JP2003018609A - Image input device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: An image input device is provided for selecting and outputting one-color image data from image data captured through an on-chip color filter. An optical lens (1) forms a microscope optical system and forms an image of subject light on a photoelectric conversion element (2). On the surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2, an RGB on-chip color filter 2a is provided on each pixel. The photoelectric conversion element 2 accumulates electric charge in each pixel according to the incident light, and sequentially outputs the accumulated electric charge. The charge signal is sent to the A / D converter 4 as an analog imaging signal, and is converted into digital image data.
The image processing unit 5 includes a gain correction unit, and the A / D conversion circuit 4
The gain value for the data of the other colors excluding the data of one color in the image data output from is set to 0. The gain-corrected image data is output after being converted into display data. The image output device 6 displays an image based on the display data from the image processing unit 5.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image input device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fluorescence microscopes that utilize fluorescence are known. For example, in a G-color excitation fluorescence microscope, a substance having a fluorescent action on green light is applied to a transparent sample,
This sample is irradiated with green excitation light. The sample irradiated with green light reflects blue light by the action of the applied fluorescent substance. When a sample that reflects blue light is observed through a wavelength filter that passes only blue component light, an image of the sample due to blue light is observed. As described above, there is a demand for capturing an image observed with a fluorescence microscope with a digital camera. On the other hand, in a general digital camera, a subject image is captured through a predetermined color filter such as R, G, and B in order to obtain a color image. The picked-up image signals of the respective colors are color-synthesized at a predetermined ratio by white balance adjustment processing or the like, and the color tone of the taken image is adjusted.
When a blue subject is imaged by such a digital camera, in addition to the blue image that has passed through the B color filter,
It is useless because an unnecessary image is obtained through the color filters of the colors G and G.

[0003]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]
When an RGB color filter formed on-chip on the image pickup device such as D has a wavelength filter that allows the blue light of the fluorescence microscope to pass therethrough when capturing an image of the blue light of the fluorescence microscope, the digital camera has The B color filter is used redundantly. For this reason, there is a problem that the blue light is attenuated by both filters, which is wasteful in terms of cost. In addition, when the digital camera has a monochrome image pickup element and switches a predetermined color filter such as RGB in a frame-sequential manner to capture an image, the time required for capturing an image other than blue light is wasted.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image input device which does not require a color filter for monochromatic photographing when a monochromatic subject image is picked up through a color filter formed on-chip on an image pickup device. is there. Another object of the present invention is to
An object of the present invention is to provide an image input device that does not capture a color component different from that of a subject image when capturing a single-color subject image with an image sensor having no color filter on the image sensor.

[0005]

The present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 showing an embodiment. (1) The image input device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an image pickup device 2 for picking up an image of a subject through a color filter 2a formed on-chip on an image pickup surface and outputting an image pickup signal corresponding to each color. An optical system 1 for forming a subject image on an image pickup surface, an image pickup signal selection circuit 5 for selecting and outputting an image pickup signal of at least one color from image pickup signals of respective colors output from an image pickup element 2, and an image pickup signal selection By including the image generation circuit 5 that generates an image signal using the image pickup signal output from the circuit 5, the above-described object is achieved. (2) The invention according to claim 2 is the image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup signal selection circuit 5 selects an image pickup signal of one color from among the image pickup signals of each color, or a plurality of colors. Further includes a switching circuit 5 for switching whether to select the image pickup signal of 1., and when the switching circuit 5 is switched to select the image pickup signal of one color, the image generation circuit 5 generates an image signal of one color, When the switching circuit 5 is switched so as to select the imaging signals of a plurality of colors, the image generation circuit 5 is characterized in that it generates a color-synthesized image signal. (3) In the image input device according to the third aspect of the invention, the first filter 8c that passes the first color component of the color components of the subject image, and the second color component different from the first filter 8c. A filter switching device 8 for switching between a second filter 8a (8b) that allows light to pass through, and an image sensor that captures a subject image that has passed through the first filter 8c or the second filter 8a (8b) and outputs a captured signal. 2B and the first filter 8c or the second filter 8a on the image pickup surface of the image pickup element 2B.
The optical system 1 for forming a subject image that has passed through (8b), the image generation circuit 5B for generating an image signal using the image pickup signal output from the image pickup device 2B, and (a) within a predetermined exposure time. First filter 8c and second filter 8a
(8b) is switched by time division, or (b) first filter 8c
And the control circuit 7 for instructing the filter switching device 8 whether to selectively switch one of the second filters 8a (8b), the above-mentioned object is achieved. (4) The invention according to claim 4 is the image input device according to claim 3, wherein when the control circuit 7 instructs the time division switching, the image is switched to the first filter 8c. The image signal of the first color generated by the generation circuit 5B and the image signal of the second color generated by the image generation circuit 5B while being switched to the second filter 8a (8b) are color-synthesized and output. On the other hand, the image output circuit 5 that sequentially outputs the image signals generated by the image generation circuit 5B when the control circuit 7 instructs the alternative switching.
B is provided.

In the section of means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is limited to the embodiments although it is associated with the drawings of the embodiments in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner. is not.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. —First Embodiment— FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1, an image input device includes an optical lens 1, a photoelectric conversion element 2 such as a CCD, a timing generator 3, an A / D converter 4, an image processing unit 5, and an image output device 6 such as a CRT display.
Have and. The optical lens 1 constitutes a microscope optical system, and images the subject light on the imaging surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2. The image input device is provided with an excitation light source (not shown) for irradiating an unillustrated sample observed with a microscope with excitation light for inputting a fluorescence image to be described later.

On the surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2, for example, an on-chip color filter 2a having an RGB primary color system Bayer array as shown in FIG. 2 is provided on each pixel.
The subject light is separated into respective color components by the color filter 2a and is incident on the photoelectric conversion element 2. The photoelectric conversion element 2 accumulates charges in each pixel according to the incident light. The charges accumulated in each pixel are sequentially read by the drive signal input to the photoelectric conversion element 2. The read charge signal is subjected to analog processing such as noise removal and gain control by a noise removal circuit or a direct current reproduction circuit (not shown), and then sent to the A / D converter 4 as an analog image pickup signal.

The A / D converter 4 converts an analog image pickup signal into digital image data. The timing generator 3 receives the drive signal for the photoelectric conversion element 2 and the A / D
A conversion timing signal for the converter 4 is generated and output. The drive signal of the photoelectric conversion element 2 includes a horizontal drive signal HD, a vertical drive signal VD, and a clock signal CLK. The conversion timing signal of the A / D converter 4 is the same signal as the clock signal CLK of the photoelectric conversion element 2.
The timing generator 3 includes a photoelectric conversion element 2 and A
The operation timing of the / D converter 4 is controlled.

The image processing section 5 includes a gain correction section, and
Image processing such as contour compensation, gamma correction, and gain adjustment is performed on the image data output from the D conversion circuit 4. The gain correction is performed by multiplying each pixel data corresponding to each RGB color by a constant based on information sent from a CPU (not shown).

The image processing unit 5 further converts the image data subjected to the image processing into display data to be displayed on the image output device 6, and outputs the display data. As a result, display data synchronized with the vertical synchronizing signal, the horizontal synchronizing signal, and the clock signal of a predetermined frequency in a format such as VESA is output. The image output device 6 displays an image based on the display data input from the image processing unit 5.

The image input device according to the embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the fluorescent image input by the fluorescent microscope and the normal color image input are switched and performed. Switching between fluorescent image input and color image input is switched by a menu operation (not shown). R for fluorescence image input
An image of one color of GB is selectively output. Switching of colors to be selectively output is also performed by a menu operation (not shown).

-Fluorescent Image Input- An example will be described in which the image input device inputs a blue image using a G color excitation light source. A sample (not shown) observed through the optical lens 1 is previously coated with a substance having a fluorescent action on green light. When a G-color excitation light source (not shown) irradiates this sample with green excitation light, the sample (not shown) reflects blue light by the action of the applied fluorescent substance. The optical lens 1 forms an image of blue subject light on the image pickup surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2. In addition to the blue subject light, the reflected green light by the excitation light is also input to the photoelectric conversion element 2.

The blue and green input lights are separated into respective color components by the color filter 2a shown in FIG. 2 and are incident on the image pickup surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2. In this case, the blue subject light is incident on the pixel provided with the B color filter, and the green reflected light is incident on the pixel provided with the G color filter. The red light component input to the pixel provided with the R color filter is almost zero. The photoelectric conversion element 2 accumulates electric charge in each pixel according to incident light, and the accumulated electric charge of each pixel is sequentially read by a drive signal input to the photoelectric conversion element 2. The read charge signal is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 4 and sent to the image processing unit 5, as described above.

When the image input device inputs a fluorescence image,
Gain setting information for fluorescent image input is sent to the image processing unit 5 from a CPU (not shown). This setting information is, for example, 0 for the gain value to be multiplied by the pixel data corresponding to the R and G colors, and 0.5 to 2.0 for the gain value to be multiplied for the pixel data corresponding to the B color. It's what you value. As a result, the value of the image data corresponding to the R color and the G color becomes 0, and only the image data corresponding to the B color is output from the image processing unit 5. Therefore, the image output device 6 displays a blue image.

How much the gain value to be applied to the B color pixel data by the image processing unit 5 is determined by, for example, the maximum value of all the B color pixel data input to the image processing unit 5. If the maximum value of the B color pixel data is smaller than the predetermined value, the gain value is increased, and if the maximum value of the B color pixel data is larger than the predetermined value, the gain value is decreased.
The gain value is determined so that the signal value of B color after being multiplied by the gain value approaches a predetermined value. The predetermined value referred to here is the maximum gradation, for example, 255 in the case of 8-bit data.
And The determined gain value is commonly used for the data of all B color pixels.

When the image processing unit 5 multiplies the pixel data by the gain value one by one, the color corresponding to the data is determined as follows. For example, in Figure 2.
In the pixel data in which the charges are accumulated through the color filter 2a indicated by, the data corresponding to the horizontal lines in the odd rows alternately have the data of the R color pixels and the data of the G color pixels, and the data of the even rows The data corresponding to the horizontal line alternately has the data of the G color pixel and the data of the B color pixel. Therefore, a CPU (not shown) in the image processing unit 5 counts the number of horizontal synchronizing signals HD in the vertical synchronizing signal VD and determines whether the horizontal synchronizing signal HD is an odd-numbered horizontal line or an even-numbered horizontal line. To do. The CPU (not shown) further counts the number of clock signals CLK in the horizontal synchronizing signal HD to determine whether the pixel data is odd-numbered pixel data in the horizontal line or even-numbered pixel data in the horizontal line. To determine.
If it is known from the above whether the horizontal line is an even number or an odd number, and if the data is an even number or an odd number in the horizontal line, it is the data corresponding to what color. Can be determined.

-Color Image Input- A case where the image input device inputs a color image will be described.
In this case, without using the excitation light source, for example,
A white light source (not shown) is used to illuminate the sample. The optical lens 1 forms an image of subject light on the image pickup surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2. The subject light is separated into respective color components by the color filter 2a shown in FIG. 2 and is incident on the image pickup surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2. The photoelectric conversion element 2 accumulates electric charge in each pixel according to incident light, and the accumulated electric charge of each pixel is sequentially read by a drive signal input to the photoelectric conversion element 2.
The read charge signal is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 4 as described above, and the image processing unit 5
Sent to.

When the image input device inputs a color image, the CPU (not shown) sends gain setting information for color image input to the image processing section 5. This setting information is, for example, for setting the gain value to be multiplied to the data of the pixel corresponding to each of R color, G color, and B color to any value of 0.5 to 2.0. Thereby, the gain correction of the image data corresponding to each of the R color, the G color, and the B color is performed, and the image data of each RGB color after the gain correction is output from the image processing unit 5. Therefore, the image output device 6 displays a color image.

How much the gain value to be applied to the pixel data of each color by the image processing unit 5 is determined by a well-known white balance calculation. The image processing unit 5 uses, for example, the pixel data of all colors of R, G, and B input to the image processing unit 5 to change the average value of the color information of the main subject and the background to an achromatic color such as white or gray. The white balance adjustment coefficient is calculated so that The image processing unit 5 multiplies the R color gain value corresponding to the calculated coefficient by the pixel data corresponding to the R color and the B color gain value by the pixel data corresponding to the B color, respectively.

According to the image input device of the first embodiment described above, the following operational effects can be obtained. (1) The on-chip color filter 2a picks up a subject image by the photoelectric conversion element 2 provided corresponding to each pixel,
When capturing a blue fluorescence image, the gain value to be multiplied to the data of the pixels corresponding to the R color and the G color is set to 0, and only the data of the pixel corresponding to the B color is selectively output. As a result, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated color filter for inputting the fluorescence image, so that the cost can be reduced, and the B color charge signal output from the photoelectric conversion element 2 can be reduced as compared with the case where the fluorescence image input filter is also used. Since the value of is large, the S / N ratio of the image is improved. (2) If the maximum value in all the pixel data of B color is smaller than a predetermined value, the gain value to be multiplied with the data of the pixel corresponding to the B color that is selectively output is increased, and the gain value is increased for all pixels of B color. When the maximum value in the data is larger than the predetermined value, the gain is reduced. As a result, the B-color signal value after multiplication by the gain is brought close to a predetermined value, so that a substantially constant signal value can be obtained regardless of the subject brightness. (3) The on-chip color filter 2a picks up a subject image by the photoelectric conversion element 2 provided corresponding to each pixel,
When capturing a color image, the gain value determined by a predetermined white balance calculation is multiplied by the pixel data corresponding to the R color and the pixel data corresponding to the B color, respectively, to obtain the R color, the G color, and the B color. Image data corresponding to each is output. As a result, an image input device capable of inputting not only a fluorescent image but also a color image can be obtained.

-Second Embodiment-The image input device according to the second embodiment is also capable of switching between fluorescence image input by a fluorescence microscope and normal color image input. Switching between the fluorescent image input and the color image input can be switched by a menu operation (not shown) as in the first embodiment. RG for fluorescence image input
An image of any one color of B is selectively output. Switching of colors to be selectively output is also performed by a menu operation (not shown). For color image input, 1 for each RGB color
Images for frames are input by time division. Images of three frames having different colors, which are input by time division, are mixed into RGB to form a color image of one frame.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image input device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Compared to FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment, the photoelectric conversion element 2B and the image processing unit 5B are different, and a controller 7 and a color filter rotating plate 8 are provided.
Has been added. The color filter rotating plate 8 has an R color filter 8a that passes an R color component, a G color filter 8b that passes a G color component, and a B color filter that passes a B color component.
Color filters 8c are provided respectively. Further, as in the first embodiment, the image input device is provided with an excitation light source (not shown) for inputting a fluorescence image.

The color filter rotating plate 8 is provided between the optical lens 1 and the photoelectric conversion element 2B so that the subject light flux passes through any one of the R color filter 8a, the G color filter 8b and the B color filter 8c. It is provided in. When the color filter rotary plate 8 is rotated by a motor (not shown), any one of the R color filter 8a, the G color filter 8b, and the B color filter 8c moves on the optical axis AX. A motor (not shown) rotates the color filter rotary plate 8 when a drive signal is input from the controller 7.

The photoelectric conversion element 2B differs from the photoelectric conversion element 2 according to the first embodiment in that the on-chip color filter 2a is omitted. The subject light is generated by the R color filter 8a, the G color filter 8b, and the B color filter 8 described above.
Only the color component that has passed through any of c is the photoelectric conversion element 2B.
Is incident on. The photoelectric conversion element 2B accumulates electric charges according to the incident light in each pixel regardless of the color component of the incident light. The charges accumulated in each pixel are sequentially read by the drive signal input to the photoelectric conversion element 2B. The read charge signal is subjected to analog processing such as noise removal and gain control by a noise removal circuit or a direct current reproduction circuit (not shown), and then sent to the A / D converter 4 as an analog image pickup signal.

The image processing unit 5B includes a gain correction unit and an RGB mixing unit, and performs image processing such as contour compensation, gamma correction, and gain adjustment on the image data output from the A / D conversion circuit 4. In the gain correction, a constant based on information sent from a CPU (not shown) constitutes an image captured through the R color filter 8a, an image captured through the G color filter 8b, and an image captured through the B color filter 8c. It is performed by multiplying each data individually. RGB mixing is for generating one frame of color image data synchronized with a common vertical synchronizing signal, horizontal synchronizing signal, and clock signal by using image data of three frames having different colors after gain correction. is there.

The image processing section 5B further processes the image data subjected to the above-mentioned image processing into display data to be displayed on the image output device 6, and outputs the display data. This allows
For example, display data synchronized with a vertical synchronizing signal, a horizontal synchronizing signal and a clock signal having a predetermined frequency in a format such as VESA is output.

-Fluorescent Image Input- The case where the image input device inputs a blue image using a G color excitation light source will be described as an example. When the fluorescent image is input, the controller 7 outputs a drive signal to a motor (not shown) that rotates the color filter rotary plate 8 so that the B color filter 8c is stopped on the optical axis AX. In addition, the controller 7 issues a command to the image processing unit 5B, and each time the photoelectric conversion element 2B outputs a charge signal forming an image of 1 frame, outputs 1 frame of display data generated using the signal. Let Therefore, the image output device 6 displays a blue image.

Similar to the first embodiment, the optical lens 1
A sample having a fluorescent effect on green light is previously applied to a sample (not shown) observed through. When a G-color excitation light source (not shown) irradiates this sample with green light, the sample (not shown) reflects blue light by the action of the applied fluorescent substance. The optical lens 1 is a B color filter 8c.
By this action, the blue subject light is imaged on the image pickup surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2B. In this case, the blue subject light is incident on all the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element 2B. Photoelectric conversion element 2
B accumulates charges in each pixel according to incident light, and the accumulated charges in each pixel are sequentially read by a drive signal input to the photoelectric conversion element 2B. The read charge signal is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 4 and sent to the image processing unit 5B as described above.

When the image input device inputs a fluorescence image,
Gain setting information for fluorescent image input is sent from the CPU (not shown) to the image processing unit 5B. This setting information sets the gain value to be multiplied to the data of each pixel to any value of 0.5 to 2.0. How much the gain value to be applied to the pixel data is determined by, for example, the maximum value of all pixel data input to the image processing unit 5B. If the maximum value in all pixel data is less than the specified value, increase the gain value.If the maximum value in all pixel data is greater than the specified value, decrease the gain value. The gain value is determined so as to approach the predetermined value. The predetermined value referred to here is the maximum gradation, and is set to 255 in the case of 8-bit data, for example. The determined gain value is
It is commonly used for the data of all pixels.

-Color Image Input- A case where the image input device inputs a color image will be described.
When a color image is input, the controller 7 controls the RGB
A drive signal is output to a motor (not shown) that rotates the color filter rotating plate 8 so as to sequentially stop each color filter on the optical axis AX. The interval at which the color filter is stopped on the optical axis AX is at least the time at which the photoelectric conversion element 2B outputs a charge signal forming an image of one frame. In addition, the controller 7 issues a command to the image processing unit 5B, and each time the photoelectric conversion element 2B outputs a charge signal forming an image for three frames (one frame for each color of RGB), the signal for the three frames is used. One frame of display data generated by the above and mixed with RGB is output. Therefore, the image output device 6 displays a color image.

When a color image is input, a white light source (not shown) is used instead of the excitation light source to illuminate the sample, as in the first embodiment. The optical lens 1 images the subject light of the red component on the imaging surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2B in a state where the R color filter 8a is stopped on the optical axis AX. The photoelectric conversion element 2B accumulates charges in each pixel according to incident light, and the accumulated charges in each pixel are sequentially read by a drive signal input to the photoelectric conversion element 2B. The read charge signal corresponding to the red component is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 4 and sent to the image processing unit 5B.

Next, the optical lens 1 includes a B color filter 8c.
Is stopped on the optical axis AX, the subject light of the blue component is formed on the image pickup surface of the photoelectric conversion element 2B. The accumulated charge of each pixel accumulated by the photoelectric conversion element 2B is sequentially read from the photoelectric conversion element 2B. The read charge signal corresponding to the blue component is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 4 and sent to the image processing unit 5B. The optical lens 1 further photoelectrically converts the subject light of the green component into the photoelectric conversion element 2B while the G color filter 8b is stopped on the optical axis AX.
The image is formed on the imaging surface of. The accumulated charge of each pixel accumulated by the photoelectric conversion element 2B is sequentially read from the photoelectric conversion element 2B. The read charge signal corresponding to the green component is converted into digital image data by the A / D converter 4 and sent to the image processing unit 5B.

When the image input device inputs a color image, the CPU (not shown) sends gain setting information for color image input to the image processing section 5B. This setting information is
For example, the gain value to be multiplied to the data corresponding to each of R color, G color and B color is set to any value of 0.5 to 2.0. As a result, R color, G color and B color
Gain correction is performed on each color data.
How much the gain value to be multiplied with the data corresponding to each color is determined by a predetermined white balance calculation. The image processing unit 5B uses, for example, a total of three frames of data of R, G, and B colors input to the image processing unit 5B to determine the average value of the color information of the main subject and the background such as white or gray. The white balance adjustment coefficient is calculated by a known method for coloring. Image processing unit 5B
Multiplies the R color gain value corresponding to the calculated coefficient by the data corresponding to the R color and the B color gain value by the data corresponding to the B color, respectively.

According to the second embodiment described above,
The following effects can be obtained. (1) R filter 8a, G on the color filter rotating plate 8
A color filter 8b and a B color filter 8c are provided and provided between the optical lens 1 and the photoelectric conversion element 2B in which the on-chip color filter is omitted so that the subject light flux passes through one of the color filters. When capturing a blue fluorescence image, the photoelectric conversion element 2B captures a subject image while the B color filter is fixed on the optical axis AX, and the photoelectric conversion element 2B outputs a charge signal that constitutes one frame image. Each time, the blue image display data of one frame generated using the signal is output. As a result, the frame rate can be increased as compared with the case where the display data of one frame is output every time the charge signal for three frames is output, so that the blurring image can be obtained when capturing a moving subject. Is less likely to occur. Further, since data is obtained from all the pixels of the photoelectric conversion element 2B, a high-quality image can be obtained as compared with a case where data is obtained from pixels corresponding to a specific color of the photoelectric conversion element having an on-chip color filter. (2) When capturing a color image, the RGB color filters are sequentially stopped on the optical axis AX, and the photoelectric conversion element 2B forms an image for three frames (one frame for each RGB color) corresponding to the filter for each color. When the charge signal is output, the image data of each color generated using the signals for the three frames is mixed in RGB and output as one frame of color image display data. As a result, a high-quality image can be obtained as compared with the case where a photoelectric conversion element having an on-chip color filter is used.

In the above description, the case of inputting a blue image was described as an example of inputting a fluorescent image, but the present invention can also be applied to the case of inputting a red or green image.

Further, although the case where the primary color filter is used is explained in the above description, the present invention can be applied to the case where the complementary color filter is used.

Although the CCD has been described as an example of the photoelectric conversion element, an image pickup device using a CMOS sensor or SIT may be used instead of the CCD.

The correspondence between each constituent element in the claims and each constituent element in the embodiment of the invention will be described. The on-chip color filter 2a is a color filter, the photoelectric conversion elements 2 and 2B are image pickup elements, and the The optical lens 1 is an optical system, the image processing unit 5 is an imaging signal selection circuit and an image generation circuit, the display data is an imaging signal, the CPU in the image processing unit 5 is a switching circuit, and the color filter 8c is the first. In the filter, the color filter 8a (8b) is the second filter, the color filter rotating plate 8 and the drive motor (not shown) are the filter switching devices, the image processing unit 5B is the image generation circuit and the image output circuit, and the controller 7 Corresponds to the control circuit, respectively.

[0040]

As described in detail above, the present invention has the following effects. (1) In the image input device according to the present invention, a subject image is captured through a color filter formed on-chip on the image pickup surface, and at least one image pickup signal is output from the image pickup signals of the respective colors output from the image pickup device. Since the image is selected and output, a monochrome object image can be captured without using a color filter for monochrome imaging. (2) In the image input device according to the present invention, the image of the subject that has passed through the first filter that passes the first color component of the color components of the subject image or the second filter that passes the second color component An image is taken, and an instruction is given as to whether to switch the first filter and the second filter in time division (a) in a predetermined exposure time or (b) selectively switch one of the filters. As a result, when a monochromatic subject image is captured, it is possible to selectively switch the color filters so as not to capture an image of a color component different from that of the subject image, and thus unnecessary processing can be omitted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an image input device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an on-chip color filter.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an image input device according to a second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Optical lens, 2, 2B ... Photoelectric conversion element, 2a ... On-chip color filter, 3 ...
Timing generator, 4 ... A / D converter,
5, 5B ... Image processing unit, 6 ... Image output device, 7 ... Controller, 8 ... Color filter rotating plate, 8a, 8b, 8c ... Color filter

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image pickup device for picking up a subject image through a color filter formed on-chip on the image pickup face and outputting an image pickup signal corresponding to each color, and an optical system for forming the subject image on the pickup face. An image pickup signal selecting circuit for selecting and outputting an image pickup signal of at least one color from image pickup signals of respective colors outputted from the image pickup device; and an image signal using the image pickup signal outputted from the image pickup signal selection circuit. An image input device comprising: an image generation circuit for generating the image. 2. The image input device according to claim 1, wherein the image pickup signal selection circuit selects an image pickup signal of one color or an image pickup signal of a plurality of colors from the image pickup signals of the respective colors. When the switching circuit is switched so as to select an image pickup signal of one color, the image generation circuit generates an image signal of one color, and the switching circuit outputs a plurality of colors. The image input device, wherein the image generation circuit generates a color-combined image signal when switched to select an image pickup signal. 3. A filter switch for switching between a first filter that passes a first color component of a color component of a subject image and a second filter that passes a second color component different from the first filter. A device, an image pickup device for picking up a subject image that has passed through the first filter or the second filter and outputting an image pickup signal, and the first filter or the second filter on an image pickup surface of the image pickup device An optical system for forming a subject image that has passed through, an image generation circuit for generating an image signal using an image pickup signal output from the image pickup element, and (a) the first filter within a predetermined exposure time. And instructing the filter switching device whether to switch the second filter in a time division manner, or (b) selectively switch one of the first filter and the second filter. An image input device comprising: a control circuit. 4. The image input device according to claim 3, wherein when the control circuit instructs to switch the time division, the image generation circuit is generated in a state of being switched to the first filter. The image signal of the first color and the image signal of the second color generated by the image generation circuit in the state of being switched to the second filter are color-synthesized and output, while the control circuit performs the selection. An image input device, comprising: an image output circuit that sequentially outputs image signals generated by the image generation circuit when a single switching is instructed.