an output unit that converts the signal charges transferred from the horizontal transfer unit 47 into a voltage and outputs the voltage to the outside.

In the image pickup section 41, a large number of two-dimensionally formed light receiving elements and transfer blocks for the electric charges accumulated therein are described. The image pickup unit 31 corresponds to the two light receiving elements 37 and 38 to correspond to the television interlace.
There is one vertical transfer stage in the vertical transfer unit 32 of FIG. One vertical transfer stage is divided into four electrode regions 33 to 36, and each of the electrode regions 33 to 36 is connected to each of four terminals I1 to I4. And the pulse generating circuit of FIG.
The image sensor driving circuit 16 outputs four-phase vertical transfer pulses ΦI1 to ΦI4 in response to the pulse generated at 15, and these are applied to the terminals I1 to I4. At this time, for example, the level VFS described in FIG.
The signal charge can be read from the light receiving element 37 to the first vertical transfer section 32 by applying the signal charge readout pulse. Similarly, for example, the level V is applied to the third electrode region 35.
By applying the signal charge readout pulse of FS,
The signal charges can be read from the light receiving element 38 to the first vertical transfer unit 32.

On the other hand, one of the transfer stages in the second vertical transfer section 42 in the light-shielded storage section 41 is also connected to the first vertical transfer section.
Like the 32, it is constituted by four electrode regions 43 to 46. Each of the electrode regions 43 to 46 is connected to four terminals S1 to S4, respectively. The image sensor driving circuit 16 outputs the four-phase vertical transfer pulses ΦS1 to ΦS4 by the pulse generated by the pulse generation circuit 15 in FIG.
Added to 4.

The above vertical transfer pulses .PHI.I1 to .PHI.I4 and .PHI.S1 to .PHI.S4 have two values of levels VH and VL except for the aforementioned signal charge readout pulse of level VFS. 2 vertical transfer units 32 and 42
A potential well is formed therein.

The horizontal transfer section 47 has two terminals H1 and H2. The image sensor driving circuit 16 is driven by the pulse generated by the pulse generating circuit 15 so that the two-phase horizontal transfer pulses ΦH1 and ΦH2
Are output to the terminals H1 and H2.

Here, the driving timing of the CCD image pickup device will be described in more detail. 5 and 6 show the terminal I1 of FIG.
14 shows waveforms applied to I4 and S1 to S4. VB which is a pulse indicating a vertical blanking period
LK is also shown. 5 shows a timing waveform of the CCD 13 shown in FIG. 1, and FIG.
3 shows a timing waveform of the D image pickup device.

First, FIG. 5 will be described. As shown, P1 in each vertical transfer pulse is a pulse train for transferring unnecessary charges on the first vertical transfer unit 32 of the imaging unit 31 of FIG. 4 via the second vertical transfer unit 42 at high speed. These unnecessary charges are swept out to the outside via the horizontal transfer unit 47 and the output unit 48. The pulses FS11 and FS12 transfer the signal charges photoelectrically converted from the upper light receiving element (for example, the light receiving element 37 in FIG. 4) of the two light receiving elements belonging to one vertical transfer stage to the first vertical transfer unit 32. FS31
And FS 32 transfers the signal charge photoelectrically converted from the lower light receiving element (for example, light receiving element 38 in FIG. 4) of the two light receiving elements belonging to one vertical transfer stage to the first vertical transfer unit 32. For the pulse. As shown, in the first field, the exposure time of the upper light receiving element is Tex1 from FS11 to FS11 in the next field. On the other hand, the exposure time of the lower light receiving element is the T time from FS32 to FS31 of the next field.
ex2. And FS31 behind FS32 and that FS
The signal charges on the upper and lower light receiving elements are added on the first vertical transfer unit 32 by the FS11 pulse at the same timing as 31. Combinations of addition are (line (1) + line (2)), (line (3) + line (4)),. Then, the pulse P2 is transferred to the second vertical transfer unit 42 in the storage unit 41 within the same vertical blanking period. Thereafter, the signals are transferred line by line to the horizontal transfer unit 47 by a pulse LS1 in a horizontal blanking period (not shown in FIG. 5) and output to the outside via an output unit 48.

In the second field, the exposure time of the upper light receiving element is Tex2 from FS12 to FS11 in the next field.
It is. On the other hand, the exposure time of the lower light receiving element is Tex1 from FS31 to FS31 of the next field. The signal charges on the upper and lower light receiving elements are added on the first vertical transfer section 32 by the FS11 behind the FS12 and the FS31 pulse at the same timing as the FS11. At this time, the combination of addition is (line (2) + line (3), (line (4) + line (5)),...) So as to be shifted by one line from the first field. The description is omitted because it is the same as that of the first field.

Here, the positions of the field shift pulses FS32 and FS12 are set so that each exposure time becomes Tex2 = Tex1 / 3 (3). Therefore, the relationship of V [l] k = Vlk + V (l + 1) k / 3 (4) holds for the output of each pixel.

Next, description will be made with reference to FIG. Pulse P1
5 is a pulse for transferring unnecessary charges on the first vertical transfer unit 32 at high speed via the second vertical transfer unit 42 as in FIG. These charges are discharged to the outside via the horizontal transfer unit 47 and the output unit 48. The pulses FS11 and FS12 are pulses for transferring signal charges from the upper light receiving element of the two light receiving elements belonging to one vertical transfer stage to the first vertical transfer unit 32, and FS31 and FS32 are 1 The pulse for transferring the signal charge from the lower light receiving element of the two light receiving elements belonging to one vertical transfer stage to the first vertical transfer unit 32 is the same as in FIG. What is different from FIG. 5 is the control timing of the exposure time. That is, in the first field, the exposure time of the upper light receiving element is Tex2 from FS12 to FS11 in the next field. On the other hand, the exposure time of the lower light receiving element is Te from FS31 to FS31 of the next field.
x1. And FS11 behind FS12 and that FS11
The signal charges on the upper and lower light receiving elements are added on the first vertical transfer unit 32 by the FS31 pulse at the same timing as above.
The combination of addition is (line (1) + line (2)),
(Line (3) + line (4)). Then, the pulse P2 is transferred to the second vertical transfer unit 42 in the storage unit 41 within the same vertical blanking period. Thereafter, a pulse in a horizontal blanking period, not shown in FIG.
The data is transferred to the horizontal transfer unit 47 line by line by the LS1 and output to the outside via the output unit 48. In the second field, the exposure time of the upper light receiving element is Tex1 from FS11 to FS11 in the next field. On the other hand, the exposure time of the lower light receiving element is Tex2 from FS32 to FS31 of the next field.
It is. The signal charges on the upper and lower light receiving elements are added on the first vertical transfer unit 32 by the FS31 behind the FS32 and the FS11 pulse at the same timing as the FS31. At this time, the combination of addition is (line (2) + line (3)), (line (4) + line (5)),... So as to be shifted by one line from the first field. Subsequent transfer operations are the same as in the first field, and a description thereof will be omitted.

Here, each exposure time is the same as in FIG.
The positions of the field shift pulses FS12 and FS32 are set so that Expression (3) holds. Therefore, the relationship of V [l] k = Vlk / 3 + V (l + 1) k (5) holds for the output of each pixel. The relationship between the mixing ratios of two adjacent lines in the expressions (4) and (5) is the same as the relationship between the mixing ratios of the two adjacent lines in the expressions (1) and (2). Therefore, the positional relationship of the optical center of gravity of these signals in the vertical direction is the same as in FIG. That is, it can be seen that the position of the optical center of gravity in the vertical direction of each lie is shifted from each other by half of the vertical pixel pitch Py. Moreover, the MTF (Modulat
1 are equal, the vertical spatial arrangement of the CCD imaging devices 13 and 14 is one pixel in the vertical direction when the contour components of the image being output from the subtraction circuit 23 in FIG. This can be confirmed as when the pitch is shifted by half of the pitch.

According to this embodiment, the addition processing using the frame memory becomes unnecessary. Further, in the first embodiment, only one frame of data is obtained from two frames in the CCD image pickup output signal, and the data is read out twice and adjusted to the frame frequency of the display device. In the present embodiment, since there is no addition processing using the above frame memory, data can be obtained at the same frequency as the frame frequency of the CCD image pickup output signal, and there is also an advantage that the configuration of the signal processing circuit is simplified. I do. It should be noted that the proposed method can be applied not only when aligning the solid-state imaging device but also when driving the solid-state imaging device. For example, in a multi-plate solid-state imaging device, the effect of chromatic aberration due to an optical lens is corrected by shifting the vertical optical centroids of a plurality of solid-state imaging devices to each other.

[0034]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
In a so-called multi-plate pixel shift system using a decomposition optical system such as a prism and a plurality of solid-state imaging devices,
In particular, when the positional relationship between any two solid-state imaging devices in the vertical direction of an image is shifted by half of the vertical one pixel pitch, a positioning confirmation system with twice the number of scanning lines is prepared to perform the confirmation. Therefore, the alignment of the solid-state imaging device can be confirmed with a simple configuration.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a method for aligning a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a drive mode of the CCD image pickup device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary view for explaining signal processing according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a CCD imaging device used in another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the device of FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... optical lens, 12 ... optical prism, 13,14 ... CCD imaging device, 15 ... pulse generation circuit, 16 ... CCD imaging device driving circuit, 17,18 ... preamplifier, 19,20 ... analog / digital converter, 21, 22 ... signal processing circuit, 23 ... subtractor, 24 ...
Digital / analog converter, 25 output terminals.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A solid-state imaging device in which a prism that splits light incident on an incident surface and emits light from two or more exit surfaces has a solid-state imaging device disposed on each of the two or more light exit surfaces. When the relative positions of the plurality of solid-state imaging devices are adjusted to a predetermined relationship, at least with respect to the vertical direction of the image, the imaging output from any two solid-state imaging devices whose relative position relationship is to be confirmed. The plurality of solid-state imaging devices are driven such that the optical center of gravity of each line of the signal is mutually shifted by a half of one pixel pitch between the two solid-state imaging devices, and is obtained for each of the solid-state imaging devices. A method for positioning a solid-state imaging device, comprising: obtaining a confirmation signal obtained by subtracting signals having a corresponding relationship from each other to confirm a relative positional relationship between the solid-state imaging devices. 2. The method of driving a plurality of solid-state imaging devices according to claim 1, wherein the two solid-state imaging devices compare two vertical solid-state relations in a 4nth (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Field of the video signal. Among the image sensors, the first solid-state image sensor is driven to select the first line group in the frame accumulation mode, and the second solid-state image sensor is selected to select the first line combination in the field accumulation mode. In the (4n + 1) -th field, the first solid-state imaging device is driven so as to select the second line group in the frame accumulation mode, and the second solid-state imaging device is operated in the field accumulation mode. In the (4n + 2) -th field, the first solid-state imaging device is driven to select the combination of the first line in the field accumulation mode. Drive the second The body imaging device is driven to select the second line group in the frame accumulation mode. In the (4n + 3) th field, the first solid-state imaging device is combined with the second line in the field accumulation mode. driven so as to select, and the second solid image pickup element is driven to select the first line group in the frame accumulation mode, hereinafter, with repeated four fields as a unit driving method in the four fields, the First solid-state imaging
With respect to the element , the signal obtained by doubling the output signal in the 4nth field and the output signal in the (4n + 2) th field are added for each pixel, and one field of the television interlace is added. Similarly, the output signal in the (4n + 1) -th field is 2
Multiplying the signal and the (4n + 3) th output signal in the field is added for each pixel and the signal constituting the other fields of the television interlaces, the second solid-state imaging device The (4n + 2) th
The signal that doubles the output signal in the field of
Output signal in each field for each pixel.
Construct one field of John's interlace
And the output signal in the (4n + 3) -th field is 2
Doubled signal and output signal at (4n + 1) th field
Is added for each pixel to interlace the television.
A signal constituting the other field of the above, by obtaining a signal obtained by mutually subtracting the addition signal obtained for each solid-state image sensor, to confirm the relative positional relationship of each solid-state image sensor. 2. The method for positioning a solid-state imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. An image pickup unit comprising: a plurality of solid-state image pickup elements; a light-receiving element; and a first vertical transfer unit that transfers signal charges photoelectrically converted by the light-receiving element in a vertical direction of an image. A storage unit including a second vertical transfer unit for receiving the signal charges transferred from the first vertical transfer unit and transferring the same in the vertical direction of the image, and transferred from the second vertical transfer unit A horizontal transfer unit that receives a signal charge and transfers the image charge in the horizontal direction, and an output unit that converts the signal charge transferred from the horizontal transfer unit into a voltage and outputs the voltage to the outside, The method of driving the elements is such that, for one of the two arbitrary solid-state imaging devices whose relative positional relationship is to be checked, the light accumulation time of the light receiving element of the first line group among the lines of the solid-state imaging device is determined. The rest of the second The solid-state imaging device is driven so as to be three times as long as the light accumulation time of the light-receiving elements in the in-group, and the other of the two arbitrary solid-state imaging devices whose relative positional relationship is to be confirmed is the solid-state imaging device. The light accumulation time of the light receiving elements in the second line group among the lines of the element is 3 times the light accumulation time of the light receiving elements in the first line group.
The solid-state imaging device is driven so as to be doubled, and the confirmation signal is obtained by subtracting the signals in the corresponding relationship obtained for each of the solid-state imaging devices from each other, whereby the relative position of each solid-state imaging device is obtained. The method according to claim 1, wherein the relationship is confirmed. 4. An image pickup section comprising: a plurality of solid-state image pickup elements; a light-receiving element; and a first vertical transfer section for transferring signal charges photoelectrically converted by the light-receiving element in a vertical direction of an image; A storage unit including a second vertical transfer unit for receiving the signal charges transferred from the first vertical transfer unit and transferring the same in the vertical direction of the image, and transferred from the second vertical transfer unit A plurality of solid-state imaging devices, comprising: a horizontal transfer unit that receives a signal charge and transfers the image charge in the horizontal direction; and an output unit that converts the signal charge transferred from the horizontal transfer unit into a voltage and outputs the voltage to the outside. Is driven by the first interlacing method for one of any two solid-state imaging devices whose relative positional relationship is to be checked.
Field, the signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements in the second line group among the lines of the solid-state imaging device
By transferring the light to the first vertical transfer unit a plurality of times during the field period, the light accumulation time of the light receiving elements in the first line group can be reduced to three times the light accumulation time of the light receiving elements in the second line group. After that, the signal charges in the first vertical transfer unit are discharged to the outside via the second vertical transfer unit during the vertical blanking period of the television, and the signal charges are similarly discharged during the vertical blanking period. The first line combination in the field accumulation is selected to transfer the signal charge on the light receiving element to the first vertical transfer unit, and further, the signal charge of the first vertical transfer unit within the same vertical blanking period. Are transferred to the second vertical transfer unit, and their signal charges are
Each line is output to the outside via the horizontal transfer unit and the output unit, and in the second field of the interlace, the signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements in the first line group are transferred a plurality of times during the one field period. 1 so that the light accumulation time of the light receiving elements in the second line group is set to be three times the light accumulation time of the light receiving elements in the first line group. The signal charges in the first vertical transfer unit are discharged to the outside via the second vertical transfer unit during a vertical blanking period, and the second charge in the field accumulation is also discharged during the vertical blanking period.
And transfers the signal charge on the light receiving element to the first vertical transfer section, and further transfers the signal charge of the first vertical transfer section to the second vertical transfer section within the same vertical blanking period. The signal charges are transferred to the vertical transfer unit, and the signal charges are output line by line to the outside via the horizontal transfer unit and the output unit. For the other, the first of the interlaces
Field, the signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements in the first line group among the lines of the solid-state imaging device
By transferring the light to the third vertical transfer unit a plurality of times during the field period, the light accumulation time of the light receiving elements in the second line group becomes three times the light accumulation time of the light receiving elements in the first line group. After that, the signal charges in the third vertical transfer section are transferred to the fourth vertical transfer section during the vertical blanking period of the television.
Of the first line in the field storage during the vertical blanking period to transfer the signal charge on the light receiving element to the third vertical transfer unit. And further transfers the signal charges of the third vertical transfer section to the fourth vertical transfer section within the same vertical blanking period.
And transfers the signal charges to the outside via the horizontal transfer unit and the output unit line by line,
In the second field of the interlace, the signal charges accumulated in the light receiving elements in the second line group are transferred to the third vertical transfer unit a plurality of times within one field period, so that they are in the first line group. Set the light accumulation time of the light receiving element to the second
And the signal charge in the third vertical transfer unit passes through the fourth vertical transfer unit during the vertical blanking period of the television. And discharges the same to the outside. Similarly, within the vertical blanking period, a combination of the second lines in the field accumulation is selected to transfer the signal charges on the light receiving element to the third line.
, And further transfers the signal charges of the third vertical transfer section to the fourth vertical transfer section within the same vertical blanking period, and transfers the signal charges line by line to the horizontal transfer section. And outputting to the outside via an output unit, and obtaining a confirmation signal obtained by subtracting a signal obtained for each of the solid-state imaging devices from each other, thereby confirming a relative positional relationship between the solid-state imaging devices. 2. The method for positioning a solid-state imaging device according to claim 1, wherein: