Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for encoding and decoding video signals on a conventional magnetic recording medium in a manner whereby the decoded video signal includes an improved chrominance characteristic. The improved chrominance characteristic is provided by encoding the conventional luminance and chrominance information signals on a first track of the information recording medium for the odd alternate fields and a modified luminance information signal and a select separate color component signal on a second track of the information recording medium. The signal recorded on the first track of the recording medium may be decoded in a conventional manner to provide video signals of limited chrominance video bandwidth or, alternatively, both tracks of the recording medium may be decoded in the manner of this invention to provide an improved chrominance characteristic video signal.

Abstract: A video camera and handle configuration include a conventional side hand grip which may be grasped in the normal manner by the camera user so that the wrist and forearm of the camera user generally extend downwardly from the hand grip and novel support sections which extend laterally outward from the same side of the camera housing underlying the hand grip for engaging the wrist and/or forearm of the camera user to steady his hand when he grasps the hand grip and thereby reduce strain and fatigue to the camera user's arm when videotaping for extended periods of time.

Abstract: An electronic imaging camera is provided for recording either continuous moving video images in analog format or high resolution still images in digital format. The electronic imaging camera includes an electronic viewfinder in which either the continuous moving images or low resolution still images may be played back. An accessory may be releasably connected to the electronic imaging camera to facilitate playback of the high resolution still images on a separate video display device.

Abstract: A universal synchronization pulse separator circuit operates to separate the horizontal and vertical synchornization pulse signals from a composite pulse synchronization signal which may have any one of a variety of different formats and frequencies by utilizing a time window discrimination technique which automatically adjusts to the different formats and frequencies that the composite pulse synchronization signal may assume.

Abstract: A contrast control circuit for use in an electronic image printing system for adjusting the contrast of an analog electronic image information signal without changing the maximum and minimum brightness levels thereof in order to maintain the exposure of a photosensitive material such as photographic film within its determined range of sensitivity.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for sensing sampled colored image data and thereafter interpolating the sampled colored image data to provide image data in each color sampled for each point or pixel at which the subject is sensed from which an image of the subject may be constructed having reduced color artifacts and fringing while reducing the blurring to the image that would otherwise be required to correct for such artifacts and fringing.

Abstract: An identification card comprises a single media having a plurality of different heat sensitive image forming dye compounds on which are encoded a colored pictorial image of the card holder, colored text, and machine readable digital data. A laser printing method is also provided for activating the heat sensitive image forming dyes to provide the colored pictorial image of the card holder, the colored text and the machine readable digital code.

Abstract: An electronic imaging camera is provided with a substantially expanded dynamic exposure range by implementing two succeeding exposure intervals under conditions where the exposure defining parameters are substantially different and thereafter selectively choosing between the electronic information signals sensed during the two succeeding exposure intervals to provide an output signal from which a visible image of the subject may be reconstructed thereafter.

Abstract: Image sensing and processing apparatus for use in an image facsimile system in which a subject is sensed in its primary red, green and blue colors as well as its complementary cyan, magenta and yellow colors to provide full color correction or enhancement as a function of color matrixing each primary color with its respective complementary color.

Abstract: Image sensing and processing apparatus in which the different colors of a subject are sensed to provide a high resolution electrical color separation signal and a low resolution electrical color separation signal. An enhanced high resolution electrical color separation signal is thereafter provided as a function of the color matrixing of the low resolution electrical color separation signals with the high resolution electrical color separation signals.

Abstract: An optical system for affecting the anamorphic compression or expansion of a light beam includes at least one optical prismatic element structured to twice affect the total internal reflection of an incident input light beam and the refraction of the exiting output light beam such that the direction of the exiting output light beam is substantially parallel to the direction of the incident input light beam.

Abstract: A current limited strobe charging circuit in which the charging current is automatically limited during the time required to reform the primary storage capacitor after a long period of non-use without materially effecting the current flow and time required to subsequently recharge the storage capacitor after it has been reformed includes a positive temperature coefficient resistor serially connected therewith to switch from a low resistance mode of operation to a high resistance mode of operation as a result of its own internally generated I.sup.2 R heat.

Abstract: A laser scanning and printing apparatus operates to scan an original picture in generally low resolution to provide a minimal quantity of image data which may be modified to provide an enhanced image reproduction of the original by subsequently laser scanning the original and directing the laser light reflected from the original to expose a photosensitive material, the intensity of the laser light being modulated to effect the enhanced image reproduction by selectively lightening or darkening predetermined areas of the photosensitive material exposed by the laser light reflected from the original picture during the subsequent line scan thereof.

Abstract: A method for storing and printing an image utilizing a computer graphics system of the type having a non-reentrant operating system wherein bit mapped image data may be transferred to an external permanent memory storage medium from which the bit mapped image data may be subsequently recalled for printing into a hard copy.

Abstract: A line exposure array of light emitting diodes arranged in spaced apart relationship with respect to each other along the longitudinal axis thereof and geometrically configured to provide a substantially uniform exposure of a photosensitive material without underexposed stripes appearing on those areas of the photosensitive material immediately adjacent the spaces between the light emitting diodes.

Abstract: An electronic viewfinder for an electronic imaging still camera may be selectively operated in either an electronic viewfinder mode in which electronic image data sensed by the photoresponsive sensing elements of the camera is transmitted to provide a video display of the scene within the field of view of the camera or, alternatively, an optic viewfinder mode in which the image defining scene light rays are optically transmitted for direct viewing of the scene within the field of view of the camera by the camera operator. The optic viewfinder mode of operation is automatically initiated during the time in which the image defining data is transmitted from the image sensing elements to the image data storing elements and the viewfinder is inoperative to provide its video display.

Abstract: A film processing roller assembly wherein the gap spacing between the film processing rollers is initially automatically increased to accommodate the insertion of a positive and negative film sheet in superimposed relationship with respect to each other together with a container of processing fluid disposed therebetween into the bite of the rollers. The gap spacing between the processing rollers is thereafter automatically reduced to a select value which may be manually adjusted prior to the processing operation to an optimum value for accommodating a uniform processing fluid spread characteristic. Edge control plates operate to maintain the film processing fluid within the confines of the film sheet during film processing and supplementary drive rollers operate advance the positive and negative film sheets through the selected gap of the processing rollers during the film processing cycle.

Abstract: In an image recording apparatus of the type responsive to electrical signal input information representative of a select image for line scanning a photosensitive medium with a linear array of spaced apart light emitting elements to record the selected image thereon, there is provided an adjustable mask for controlling the width and hence resolution of each line scanned by the linear array. The adjustable mask is also configured to accommodate oscillation of the light emitting elements in directions which displace the light emitting elements to overlap the spaces between adjacent light emitting elements so as to provide a continuous line exposure.