Imaging system and pixel signal readout method
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An imaging system, comprising:
- a target detector that detects a target subject from an effective pixel area of an image sensor and performs face detection;
a readout area determiner that defines a readout area within said effective pixel area, said readout area corresponding to a detected face and being smaller than the effective pixel area;
a readout processor that reads out only pixel signals within said readout area, utilizes only the pixel signals within the readout area to perform an autofocus operation, and changes a period of horizontal and vertical synchronization signals in association with a size of the readout area; and
a partial area within said readout area being redefined as said readout area when a size of an originally defined readout area is greater than a predetermined size.
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Abstract
An imaging system is provided that includes a target detector, a readout area determiner and a readout processor. The target detector detects a target subject from an effective pixel area of an image sensor. The readout area determiner defines a readout area within the effective pixel area, the readout area corresponding to a detected target. The readout processor reads out only pixel signals within the readout area. A partial area within the readout area is redefined as the readout area when the size of the original readout area is greater than a predetermined size.
13 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An imaging system, comprising:
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a target detector that detects a target subject from an effective pixel area of an image sensor and performs face detection; a readout area determiner that defines a readout area within said effective pixel area, said readout area corresponding to a detected face and being smaller than the effective pixel area; a readout processor that reads out only pixel signals within said readout area, utilizes only the pixel signals within the readout area to perform an autofocus operation, and changes a period of horizontal and vertical synchronization signals in association with a size of the readout area; and a partial area within said readout area being redefined as said readout area when a size of an originally defined readout area is greater than a predetermined size. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12)
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10. A pixel signal readout method, comprising:
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detecting a target subject from an effective pixel area of an image sensor, and performing face detection; defining a readout area within the effective pixel area, the readout area corresponding to a detected face and being smaller than the effective pixel area; reading out only pixel signals within said readout area, utilizing only the pixel signals within the readout area to perform an autofocus operation and changing a period of horizontal and vertical synchronization signals in association with a size of the readout area; and redefining a partial area within the readout area as the readout area when a size of an originally defined readout area is greater than a predetermined size. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification