High-speed full frame imaging CCD camera

• US 4,851,914 A
• Filed: 08/05/1987
• Issued: 07/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marco Scientific
• Original Assignee: Marco Scientific
• Inventors: Pfanhouser, Wilhelm, Owren, Joseph H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Groody, James J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bauer, Robert M.
• Application Number:
  US07/082,018
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 358/213.13, 358/213.19, 358/213.22, 358/213.25, 358/213.26, 358/225, 358/55, 358/909
• US Class Current: 348/217.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time

Abstract

A highly controllable video camera is disclosed which includes an image intensifier for collecting light reflected or emitted from an object for a short period of time and developing a luminous image of the object which is communicated to a completely exposed CCD image sensor over a second period related to the decay rate of the light emitting phosphor screen of the image intensifier, the type of photograph being taken and the desired image quality. The CCD subsequently develops the light focussed thereon into electrical signals representative of the object. The electrical signals collected within the CCD are serially read from the CCD by a readout processing control and the discrete signals are alternately switched into ODD and EVEN memory banks for storage in a pattern which will facilitate producing an interlaced video signal from the output of the memories. A playback processing control reads the signals stored in the ODD memory and communicates an appropriate series of signals for display on a video display device as the first field of an interlaced image. Upon completion of reading the ODD memory bank, read-out is switched to the EVEN memory bank, and the playback processing control reads the signals stored in the EVEN memory bank and communicates an appropriate series of signals for display on the video display device as the second field of the interlaced image, such that a standard interlaced TV signal is reproduced.

Claims

1. A highly controllable video camera for capturing light from an object and developing corresponding electrical signals from which an image of said object can be reproduced, comprising:

control means for developing clearing signals occurring at a first rate during a first period of a light capturing cycle, at least one input control signal during a second period of said light capturing cycle, and image read-out signals occurring at a second rate slower than said first rate during a third period of said light capturing cycle;

an image intensifier means responsive to said input control signal and an operative to receive input light from the object and to develop a luminous image thereof during a first portion of said second period;

a photo-responsive device having a plurality of contiguous luminous energy sensitive image collecting elements arranged in an orthogonal array of rows and columns of elements, each element of said array being adapted to develop an electrical charge proportional to the intensity of luminous energy focussed thereon, said device being responsive to said clearing signals and operative to shift the electrical charges developed on each element into an adjacent element of an adjacent row to clear each element of electrical charge previously contained therein, said device being additionally responsive to said image read-out signals and operative to shift the electrical charges developed on each element of each row out to adjacent element of an adjacent row, said device including means responsive to said image read-out signals for serially outputting electrical signals proportional to the charge developed on each element of a first particular row of elements, followed by a serial output of electrical signals proportional to the charge developed on each element of an adjacent second particular row of elements, followed by the serial output of electrical signals proportional to the charge developed on each element of each successive adjacent row of elements of said array;

means for communicating luminous energy from said luminous image onto said photo-responsive device during a second portion of said second period;

electronic memory means for receiving and storing the electrical signals output by said photo-responsive device during the input to said photo-responsive device of said image read-out signals; and

output means for reading out the electrical signals stored in said memory means to develop an image of said object.

2. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 1, and further including mask means for limiting the communication of said luminous energy to a selected area of said photo-responsive device containing particular ones of said image collecting elements.

3. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 2, wherein said selected area is comprised of a single row of said image collecting elements, and wherein said photo-responsive device is operative to shift the electrical charges developed on each element of said single row out to adjacent elements of an adjacent row masked by said mask means in response to an image read-out signal.

4. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 2, wherein said selected area is comprised of a predetermined number of rows of said image collecting elements, and wherein said photo-responsive device is operative to shift the electrical charges developed on each element of each row of said predetermined number of rows out to adjacent elements of adjacent rows in response to said image read-out signals until the charges developed on each element of a last row within said selected area are shifted out adjacent elements of an adjacent row masked by said mask means.

5. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic memory means includes a first group of signal storage sites electronically organized in a first set of orthogonal rows and columns and a second group of signal storage sites electronically organized in a second set of orthogonal rows and columns, wherein each storage site of each row of storage sites of said first group corresponds to a particular element of an odd numbered column of said array of elements, and each storage site of said each row of storage sites of said second group corresponds to a particular element of an even numbered column of said array of elements, and further comprising:

means for communicating the first and each successive alternate signal in the train of electrical signals serially output from said first particular row of elements into a series of corresponding storage sites forming a first column of said first set of storage sites, and for communicating the second and each successive alternate signal in said train of electrical signals serially output from said first particular row of elements into a series of corresponding storage sites forming a first column of said second set of storage sites, and for repeating the communication of signals from each successive row of elements of said array into successive columns of said first and second sets of storage sites; and

wherein said output means includes means for successively reading out, in series, the signals stored in each row of said first group of storage sites of said memory means, and for thereafter successively reading out in series the signals stored in each successive row of said second group of storage sites of said memory means to develop a video signal for communication to an interlaced electronic display device, wherein signals read-out from said first group of storage sites form the first field of an interlaced video display and the signals read out from said second group of storage sites form the second field of said interlaced video display such that an image of saaid object may be displayed on the display device.

6. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 5 wherein said photo-responsive device includes:

means forming discrete light sensitive elements, and

means for transferring the electrical signals developed by said light sensitive elements one row at a time into an output register, said output register forming said means responsive to said image read-out signals for serially outputting the electrical signals.

7. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 1 wherein said photo-responsive device includes:

means forming discrete light sensitive elements, and

means for transferring the electrical signals developed by said light sensitive elements one row at a time into an output register, said output register forming said means responsive to said image read-out signals for serially outputting the electrical signals.

8. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 1 wherein said photo-responsive device is a charge-coupled device including means for selectively masking a first selected area of said array of image collecting elements wherein, at any particular time, luminous energy communicated by said communicating means if focussed upon only a second selected area of said array.

9. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 1, wherein the electrical signals output from said memory means are input to a digitally responsive device for developing an image of said object.

10. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image, comprising the steps of:

developing clearing signals occurring at a first rate within a control means during a first period for communication to a photo-responsive device having a plurality of contiguous luminous energy sensitive image collecting elements arranged in an orthogonal array of rows and columns of elements, each elements of said array ebing adapted to develop an electrical charge proportional to the intensity of luminous energy thereto;

shifting the electrical charge developed on each element into an adjacent element of an adjacent row of elements to clear each element of electrical charge previously contained therein throughout said first period;

developing at least one input control signal within said control means duringa second period for communication to an image intensifier means responsive to said input control signal and operative to receive input light from the object and to develop a luminous image thereof;

exposing said image intensifier to input light from said object and developing said luminous image therefrom during a first portion of said second period in response to said input control signal;

communicating luminous energy from said luminous image to said photo-responsive device during a second portion of said second period;

devleoping image read-out signals occurring at a second rate slower than said first rate within said control means for communication to said photo-responsive device during a third period of said light capturing cycle;

communicating said image read-out signals to said photo-responsive device causing said photo-responsive device to serially output electrical signals proportional to the charge developed on each element of a first particular row of elements, followed by the serial output of electrical signals proportional to the charge developed on each element of each successive adjacent row of elements of said array;

receiving and storing in a memory means the electrical signals serially output by said photo-responsive device during said third period; and

reading out the electrical signals stored in said memory means to develop an image of said object.

11. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 10, and further comprising the step of:

masking a first area of said array of image collecting elements from light such that only a second area of said array is exposed to luminous energy.

12. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 11, wherein said second area is comprised of a single row of said elements, and wherein said input control signal and image read-out signals are synchronized so as to create a timed sequence of photographic exposures of said single row, such that after said step of communicating luminous energy to said photo-responsive device, said device shifts the charges developed in said single row of elements to an adjacent row in said first area masked by said mask means, which is immediately followed by the development of a new set of charges in the elements of said single row.

13. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 12, wherein said timed sequence of photographic exposures is additionally synchronized to the motion of said object.

14. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 12, wherein said timed sequence of photographic exposures is a random linear sequence.

15. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 12, wherein said timed sequence of photographic exposure is a logrithmic sequence.

16. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 11, wherein said second area is comprised of a predetermined number of rows of said elements, and wherein after each input control signal causes said image intensifier means to communicate luminous energy to said photo-responsive device, said imaged read-out signals cause the charges developed in the elements of said second area to be shifted into said first area, from which said charges are ultimately serially output, following the shift a new set of charges is developed in the elements of said second area in response to a subsequent input control signal.

17. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 10, wherein said first and second portions of said second period are repeated a predetermined number of times before said third period is commenced.

18. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to electronic signals which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of receiving and storing includes the steps of:

and

(a) communicating the first and each successive alternate signal in a train of electrical signals serially output from said first particular row of elements to said memory means having a first group of signal storage sites electronically organized in a first set of orthogonal rows and columns and a second group of signal storage sites electronically organized in a second set of orthogonal rows and columns, wherein each storage sites of each row of storage sites of said first group corresponds to a particular element of an odd numbered column of said array of elements, and each storage site of each row of storage sites of said second group corresponds to a particular element of an even numbered column of said array of elements;

(b) storing said first and each successive alternate signal in a series of corresponding storage sites forming a first column of said first storage sites;

(c) communicating the second and each successive alternate signal in said train of electrical signals serially output from said first particular row of elements to said memory means;

(d) storing said second and each successive alternate signal into a series of corresponding storage sites forming a first column of said second set of storage sites;

(e) repeatedly communicating and storing signals from each successive row of elements into successive columns of said first and second sets of storage.

19. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to an electronic signal which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 18, wherein said step of reading out the electronical signals stored in said memory means includes the steps of:

successively reading out, in series, the signals stored in each row of said first group of storage sites of said memory device, and thereafter successively reading out, in series, the signals stored in each successive row of said second group of storage sites of said memory device, and

communicating the signals, as readout, of said memory device to an interlaced electronic display device, wherein signals readout from said first group of storage sites form the first field of an interlaced video display and the signals readout from said second group of storage sites form a second field of said interlaced video display such that an image of said object may be displayed on the display device.

20. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to an electronic signal which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 19, wherein said step of exposing a photo-responsive device to light further comprises the step of:

masking a first area of said array of image collecting elements from light, whereby a second area of said array includes the remainder of said elements exposed to light.

21. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to an electronic signal which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 20, wherein said second area is comprised of a single row of said elements, and wherein said input control signal and image read-out signals are synchronized so as to create a timed sequence of photographic exposures of said single row, such that after said step of communicating luminous energy to said photo-responsive device, said device shifts the charges developed on said single row of elements to an adjacent row in said first area masked by said mask means, which is immediately followed by the development of a new set of charges in the elements of said single row.

22. A method for capturing light from an object and converting the same to an electronic signal which can be either stored or displayed as an image as recited in claim 20, wherein said second area is comprised of a predetermined number of rows of said elements, and wherein after each input control signal causes said image intensifier means to communicate luminous energy to said photo-responsive device, said image read-out signals cause the charges developed in the elements of said second area to be shifted into said first area, from which said charges are ultimately serially output, following the shift a new set of charges is developed in the elements of said second area in response to a subsequent input control signal.

23. A highly controllable video camera for capturing light from an object and developing a corresponding video signal, comprising:

a photo-responsive device having a plurality of contiguous light sensitive image collecting elements arranged in an orthogonal array of rows and columns of elements, each said element being adapted to develop an electrical charge proportional to the intensity of light focussed thereon, said device including means for serially outputting electrical signals proportional to the charge developed by each element in a first particular row of elements, followed by the serial output of electrical signals proportional to the charge developed by each element of an adjacent second particular row of elements, followed by the serial output of electrical signals proportional to the charge developed by each element of each successive adjacent row of elements of said array;

optical means for selectively communicating light from an object onto said photo-responsive device;

electronic memory means having a first group of signal storage sites electronically organized in a first set of orthogonal rows and columns and a second group of signal storage sites electronically organized in a second set of orthogonal rows and columns, wherein each storage site of each said row of storage sites of said first group corresponds to a particular element of an off numbered column of said array of elements, and each storage site of each said row of storage sites of said second group corresponds to a particular element of an even numbered column of said array of elements;

means for communicatingthe first and each successive alternate signal in the train of electrical signals serially output from said first particular row of elements into a series of corresponding storage sites forming a first column of said first set of storage sites, and for communicating the second and each successive alternate signal in said train of electrical signals serially output from said first particular row of elements into a series of corresponding storage sites forming a first column of said second set of storage sites, and for repeating the communication of signals from each successive row of elements of said array into successive columns of said first and second sets of storage sites; and

means for successively reading out, in series, the signals stored in each row of said first group of storage sites of said memory means, and for thereafter successively reading out in series the signals stored in each successive row of said second group of storage sites of said memory means to develop a video signal for communication to an interlaced electronic display device, wherein signals readout from said first group of storage sites form the first field of an interlaced video display and the signals readout from said second group of storage sites form the second field of said interlaced video display such that an image of said object may be displayed on the display device.

24. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 23, wherein said photo-responsive device is a charge-coupled-device having means for selectively masking a first area of said array of image collecting elements wherein, at any particular time, light communicated by said optical means is focussed upon a second area of said array.

25. A highly controllable vidceo camera as recited in claim 23, wherein said optical means includes an electronic image intensifier means operative to receive input light from said object and develop a luminous image thereof.

26. A highly controllable video camera as recited in claim 25, wherein said optical means further includes a focussing means for communicating said luminous image as luminous energy onto said array.

28. A method for capturing light from an object as recited in claim 26, wherein said step of selectively communicating light further comprises the step of:

(1) masking a first area of said array of image collecting elements, wherein at any particular time, light communicated from said object is only collected by a second area of said array.

27. A method for capturing light from an object in a high speed video camera and developing a video signal therefrom comprising the steps of:

(a) selectively communicating light from an object onto a phot-responsive device;

(b) collecting light communicated from said object with a plurality of contiguous light sensitive image collecting elements arranged in an orthogonal array of rows and columns of elements, each element of said array being adapted to develop an electrical charge proportional to the intensity of light collected thereby;

(c) serially outputting electrical signals proportional to the charge developed by each element in a first particular row of elements, followed by serially outputting electrically signals proportional to the charge developed by each element of an adjacent second particular row of elements, followed by serially outputting electrical signals proportional to the charge developed by each element of each successive adjacent row of elements of said array;

(d) communicating the first and each successive alternate signal in a first train of electrical signals serially output from said first particular row of elements to a memory device having a first group of signal storage sites electronically organized in a first set of orthogonal rows and columns and a second group of signal storage sites electronically organized in a second set of orthogonal rows and columns, wherein each storage site of each row of storage sites of said first group corresponds to a particular element of an odd numbered column of said array of elements, and each storage site of each row of storage sites of said second group corresponds to a particular element of an even numbered column of said array of elements;

(e) storing said first and each successive alternate signal in a series of corresponding storage sites forming a first column of said first set of storage sites;

(f) communicating the second and each successive alternate signal in said first train of electrical signals serially output from said first particular row of elements to said memory device;

(g) storing said second and each successive alternate signal into a series of corresponding storage sites forming a first column of said second set of storage sites;

(h) repeatedly communicating and storing the first and each successive alternate signal of a second train of electrical signals serially output from a second and each successive adjacent row of elements of said array into a series of corresponding storage sites forming a second column and successive adjacent columns of said first set of storage sites;

(i) repeatedly communicatingand storing the second and each successive alternate signal of said second train of said electrical signals serially output from said second train of said electrical signals serially output from said second and each said successive adjacent row of elements of said array into a series of corresponding storage sites forming a second column and successive adjacent columns of said second set of storage sites;

successively reading out, in series, the signals stored in each row of said first group of storage sites of said memory device, and thereafter successively reading out, in series, the signals stored in each row of said second group of storage sites of said memory device; and

communicating the signals, as readout, of said memory device to an interlaced electronic display device, wherein signals readout from said first group of storage sites form the first field of an interlaced video display and the signals readout from said second group of storage sites form a second field of said interlaced video display such that an image of said object may be displayed on the display device.

29. A method for capturing light from an object as recited in claim 27, wherein said step of selectively communicating light further comprises the steps of:

(1) collecting light input from said object with an image intensifier device duringa first period; and

(2) communicating said light to said photo-responsive device during a second period of time.

30. A highly controllable video camera for capturing light from a rapidly occurring random event and developing corresponding electrical signals from which an image of said event can be reproduced, comprising:

control means for developing clearing signals occurring at a first rate during a first period prior to said event, an input control signal during a second period at the start of said event, and image read-out signals occurring at a second rate slower than said first rate during a third period at the end of event;

means for detecting the commencement and cessation of said event and developing event commencement and event cessation signals for communication to said control means, said event commencement signal being communicated to said control means at the start of said event causing said control means to develop said input control signal, said event cessation signal being communicated to said control means at the end of said event causing said control means to develop said image read-out signals;

a photo-responsive device having a plurality of contiguous light sensitive image collecting elements arranged in an orthogonal array of rows and columns of elements, each element of said array being adapted to develop an electrical charge proportional to the intensity of light focussed thereon, said device being responsive to said clearing signals and operative to shift the electrical charges developed on each element into an adjacent element of an adjacent row to clear each element of electrical charge previously contained therein, said device being additionally responsive to said image read-out signals and operative to shift the electrical charges developed on each element of each row out to adjacent elements of an adjacent row, said device including means responsive to said image read-out signals for serially outputting electrical signals proportional to the charge developed on each element of a first particular row of elements, followed by a serial output of electrical signals proportional to the charge developed on each element of an adjacent second particular row of elements, followed by the serial output of electrical signals proportional to the charge developed on each element of each successive adjacent row of elements of said array;

means for selectively communicating the light from said event onto said photo-responsive device;

electronic memory means for receiving and storing the electrical signals output by said photo-responsive device during the input to said photo responsive device of said image read-out signals; and

output means for reading out the electrical signals stored in said memory means to develop said image of said event.

31. A highly controllable video camera for capturing light from a rapidly occurring random event and developing corresponding electrical signals from which an image of said event can be reproduced as recited in claim 30, wherein said detector means is a light sensitive device.

32. A highly controllable video camera for capturing light from a rapidly occurring random event and developing corresponding, electrical signals from which an image of said event can be reproduced as recited in claim 30, wherein said detector means is a switching device.