Driving device for interline-transfer CCD for use in electronic still camera

• US 4,686,572 A
• Filed: 11/13/1985
• Issued: 08/11/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation)
• Inventors: Takatsu, Norihiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Rubinson, Gene Z.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brinich, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US06/797,490
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 358/909, 358/213, 358/212, 358/105
• US Class Current: 348/298
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/53 Control of the integration time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/73 using interline transfer [IT]

Abstract

An electronic still camera is provided with an interline-transfer CCD having a light-receiving section and a vertical transfer section, and a shutter for intercepting the incoming light. The light-receiving section of the interline-transfer CCD transfers the signal charges at least twice to the vertical transfer section during an open-close operation of the shutter for exposure.

Claims

1. An electronic still picture camera comprising:

(a) a plurality of elements each of which generates charges corresponding to the intensity of incident light thereon and stores charges therein;

(b) horizontal transfer means;

(c) vertical transfer means;

(d) transfer gate means;

(e) first driving means for driving said transfer gate means so that said transfer gate means transfers charges generated by said plurality of elements to said vertical transfer means;

(f) second driving means for driving said vertical transfer means so that said vertical transfer means transfers charges to said horizontal transfer means;

(g) first inhibiting means for inhibiting said second driving means from driving said vertical transfer means for a first predetermined period of time;

(h) control means for controlling said first driving means so that said transfer gate means transfers charges a plurality of times from said plurality of elements to said vertical transfer means in said first predetermined period of time, said vertical transfer means storing charges for said first predetermined period of time; and

(i) second inhibiting means responsive to said control means for inhibiting said plurality of elements from storing charges for a second predetermined period of time following each of said transfer of charges by said transfer gate means.

2. An electronic still picture camera according to claim 1, which further comprises shutter means for controlling the exposure of said plurality of elements so that said plurality of elements are exposed for said first predetermined period of time, and wherein said first inhibiting means inhibits said second driving means from driving said vertical transfer means in response to said shutter means.

3. An electric still picture camera according to claim 1, wherein said second inhibiting means comprises means for counting said second predetermined period of time in response to the transfer of charges by said transfer gate means.

4. An electronic still picture camera according to claim 1, wherein said control means comprises means for controlling the number of said plurality of times of the transfer of charges by said transfer gate means.