Abstract: A high resolution imaging system for capturing a pair of object fields at extended resolution. The system has a twin input acquisition optical group, an image parting mechanism and a beam reception group where each module works to part and relay images of two object fields. The relayed images are segmented and directed to two image detector systems to extend the acquisition resolution. Electronic processing is used to merge and process the two image detector signals simultaneously. The resolution of the image detector is extended to produce high finesse qualities for high aspect ratio object fields.

Abstract: An image acquisition system is provided that allows different lighting techniques to be applied to a scene containing an object of interest concurrently. Within a single position, multiple images which are illuminated by different lighting techniques can be acquired by selecting specific wavelength bands for acquiring each of the images. In a typical application, both back lighting and front lighting can be simultaneously used to illuminate an object, and different image analysis methods may be applied to the images.

Abstract: In an electronic camera responsive to a digital image stored in such camera and having a microfluidic printer for printing images onto a receiver to form continuous tone color pixels corresponding to the stored digital image, including focusing an image of a subject at an image plane; area image sensor disposed at the image plane for receiving the image subject and producing a digital image representing the subject; and digital storage coupled to the area image sensor for storing the digitized image of the subject.

Abstract: In electronic still camera 30 provided with an image pickup lens constituting optical system 31 which focuses a subject image on a predetermined image-focusing plane; a solid image pickup element CCD which is provided at the position of the image-focusing plane of the image pickup lens and generates image signals by transforming photoelectrically the image obtained by the image pickup lens, and with an A/D converter which converts the image signals from the solid image pickup element into digital signals, when I1 represents an image which is formed by outputting the digital signals obtained by the electronic still camera by an outputting means, I2 represents an image formed by outputting, with said outputting means under the same condition, what is obtained by photographing the same subject with the image pickup lens of the electronic still camera after replacing the solid image pickup element of the electronic still camera with a silver halide light-sensitive material, after reading it with a reading unit, i

Abstract: Improved circuitry for active matrix image arrays which, in one application reduces the number of source or gate lines for a given number of pixels, and in another application extends the dynamic range of the imaging array without reducing the number of source or gate lines. Each circuit includes multiple electrodes per pixel and multiple thin film transistors for switching charge from the pixel electrodes to the data line.

Abstract: A method and system for removal of flash artifacts from a digital image containing pixels therein, including using a database of reference flash-corrupted images for identifying corrupted pixels within the digital image that have been corrupted by a flash, and modifying the color values of each corrupted pixel of the digital image, to correct the corrupted pixel color values.

Abstract: A video camera captures image data and determines parameters indicative of a size of an image. Such data may, for example, be recorded on a recording medium or may be broadcasted. A video apparatus reproduces the recorded data from the recording medium or may receive the broadcasted data. Information indicative of a size of a display screen of a display unit is provided to the video apparatus, which then produces an actual size signal representative of an actual size of a desired object of the image in accordance with the screen size information and the image size data and may supply the same to the display unit so as to enable the desired object of the image or a portion thereof to be displayed on the display screen in actual size.

Abstract: The video camera comprises a detector having a two-dimensional matrix of photosensitive sites that accumulate charge, the sites being placed in an image plane of an optical system and being connected to a circuit for periodically transferring the accumulated charges at a determined frequency. A deviation member is interposed on the path of light towards the matrix and enables said path to be deflected about a nominal direction. A unit for periodically controlling the deviation means causes the image to be deviated in two dimensions, in a first determined cycle each time through a determined fraction of the pitch step size so as to perform space oversampling, and, in a second cycle, each time through a full pitch step size, which second cycle is a multiple of the first. A processor unit calculates the gain differences and the response offsets between the sites by performing comparisons therebetween.

Abstract: An active pixel sensor. The active pixel sensor includes a photo-diode. The photo-diode conducting charge as a function of the intensity of light received by the photo-diode. The photo-diode includes a diode capacitance which collects charge conducted by the photo-diode which generates a photo-diode voltage. A switched capacitor is connected in parallel with the photo-diode when the photo-diode voltage drops below a pre-determined voltage potential. A capacitance of the switched capacitor adds to the diode capacitance when the switched capacitor is connected. The switched capacitor can be a gate capacitor. The active pixel sensor further includes electronic circuitry to allow a controller to sample the photo-diode voltage.

Abstract: A system controller controls, when successive operations for imaging are to be executed, the second operation for imaging at the timing when the image data obtained in the first operation for imaging is read out from the imaging element, and controls, after start of the second operation for imaging, the light-shuttering operation at the timing earlier than the timing when the image data obtained in the second operation for imaging is read out from the imaging element, and shutters the light to the imaging element with the optical mechanism, so that the control of the second operation for imaging is immediately executed at the timing when the image data obtained in the first operation for imaging is read out without any restriction by the timing when image data is read out from the imaging element.

Abstract: An MOS-type solid-state imaging apparatus includes an imaging region formed by two-dimensionally arranging unit cells serving as photoelectric conversion portions on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of vertical address lines arranged in a row direction of the imaging region to select a row of unit cells to be addressed, a plurality of vertical signal lines arranged in a column direction of the imaging region to read out signals from the unit cells in each column, a plurality of load transistors each connected to one end of each of the vertical signal lines, and a plurality of horizontal selection transistors each connected to the other end of each of the vertical signal lines.

Abstract: An exposure controller comprises a discharge pulse calculation circuit for calculating a discharge pulse count to be output to a solid-state image pickup device within one field period, and a coring circuit for defining the quotient obtained from the discharge pulse count divided by a predetermined setting value and plus 1 as a coring value. In an electronic camera system incorporating an electronic iris, when one discharge pulse changes, the amount of change in the luminance level of an image signal becomes larger as an exposure time becomes shorter, whereby hunting is prevented from occurring at the convergent point of the luminance level, and an exposure controller which is compact and has excellent characteristics can be embodied.

Abstract: A full-color scanning array uses CMOS active pixel cells, or photogates, as photosensors. A set of photogates, each photogate being specifically filtered for one primary color, is associated with a common node. A clearing gate downstream of the common node applies a relatively high potential to a selected photogate, for the purpose of clearing any charge from the photogate. In this way, the integration time for the photogate can be started at a precise time, and the effective exposure time of each photogate can thereby be precisely controlled. Alternately, one of the set of photogates can be repeatedly cleared without a signal being read therefrom, allowing the array to operate in a monochrome mode.

Abstract: A two-dimensional illuminating grid (11b) illuminates an object (14). Its spacial form is measured by imaging through a prism grid (66) on a receiver array (17), with the prism grid performing a pupil division for the image of each of the illuminated object points. For this purpose, for each measurement point, the difference signal from each of four adjacent pixels (8a, 8b, 9b, 9a) of a receiver array (17) is evaluated. For example, 65,000 points in space can be measured in 20 ms.

Abstract: A convertible connector arrangement for a video camera includes first and second connector portions. One of the connectors is configured for analog signals and the other for digital signals. The first and second connectors are joined along one side thereof to be pivotally mounted by a mounting member in an installation body, or frame. The mounting member and the joined connectors are configured such that the two connectors are disposed at a predetermined angle in relation to one another. According to pivotal movement of the mounting member, one of the two connectors may be operably disposed in an opening provided in the installation body. The other connection is thus inoperably stored within the video camera or VTR body. A locking mechanism is further provided to assure secure mounting and operability. A video camera utilizing the convertible connector arrangement may thus be selectably converted for analog or digital operation in a secure and efficient manner.

Abstract: A video unit provides remote activation of appliances and is capable of recording locally captured video data. The video unit includes an infrared transmitter that generates infrared signals to activate and/or control appliances in response to control codes, e.g. received from a remote site by the video arrangement. The video unit also includes a storage element so that locally captured video data can be stored and played back from a remote location.

Abstract: An imaging display system including: an imaging apparatus including an X-Y addressing type solid-state imaging device, a motion detector for specifying a partial area within the whole image area of the solid-state imaging device, a block scan driving signal generator for generating a driving signal used to scan the pixels in a block, that is, an area specified by the motion detector, a thinning-out scan driving signal generator for generating a driving signal used to scan the pixels in the whole image area of the solid-state imaging device while thinning them at a given thinning ratio, and a driving signal switching unit for switching the block scan driving signal and thinning-out scan driving signal; and a display apparatus including a memory for storing picture information transmitted from the imaging apparatus, and a display unit for displaying a picture corresponding to the picture information stored in the memory.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a flash lamp and a CCD imager. A microcomputer first exposes the CCD imager without a light-emission of the flash lamp. Therefore, a luminance evaluation value is calculated by a calculator on the basis of a luminance signal included in a camera signal generated by the CCD imager. The microcomputer succeedingly makes the flash lamp perform a preliminary light-emission, and exposes the CCD imager by {fraction (1/1500)} seconds. The calculator evaluates the luminance evaluation value on the basis of the luminance signal included in the camera signal obtained at this time. Then, the microcomputer calculates a major light-emission amount of the flash lamp on the basis of the two luminance evaluation values obtained in such a manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interface circuit FE intended to receive a pseudo-periodical input signal Vin having a reference level and a video level, and to supply a signal Vs having a level which is representative of the difference between the reference level and the video level, said interface circuit comprising: two sampling branches BR1 and BR2 simultaneously supplying the reference level and the video level, and a subtracter SUB having inputs which receive the outputs of the branches BR1 and BR2. According to the invention, the inputs of the branches BR1 and BR2 are jointly connected via a first capacitance C1 to the input of the interface circuit FE, which comprises control means CM allowing adjustment of the values of the signals at the inputs of the subtracter SUB so that they are equal when they are representative of one and the same reference level.

Abstract: A pair of guide grooves are formed to extend parallel with each other on an outer surface of a housing of an electronic image pickup apparatus with a lens opening interposed therebetween. A lens barrier has both end portions engaged with the paired guide grooves and is movable between a close position for closing the lens opening and an open position for opening the lens opening while both end portions are guided by the guide grooves. One of the guide grooves opens in a cross direction crossing a front direction to which a front surface area, in which the lens opening is formed, on the outer surface of the housing, is directed, and the other of the guide grooves opens in the front direction on the outer surface of the housing.