IMAGING SYSTEM AND PIXEL SIGNAL READOUT METHOD

• US 20120057028A1
• Filed: 09/07/2011
• Published: 03/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PENTAX RICOH IMAGING COMPANY, LTD.
• Original Assignee: Hoya Corporation
• Inventors: TANAKA, Hiroyuki
• Granted Patent: US 9,025,032 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/169
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/61 based on recognised objects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/611 where the recognised objects include parts of the human body
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/635 Region indicators; Field of view indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/675 comprising setting of focusing regions

Abstract

An imaging system is provided that includes a target detector, a readout area determiner and a readout processor. The target detector detects a target subject from an effective pixel area of an image sensor. The readout area determiner defines a readout area within the effective pixel area, the readout area corresponding to a detected target. The readout processor reads out only pixel signals within the readout area. A partial area within the readout area is redefined as the readout area when the size of the original readout area is greater than a predetermined size.

Claims

1. An imaging system, comprising:

a target detector that detects a target subject from an effective pixel area of an image sensor;

a readout area determiner that defines a readout area within said effective pixel area, said readout area corresponding to a detected target;

a readout processor that reads out only pixel signals within said readout area; and

a partial area within said readout area being redefined as said readout area when the size of original said readout area is greater than a predetermined size.

2. The imaging system as in claim 1, wherein said target detector comprises automatic tracking of said target within said effective pixel area.

3. The imaging system as in claim 2, wherein said target detector comprises face detection.

4. The imaging system as in claim 3, wherein a redefined area comprises a partial area of a face-detected area including eyes at the center.

5. The imaging system as in claim 2, wherein when said target detector detects a plurality of targets from said effective pixel area and when an area including all of said plurality of targets is larger than said predetermined size, an area including only a part of said plurality of targets is redefined as said readout area.

6. The imaging system as in claim 2, wherein when said target detector detects a plurality of targets from said effective pixel area, an area including only a part of said plurality of targets is redefined as said readout area.

7. The imaging system as in claim 6, wherein said area including only said part of said effective pixel area includes the largest area and the smallest area corresponding to said plurality of targets.

8. The imaging system as in claim 1, wherein a preset area is set as said readout area when no said target has been detected.

9. The imaging system as in claim 1, wherein said readout area is utilized in an auto focus operation.

10. The imaging system as in claim 1, wherein said imaging system comprises a digital camera.

11. A pixel signal readout method, comprising:

detecting a target subject from an effective pixel area of an image sensor;

defining a readout area within said effective pixel area, said readout area corresponding to a detected target;

reading out only pixel signals within said readout area; and

redefining a partial area within said readout area as said readout area when the size of original said readout area is greater than a predetermined size.