Abstract: An image pickup device for generating three pulses 120 degrees out of phase with one another and having the same period, to clamp, sample and hold, and reset an image signal output from an image pickup element. The pulse width of the sample and hold pulse is less than one third of the period. The image signal is read from the image pickup element using three transfer pulses 120 degrees out of phase with one another and having the same period. Each of the transfer pulses is less in width than one third of the period, and also serves as a timing signal for sampling and holding the image signal. In one embodiment, the image pickup device may have three read-out devices for reading out three horizontal lines at one time (not, however, in phase), with a separate train of transfer pulses being used for each of the three lines.

Abstract: In a television camera having a color resolving prism system for forming monochromatic images on the image pickup surfaces of a plurality of image pickup devices by an objective lens the color resolving prism system has first, second, third and fourth prisms as is named in the order from a side of the objective lens along the optic axis of the objective lens, the first and second prisms, with their refracting angles opening in opposite directions, are edisposed with an air layer interposed therebetween or are joined together with a dichroic layer interposed therebetween, the second and third prisms are disposed with an air layer interposed therebetween, the third and fourth prisms are joined together with a second dichroic layer interposed therebetween, and the values of the refracting angles of the first .theta..sub.10 or .theta..sub.21), second .theta..sub.10 +.theta..sub.11 or .theta..sub.22, third .theta..sub.23 and fourth .theta..sub.

Abstract: A color filter has recurrent groups of different color stripes. An image pickup tube has a photoelectrical conversion target exposed to light passing through the color filter and an index signal generation pattern. The image pickup tube outputs a signal containing a color signal component and an index signal component which depends on the index pattern. The index signal component has a phase representing a present start position of each scanning line. A memory holds a portion of the output signal from the image pickup tube corresponding to an initial frame period which occurs under conditions where a predetermined color light is applied to the photoelectrical conversion target via the color filter. A reference signal reflects a signal read out from the memory. A color component is detected from the output signal of the image pickup tube by use of the reference signal.

Abstract: A documenting reading apparatus is comprised of a cylindrically shaped color filter with three filter elements having different colors. Both a light source and a cylindrical lens are disposed inside this cylindrical filter.

Abstract: An image pickup system includes a camera body having an image conversion device and a signal processor and a detachable lens including a memory and circuitry for transmitting the memory contents to the camera body signal processor. In one embodiment, the system provides for storage in the lens memory of the spectral characteristics of both the lens and the image conversion device. In a second embodiment, the system provides for storage of spectral characteristic data concerning a plurality of different lenses in memory in the camera body, with the lenses adapted for self-identification. In a third embodiment, camera body memory stores a single lens spectral characteristic for use in common with any one of plural lenses and representative of all such lenses.

Abstract: A circuit for converting a video signal into binary signals comprises a line image sensor for performing photoelectric conversion of an object to be read, to produce pixel signals, means for setting reference levels for respective sections of the line image sensor, the sections being divisions of the entire length of the line image sensor, and a comparator for comparing each pixel signal with the reference level for the section to which the pixel signal in question belongs, to produce a binary signal. The setting means includes means for producing digital reference level data and a D/A converter for converting the digital reference level data into an analog reference level signal.

Abstract: A color processing apparatus performs the masking process of a color image by receiving a plurality of color component signals, and has a masking circuit for performing a linear masking process for the plurality of color component signals. The masking process utilizes a plurality of coefficients each of which has a particular value. The value of at least one of the coefficients of the masking circuit is varied in accordance with levels of the plurality of color component signals. A signal indicative of an amount of one kind of colorant which is to be recorded prior to the recording of other kinds of colorants can be discriminated, and a signal level which indicates the amount of the other kinds of colorants to be recorded on the same area after the recording of the one kind of colorant is corrected in accordance with the discrimination result.

Abstract: In an image pickup system such as a video camera having an adjusting circuit for adjusting a white balance in a color image signal, each interchangeable lens has a device for providing information on the spectral characteristic inherent in the lens. In one embodiment, a microcomputer is provided for processing the information on the spectral characteristic inherent in the lens. When the lens is mounted on the camera body incorporating the adjusting circuit, the information on the spectral characteristic of the lens is transmitted into the camera body by a mechanical arm whose length is representative of the spectral characteristic of the lens, thereby enabling the adjusting means to make a proper adjustment of the white balance for each lens having a different predetermined spectral characteristic.

Abstract: An original image in the form of a negative is scanned and converted into pixel data. The resultant data is compared with a predetermined threshold level value to discriminate pixels constituting the contour lines of the scanned image which are thickened to connect line gaps and form closed regions with corresponding first run-length data generated. Colors corresponding to desired tints are designated for each region and corresponding code data is associated with the run-length data to form second run-length data. The color code is converted into halftone-dot percentages and the photosensitive material is exposed to one or more color separations forming the desired tint to produce a tinted recorded image.

Abstract: A color image sensing apparatus includes a solid-state image sensing element having a color separation filter, a circuit for extracting a color difference signal from an output of the solid-state image sensing element, first and second color difference signals which are alternately extracted for every scanning line, and a delay-type line memory for storing an output signal from the color difference signal extraction circuit and for reading out a stored signal after one horizontal scanning period. The line memory is a first-in first-out type digital memory having a delay time corresponding to one horizontal scanning period. A circuit is provided for outputting the first and second color difference signals for every one horizontal scanning line, based on the output signal from the color difference signal extraction circuit and the output signal from the line memory.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a D/A converter for generating an analog image signal, a variable resistor for changing an output range of the analog image signal generated by the D/A converter, and a comparator for processing the analog image signal generated by the variable resistor by using an analog pattern signal and for outputting a pulse width modulated signal. The analog pattern signal may be a triangular wave signal, a saw-tooth wave signal, a sine wave signal, or a trapezoidal wave signal. In another version, selection is performed between predetermined data and a generated image signal and the selected signal is processed using an analog pattern signal (e.g., a triangle wave) to output a pulse width modulated signal. A D/A converter may be used to convert the output of the selection. The output range of the DAC may be variable.

Abstract: Data regarding color photographic images are detected with respect to three primary colors (red, green and blue) by receiving transmitted light through a color original film or light reflected thereon with respect to the three colors by an image sensor and detecting the image data of the original film with respect to the picture elements obtained by dividing the whole picture surface of the film. In this method, the image data is corrected in accordance with a manner in which image data of a reference film corresponding to the original film with respect to three primary colors is detected respectively by the image sensor and the thus detected data is preliminarily stored in the memory unit as calibration data. In connection with the calibration data, the image data of the original film is operated upon and processed every time that the image data of the original film is detected by the image sensor, whereby corrected image data is obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus for reproducing a scanned picture with sharpness emphasized. A scanner is provided for scanning a picture to be reproduced in two directions perpendicular to one another and for generating and recording signals representing the scanned picture. There is a sharpness emphasizing device for summing and averaging a plurality of picture element signals aligned in one of the scanning directions in the vicinity of a scanning point in the picture being scanned and recorded to generate values and then summing and averaging a plurality of the resulting summed and averages picture signals aligned in the other scanning direction in the vicinity of said scanning point to generate further values and then producing a recording signal equal to S+k(S-U), where k is a constant chosen to enhance a particular characteristic of the scanned picture, S is the sharp signal component at said scanning point and U is a generated unsharp signal.

Abstract: A method and process for processing picture image signals detects color separation signals of a color original image and then respectively converts these color separation signals into digital color separation signals. These digital color separation signals are then multiplied by predetermined coefficients and the results of these multiplications are sequentially accumulated for equalizing the levels of the digital color separation signals at a grey point of the original image so as to thereby obtain digital color separation signals which are converted to equivalent neutral densities. Hue signals of yellow, green, cyan, blue, magenta, and red which divide a color space into six hues are obtained from the digital color separation signals which are converted to the equivalent neutral densities. The hue signals are multiplied by predetermined color correction coefficients and the results thereof accumulated for color correction signals on yellow, magenta, and cyan.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a thermal-transfer type color copying machine produces a positive multi-color print on paper using a thermal transfer ink ribbon having yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ink portions by driving a thermal head in accordance with yellow, magenta, cyan, and black image signals obtained by scanning an original. The used ribbon, which now contains negative yellow, magenta, cyan, and black ink images, is rewound and the thermal head is driven at full power to produce yellow, magenta, cyan, and black negative color separation films on plastic film. At this point, all of the ink on the thermal transfer ink ribbon has been used, and no ink images remain on the ribbon. In another embodiment, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black positive color separation films are produced on plastic film instead of producing a positive multi-color print on paper. The positive and negative color separations may be produced as prints on paper if desired.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a white balance adjusting device for a color video camera for photographing an object irradiated by light from a blackbody radiation source or a non-blackbody radiation source. When recording operation is being performed, the white balance adjusting device prevents the moving operation of a fluorescent light correction filter and a color temperature conversion filter into an optical path of image pickup means and permits a white balance adjustment operation performed by electrically correcting an output of the image pickup means. When a recording operation is not being performed, the white balance adjusting device permits the moving operation of the fluorescent light correction filter and the color temperature conversion filter into the optical path and permits white balance adjustment operation performed by electrically correcting the output of the image pickup means.

Abstract: In the color image processing apparatus according to the invention which reads an image on an original, generates a plural sets of color image components and extract color signal based on the color image components, to eliminate a density fluctuation in such color image processing, the density treatment is performed simultaneously with the color ghost treatment.

Abstract: A digital facsimile communication control method includes a step of selectively determining a data communication mode between a digital circuit switching mode and a packet switching mode. When the digital circuit switching mode has been selected, while optically reading an original to be transmitted, the amount of data stored for transmission is checked and also the time is checked. And, if the amount of data stored for transmission has reached a predetermined amount before the time has reached a predetermined time, the amount of data stored for transmission is formed into a frame of data, which is then transmitted. On the other hand, if the time has reached the predetermined time before the amount of data stored for transmission has reached the predetermined amount, an amount of data which has so far been stored is formed into a frame of data, which is then transmitted.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus comprising positive and negative original input signal processing sections respectively converting positive and negative signals obtained by photoelectric scanning of positive and negative originals into positive density signals, and a color processing section for color-processing the positive density signals. The circuits used in the positive original input signal processing section are preferably all included as well in the negative original input signal processing section, so that common circuits may be employed for the two processing sections. This is similarly the case with the positive and negative image output sections.

Abstract: A colored original to be copied is scanned point-by-point in each of the three primary colors red, green and blue. A series of imaging signals is generated for each primary based color on the scanning operation. The signals are subsequently converted into a colored optical image of the original by means of a cathode ray tube which prints the image on color copy material. Prior to conversion, the signals are processed to electronically enhance the image. Following electronic image enhancement, the signals are adjusted to the characteristics of the copy material. The adjusted signals are now modified so as to make them proportional to the illumination intensity of the cathode ray tube or to the logarithm of the illumination intensity. The modified signals are next corrected to adjust the gray balance and/or the contrast of the image.