Abstract: An image pickup device comprises an image pickup tube and an index generator having a light shield box; a light emitting diode held in the light shield box; a stripe screen provided on the photosensitive layer of the image pickup tube and shading compensation filter having transmittance pattern which equalizes illuminance variation on the stripe pattern of the stripe screen caused by the light emitting diode so that illuminance at any point of the stripe pattern becomes uniform. The image pickup tube generates picture signal together with index signal which is derived from the projected stripe pattern image on peripheral portion of the photosensitive layer through the shading compensation filter which equalizes index signal output level to make timing derived from the index signal accurate. A method of providing shading compensation filter is disclosed where a sheet of negative film is placed on the opening of the light shield box, exposed to the light emitting diode.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus comprises an image pickup unit including a solid-state image sensor and a drive voltage generator circuit disposed adjacent to the image sensor and having a drive voltage adjusting device for adjusting a drive voltage required to properly drive the image sensor, a signal processor unit for applying various voltages and signals to the image pickup unit and a signal cable system connecting the image pickup unit to the signal processor unit, whereby proper voltages can be applied to the image sensor with a reduced number of signal cables and a reduced size of the apparatus.

Abstract: An exposure controlling apparatus is provided for an electronic still camera using an imaging device such as a CCD, and controls exposure with high accuracy even if a low-accuracy external photometric device or a low-accuracy diaphragm mechanism is used. The apparatus comprises a first photometric component for metering the brightness of a subject and outputting a first photometric value, an automatic setting component for automatically setting either an aperture value or a shutter speed, depending on the first photometric value, an imaging device having matrix light receiving elements for effecting photoelectric conversion, and an electronic shutter for controlling charge accumulation time, depending on the set shutter speed.

Abstract: A terminal switching control apparatus includes a controller. The controller responds to one of a record stop (RS) signal, a communication signal from a telephone, and a facsimile communication end (FCE) signal from a facsimile to monitor a call detect CED signal from a call detector. The controller determines whether the mode set by a mode setting section is a first mode or a second mode, in response to the CED signal from the call detector. In the first mode, the controller responds to a CNG detect signal from a CNG detector within a first time period and outputs a switch control (SC) signal to a switch so as to couple a communication line to the facsimile, and then responds to the communication signal upon elapse of the first time period and outputs the SC signal to the switch so as to couple the communication line to the telephone.

Abstract: A wide-angle objective for endoscopes, in particular for video endoscopes comprises fibre image conductors or CCD image transducers, in which known instruments are taken as a basis, in which a distally positioned objective comprises a meniscus lens with its concave surface facing towards the object, as well as another optical component located on the image side. To secure an uncomplicated structure, adequate image quality, a wide object field angle and short structural length, the image-side optical component is also produced as a meniscus lens.

Abstract: There is connected to a video camera having automatically controllable shooting features a memory unit in which a program for setting those features is stored. A control circuit in the camera reads out the program from the memory unit upon actuation of a program button. The control circuit is responsive to actuation of the shooting start/stop button to control the shooting features under the conditions and sequence prescribed by the program. The shooting sequence proceeds in response to each actuation of the shooting start/stop button. Upon actuation of a program skip button or a pause program button, the shooting feature to be performed next in the program may be skipped or reserved. In this manner, the operator may learn or make an effective use of the shooting features of the camera merely by actuating the shooting start/stop button.

Abstract: Electroacoustic apparatus for reproducing lowest to medium frequencies being provided with a housing wherein a folded exponential horn combined with a loudspeaker is defined having five horn element walls lengthening the horn with good exponential form toward its throat and bent horn element walls provided in the area ending in the horn mouth and at foldings above the mouth and forming the horn with high approximation to an exponential function. The horn element walls are arranged so that undesired reflections are substantially avoided and no sharp break points exist in the course of the horn which is advantageously prolongated toward its throat, and a high characteristic acoustic impedance as well as a linear frequency reproduction characteristic over a wide range are achieved.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor including a light receiving section having a number of light receiving cells arranged in matrix, and a reading and storing section having a first set of switching and memory transistors for reading bright signals read out of light receiving cells arranged in a row and storing the same for a horizontal scanning period, a second set of switching and memory transistors for reading dark signals out of light receiving cells arranged in a row and storing the same for a horizontal scanning period, and a set of reading transistors for reading the bright and dark signals simultaneously out of the first and second sets of memory transistors for respective pixels successively. The light receiving section and the reading and storing section are formed integrally in the same semiconductor substrate. In order to remove the fixed pattern noise, there is derived differences between the simultaneously readout bright and dark signals with the aid of a differential amplifier.

Abstract: Storage charges held in a photosensitive section of a CCD, serving as a solid-state imaging device, are simultaneously transferred to a high-speed transfer section, in response to a field shift pulse from a driver. The high-speed transfer section then transfers the charges to a field memory, in unit of lines and at a high speed. The field memory includes first and second memory arrays each having a one-field memory capacity and corresponding to a high-speed transfer array in the high-speed transfer section. Charges from each high-speed transfer array are alternately transferred to the first and second field memory arrays by a gate controlled by gate pulses supplied from the driver. The charges stored in the first field memory array are read out and transferred by a line transfer section, in units of lines, thereby obtaining a video signal of an odd-numbered field.

Abstract: In a video camera, a level of a high frequency component and a luminance level of a video signal in the same area set on a picture are detected to find a focus evaluating value and an exposure evaluating value. Automatic focusing control and automatic iris control are performed in response to these evaluating values. When it is determined that the detected exposure evaluating value fluctuated over a predetermined width or more, an automatic focusing operation is immediately stopped and performed again from the beginning if the automatic focusing operation is being performed, while the automatic focusing operation is prohibited from being started if the automatic focusing operation is being stopped.

Abstract: Storage charges held in a photosensitive section of a CCD, serving as a solid-state imaging device, are discharged in response to a discharge field shift pulse supplied from a driver. When a first signal read field shift pulse is supplied from the driver, storage charges held in the photosensitive section are simultaneously transferred to a high-speed transfer section, and then transferred from the high-speed transfer section to a field memory, in units of lines and at a high speed. When a second signal read field shift pulse is supplied from the driver, storage charges held in the photosensitive section are simultaneously transferred to the high-speed transfer section. The charges stored in the field memory are transferred, in units of liens, by a line transfer section, whereby a video signal of an odd-numbered filed is obtained.