Patent ID: 7643076
Filing Date: 2010-01-05
Classification: H01L,H04N

Abstract:
1. An image scanning device in which an image scanning element group constructed by arranging CMOS type image scanning elements in a matrix form is divided into a plurality of areas and an image signal is output for every area, comprising: a plurality of charge integrating units, each of the charge integrating units being provided in each of the plurality of areas for integrating charges output from plural image scanning elements arranged in the area concerned and outputting the charges thus integrated as an integrated charge; an integrated charge selecting unit for selecting any one or more integrated charges from the plural integrated charges output from the plural charge integrating units and outputting the integrated charges thus selected; a charge accumulating unit for accumulating and combining any one or more integrated charges output from the integrated charge selecting unit as a composite charge; an image signal outputting unit for converting the composite charge accumulated in the charge accumulating unit to an image signal and outputting the image signal thus converted; an area selecting unit for selecting one or more arbitrary areas out of the plural areas, and an in-area pixel charge output control unit for controlling plural image scanning elements arranged in the one or more areas selected by the area selecting unit so that charges can be output in a predetermined order from the plural image scanning elements; a pixel charge output control unit for controlling the plural image scanning elements so that charges can be output in a predetermined order irrespective of the plural areas, wherein the in-area pixel charge output control unit constitutes a part or the whole of the pixel charge output control unit; and a microcomputer, wherein the integrated charge selecting unit repetitively selects the plural integrated charges output from the plurality of charge integrating units in a predetermined order and outputting the integrated charges to the charge accumulating unit, wherein the microcomputer is configured to execute a sub window process so that the image signal outputting unit outputs the image signal as a low resolution image, and wherein the microcomputer is configured to execute a sub block process so that the in-area pixel charge output unit controls the plural image scanning elements in the one or more areas selected by the area selecting unit to output the charges as a high resolution image when the microcomputer determines that resolution of the low resolution image is not sufficient.