JPS6210990A - Solid-state image pickup element for color camera - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always perform the right adjustment of the while balance of an object accommodating a detecting part for a white balance adjustment within a package where a solid-state image pickup part is accommodated. CONSTITUTION:Rays of light 11 made incident on through a lens 12 is made incident on a solid-state image pickup part 21 within a solid-state image pickup element 24, and simultaneously on a detecting part 22 for the white balance. The correcting information of R, G or B, or each of chrominance component ingredients R-Y or B-Y corresponded to the color temperature of the rays of light made incident on is outputted by the detecting part 22. The correcting information is impressed on a gain adjusting part 14 through a comparing amplification part 19 and the white balance of each chrominance component ingredient is adjusted, and it is outputted to an output terminal 16 as a color compound signal through an image processing part 15. Thereby, a correct white balance can be obtained, even when the color temperature at the peripheral of the object is different from the color temperature at the place where the camera is installed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field-1] The present invention relates to a solid-state image sensor for a color camera used in a color camera.

"Prior Art" In a color camera, in order to improve color reproducibility, it is necessary to adjust the white balance according to the color temperature of the surrounding environment. FIG. 5 shows a conventional white balance adjustment circuit configuration of a color camera in which the white balance is continuously adjusted. In FIG. 5, light 11 from an object is imaged by a lens 12 onto a solid-state image sensor of a solid-state image sensor 13. In FIG. The imaging output from the solid-state imaging section 13 is supplied to the video processing section 15 through the gain adjustment section 14 by 1ffl, and from there, the composite video 4 (as No. 1 output terminal 1
6. The white balance adjustment circuit 17 includes a detection section 18 and a comparison amplification section 19. The detection unit 18 outputs correction information for each color signal component corresponding to the color temperature of the surrounding environment. This correction information is
At step 9, the signal is compared and amplified with the base signal, and is applied to the gain adjustment section 14. Based on the output of the comparison amplification section 19, the gain adjustment section 14 adjusts the white balance for each color signal component being output from the solid-state imaging section 13.

Conventionally, in a single-chip color camera using this type of solid-state sensor, the detection section 18 is attached to a part of the camera body at a completely different position from the acid pickup section 13.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional solid-state image sensor described above, the detection unit 18 for detecting white balance is separate, so the white balance of the signal obtained through the lens 12 and the detection unit There has been a drawback that the white balance detected by 18 may be different.

"Means for Solving the Problems" In the solid-state imaging device of the present invention, the detection section for white balance adjustment is housed in the package in which the solid-state imaging section is housed. That is, the detection section is formed on the substrate on which the solid-state imaging section is formed, or the detection section is housed in a package separately from the substrate. As a result, the detection unit can detect the white balance based on the light that has entered through the imaging lens.

"Example" Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of the present invention. The solid-state imaging section 21 is constructed on a silicon substrate, and the white balance detection section 22 is constructed on the same substrate as the solid-state imaging section 21. The detection unit 22 includes at least two elements or a set thereof in order to obtain detection signals corresponding to the three primary color signals of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) or the color difference signals of R-Y and B-Y. Consists of the body.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a song according to the present invention.

The substrate of the solid-state imaging section 21 is mounted in a package 23, and the white balance detection section 22 is housed in the same package 23 to which the solid-state imaging section 21 is attached.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration diagram of a color camera constructed using the solid-state image sensor of the present invention. The light 11 that has entered through the lens 12 enters the solid-state imaging section 21 in the solid-state imaging device 24 of the present invention, and also enters the white balance detection section 22 at the same time.

R, G, B, or R-Y corresponding to the color temperature of the light incident on the lens 12 by the detection unit 22.

Correction information for each B-Y color signal component is output. This correction information is stored in the comparison amplification section 19 as explained in the prior art section.
The signal is applied to the gain adjustment section 14 through the video processing section 15, where the white balance of each color signal component is adjusted, and outputted to the output terminal 16 as a color composite signal through the video processing section 15. In this case, since the white balance is adjusted by light passing through the lens 12, an image with the correct white balance can be obtained even if the color temperature near the subject differs from the color temperature of the area where the camera is installed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the cross-sectional structure of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention. Solid-state imaging unit 21 and white balance detection unit 2
2 are juxtaposed on the package 23. In FIG. 2A, the white balance detection section 22 is covered with a diffuser plate 25 to prevent it from becoming an image forming surface. If this diffuser plate 25 is not provided, an image will be formed on the detection unit 22, and the color of the subject will be detected as is, which is expected to cause an error in white balance. Further, instead of the diffuser plate 25, as shown in FIG. 2B, a lens 26 can be used to change the focal length from the solid-state imaging section 21, thereby preventing image formation on the detection section 22.

In the above embodiments of the present invention, the detection section 22 is installed on one side of the solid-state imaging section 21, but the detection section 22 can be installed at any position around the solid-state imaging section 21. Furthermore, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the detection section 22, the cylindrical imaging section 21 may be surrounded by the detection section 22.

``Effects of the Invention'' As explained below, this invention creates a detection section for white balance adjustment on the same substrate or in the same package as the solid-state image sensor, and adjusts the white balance using light passing through the imaging lens. By detecting this, it is possible to always correctly adjust the white balance of the subject.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of the solid-state imaging device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of the song of the solid-state imaging device of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of the solid-state imaging device of the invention. Figure 4 shows the cross-sectional structure of the solid-state image sensor of the present invention; Figure A shows the case where a diffuser plate is used, and Figure B shows the case where a lens is used. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a color camera constructed using a conventional solid-state image sensor and a detector for white balance adjustment. 12: Imaging lens, 14: Gain adjustment section, 15: Video processing section, 19: Comparative amplification section, 21: Solid-state imaging section, 22: Detection section, 23: Package, 24: Solid-state imaging device of the present invention, 25: Diffusion Board, 26: Lens.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A solid-state imaging device for a color camera in which a detection section used for white balance adjustment is housed in the same package as the solid-state imaging section.