JP2001069406A - Driving method for solid-state imaging device, solid-state image pickup device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make a photographing period short and optimal, to suppress the occurrence of mismatching with the next horizontal period to perform vertical charge transfer, and to efficiently perform smear sweeping-out by providing plural horizontal synchronizing signal periods having different cycles within one vertical synchronizing signal period. SOLUTION: In a timing chart at the time of driving the solid-state imaging device for performing smear sweeping-out operation, a smear sweep-out period Sa is shown and a period Sb simulating the smear sweep-out period Sa is shown. Besides, a horizontal synchronizing signal HD is composed of a first horizontal cycle Hs1, which is the horizontal cycle of a first image signal output period A and a second image signal output period B, and a second horizontal cycle Hs2 which is the horizontal cycle of the periods Sa and Sb. Concerning the first and second horizontal cycles Hs1 and Hs2, different horizontal cycles can be generated by a synchronizing control circuit.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of driving a solid-state image pickup device having a large number of pixels used in a high-resolution electronic still camera or the like, a solid-state image pickup device provided with a synchronous control circuit for controlling the operation of the solid-state image pickup device, and storage. The present invention is suitably applied to a medium, in particular, to a method of driving a solid-state imaging device, a solid-state imaging device, and a storage medium, which can shorten and optimize an imaging time in a smear sweeping operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The prior art will be described with reference to FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10. FIG. FIG. 7 shows a schematic diagram of an interline solid-state imaging device. 8, reference numeral 101 denotes a pixel, 102 denotes a vertical charge transfer element, 103 denotes a horizontal charge transfer element, 104 denotes an output unit, and 105 denotes a signal output terminal.

The signal charge photoelectrically converted by the pixel 101 is
Sent to the vertical charge transfer element 102, and the electrode terminals V1, V
2, 4-phase driving pulse φV applied to V3 and V4
1, and are sequentially transferred in the direction of the horizontal charge transfer element 103 by φV2, φV3, and φV4.

The horizontal charge transfer element 103 applies signal charges for one horizontal row transferred from the vertical charge transfer element 102 to the output section 104 by two-phase driving pulses φH1 and φH2 applied to the electrode terminals H1 and H2. The signal is transferred, converted into a voltage by the output unit 104, and output from the signal output terminal 105 as an image signal.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a solid-state imaging device. 111 is a lens, 112 is a shutter, 113 is a solid-state image sensor, 114 is a lens 111, a drive circuit of the shutter 112 and the solid-state image sensor 113, 115 is a signal processing circuit, 116 is an image memory built in the solid-state image pickup device, and 117 is a solid-state image sensor. Image recording device detachable from the device, 118
Denotes a synchronous control circuit for controlling the entire solid-state imaging device.

[0006] In response to a control signal from the synchronization control circuit 118, a drive circuit 114 drives and focuses the lens 111, and operates the shutter 112 so that a required exposure time is obtained. Supply drive pulse.

The image signal output from the solid-state image sensor 113 is subjected to color conversion processing, correction processing, image compression processing, and the like by a signal processing circuit 115 controlled by a synchronization control circuit 118. Photographing is performed by being recorded in the controlled image memory 116 or the image recording device 117.

FIG. 9 shows a timing chart when the solid-state image pickup device 113 is driven to perform a smear sweeping operation. VD indicates a vertical synchronization signal, and Low indicates a vertical blanking period and High indicates a vertical signal period. HD
Indicates a horizontal synchronizing signal, and Low indicates a horizontal blanking period, and High indicates a horizontal signal period.

Shut indicates the state of the shutter of the solid-state imaging device, and indicates a state where the shutter is open when High and a state where the shutter is closed when Low. Reference numeral 13 indicates the timing at which the shutter closes after the end of the exposure time. (Sa ′) indicates a smear sweeping period, and the operation of sweeping smear is performed by continuously applying four-phase driving pulses to the vertical charge transfer element 102.

(A) is a first image signal output period in which signals of pixels in a horizontal odd column are output, and 11 is a first image signal for reading out signal charges of pixels 101 in a horizontal odd column to a vertical charge transfer element 102. The readout pulse (B) is the second image signal output period in which the signals of the pixels in the horizontal even columns are output, and
Are the second read pulses for reading the signal charges of the pixels 101 in the horizontal even columns to the vertical charge transfer elements 102.

(Sb ') is a smear sweeping period (Sb).
In the period at the same timing as a ′), the state of the second image signal output period (B) is changed to the first image signal output period (A) that comes after the smear sweeping period (Sa ′). It is provided to make them the same.

The solid-state image sensing device 1 has the above timing.
The image signal output from 13 is sent to signal processing circuit 115 for signal processing. If the horizontal cycle of the horizontal synchronizing signal HD is represented as Hs ', the vertical blanking period in this figure includes a smear sweeping period (Sa') or a period (Sb ') imitating the smear sweeping period (Sa'). 4
Hs ′, Hs ′ for stabilizing the solid-state imaging device 113 after the continuous transfer operation, and the first read pulse 11
Alternatively, it consists of Hs ′ to which the second read pulse 12 is applied.

FIG. 10 shows a smear sweeping period (Sa ').
The enlarged view of the vicinity is shown. (Hd1 '), (Hd2'),
(Hd3 '), (Hd4') and (Hd5 ') are respectively the first horizontal period, the second horizontal period, the third horizontal period, the fourth horizontal period and the fifth horizontal period from the beginning of the vertical blanking period. Is shown. (Ha) is a vertical charge transfer element 1
02, the four-phase driving pulses φV1, φV2, φ
V3 and φV4 are pulses for performing transfer. The smear is transferred to the horizontal charge transfer element 103 and transferred to the output unit 104 by two-phase driving pulses φH1 and φH2. In the smear sweeping period (Sa ′), all the smears remaining in the vertical charge transfer element 102 are swept out. Therefore, (ha) needs to be repeated for the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102 or more. It is repeated from the beginning of the first horizontal period (Hd1 ') to the middle of the fourth horizontal period (Hd4') regardless of the horizontal cycle.

[0014]

In a high-resolution electronic still camera or the like provided with a solid-state image pickup device having a large number of pixels, the time required to read an image signal and the time required to process a signal become long, and it takes time until the next photographing. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the photographing time.

However, in the prior art, the horizontal period of the horizontal synchronizing signal HD is a period obtained by adding a horizontal signal period equal to the number of transfer stages of the horizontal charge transfer element 103 to (ha) equal to the horizontal blanking period. Unify all horizontal periods to the horizontal cycle Hs'. Therefore, a period obtained by multiplying the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102 by a period (ha) necessary for transferring one transfer stage, that is, a smear sweeping period (Sa ′) and a horizontal period Hs ′ are determined independently. Have been. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Four-phase drive pulses φV1 and φ of the vertical charge transfer element 102
V2, φV3 and φV4 correspond to the fourth horizontal period (Hd
4 '). As a result, there is a problem that a useless time is generated and a photographing time is lengthened.

Since the smear sweeping period (Sa ') and the horizontal period Hs' are determined independently, the second horizontal period (Hd2'), the third horizontal period (Hd3 ') and the fourth horizontal period (Hd3') are determined.
Four-phase driving pulse φV of the normal vertical charge transfer element 102 during the horizontal blanking period of the horizontal period (Hd4 ′)
1, φV2, φV3, and φV4 need to be stopped, and the four-phase drive pulses φV1, φV2, φV3, and φV4 are applied to the fourth horizontal period (Hd4 ′) according to the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102. ), The fifth horizontal period (H) in which normal vertical charge transfer is performed.
There is a problem that a mismatch occurs with d5 ').

Further, the synchronization signal generating circuit in the ordinary synchronization control circuit 118 allocates only a fixed number of horizontal periods as the smear sweeping period (Sa '). In addition, when trying to operate a solid-state imaging device with a large number of pixels, smear sweeping cannot be performed completely.On the contrary, when trying to operate a solid-state imaging device with a small number of pixels, useless transfer is performed after smear sweeping is completed. There is a problem of going.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and aims at shortening and optimizing the photographing period, and at the same time, mismatch between the horizontal period during which normal vertical charge transfer is performed and mismatching. It is an object of the present invention to provide a driving method of a solid-state imaging device, a solid-state imaging device, and a storage medium that can suppress occurrence of smear and efficiently perform smear sweeping.

[0019]

A method for driving a solid-state image sensor according to the present invention is a method for driving a solid-state image sensor controlled by using a vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal. Are provided with a plurality of horizontal synchronization signal periods having different periods.

In one embodiment of the method of driving a solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention, the plurality of horizontal synchronizing signal periods having different periods are generated during an image signal output period for outputting charges of pixels used as image signals. A first horizontal synchronization signal;
A second horizontal synchronization signal having a period different from that of the first horizontal synchronization signal during a period from the beginning of the vertical synchronization period to the period for transferring the charge of the pixel to the vertical charge transfer element.

In one embodiment of the driving method of the solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention, in the second horizontal synchronizing signal period,
The vertical charge transfer elements are operated continuously.

In one embodiment of the method for driving a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention, the length of the second horizontal synchronizing signal is a multiple of a transfer period for one transfer stage during vertical charge transfer.

In one embodiment of the driving method of the solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention, the second horizontal synchronizing signal is further composed of a plurality of horizontal synchronizing signals having different periods.

In one embodiment of the driving method of the solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention, the number of the second horizontal synchronization signals and the second
, The end of a predetermined cycle of the second horizontal synchronizing signal substantially coincides with the end of a transfer period for one transfer stage during vertical charge transfer.

In one embodiment of the driving method of the solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention, in the second horizontal synchronizing signal period,
Perform smear sweeping.

The solid-state imaging device according to the present invention has a synchronization control circuit for controlling a solid-state imaging device controlled by using a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal. A signal having a plurality of horizontal synchronization periods having different periods within the period is generated.

In one embodiment of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention, the synchronization control circuit is provided in an image signal output period for outputting a charge of a pixel used as an image signal.
And a second horizontal synchronization signal having a cycle different from that of the first horizontal synchronization period during a period from the beginning of the vertical synchronization period to a period for transferring the electric charge of the pixel to the vertical charge transfer element. Generate.

In one embodiment of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention, the synchronization control circuit generates a signal for continuously operating the vertical charge transfer element during the second horizontal synchronization signal period.

In one embodiment of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention, the synchronization control circuit is configured to control the signal whose length of the second horizontal synchronization signal is a multiple of the transfer period of one transfer stage during vertical charge transfer. Generate.

In one embodiment of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention, the synchronization control circuit transmits the second horizontal synchronization signal to the second horizontal synchronization signal.
Further, it is generated as a signal composed of a plurality of horizontal synchronization signals having different periods.

In one embodiment of the solid-state image pickup device according to the present invention, the synchronization control circuit changes the number of the second horizontal synchronization signals and the length of the second horizontal synchronization signals to change the second horizontal synchronization signal. The end of the predetermined period of the horizontal synchronizing signal is substantially coincident with the end of the transfer period for one transfer stage during the vertical charge transfer.

In one embodiment of the solid-state imaging device according to the present invention, the synchronization control circuit generates a signal for performing smear sweeping out during the second horizontal synchronization signal period.

The storage medium of the present invention is a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the method for driving the solid-state imaging device.

[0034]

According to the present invention, the end of the predetermined period of the second horizontal synchronizing signal substantially coincides with the end of the transfer period of one transfer stage during vertical charge transfer. After the end of the period, the transition to the next horizontal period is made without waiting time, and the reduction of the photographing time is achieved. Further, it is possible to achieve matching with the next horizontal period in which normal vertical charge transfer is performed.

[0035]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) FIG.
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 7, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an interline solid-state imaging device according to the present embodiment. FIG.
Shows a block diagram of the solid-state imaging device in the present embodiment. Note that FIGS. 7 and 8 are the same as those described above, and a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 shows a timing chart when the solid-state image pickup device 113 is driven in order to perform a smear sweeping operation in the present embodiment. (Sa) indicates a smear sweeping period, and (Sb) indicates a period imitating the smear sweeping period (Sa). Explanations of the same symbols and numerals as those in FIG. 9 are omitted.

The horizontal synchronizing signal HD has a first image signal output period (A) and a second image signal output period (B).
, And a second horizontal period Hs, which is a horizontal period of a smear sweeping period (Sa) and a period (Sb) imitating the smear sweeping period (Sa).
s2. The first horizontal period Hs1 and the second
In the horizontal period Hs2, a different horizontal period can be generated by the synchronization control circuit 118.

Further, the vertical blanking period in the figure is
Four Hs2s that are smear sweeping periods (Sa) or periods (Sb) imitating smear sweeping periods (Sa);
H for stabilizing solid-state imaging device 113 after continuous transfer operation
s1, and the first read pulse 11 or the second read pulse
Hs1 to which the read pulse 12 is applied.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view near the smear sweeping period (Sa). (Hd1), (Hd2), (H
d3), (Hd4), and (Hd5) indicate a first horizontal period, a second horizontal period, a third horizontal period, a fourth horizontal period, and a fifth horizontal period, respectively, from the beginning of the vertical blanking period. The description of the same symbols as in FIG. 10 is omitted.

In the first horizontal period (Hd1), the second horizontal period (Hd2), the third horizontal period (Hd3) and the fourth horizontal period (Hd4), the horizontal period is the second horizontal period Hs2, and , Which is an integral multiple of the period (ha) required to transfer one transfer stage.

In the fifth horizontal period (Hd5), the horizontal period is the first horizontal period Hs1, and the transfer of the vertical charge transfer element 102 is performed once in the horizontal blanking period. In the smear sweeping period (Sa), all the smears remaining in the vertical charge transfer element 102 are swept out.
It is necessary to repeat the process more than the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102. In this figure, the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the second horizontal period Hs2 period includes the smear sweeping period (S
The number of transfer stages obtained by multiplying the number of horizontal periods in (a) by 4 is substantially the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the second horizontal period Hs2 is an integral multiple of the period (ha) required to transfer one transfer stage, so that the second horizontal period Hs2 is used. The second horizontal period Hs2 period is set so that the number of transfer stages obtained by multiplying the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the period by 4 that is the number of horizontal periods of the smear sweeping period (Sa) is substantially equal to the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102. Can be determined.

As a result, the second horizontal period Hs2 becomes the first horizontal period Hs2.
Is shorter than the horizontal period Hs1, the waiting time until the next horizontal period (Hd5 ′) after the end of the smear sweeping period (Sa ′) as in the conventional example can be eliminated. Can be shortened. In addition, since the number of horizontal periods in the smear sweeping period (Sa) is four, it is only necessary to waste a maximum of (ha) three times for any number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102. Become.

Since the second horizontal period Hs2 is an integral multiple of the period (ha) required to transfer one transfer stage, the second horizontal period (Hd2) and the third horizontal period (Hd)
3) and during the horizontal blanking period of the fourth horizontal period (Hd4), there is no mismatch with the four-phase drive pulses φV1, φV2, φV3 and φV4 of the normal vertical charge transfer element 102, and the vertical charge transfer element 102 Of the four-phase drive pulses φV1, φV2,
Even when φV3 and φV4 are generated until the end of the fourth horizontal period (Hd4), the fifth vertical charge transfer that performs normal vertical charge transfer is performed.
There is no occurrence of a mismatch with the horizontal period (Hd5).

(Second Embodiment) Next, a case where the solid-state imaging device having a larger number of pixels than the solid-state imaging device of the first embodiment is driven by using the solid-state imaging device of the first embodiment will be described. A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the second embodiment, FIGS. 2 and 3 are the same as in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. The configuration of the solid-state imaging device is the same as in the first embodiment.

In the timing chart of FIG. 3, the synchronous control circuit 118 drives the solid-state image sensor having a larger number of pixels than the solid-state image sensor of the first embodiment.
The number of horizontal periods in the first image signal output period (A) and the second image signal output period (B) is increased by the increase in the number of vertical pixels, and the number of horizontal pixels in each horizontal period is increased by the increase in the number of horizontal pixels. The length of the horizontal signal period is increased. Horizontal synchronization signal H
D is a third horizontal pinch H which is a horizontal cycle of the first image signal output period (A) and the second image signal output period (B).
s3, and a fourth horizontal period Hs4 which is a horizontal period of a smear sweeping period (Sa) and a period (Sb) imitating the smear sweeping period (Sa). Further, the smear sweeping period (Sa) is set to 4 as in the first embodiment.
Hs4.

In the enlarged view near the smear sweeping period (Sa) in FIG. 2, the first horizontal period (Hd1), the second horizontal period (Hd2), the third horizontal period (Hd3) and the fourth horizontal period (Hd4). Are each a fourth horizontal cycle Hs4, which is an integral multiple of the period (ha) required to transfer one transfer stage. Fifth horizontal period (Hd
In 5), the horizontal cycle is the third horizontal cycle Hs3, and the transfer of the vertical charge transfer element 102 is performed once in the horizontal blanking period. As in the first embodiment, since the smear sweeping period (Sa) sweeps out all the smear remaining in the vertical charge transfer element 102, (ha) needs to be repeated more than the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102. is there. In this figure, the number of transfer stages obtained by multiplying the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the fourth horizontal period Hs4 by the number of horizontal periods of the smear sweeping period (Sa) by 4 is almost equal to the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102. ing.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the fourth horizontal period Hs4 is set longer than the third horizontal period Hs3, and the integer (ha) of the period (ha) required to transfer one transfer stage is set. Since the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the fourth horizontal cycle Hs4 period is multiplied by the number of transfer stages of the smear sweeping period (Sa) by 4, the number of transfer stages is substantially equal to the transfer of the vertical charge transfer element 102. The number of transfer stages within the fourth horizontal period Hs4 can be determined so that the number of stages is equal to the number of stages. Accordingly, even when the solid-state imaging device of the first embodiment is used to drive a solid-state imaging device having at least a larger number of pixels in the vertical direction than the solid-state imaging device of the first embodiment, the smear sweeping period (Sa 3) It becomes possible to completely perform the smear sweeping without wasting time later.

Since the number of horizontal periods in the smear sweeping period (Sa) is four, any vertical charge transfer element 1
With respect to the number of transfer stages of 02, only (ha) three times of time are wasted.

Since the second horizontal period Hs2 is an integral multiple of the period (ha) required to transfer one transfer stage, the second horizontal period (Hd2) and the third horizontal period (Hd)
3) and during the horizontal blanking period of the fourth horizontal period (Hd4), there is no mismatch with the four-phase drive pulses φV1, φV2, φV3 and φV4 of the normal vertical charge transfer element 102, and the vertical charge transfer element 102 Of the four-phase drive pulses φV1, φV2,
Even when φV3 and φV4 are generated until the end of the fourth horizontal period (Hd4), the fifth vertical charge transfer that performs normal vertical charge transfer is performed.
There is no occurrence of a mismatch with the horizontal period (Hd5).

Further, in the present embodiment, a case where the solid-state imaging device having a larger number of pixels in the vertical direction than the solid-state imaging device of the first embodiment is driven by using the solid-state imaging device of the first embodiment. As described above, even when the solid-state imaging device having a small number of pixels in the vertical direction is driven, the fourth horizontal cycle Hs4 is set shorter than the third horizontal cycle Hs3.
The number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the fourth horizontal cycle Hs4 period includes:
The number of transfer stages in the fourth horizontal cycle Hs4 can be determined so that the number of transfer stages multiplied by 4 which is the number of horizontal periods of the smear sweeping period (Sa) is substantially equal to the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102. Therefore, the smear sweeping period (S
a) Smear sweeping can be performed completely without wasting time later.

As described above, since the synchronization control circuit 118 can change the number of horizontal periods and the length of the horizontal period in the smear sweeping period (Sa), the number of pixels can be further increased by using this solid-state imaging device. Smear sweeping can be completely performed even when a large solid-state image sensor is operated,
Conversely, even when a solid-state imaging device having a small number of pixels is operated, useless transfer after the end of smear sweeping can be eliminated.

(Third Embodiment) Next, a third embodiment will be described by using the solid-state imaging device and the solid-state imaging device described in FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, FIGS.
Since the third embodiment is the same as the first embodiment, the description is omitted here. The configurations of the solid-state imaging device and the solid-state imaging device are the same as in the second embodiment.

In the timing chart of FIG. 4, the horizontal synchronizing signal HD includes a third horizontal cycle Hs3 which is a horizontal cycle of the first image signal output period (A) and the second image signal output period (B), It is composed of a fourth horizontal cycle Hs4 and a fifth horizontal cycle Hs5, which are horizontal cycles of a smear sweeping period (Sa) and a period (Sb) imitating the smear sweeping period (Sa). The generation of the fifth horizontal period Hs5 is performed by the synchronization control circuit 118. In addition, the smear sweeping period (Sa) is composed of three Hs4 and one subsequent Hs4.
Hs5.

In the enlarged view in the vicinity of the smear sweeping period (Sa) in FIG. 2, the first horizontal period (Hd1), the second horizontal period (Hd2), and the third horizontal period (Hd3) are each the horizontal period. 4 and is an integral multiple of the period (ha) necessary to transfer one transfer stage. In the fourth horizontal period (Hd4), the horizontal period is the fifth horizontal period Hs5, and is an integral multiple of the period (ha) required to transfer one transfer stage. In the fifth horizontal period (Hd5), the horizontal period is the third horizontal period Hs3, and the transfer of the vertical charge transfer element 102 is performed once in the horizontal blanking period.

As in the second embodiment, in the smear sweeping period (Sa), all the smears remaining in the vertical charge transfer element 102 are swept out. Therefore, (ha) is repeated for the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102 or more. Need to be done.

In the figure, since the horizontal period Hs5 of the fourth horizontal period (Hd4) can be different from the fourth horizontal period Hs4, the first horizontal period (Hd1), the second horizontal period (Hd2) and By combining the number of smear transfer stages in the three horizontal periods (Hd3) and the number of smear transfer stages in the fourth horizontal period (Hd4), the number of transfer stages required for smear sweeping of the vertical charge transfer element 102 can be adjusted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the fourth horizontal cycle Hs4 and the fifth horizontal cycle Hs5 can be combined as the horizontal cycle in the smear sweeping period (Sa), and one transfer stage can be used. Since the period can be set to an integral multiple of the period (ha) required for the transfer, the three fourth horizontal periods H in the smear sweeping period (Sa) can be set.
The sum of the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the s4 period and the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within one fifth horizontal period Hs5 period is equal to the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102, so that the fourth horizontal period Hs4 period Number of transfer stages and fifth horizontal period H
The number of transfer stages in the s5 period can be determined. As a result, it is possible to completely perform smear sweeping without taking useless time after the smear sweeping period (Sa) as compared with the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

(Fourth Embodiment) Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and the solid-state imaging device and the solid-state imaging device of the second embodiment. Note that FIGS. 5 and 6 are the same as in the second embodiment, and a description thereof will not be repeated. The configurations of the solid-state imaging device and the solid-state imaging device are the same as in the second embodiment.

In the timing chart of FIG. 5, the horizontal synchronizing signal HD includes a third horizontal period Hs3 which is a horizontal period of the first image signal output period (A) and the second image signal output period (B), The sixth horizontal period Hs6 is a horizontal period of the smear sweeping period (Sa) and the period (Sb) imitating the smear sweeping period (Sa). The generation of the sixth horizontal period Hs6 is performed by the synchronization control circuit 118. The smear sweeping period (Sa) is 8
Hs6.

In the enlarged view near the smear sweeping period (Sa) in FIG. 6, (Hd1), (Hd2).
7), (Hd8) and (Hd9) indicate a first horizontal period, a second horizontal period,..., A seventh horizontal period, an eighth horizontal period, and a ninth horizontal period, respectively, from the beginning of the vertical blanking period.

In the first horizontal period (Hd1), the second horizontal period (Hd2), the seventh horizontal period (Hd7) and the eighth horizontal period (Hd8), the horizontal period is the sixth horizontal period Hs6, and , Which is an integral multiple of the period (ha) required to transfer one transfer stage. 9th horizontal period (Hd
9), the horizontal cycle is the third horizontal cycle Hs3, and the transfer of the vertical charge transfer element 102 is performed once in the horizontal blanking period.

As in the second embodiment, in the smear sweeping period (Sa), all smears remaining in the vertical charge transfer element 102 are swept out, so (ha) is repeated for the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102 or more. Need to be done. In the figure, the number of transfer stages obtained by multiplying the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the sixth horizontal cycle Hs6 by the number of horizontal periods of the smear sweeping period (Sa) by 8 is substantially equal to the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer element 102. ing.

In the present embodiment, the number of horizontal periods of the smear sweeping period (Sa) is set to eight.
8, an arbitrary number of horizontal periods can be generated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the number of horizontal periods within the smear sweeping period (Sa) is changed, and the period (h) required to transfer one transfer stage is changed.
Since the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the sixth horizontal period Hs6 is multiplied by the number of horizontal periods of the smear sweeping period (Sa), the number of transfer stages is substantially equal to the vertical charge transfer element 102. The number of transfer stages within the sixth horizontal period Hs6 can be determined so that the number of transfer stages becomes the number of transfer stages. Thereby, even when the solid-state imaging device of the first embodiment is used to drive a solid-state imaging device having at least a large number of pixels in the vertical direction, the smear sweeping period (Sa)
It is possible to completely perform smear sweeping out without wasting time later.

Further, in this embodiment, the case where the solid-state image pickup device having a large number of pixels in the vertical direction is driven has been described. (Sa) is reduced, and the number of transfer stages obtained by multiplying the number of transfer stages that can be transferred within the sixth horizontal period Hs6 by the number of horizontal periods of the smear sweeping period (Sa) is substantially equal to the vertical charge transfer element 102. The sixth horizontal period Hs6
Since the number of transfer stages within the period can be determined, smear sweeping can be completely performed without wasting time after the smear sweeping period (Sa).

In the present invention, the number of horizontal periods in the vertical blanking period and the number of horizontal periods in the smear sweeping period are not limited to the embodiment of the present invention.
It can be changed according to the number of pixels of the solid-state imaging device and the number of transfer stages of the vertical charge transfer device.

Although the present invention has been described by taking an interline type solid-state image pickup device as an example, the present invention is not limited to a continuous period from the start of the vertical synchronization period to the period of transferring the charge of the pixel to the vertical charge transfer device. The present invention is applicable to any solid-state imaging device that operates the vertical charge transfer device.

Further, the present invention has been described by taking as an example a solid-state imaging device in which a signal of a pixel in a horizontal odd-numbered column and a signal of a pixel in a horizontal even-numbered column are read out. The present invention can also be implemented with a transfer-type solid-state imaging device.

The functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented in an apparatus connected to the various devices or a computer in a system so that various devices are operated so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Computer program (CPU or MPU) for the system or device
The present invention also includes those implemented by operating the various devices according to the programs stored in the program.

In this case, the program code of the software implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the program code itself and means for supplying the program code to the computer are provided.
For example, a storage medium storing such a program code constitutes the present invention. As a storage medium for storing such a program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM,
A magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the supplied program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (Operating System) or other operating system running on the computer. Needless to say, even when the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized in cooperation with application software or the like, such program codes are included in the embodiments of the present invention.

Further, after the supplied program code is stored in a memory provided on a function expansion board of a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the function expansion board or the function expansion unit is specified based on the instruction of the program code. It is needless to say that the present invention also includes a case where the CPU or the like provided in the first embodiment performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0074]

According to the present invention, the photographing period can be shortened and optimized, and the occurrence of inconsistency with the next horizontal period in which normal vertical charge transfer is performed is suppressed, and smear sweeping is performed. Can be performed efficiently.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a timing chart showing a smear sweeping operation according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing, in an enlarged manner, the vicinity of a smear sweeping period (Sa) common to the second and third embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating a smear sweeping operation according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a smear sweeping operation according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart illustrating a smear sweeping operation according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged timing chart showing the vicinity of a smear sweeping period (Sa) in a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention and a conventional technique.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a solid-state imaging device according to the present invention and the related art.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a smear sweeping operation according to the related art.

FIG. 10 shows a smear sweeping period (S
It is a schematic diagram which expands and shows the vicinity of a ').

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 first charge readout pulse 12 second charge readout pulse 13 shutter closing timing 101 pixel 102 vertical charge transfer element 103 horizontal charge transfer element 104 output section 105 signal output terminal 111 lens 112 shutter 113 solid-state imaging element 114 drive circuit 115 Signal processing circuit 116 Image memory 117 Image recording device 118 Synchronization control circuit

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A method for driving a solid-state imaging device controlled using a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal, wherein a plurality of horizontal synchronization signal periods having different periods are provided in one vertical synchronization signal period. A method for driving a solid-state imaging device, comprising: 2. A plurality of horizontal synchronizing signal periods having different periods, a first horizontal synchronizing signal generated during an image signal output period for outputting charge of a pixel used as an image signal, and a beginning of a vertical synchronizing period. 2. The signal according to claim 1, comprising a second horizontal synchronizing signal having a period different from that of the first horizontal synchronizing signal during a period from to a period in which the charge of the pixel is transferred to the vertical charge transfer element. A method for driving a solid-state imaging device. 3. In the second horizontal synchronizing signal period,
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the vertical charge transfer elements are operated continuously. 4. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 2, wherein the length of the second horizontal synchronization signal is a multiple of a transfer period for one transfer stage during vertical charge transfer. Drive method. 5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the second horizontal synchronizing signal includes a plurality of horizontal synchronizing signals having different periods. 6. The number of said second horizontal synchronization signals and said second horizontal synchronization signal
The end of a predetermined cycle of the second horizontal synchronizing signal and the end of a transfer period for one transfer stage during vertical charge transfer are substantially matched by changing the length of the horizontal sync signal. The method for driving a solid-state imaging device according to claim 2. 7. In the second horizontal synchronizing signal period,
The method of driving a solid-state imaging device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein smear sweeping is performed. 8. A solid-state imaging device having a synchronization control circuit for controlling a solid-state imaging device controlled by using a vertical synchronization signal and a horizontal synchronization signal, wherein the synchronization control circuit sets different periods within one vertical synchronization period. A solid-state imaging device characterized by generating a signal having a plurality of horizontal synchronization periods. 9. A first horizontal synchronizing signal provided in an image signal output period for outputting a charge of a pixel used as an image signal, wherein the synchronization control circuit vertically charges the pixel from a vertical synchronization period. 9. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 8, wherein a second horizontal synchronization signal having a cycle different from that of the first horizontal synchronization period is generated until a period during which the charge is transferred to the charge transfer element. 10. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 9, wherein said synchronization control circuit generates a signal for continuously operating a vertical charge transfer element during said second horizontal synchronization signal period. 11. The synchronization control circuit according to claim 9, wherein a length of the second horizontal synchronization signal is a multiple of a transfer period of one transfer stage during vertical charge transfer. Or the solid-state imaging device according to 10. 12. The solid-state imaging device according to claim 9, wherein the synchronization control circuit generates the second horizontal synchronization signal as a signal including a plurality of horizontal synchronization signals having different periods. apparatus. 13. The synchronization control circuit changes the number of the second horizontal synchronization signals and the length of the second horizontal synchronization signals to determine the end of a predetermined period of the second horizontal synchronization signals. ,
The solid-state imaging device according to claim 9, wherein an end of a transfer period for one transfer stage during vertical charge transfer substantially coincides. 14. The synchronization control circuit according to claim 9, wherein the synchronization control circuit generates a signal for performing smear sweeping out during the second horizontal synchronization signal period.
Item 13. The solid-state imaging device according to Item 1. 15. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the procedure of the method for driving a solid-state imaging device according to claim 1. Description: