Imaging apparatus having area sensor and line sensor

• US 5,764,285 A
• Filed: 04/02/1996
• Issued: 06/09/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minolta Co., Ltd. (Konica Minolta Inc.)
• Inventors: Takano, Manji, Ochi, Keizou
• Primary Examiner(s): HSIA, SHERRIE Y
• Application Number:
  US08/626,349
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 348/222, 348/238, 348/262, 348/333, 348/340, 348/351, 358/909.1
• US Class Current: 348/222.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/843 Demosaicing, e.g. interpolating colour pixel values
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 25/701 Line sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 3/08 having a moving reflector

Abstract

An imaging device, such as an electric camera, in which an optical image of an object is converted into a set of image data. The device includes a line sensor and an area sensor. A lens system impinges the optical image onto the line and area sensors, where the first and second data are produced, respectively. At this time, a scanning mechanism moves the line sensor relative to the optical image to scan the optical image. The first and second data is then synthesized into the image data to be output.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus for converting an optical image of an object into a set of image data each corresponding to a picture element, comprising:

an area sensor for receiving the optical image and then converting the same into a first data;

a line sensor for receiving the optical image and then converting the same into a second data;

a lens system for focusing the optical image onto the area and line sensors;

a scanning mechanism for moving the line sensor relative to the optical image to scan the optical image; and

image processing means for synthesizing the first and second data to produce a composite data and then outputting the composite data as the image data.

2. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data includes color information while the second data includes brightness information, and therein the image processing means produces the composite data by synthesizing the color information and the brightness information.

3. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the first data includes a color information of a RGB color system while the second data includes a brightness information, the image processing means determines a color of each picture element using components of high frequency of the color and brightness information.

4. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the scanning mechanism comprises a mirror and a motor for rotating the mirror.

5. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the scanning mechanism comprises a drive source for moving the line sensor back and forth in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the optical image.

6. An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further includes an electronic viewfinder to which the first data is transmitted.

15. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the image data is useful for reproducing the optical image of the object.

7. A method for converting an optical image of an object into a set of image data each corresponding to a picture element, comprising steps of:

receiving the optical image and converting the same into a first data using an area sensor;

receiving the optical image and converting the same into a second data using a line sensor; and

producing the image data from the first and second data.

8. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the first data includes color information while the second data includes brightness information, and therein the image data is produced by synthesizing the color and brightness information.

9. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of producing the image data further comprises:

extracting data with respect to an outline of the object in the optical image from the first data;

correcting the second data according to the extracted data; and

outputting the corrected second data as the image data.

10. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the image data is produced by synthesizing the first and second data in said producing step.

16. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein the image data is useful for reproducing the optical image of the object.

11. An imaging apparatus for converting an optical image of an object into a set of image data each corresponding to a picture element, comprising:

an area sensor;

a line senor;

a lens system which focuses the optical image onto the area sensor and the line sensor;

a scanning mechanism which moves the line sensor relative to the optical image to scan the optical image; and

an image processor which produces the image data from a first data output from the area sensor and a second data output from the line sensor.

12. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said image processor synthesizes the first data and the second data to produce a composite data as the image data.

13. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein the first data includes a color information of a RGB color system while the second data includes a brightness information, the image processor determines a color of each picture element using the color information and the brightness information.

14. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said lens system includes a first lens unit which focuses the optical image onto the area sensor and a second lens unit which focuses the optical image onto the line sensor.

17. An imaging apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the image data is useful for reproducing the optical image of the object.