Imaging device and visual recognition support system employing imaging device

• US 20040042683A1
• Filed: 08/12/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation), Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Kawamata, Shinya, Hagisato, Yasuo, Yamaguchi, Ryuji, Mimura, Hidetoshi, Kumasaka, Tsuyoshi
• Granted Patent: US 7,656,423 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/276
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/10 Image acquisition document image scanning and transmission H04N1/00; control of digital cameras H04N23/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/72 Combination of two or more compensation controls
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/73 by influencing the exposure time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/76 by influencing the image signals

Abstract

An imaging device stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured with a CCD, and controls an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the CCD. An output adjustment value of the picture signal in the output control is set to become 50 to 70 IRE according to a peak value of the picture signal when a test pattern is captured under standard conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to have a typical imaging device display a captured image darker, and thus enable imaging suitable for nighttime imaging and the like.

Claims

1. An imaging device comprising:

an image pickup device which stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured; and

an output control device which controls an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the image pickup device,

wherein the output control device controls the output of a peak value of the picture signal when a predetermined test pattern is captured under a standard condition such that the peak value becomes 50 to 70 IRE.

2. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the output control device controls the output level of the picture signal by changing a light storage time of the image pickup device based on the image signal.

3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the standard condition is that a chart light source apparatus emit light having a color temperature of 5100±

100°

K, an illumination intensity of 2750±

150 LUX, and a luminance of 1050±

50 mt (cd/m2), and a room lighting be set at 500 to 1500 LUX.

4. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein a grayscale chart is used for the test pattern.

5. A visual recognition support system which provides visual recognition support to a driver when driving a vehicle at night, comprising the imaging device according to claim 1.

6. An imaging device comprising:

an image pickup device which stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured; and

an output control device which controls an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the image pickup device,

wherein when a peak value of a signal wave of the picture signal exceeds a predetermined value, the output control device controls the output level of the picture signal such that a peak value of the picture signal matches the predetermined value.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the output control device controls the output level of the picture signal by adjusting a gain of an amplifier that amplifies the picture signal.

8. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein the predetermined value is set within a range of 50 to 70 IRE.

9. A visual recognition support system which provides visual recognition support to a driver when driving a vehicle at night, comprising the imaging device according to claim 6.

10. An imaging device comprising:

an image pickup device which stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured;

an output control device which controls an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the image pickup device; and

an illumination intensity detecting device which detects an illumination intensity of the incoming light,

wherein the output control device changes a control target value of the output level based on detection results of the illumination intensity detecting device and controls the output level of a captured image from the picture signal so that the captured image becomes less than a predetermined value of luminance.

11. The imaging device according to claim 10, wherein the output control device controls the output level of the picture signal by changing the control target value relating to a bias voltage of the image pickup device.

12. A visual recognition support system which provides visual recognition support to a driver when driving a vehicle at night, comprising the imaging device according to claim 10.

13. An imaging device comprising:

an image pickup device which stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured; and

output controlling means for controlling an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the image pickup device,

wherein the output controlling means controls the output of a peak value of the picture signal when a predetermined test pattern is captured under a standard condition such that that peak value becomes 50 to 70 IRE.

14. An imaging device comprising:

an image pickup device which stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured; and

output controlling means for controlling an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the image pickup device,

wherein when a peak value of a signal wave of the picture signal exceeds a predetermined value, the output controlling means controls the output level of the picture signal such that a peak value of the picture signal matches the predetermined value.

15. An imaging device comprising:

an image pickup device which stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured;

output controlling means for controlling an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the image pickup device; and

illumination intensity detecting means for detecting an illumination intensity of the incoming light,

wherein the output controlling means changes a control target value of the output level based on detection results of the illumination intensity detecting means and controls the output level of a captured image from the picture signal so that the captured image becomes less than a predetermined value of luminance.