JPH02270491A - Imaging device that can switch shooting states - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain not only color image pickup but also black/white image pickup by using a color temperature conversion element in place of a color filter of a color video camera and adjusting a voltage applied polarity to each coloring area of the color temperature conversion element with a control circuit. CONSTITUTION:When an image pickup changeover switch 51 is opened, a control circuit 50 applies power to electrochromic elements 21, 22, 23 to color the elements in red, green and blue color at their maximum to activate a color signal processing circuit 41 of a signal processing circuit 40. Thus, a picture signal 13 is subjected to color signal processing and the result becomes a color video signal. On the other hand, when the image pickup changeover switch 51 is applied, the control circuit 50 applies opposite polarity to the electrochromic elements 21, 22, 23 to make them transparent and to activate a black/white signal processing circuit 42 of the signal processing circuit 40. Thus, the picture signal 13 is subjected to the black/white signal processing and becomes a black/white video signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application> The present invention relates to an imaging device capable of switching the imaging state, and is intended to be capable of color imaging and black-and-white imaging using two imaging devices.

<Prior Art> In a video camera, a solid 11111! is used as a means for converting an optical image of a subject into a W11 signal. element is used. A normal video camera is equipped with a color filter on the front of the solid-state image sensor in order to take color pictures. The signals output from each cell (pixel area) of the solid-state image sensor are amplified for each color component and then subjected to color signal processing such as matrix processing, and are magnetically recorded as a color image No. 1.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> By the way, color video cameras can shoot in color, but cannot shoot in black and white. There is a desire to make a stronger impression, but with conventional color video cameras it was not possible to switch between color and black and white shooting.

In addition, when comparing a color video camera and a monochrome video camera using COD with the same number of cells (number of pixels) and characteristics, the color video camera has a lower value than the monochrome video camera.
Sensitivity and #1s! The degree is low. The sensitivity of color video cameras is low because the amount of light is reduced by color filters, and the resolution is low because color signal processing such as matrix processing is performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned conventional situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide an imaging device capable of not only color photography but also black and white photography.

Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention to achieve the above object uses a color temperature conversion element instead of a color filter of a color video camera, and controls the polarity of the voltage applied to each coloring region of this color temperature conversion element. It is characterized by being adjusted by a circuit.

Function> In the present invention, it is possible to perform color photography by coloring a coloring area,
You can make black and white photography by making the colored area transparent.

Embodiments First, before explaining specific embodiments of the present invention, an electrochromic element used in the present invention will be explained.

Electrochromic elements utilize the property that the coloring temperature and color tone change when voltage is applied to electrochromic substances to change the redox state.
! The configuration is shown in J. As shown in the figure, transparent electrodes 2m and 2b are arranged on the inner surfaces of a pair of transparent substrates 1a and lb, and an electrochromic substance 3 and an electrolyte 4 are provided between the transparent electrodes 1i2a and 2b. There is. The surrounding area is sealed with a sealing material 5.

lJli2m of this electrochromic element.

When electricity is applied in a certain direction between 2b and 3111, the electrochromic substance 3 develops a color, and when electricity is stopped, the coloring state at that time is maintained, and when electricity is applied in the opposite direction, the electrochromic substance 3 loses its color and becomes transparent.

As the electrochromic substance 3, for example, if tungsten oxide (WO3) or viologen polymer is used, a blue color will be produced, if hebutyl viologen dibromide or benzene fluorogen dibromide is used, a reddish-purple color will be produced, and if praseodymium and phthalocyanine are used, a reddish-purple color will be produced. If this compound is used, the color tone changes to blue, green, and red depending on the applied voltage.

FIG. 2 shows the ideal coloring characteristics of an electrochromic element that produces blue color. In the same figure, characteristic a
Characteristic β represents the characteristic when the color is cleared and transparent, and characteristic β represents the characteristic when the amount of current is sufficiently large and the maximum color is developed.

Next, the present invention will be explained in detail. FIG. 3 shows a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a single-chip video camera, and FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the image pickup device and its surroundings. In the first embodiment, an image sensor 10 has an element main body 11 such as a COD placed in a package 12, and on the imaging surface of the image sensor 10, r'-3 types of electrochromic elements 21,
22 and 23 are provided. The electrochromic element 21 produces a red color, and the characteristic R in FIG. ), the electrochromic element 231 produces a blue color (
In Fig. 5, -B characteristic: B is the maximum coloring characteristic), and the stripe width is several tens of microns (the width is drawn wide in the figure), just like the electrochromic element 21, 22゜23 is red ■, edge (Gl, blue (
5) It performs the same function as a color filter by developing color. In this invention, no color filter is used.

The photographic lens 30 receives the light flux from the subject and forms an optical image showing the subject. This optical image is incident on the imaging surface of the image sensor 10 via the electrochromic elements 21, 22 and 23, and the image sensor 10 outputs an image signal 13 corresponding to the incident optical image.

The signal processing circuit 40 processes the image signal 13 sent from the image sensor 10 to generate a video signal. This signal processing circuit 40 includes a color signal processing circuit 1541, which is the same as that provided in a normal color video camera, and a black and white f7g1 circuit.
A black and white processing circuit 42 similar to that provided in a black and white video camera dedicated to shadows is provided. This color signal processing circuit 41
Under the control of a control circuit 50, which will be described below, one of the black and white signal processing circuits 42 is selected and operated to perform signal processing.

A photographing changeover switch 51 is connected to the control circuit 50 . When the photographing changeover switch 51 is open, the control circuit 50 controls the electrochromic element 21,
22, 23 are energized to make them red (6), green (6),
The signal processing circuit 40 produces maximum coloring in blue (8).
The color chair processing circuit 41 is activated. As a result, the image signal 13 is subjected to color signal processing to become a color video signal, which is magnetically recorded on a video tape. On the other hand, when the photographing changeover switch 51 is turned on, the control circuit 50 reverses the current conduction characteristics to the electrochromic elements 21, 22, and 23 to make them transparent, and activates the black and white signal processing circuit 42 of the signal processing circuit 40. Let me. As a result, image signal 1
3 is subjected to black-and-white signal processing to become a black-and-white video signal, which is magnetically recorded on a video tape.

As described above, in the apparatus of this embodiment, color photography can be performed by opening the photographing changeover switch 51 and taking a photograph, and black and white photography can be performed by turning on the photographing changeover switch 51 and taking a photograph. Since the electrochromic elements 21, 22, and 23 are transparent during black-and-white photography, the amount of light attenuation is smaller than when they are colored, increasing sensitivity and allowing good photography even in dark places. Furthermore, when black and white photography is performed, the signal is processed by the black and white signal processing circuit 42, so the resolution is higher than when color photography is performed, and can be the original resolution of the element. Please note that the resolution when shooting in black and white is N (lines).
Then, in the case of a stripe filter, the resolution during color photography becomes -N (lines), and in the case of a mosaic filter, it becomes -N (lines).

FIG. 6 shows a second practical example of the invention. This second embodiment includes a relay lens 32 and electrochromic elements 21 and 22 arranged in a stripe pattern.
, 23 are arranged on optically conjugate planes with respect to the imaging surface of the image sensor 10. Other parts are similar to the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the electrochromic elements 21, 2
2 and 23 are located on a conjugate plane with respect to the imaging surface, by making them colored, they perform the same function as a color filter and can take color images, and by making them transparent, they can take black and white photos.

In the above two embodiments, the electrochromic elements are arranged in a stripe pattern, but the arrangement is not limited to this.
) (bl (0) As shown in the colored state, various arrangements can be made like color filters. In other words, three-color mosaic arrangement (Fig. 7 (a)) and four-color mosaic arrangement (Fig. 7 (a)) (b)) and four-color mosaic complementary color arrangement (Fig. 7 (C)
)).

Further, the present invention can be applied not only to video cameras but also to electronic still cameras and image input cameras.

<Effects of the Invention> As specifically explained above in conjunction with the embodiments, according to the present invention, not only color photography but also black and white photography can be performed with one imaging device.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Figure 1 is a sectional view showing an electrochromic element, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrochromic element.
The figure is a characteristic diagram showing an example of the coloring characteristics of an electrochromic element, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the image sensor and electrochromic device used in the first example, FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the coloring characteristics of the electrochromic device used in the first example, and FIG. A configuration diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an arrangement pattern of electrochromic elements. In the drawing, 10 is an imaging device, 21, 22, 23 are electrochromic devices, 30 is an imaging lens, 40 is a signal foil 111 circuit, 50 is an @ control circuit, and 51 is a photographing changeover switch. Figure 1 Figure 2 → Ko Onm

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] A photographic lens, an imaging section into which an optical image formed by the photographic lens is incident and outputs an image signal corresponding to the optical image, and an optical path between the photographic lens and the imaging section. Similar to a color filter, it is formed separately into at least three different coloring areas, and each coloring area can be colored in its own unique color or made transparent by adjusting the applied voltage independently. A color temperature conversion element, such as an electrochromic element, which produces a color temperature conversion element, and a control circuit that changes the color temperature conversion element to a colored state or a transparent state by adjusting the voltage polarity applied to each coloring region of the color temperature conversion element. Features: An imaging device that can switch shooting states.