Still image recording apparatus with solid state pickup device

• US 5,008,759 A
• Filed: 07/18/1988
• Issued: 04/16/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nikon Corporation
• Inventors: Juen, Masahiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Psitos, Aristotelis M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): YOUNG, WAYNE R
• Application Number:
  US07/220,571
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 358/213.19, 358/213.29, 358/213.26, 358/213.25, 358/213.23, 358/335, 358/909, 358/906, 358/337, 358/342, 360/6, 360/33.1, 360/35.1, 360/37.1, 360/60
• US Class Current: 386/200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 358/906 Hand-held camera with recorder in a single unit

Abstract

A still image recording apparatus in which an image PU device is reset independently of synchronization of a system when a trigger pulse of an exposure operation is input, and a storage photoelectric charge of the device is discharged and storage of a new photoelectric charge is started. After a predetermined exposure time elapses, the photoelectric charge is read out from a photoelectric converter to a transfer register which is shielded from light. A scanning transfer pulse is stopped until a vertical synchronizing signal of the system is input, so that an image signal is stored in the transfer register. After the system vertical synchronizing signal is input, the scanning transfer pulse is enabled again in synchronism with the system vertical synchronizing signal to perform scanning of the image PU device, thereby reading out the image signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus having solid state image pickup means including a light-receiving unit for storing electric charges, gate means, and a transfer unit which is shielded from light, generating means for generating synchronizing signals periodically at a predetermined period, recording means for recording an output from said solid state image pickup means on a recording medium, and drive means for outputting first drive signals for causing said gate means to transfer stored electric charges from said light-receiving unit to said transfer unit and second drive signals for causing said transfer unit to output electric charges from said image pickup means to said recording means, and comprising:

start means for outputting a start signal to start a charge storage operation of said light-receiving unit of said image pickup means;

determining means for determining charge storage time of said light-receiving unit; and

control means for causing said drive means to output a first drive signal independently of said synchronizing signals in response to said start signal, and for causing said drive means to output another first drive signal independently of said synchronizing signals in response to completion of the determined charge storage time, said control means inhibiting said drive means from outputting said second drive signals during an interval from completion of said determined charge storage time to a subsequent first generation of a synchronizing signal, and thereafter causing said drive means to output first and second drive signals in synchronism with said synchronizing signals.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means prevents said drive means from outputting first drive signals during said determined charge storage time.

3. An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, before the outputting of a start signal, said drive means outputs said second drive signals periodically at a predetermined period which is shorter than the period of said synchronizing signals, and wherein said control means causes said drive means to reduce the period of said second drive signals in response to said start signal.