Image sensing device

Abstract

The image sensing device adapted to compose an appropriate single picture from a plurality of pictures of different exposures obtained from the same subject, wherein the camera operation is controlled using as a reference the signal of one of said plurality of pictures of different exposures.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An image sensing device comprising image sensing means adapted to output image sensing signals of different charge storage times by switching them for each field and composition means adapted to compose a single picture out of pictures of successive two fields.  
     
     
         2 . An image sensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein the storage time is set substantially to a vertical blanking period for at least one of said successive two fields.  
     
     
         3 . An image sensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said image sensing means includes an interline-type CCD image sensing element.  
     
     
         4 . An image sensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said image sensing means alternately outputs image sensing signals of a storage time of about one television field period and image sensing signals of a storage time about one vertical blanking period.  
     
     
         5 . An image sensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition means includes storage means for storing said image sensing signals.  
     
     
         6 . An image sensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition means includes addition means for adding image sensing signals of different charge storage times.  
     
     
         7 . An image sensing device according to  claim 1 , wherein said composition means includes selection means for selectively outputting image sensing signals of different charge storage times.  
     
     
         8 . An image sensing device according to  claim 1 , further comprising comparison means for comparing the levels of image sensing signals of different charge storage times with respective predetermined reference levels.  
     
     
         9 . An image sensing device according to  claim 8 , wherein said composition means controls the manner of composition in accordance with the comparison result obtained by said comparison means.  
     
     
         10 . An image sensing device comprising image sensing means, control means adapted to cause images of different exposures to be output successively from said image sensing means and composition means adapted to successively compose images of different exposures from among the images output from said image sensing means so as to obtain moving pictures.  
     
     
         11 . An image sensing device according to  claim 10 , wherein said control means is adapted to cause images of different exposures to be output cyclically and successively.  
     
     
         12 . An image sensing device according to  claim 10 , wherein said image sensing means alternately outputs image sensing signals of a storage time of about one television field period and image sensing signals of a storage time of about one vertical blanking period.  
     
     
         13 . An image sensing device according to  claim 10 , wherein said composition means includes storage means for storing said image sensing signals.  
     
     
         14 . An image sensing device according to  claim 10 , wherein said composition means includes addition means for adding image sensing signals of different charge storage times.  
     
     
         15 . An image sensing device according to  claim 10 , wherein said composition means includes selection means for selectively outputting image sensing signals of different charge storage times.  
     
     
         16 . An image sensing device according to  claim 10 , further comprising comparison means for comparing the levels of image sensing signals of different charge storage times with respective predetermined reference levels.  
     
     
         17 . An image sensing device according to  claim 10 , wherein said composition means controls the manner of composition in accordance with the comparison result obtained by said comparison means.  
     
     
         18 . An image sensing device according to  claim 10 , further comprising image sensing control means adapted to control the operation of the image sensing device by cyclically employing one of said plurality images of different exposures.  
     
     
         19 . An image sensing device according to  claim 18 , wherein said image sensing control means controls the focusing adjustment of images entering said image sensing means.  
     
     
         20 . An image sensing device according to  claim 18 , wherein said image sensing control means controls the quantity adjustment of the incident light into said image sensing means.  
     
     
         21 . An image sensing device according to  claim 16 , further comprising reference level control means adapted to vary said reference levels in accordance with the comparison results obtained by said comparison means.  
     
     
         22 . An image sensing device according to  claim 8 , further comprising reference level control means adapted to vary said reference levels in accordance with the comparison results obtained by said comparison means.  
     
     
         23 . An image sensing device comprising image sensing means adapted to convert an optical image into an electrical signal and control means provided with a first image sensing mode in which a video signal is formed by repeating only light storage operations of a first time and a second image sensing mode in which light storage operations of a second time and those of a third time which is different from said second time are repeated and a composed video signal which is composed of storage pictures of the second time and storage pictures of the third time is repeatedly formed.  
     
     
         24 . An image sensing device according to  claim 23 , wherein said first time and said second time are approximately of the same duration.  
     
     
         25 . An image sensing device according to  claim 24 , wherein said third time is shorter than said second time.  
     
     
         26 . An image sensing device according to  claim 25 , wherein said third time is approximately of the same duration as a vertical blanking period.  
     
     
         27 . An image sensing device according to  claim 26 , wherein said control means performs the light storage operation of the third time during a vertical blanking period.  
     
     
         28 . An image sensing device according to  claim 23 , further comprising incidence condition control means adapted to control the light incidence conditions with respect to the image sensing means by selectively utilizing signals of the second time storage pictures in the second image sensing mode.  
     
     
         29 . An image sensing device according to  claim 28 , wherein said incidence condition control means controls the incidence light quantity.  
     
     
         30 . An image sensing device according to  claim 28 , wherein said incidence light quantity control means controls the focus position conditions of the incident light.