Abstract: Electrical registration is provided in the vertical and horizontal directions of a multiple-imager solid-state camera. The solid-state imagers in a solid-state camera are provided having an active or utilized area of the imagers which is smaller than the photosensitive area of the imager. By controlling the clocking of the imager the processed signal from the imagers can be aligned electrically so that each imager is effectively spatially aligned with the others, thereby decreasing the required mechanical alignment tolerance.

Abstract: A color filter is provided for use with an imager which has a plurality of discrete collection sites. The filter has a plurality of color filter elements arranged in rows aligned with the collection sites. Two elements of the filter overlay a scan line of the imager in one television field, and each of the rows has a repeating sequence, e.g., 6, of at least two independent colors. The adjacent rows in the filter have their color sequences shifted by two elements. A demultiplexing scheme is disclosed, which features a high-frequency luminance signal having a constant colorimetric composition.

Abstract: An optical playback system is used to recover data recorded in an elongated information track, comprising undulations representative of the data, on a surface of a record medium. The data is recorded over two substantially different frequency bands, for example, a video signal may be recorded over a high frequency deviation range and a sound signal may be recorded over a low frequency deviation range. The optical playback system is provided with a dual response characteristic. The response of the system to the low frequency signals is improved by utilizing a properly oriented linearly polarized readout light beam for recovering the low frequency signals, by using a light source that provides a relatively short wavelength light beam, and by providing an input stop for varying the effective numerical aperture of the objective lens and an output stop which is matched to the shape of the input stop.

Abstract: The beam intensity of an optical recording system employed for recording frequency modulated composite video signals on discs undergoes temporal distortion at critical signal frequencies in a manner complementary to the effects of frequency distortion in the spatial frequency response of the recording system. Concomitant recording of the composite signal and a groove effects a practical elimination of signal track drop which results when recording is effected on pre-grooves discs, and additionally eliminates frequency response distortions in the recorded signal due to the optical recording system.

Abstract: A servo loop is provided in an optical record/play apparatus for controlling a motor assembly providing relative motion in a radial direction, with respect to a disc record, between the disc record and a beam of focused light. In a record mode of operation for the apparatus, the loop drives the motor at a rate providing a constant speed radial relative motion, as the disc record is rotated, to enable the inscription of a spiral information track on the disc. In a playback mode of operation for the apparatus, the loop drives the motor at a variable rate providing relative radial motion which assures the centering of the beam of focused light on a spiral information track formed in the disc record medium as the disc is rotated.

Abstract: Groove depth estimation apparatus provides an incident light beam which illuminates the surface of a grooved disc with a light spot that spans a plurality of convolutions of the groove. The structure of the groove convolutions serves as a diffraction grating which reflects the incident light beam into a plurality of diverging beams of light. A photodetector provides measurements of the light power in the respective reflected beams. Calculator circuits are provided for deriving from the photodetector measurements estimation of the average groove depth in the region illuminated by the light spot.