Pixel information readout method and image pickup apparatus

1. A pixel information readout method comprising the steps of:

dividing a pixel region, where image pickup devices are arranged two-dimensionally, into a plurality of sub-regions; and

when image information on all pixels included in the pixel region is read out in the order of arrangement, successively inserting pixel information on each pixel of interest in the plurality of sub-regions in a stream of image information thus read out at predetermined intervals thereinto, wherein

each sub-region includes pixels arranged in x columns and y rows, where x and y are integers equal to or greater than two, and

a pixel of interest is set in each sub-region.

2. A pixel information readout method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of frames composed of pixel information on the pixel of interest are generated before the pixel information on an end of the pixel region is read out, by generating a frame by reading the pixel information on the pixel of interest inserted at predetermined intervals and then again inserting the pixel information on the pixel of interest from a first sub-region.

3. A pixel information readout method according to claim 2 , wherein exposure time for the pixel of interest is set shorter than that for the other pixels.

4. A pixel information readout method according to claim 2 , wherein image pickup devices of a plurality of colors are arranged regularly in the pixel region, and the numbers of pixels in vertical and horizontal directions for the respective sub-regions is set in such a manner that the pixel information is read while maintaining the regular arrangement of the pixel region.

5. A pixel information readout method according to claim 1 , wherein exposure time for the pixel of interest is set shorter than that for the other pixels.

6. A pixel information readout method according to claim 1 , wherein image pickup devices of a plurality of colors are arranged regularly in the pixel region, and the numbers of pixels in vertical and horizontal directions for the respective sub-regions are set in such a manner that the pixel information is read out while maintaining the regular arrangement of the pixel region.

7. An image pickup apparatus, comprising:

a pixel region where image pickup devices are arranged two-dimensionally; and

a readout unit which reads out image information on all pixels included in the pixel region in the order of arrangement, wherein

the pixel region is divided into a plurality of sub-regions,

when reading out the image information on all pixels included in the pixel region in the order of arrangement, the readout unit successively inserts pixel information on each pixel of interest in the plurality of sub-regions in a stream of image information thus read out at predetermined intervals,

each sub-region includes pixels arranged in x columns and y rows, where x and y are integers equal to or greater than two, and

a pixel of interest is set in each sub-region.

8. An image pickup apparatus according to claim 7 , further comprising a control unit which generates a frame from the pixel information on a pixel of interest inserted at predetermined intervals and read out from said readout unit,

wherein said control unit grasps a tendency of a picked-up image from the generated frame and performs a predetermined adaptive control according to the grasped tendency.

9. A pixel information readout method for reading out pixel information on all pixels included in a pixel region, where image pickup devices are two-dimensionally arranged, wherein

the pixel region is divided into a plurality of sub-regions, and

a series of steps that are repeated, including generating a frame by successively reading out pixel information on pixels at respective positions specified in the plurality of sub-regions, and then, when the frame has been generated, changing the positions, so as to generate a number of frames corresponding to the number of pixels included in the sub-region and to interpolate the plurality of frames, thereby generating a frame composed of each of the pixels included in the pixel region,

the plurality of sub-regions are arranged in m columns and n rows, where m and n are integers equal to or greater than two, and

each sub-region includes pixels arranged in x columns and y rows, where x and y are integers equal to or greater than three.

10. A pixel information readout method according to claim 9 , wherein

the image pickup devices are rolling shutter devices, and

the method comprises estimating the distortion of an object in an image by referring to a plurality of frames generated for each pixel information read out in the series of steps, and correcting the distortion accordingly.

11. A pixel information readout method according to claim 10 , wherein image pickup devices of a plurality of colors are arranged regularly in the pixel region, and the numbers of pixels in vertical and horizontal directions for the respective sub-regions are set in such a manner that pixel information is read out while maintaining the regular arrangement of the pixel region.

12. A pixel information readout method according to claim 9 , wherein image pickup devices of a plurality of colors are arranged regularly in the pixel region, and the numbers of pixels in vertical and horizontal directions for the respective sub-regions are set in such a manner that pixel information is read out while maintaining the regular arrangement of the pixel region.

13. An image pickup apparatus, comprising:

a pixel region, where image pickup devices are arranged two-dimensionally; and

a readout unit which successively reads pixel information on all pixels included in the pixel region, wherein

the pixel region is divided into a plurality of sub-regions,

the readout unit repeats a series of steps including generating a frame by successively reading out pixel information on pixels at respective positions in the plurality of sub-regions, and, then, when the frame has been generated, changing the positions, so as to generate a number of frames corresponding to the number of pixels included in the sub-region and to interpolate the plurality of frames thereby generating a frame composed of each of the pixels included in the pixel region,

the plurality of sub-regions are arranged in m columns and n rows, where m and n are integers equal to or greater than two, and

each sub-region includes pixels arranged in x columns and y rows, where x and y are integers equal to or greater than three.

14. An image pickup apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the image pickup devices are rolling shutter devices, and the apparatus comprises:

an image analyzer which estimates the distortion of an object in an image by referring to a plurality of frames generated for each pixel information read out in the series of steps; and

an image process unit which corrects the distortion estimated by the image analyzer.

15. An image pickup apparatus, comprising:

a pixel region, where image pickup devices are arranged two-dimensionally;

a readout unit which successively reads pixel information on all pixels included in the pixel region; and

a control unit which generates a frame from the pixel information on read out by said readout unit in a single series of said steps, wherein

the pixel region is divided into a plurality of sub-regions,

the readout unit repeats a series of steps including successively reading out pixel information on pixels at respective positions in the plurality of sub-regions, and then, when the pixel information on the pixels has been read out, changing the positions, thereby reading out the pixel information on the entire of pixels included in the pixel region,

the plurality of sub-regions are arranged in m columns and n rows, where m and n are integers equal to or greater than two, and

each sub-region includes a group of pixels arranged in x columns and y rows, where x and y are integers equal to or greater than three, and

wherein said control unit grasps a tendency of a picked-up image from a generated frame and performs a predetermined adaptive control according to the grasped tendency.