Imaging apparatus

• US 7,839,433 B2
• Filed: 01/11/2007
• Issued: 11/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maxell, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
• Inventors: Nishizawa, Akihito, Nonaka, Yuichi, Kamimura, Junji
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz; David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Berhan; Ahmed A
• Application Number:
  US11/622,041
• Publication Number:
  US 20070263108A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,412 Days
• Field of Search: 348/208.4, 348/208.6, 348/208.1, 348/196, 348/208.5, 348/208.11, 348/208.8, 348/208.12, 348/208.13, 348/362
• US Class Current: 348/208.6
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/68 for stable pick-up of the scene, e.g. compensating for camera body vibrations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6812 based on additional sensors, e.g. acceleration sensors
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/683 performed by a processor, e.g. controlling the readout of an image memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/6842 by controlling the scanning position, e.g. windowing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time

Abstract

An imaging apparatus which can correct a shaking of the hand whether a moving picture is taken or a still picture is taken. Exposure is carried out within a shorter time than a predetermined exposure time to output a charge. Exposure and delivery of charge is carried out plural times to accumulate charges. An address for accumulation is changed in accordance with information of a shaking occurring within the shorter time and a signal due to the shaking and a signal before the shaking are accumulated at the address. Alternatively, a camera-shake is detected by using a sensor such as a gyroscope adapted to detect an angular velocity or an acceleration of a shaking of the imaging apparatus itself.

Claims

1. An imaging apparatus using a two-dimensional solid imaging device of changeable exposure time in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements or pixels are arrayed in horizontal and vertical directions to perform photoelectric conversion in accordance with an image formed on a light receiving surface of photoelectric conversion element by the action of a lens, comprising:

an accumulation module which accumulates an output charge of each of the photoelectric conversion elements in a unit of pixel at a designated address;

a charge output module which outputs charges plural times by completing a photoelectric conversion within a time shorter than a predetermined exposure time;

an address change module which changes the address to be designated to said accumulation module such that a camera-shake generated within the shorter time can be restrained; and

a module which generates one sheet (piece) of image by using charges that are outputted from the charge output module plural times and are accumulated in the accumulation module, while the address is being changed by the address change module.

2. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said imaging apparatus is an imaging apparatus for picking up a motion picture,

said charge output module outputs charges plural times at shorter time than a frame rate of the motion picture, and said image generation module generates one frame of the motion picture by using charges that are outputted plural times at shorter time than the frame rate of the motion picture.

3. The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said accumulation module is a memory arranged internally of said two-dimensional solid imaging device, and said address change module changes the address to be designated to the memory.

4. The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said accumulation module is a memory arranged internally of said two-dimensional solid imaging device, and

said address change module changes the address to be designated to the memory.

5. An imaging apparatus using a two-dimensional solid imaging device of changeable exposure time in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements are arrayed in horizontal and vertical directions to perform photoelectric conversion in accordance with an image formed on a light receiving surface of photoelectric conversion element by the action of a lens, comprising:

an accumulation module which accumulates an output charge of each of the photoelectric conversion elements in a unit of pixel;

a charge output module which outputs charges plural times by completing a photoelectric conversion within a time shorter than a predetermined exposure time;

an input shift module which shifts the input to said accumulation module in a unit of pixel so that a camera-shake generated within the shorter time can be restrained; and

a module which generates one sheet (piece) of image by using charges that are outputted from the charge output module plural times and accumulated in said accumulation module which the input to the accumulation module is shifted in a unit of pixel by the input shift module.

6. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said imaging apparatus is an imaging apparatus for picking up a motion picture,

said charge output module outputs charges plural times at shorter time than a frame rate of the motion picture, and said image generation module generates one frame of the motion picture by using charges that are outputted plural times at shorter time than the frame rate of the motion picture.

7. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said accumulation module is a memory arranged internally of said two-dimensional solid imaging device, and said address change module changes the address to be designated to the memory.

8. The imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said accumulation module is a memory arranged internally of said two-dimensional solid imaging device, and

said address change module changes the address to be designated to the memory.