Solid state image sensor and video system using the same

Abstract

A solid state image sensor includes an area sensor section having photoelectric conversion pixels arranged in the form of a matrix, a pixel selection section for selecting a pixel of the area sensor section and reading out a video signal, an analog signal processor section for performing signal processing for the video signal, an analog-digital conversion section for converting the processed signal into a digital signal, a digital signal processor section for performing signal processing to convert the digital signal into a digital signal having a predetermined signal format, and an interface section which operates in accordance with an external command, and has the function of selecting a video signal obtained by digitizing a pixel or a signal obtained by performing processing for the luminance and color difference signals of the video signal. These sections are mounted on a single chip.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A solid state image sensor controlled by a command signal, comprising:
 an area sensor having pixels arranged two-dimensionally; 
 an interface configured to receive the command signal; 
 a selector configured to select one of a plurality of readout schemes of reading out a pixel signal from the area sensor in accordance with the command signal from the interface; 
 a scanner configured to scan the area sensor in accordance with the scheme selected by the selector, to read out the pixel signal from the area sensor; 
 an analog signal processor configured to subject the pixel signal to signal processing and output a processed signal; 
 an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the processed signal into a digital signal; and 
 a digital signal processor configured to convert the digital signal into the digital video signal having a predetermined signal format; 
 wherein said area sensor, said selector, said scanner, said analog signal processor, said analog-to-digital converter, said digital signal processor, and said interface are mounted on a single chip. 
 
     
     
       2. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface selects one of a video signal obtained by digitizing the pixel signal and a signal obtained by processing luminance and color difference signals of the pixel signal. 
     
     
       3. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface externally outputs the digital video signal in accordance with the command signal. 
     
     
       4. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface selects one of a motion video signal obtained by subjecting the digital video signal to a motion video processing and a still video signal obtained by subjecting the video signal to a still video processing. 
     
     
       5. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface externally outputs the video signal in units of one frame in accordance with the command signal. 
     
     
       6. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , which includes a changing device configured to change a frame rate of the digital video signal in accordance with the command signal. 
     
     
       7. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , which includes a changing device configured to change an effective charge integration time for at least some of said pixels in accordance with the command signal. 
     
     
       8. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface externally outputs the digital video signal by alternately outputting luminance and color difference signals of the pixel signal. 
     
     
       9. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface has a common terminal used for receiving the command signal and externally outputting the digital video signal. 
     
     
       10. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface has a common terminal used for receiving the command signal and externally outputting a status signal indicating a state of said solid state image sensor. 
     
     
       11. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface has a common terminal used for receiving the command signal, externally outputting the digital video signal, and externally outputting a status signal indicating a state of said solid state image sensor. 
     
     
       12. A solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 , wherein said interface holds information indicating characteristics of said sensor, and allows the information to be read out in accordance with the command signal. 
     
     
       13. A video system comprising: a solid state image sensor according to  claim 1 ; and
 a visual processing unit configured to perform visual information processing by using at least one of the digital video signal, the pixel signal, a status signal of said solid state image sensor, and characteristic information of said solid state image sensor. 
 
     
     
       14. A solid state image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said interface comprises shared signal lines for inputting the command signal and outputting information.  
     
     
       15. A solid state image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said interface comprises a register storing input information.  
     
     
       16. A solid state image sensor according to claim 1, wherein said interface comprises input lines and a register, information being input to the register through the input lines.  
     
     
       17. A solid state image sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a timing generator, wherein said interface is connected to the timing generator.  
     
     
       18. A solid state image sensor according to claim 17, wherein said interface controls the timing generator based upon the command signal.  
     
     
       19. A solid state image sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a timing generator, wherein said timing generator is controlled based upon the command signal.  
     
     
       20. A video system according to claim 13, wherein said interface comprises shared signal lines for inputting the command signal and outputting information.  
     
     
       21. A video system according to claim 13, wherein said interface comprises a register storing input information.  
     
     
       22. A video system according to claim 13, wherein said interface comprises input lines and a register, information being input to the register through the input lines.  
     
     
       23. A video system according to claim 13, further comprising a timing generator, wherein said interface is connected to the timing generator.  
     
     
       24. A video system according to claim 23, wherein said interface controls the timing generator based upon the command signal.  
     
     
       25. A video system according to claim 13, further comprising a timing generator, wherein said timing generator is controlled based upon the command signal.  
     
     
       26. A video system according to claim 13, further comprising a changing device configured to change a frame rate of the digital video signal in accordance with the command signal.  
     
     
       27. A video system according to claim 13, further comprising a changing device configured to change an effective charge integration time for at least some of said pixels in accordance with the command signal.