Image sensing device

• US 4,763,196 A
• Filed: 06/29/1987
• Issued: 08/09/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/1983
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Sakai, Shinji
• Primary Examiner(s): Lev, Robert
• Application Number:
  US07/068,736
• Time in Patent Office: 407 Days
• Field of Search: 358/213.13, 358/213.19, 358/909, 358/209, 354/472, 354/474, 354/475
• US Class Current: 348/230.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/633 for displaying additional information relating to control or operation of the camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time

Abstract

An image sensing device includes image sensing apparatus for converting an optical image into electrical information and stores the information. Time control apparatus selects the incident time or the storing time of the optical image at the image sensing apparatus from a plurality of time values determined by multiplying the vertical period of a standard television period by 2^n/m (wherein n represents an integer and m an integer other than 0). Display apparatus displays the time value. The display apparatus has a plurality of display values which can be approximately expressed as 2^q/p (wherein p represents an integer and q an integer other than 0) and correspond to the plurality of time values.

Claims

1. An image sensing device comprising:

(a) image sensing means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal;

(b) reading means for reading out the electrical signal of said image sensing means at a standard television period; and

(c) time control means for discretely controlling image signal forming time at said image sensing means, said time control means being capable of selecting for said control a plurality of time values Td satisfying the following condition at least in cases where the value Td is smaller than Ts;

Td=Ts×

2^-n, wherein Ts represents the vertical period of a standard television signal, and n represents natural numbers.

2. An image sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said time control means includes a shutter arranged to control the incident time of an image incident on said image sensing means.

3. An image sensing device according to claim 1, wherein said time control means is arranged to control said image signal forming time by controlling the electrical signal storing condition of said image sensing means.

4. An image sensing device according to claim 3, wherein said time control means includes a drain for selectively discarding the electrical signal at said image sensing means.

40. A device according to claim 1, 5, 6, 8, 16 or 24, wherein said Ts is equal to 1/50 (sec).

41. A device according to claim 1, 5, 6, 8, 18 or 24, wherein said Ts is equal to 1/60 (sec).

5. An image sensing device comprising:

(a) image sensing means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal;

(b) reading means for reading out the electrical signal of said image sensing means at a standard television period;

(c) shutter control means for discretely controlling the length of time of an exposure to be effected by said shutter, said shutter control means being capable of selecting for said control a plurality of time values Td which satisfy the following condition at least in cases where the value Td is smaller than Ts;

6. Td=Ts×

2^-n, wherein Ts represents the vertical period of a standard television signal, and n represents natural numbers.

8. An image sensing device according to claim 6, wherein said time control means includes a drain for selectively discarding the electrical signal at said image sensing means.

10. An image sensing device according to claim 8, wherein said time control means includes a shutter arranged to control the incident time of an image incident on said image sensing means.

11. An image sensing device according to claim 8, wherein said time control means is arranged to control said image signal forming time by controlling the electrical signal storing condition of said image sensing means.

12. An image sensing device according to claim 10, wherein said time control means includes a drain for selectively discarding the electrical signal at said image sensing means.

13. An image sensing device according to claim 8, wherein each of said display values Te corresponds to the closest one of time values Td.

14. An image sensing device according to claim 8, wherein said display values Te correspond to 8, 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000.

15. An image sensing device according to claim 8, wherein said display means is arranged to display in reciprocals such values of said display values Te that correspond to time values shorter than one second.

16. An image sensing device according to claim 14, wherein said reciprocal display values which correspond to time values shorter than one second include 2, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60, 125, 250, 500 and 1000.

17. An imaging sensing device according to claim 8, wherein said display means includes a setting member for setting said time values.

18. An image sensing device according to claim 16, wherein said setting member includes a setting dial.

20. An image sensing device according to claim 18, wherein said time control means includes a shutter arranged to control the incident time of an image incident on said image sensing means.

21. An image sensing device according to claim 18, wherein an time control means is arranged to control said image signal forming time by controlling an electrical signal storing condition of said image sensing means.

22. An image sensing device according to claim 20, wherein said time control means includes a drain for selectively discarding the electrical signal at said image sensing means.

23. An image sensing device according to claim 18, wherein said display means includes a setting member for setting said time values.

24. An image sensing device according to claim 22, wherein said setting member includes a setting dial.

26. An image sensing device according to claim 24, wherein said time control means includes a shutter arranged to control the incident time of an image incident on said image sensing means.

27. An image sensing device according to claim 24, wherein an time control means is arranged to control said picture signal forming time by controlling an electrical signal storing condition of said image sensing means.

28. An image sensing device according to claim 26, wherein said time control means includes a drain for selectively discarding the electrical signal at said image sensing means.

29. An image sensing device according to claim 24, wherein said display values Te at least corresponding to 8, 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000.

30. An image sensing device according to claim 24, wherein said display means is arranged to differentiate the display of display values Te which correspond to time values Td longer than one second from that of display values Te which correspond to time values Td shorter than one second.

31. An image sensing device according to claim 29, wherein arrangement to make said differentiating display includes use of marks to be affixed to said display values Te.

32. An image sensing device according to claim 29, wherein arrangement to make said differentiating display includes use of a color to be applied to said display values Te.

33. An image sensing device according to claim 24, wherein said display means includes a setting member for setting said time values.

34. An image sensing device according to claim 32, wherein said setting member includes a setting dial.

36. A drive device according to claim 34, wherein said time control means includes a shutter arranged to control the incident time of an image on said image sensing device.

37. A drive device according to claim 34, wherein said time control means controls sensing condition of said image sensing device.

38. A drive device according to claim 34, wherein said Ts is equal to 1/50 (sec).

39. A drive device according to claim 34, wherein said Ts is equal to 1/60 (sec).

7. An image sensing device comprising:

(a) image sensing means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal;

(b) reading means for reading out the electrical signal of said image sensing means at a standard television period; and

(c) time control means for discretely controlling image signal forming time by controlling the electrical signal storing condition of said image sensing means, said time control means being capable of selecting for said control a plurality of time values Td which satisfy the following condition at least in cases where the value Td is smaller than Ts;

Td=Ts×

2^-n, wherein Ts represents the vertical period of a standard television signal, and n represents natural numbers.

9. An image sensing device comprising:

(a) image sensing means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal;

(b) reading means for reading out the electrical signal of said image sensing means at a standard television period; and

(c) time control means for discretely controlling image signal forming time at said image sensing means, said time control means being capable of selecting for said control a plurality of time values Td satisfying the following condition;

Td=Ts×

2ⁿ, wherein Ts represents the vertical period of a standard television signal, and n represents integers; and

(d) display means for displaying said plurality of time values Td respectively, said display means having a plurality of display values Te corresponding to said time values Td, said display values Te satisfying;

Te≃

2^q wherein q represents integers.

19. An image sensing device comprising:

(a) image sensing means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal;

(b) reading means for reading out the electrical signal of said image sensing means at a standard television period;

(c) time control means for discretely controlling picture signal forming time at said image sensing means, said time control means being capable of selecting for said control a plurality of time values Td satisfying the following condition;

Td=Ts×

2ⁿ, wherein Ts represents the vertical period of a standard television signal, and n represents integers; and

(d) display means for displaying said plurality of time values Td respectively, said display means having a plurality of display values Te corresponding to said time values Td, said display values Te corresponding to a series of values 15, 8, 4, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, 1/1000, 1/2000 and 1/4000.

25. An image sensing device comprising:

(a) image sensing means for converting an optical image into an electrical signal;

(b) reading means for reading out the electrical signal of said image sensing means at a standard television period;

(c) time control means for discretely controlling picture signal forming time at said image sensing means, said time control means being capable of selecting for said control a plurality of time values Td satisfying the following condition;

Td=Ts×

2ⁿ, wherein Ts represents the vertical period of a standard television signal, and n represents integers; and

(d) display means for displaying said plurality of time values Td respectively, said display means having a plurality of display values Te in the proximity of said time values Td, said display values Te being arranged to be selected from values satisfying;

Te≃

2^q, wherein q represents integers, and said display means being arranged to display in reciprocals such values among said display values Te that correspond to time values shorter than one second.

35. A drive device for driving an image sensing device comprising:

(a) readout means for reading out an electrical signal generated by said image sensing device;

(b) time control means for discretely controlling said electrical signal forming time at said image sensing device, and time control means selecting one of a plurality of time values Td satisfying the following condition, at least in cases where the value Td is smaller than Ts;

Td=Ts×

2ⁿ, wherein Ts represents the vertical period of a standard television signal, and n represents integers.