IMAGING APPARATUS

• US 20070263108A1
• Filed: 01/11/2007
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Nishizawa, Akihito, Nonaka, Yuichi, KAMIMURA, Junji
• Granted Patent: US 7,839,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/308
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/683 performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6842 by controlling the scanning position, e.g. windowing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time

Abstract

An imaging apparatus which can correct a shaking of the hand whether a moving picture is taken or a still picture is taken. Exposure is carried out within a shorter time than a predetermined exposure time to output a charge. Exposure and delivery of charge is carried out plural times to accumulate charges. An address for accumulation is changed in accordance with information of a shaking occurring within the shorter time and a signal due to the shaking and a signal before the shaking are accumulated at the address. Alternatively, a camera-shake is detected by using a sensor such as a gyroscope adapted to detect an angular velocity or an acceleration of a shaking of the imaging apparatus itself.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus using a two-dimensional solid imaging device of changeable exposure time in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements or pixels are arrayed in horizontal and vertical directions to perform photoelectric conversion in accordance with an image formed on a light receiving surface of photoelectric conversion element by the action of a lens, comprising:

a module which accumulates an output charge of each of the photoelectric conversion elements in a unit of pixel at a designated address;

a module which completes a photoelectric conversion within a time shorter than a predetermined exposure time to output charges plural times; and

a module which changes the address to be designated to said accumulation module such that a camera-shake generated within the shorter time can be restrained.

2. An imaging apparatus using a two-dimensional solid imaging device of changeable exposure time in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arrayed in horizontal and vertical directions to perform photoelectric conversion in accordance with an image formed on a light receiving surface of photoelectric conversion element by the action of a lens, comprising:

a module which accumulates an output charge of each of the photoelectric conversion elements in a unit of pixel;

a module which completes a photoelectric conversion within a time shorter than a predetermined exposure time to output charges plural times; and

a module which shifts the input to said accumulation module in a unit of pixel so that a camera-shake generated within the shorter time can be restrained.

3. An imaging device of changeable exposure time comprising:

a module which accumulates output charges of photoelectric conversion elements in a unit of pixel; and

a control module which controls inputting of a charge delivered out of the photoelectric conversion element within an exposure time shorter than a predetermined exposure time to said accumulation module such that a camera-shake can be restrained.

5. An imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said accumulation module is arranged internally of said imaging apparatus.

7. An imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said imaging device uses a photoelectric converter in which signals are read independently in a unit of photoelectric conversion element or pixel.

4. An imaging device of changeable exposure time comprising:

a module which accumulates output charges of photoelectric conversion elements in a unit of pixel; and

an input module which adjusts a charge delivered out of the photoelectric conversion element within an exposure time shorter than a predetermined exposure time in such a manner that a camera-shake can be restrained and inputs it to said accumulation module.

6. An imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said accumulation module is arranged internally of said imaging apparatus.

8. An imaging apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said imaging device uses a photoelectric converter in which signals are read independently in a unit of photoelectric conversion element or pixel.

9. An imaging apparatus using an imaging device having a photoelectric converter in which signals from photoelectric conversion elements are read independently, comprising:

a hold module which holds signals from said photoelectric conversion elements; and

a selection module which selects which part of said hold module a signal obtained from a photoelectric conversion element within a shorter exposure time than a predetermined exposure time is held at.

10. An imaging apparatus according to claim 9 further comprising a detection module which detects a positional shift of the imaging apparatus and said selection module selects, on the basis of detection by said detection module, which part of said hold module a signal from a photoelectric conversion element is held at.

11. An imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said hold module is arranged internally of said imaging apparatus.

12. An imaging apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said hold module is arranged internally of said imaging apparatus.