Clamping method

1. A clamping method in outputting an image signal of each of successive frames using an imaging device including an effective pixel region outputting an effective pixel signal obtained by imaging an object, and a first shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal before the effective pixel signal for a present frame is output and after the effective pixel signal for a previous frame is output, where photoelectric conversion elements are arranged two-dimensionally, the method comprising:

first clamping determining an optical black signal level of the effective pixel signal by subtracting a first reference value RA(n) from the effective pixel signal of a present frame (n), and then adding a first predetermined target value to a result of the subtraction, the value RA(n) being obtained by performing first stabilization of a first average value A(n) calculated by averaging first reference value calculation pixel signals of a first reference value calculation region including shielded pixels of the first shielded pixel region of the present frame (n),

wherein

the imaging device further includes a second shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal after the effective pixel signal has been output,

in a steady state in which a present frame optical black signal level of the image signal of the present frame (n) does not change, second clamping is performed to determine the optical black signal level of the effective pixel signal by adding a second predetermined target value to the difference between a second reference value RB(n) and an effective pixel signal of a subsequent frame (n+1), the value RB(n) being obtained by performing second stabilization of a second average value B(n) calculated by averaging second reference value calculation pixel signals of a second reference value calculation region including at least shielded pixels of the second shielded pixel region, and

in a transition state in which the present frame optical black signal level of the image signal of the present frame (n) changes, the first clamping is performed.

2. The clamping method of claim 1 , wherein

the second reference value calculation region also includes the shielded pixels of the first shielded pixel region.

3. The clamping method of claim 1 , wherein

the second reference value calculation region includes the first reference value calculation region.

4. The clamping method of claim 1 , wherein

the first stabilization and the second stabilization are switchable between an on state and an off state,

in the on state, the first average value A(n) and the second average value B(n) are respectively output as the first reference value RA and the second reference value RB after reducing variations caused by noise contained in the values A(n) and B(n), and

in the off state, the first average value A(n) and the second average value B(n) are respectively output as the first reference value RA(n) and the second reference value RB(n) without change.

5. The clamping method of claim 1 , wherein

in the first stabilization and the second stabilization, the first reference value RA(n) and the second reference value RB(n) of the present frame (n) are gradually changed and output.

6. The clamping method of claim 1 , wherein

in the first clamping, the first stabilization and the second stabilization are in an off state.

7. The clamping method of claim 1 , wherein

switching between the first clamping and the second clamping is performed depending on presence or absence of a change in a drive state of the imaging device, which is accompanied by a change in the present frame optical black signal level.

8. The clamping method of claim 1 , wherein

switching between the first clamping and the second clamping is performed upon detecting presence or absence of a change in the optical black signal level of the effective pixel signal based on a change in the first average value A(n) or the first reference value RA(n).

9. The clamping method of claim 1 , wherein

in the first clamping, the optical black signal level of the effective pixel signal is determined by adding the first predetermined target value to the difference between a value and the effective pixel signal of the present frame, the value being obtained by adding a predetermined correction reference value RBA to the first reference value RA(n).

10. A clamping method in outputting an image signal of each of successive frames using an imaging device including an effective pixel region outputting an effective pixel signal obtained by imaging an object, and a first shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal before the effective pixel signal for a present frame is output and after the effective pixel signal for a previous frame is output, where photoelectric conversion elements are arranged two-dimensionally, the method comprising:

first clamping determining an optical black signal level of the effective pixel signal by subtracting a first average value A(n) from the effective pixel signal of a present frame (n), and then adding a first predetermined target value to a result of the subtraction, the first average value A(n) being calculated by averaging first reference value calculation pixel signals of a first reference value calculation region including shielded pixels of the first shielded pixel region of the present frame (n), wherein

the imaging device further includes a second shielded pixel region outputting a shielded pixel signal after the effective pixel signal has been output,

in a steady state in which a present frame optical black signal level of the image signal of the present frame (n) does not change, second clamping is performed to determine the optical black signal level of the effective pixel signal by adding a second predetermined target value to the difference between a second average value B(n) and an effective pixel signal of a subsequent frame (n+1), the second average value B(n) being calculated by averaging second reference value calculation pixel signals of a second reference value calculation region including at least shielded pixels of the second shielded pixel region, and

in a transition state in which the present frame optical black signal level of the image signal of the present frame (n) changes, the first clamping is performed.