Abstract: An image data conversion device includes a variable-length code decoder which decodes compressed image data which has been compressed through processes of orthogonal transform, quantization, and variable-length coding. A data amount calculation unit calculates an amount of data that corresponds to a predetermined number of pixels from the results of decoding by the variable-length code decoder. A delimiter code insertion unit inserts a delimiter code in a position in image data where the amount of data calculated by the data amount calculation unit corresponds to the predetermined number of pixels.

Abstract: An image data coding device includes a plurality of orthogonal transform circuits for subjecting a plurality of image data items divided into blocks to the orthogonal transform. A plurality of quantization circuits quantize the orthogonal transform outputs supplied from the plurality of orthogonal transform circuits for each frequency component. A plurality of variable length coding circuits subjects the quantized outputs supplied from the plurality of quantization circuits to the variable length coding process. A plurality of memory circuits store outputs of the plurality of variable length coding circuits in a bit-series configuration. An output circuit reads out bit-series data items stored in the plurality of memory circuits by turns, connecting the readout data items together and outputting the data for each byte.

Abstract: An image pickup device electronically senses an object to be photographed and generates an electronic still image signal. An A/D converter converts the electronic still image signal generated by the image pickup device into a digital signal. An error correction coding section performs error correction coding for the digital signal obtained by the A/D converter. A recording modulation section performs recording modulation of an output from the error correction coding section so as to perform predetermined magnetic recording. A recording section records an output from the recording modulation section on a predetermined magnetic recording medium. Different recording media can be used, such as magnetic and semiconductor, provided on respective imaging sub-systems. A semiconductor imaging sub-system is provided with an I/O controller for establishing compatibility with signals of the magnetic imaging sub-system.

Abstract: An image data coding apparatus includes a preprocessing unit for executing preprocessing including compression for input image data in units of screens to generate a preprocessed output. A quantizing unit quantizes the preprocessed output with a predetermined quantization width to generate a quantized output. A variable-length coding unit executes variable-length coding for the quantized output. A target-amount-of-codes output unit outputs information concerning a target amount of codes corresponding to one screen. A quantization width predicting unit predicts a suitable quantization width on the basis of the information from the variable-length coding unit to supply information concerning the predicted quantization width to the quantizing unit. The quantizing unit quantizes the preprocessed output generated by the preprocessing unit with the predicted quantization width included in the information from the quantization width predicting unit.

Abstract: An electronic still camera comprising an image-pickup section, and A/D conversion section, a primary recording section, a secondary recording section, a control section, and an image-signal processing section. The image-pickup section generates still-image signals. The A/D conversion section converts the still-image signals into digital signals. The primary recording section records the digital signals. The control section reads the digital signals recorded by the primary recording section, at least during non-operating period of the image-pickup section. The image-signal processing section performs predetermined processing on the digital signals read by the control section, thereby outputting data. The predetermined processing includes at least data compression. The secondary recording section records the data output by the image-signal processing section.

Abstract: An image data coding apparatus performs first and second coding processes. A controller outputs first and second control signals. An orthogonal transform circuit performs orthogonal transform on image data of one screen and generates an transformed output. A quantizing circuit quantizes the transformed output with a predetermined temporary first quantization width upon reception of the first control signal and generates a first quantized output, and quantizes the transformed output with an optimal second quantization width upon reception of the second control signal and generates a second quantized output. An entropy coding circuit codes the first quantized output and generates a first coded output, and codes the second quantized output and generates a second coded output. An amount-of-codes calculator calculates the amount of codes of the first coded output for each block and calculates the amount of codes of one screen based on the amount of codes for each block.

Abstract: An image pick-up section generates an electronic still image signal. An A/D conversion section converts the electronic still image signal generated by the image pick-up section into a digital signal. A conversion section converts the digital signal converted by the A/D conversion section into a plurality of streams of signals. A recording section includes a plurality of memories for respectively storing the plurality of streams of signals converted by the conversion section. A control section includes a section for sequentially controlling at least the plurality of memories of the recording section in a write enable state.

Abstract: An image sensing and recording device includes a light-receiving element array, an analog memory, and a transfer section which are integrally formed. The array has an image sensing surface on which a plurality of light-receiving elements are two-dimensionally arranged and generates signal charges by photoelectrically converting light images incident on the surface in units of the elements. The memory has a plurality of storage regions having a multilayer structure stacked on the array. The storage regions transfer the signal charges generated by the elements of the array in a stacked direction thereof and sequentially storing the signal charges. The transfer section is stacked to sandwich the memory between the transfer section and the array and is designed to read out the signal charges, which are sequentially stored in the memory, as time-serial image signals. A dark box incorporates the device. An optical lens is arranged in the dark box so as to form an object image on the surface of the device.

Abstract: A color imaging apparatus includes means for electronically non-linearly expanding or compressing the dynamic range of an image signal output therefrom. Separate output signals of respective brightness for different colors are logarithmically compressed, inverse-logarithmically converted, then linear-matrix-converted and multipled by a compression factor of brightness level for the respective color signals to produce a logarithmically compressed color signal without varying the tone.

Abstract: A solid state image pick-up device having a number of static induction transistor image sensors arranged in a matrix form, each static induction image sensor includes a drain region formed by an n+ substrate connected to the earth potential, a channel region formed by an n.sup.- epitaxial layer grown on the substrate, a ring-shaped p+ gate region formed in a surface of the epitaxial layer, an n+ source region formed in a part of the surface of the epitaxial layer surrounded by the ring-shaped gate region and a p+ overflow drain region formed in the surface of the substrate underneath the gate region. By adjusting a time duration of a shutter control signal having a positive voltage applied to the overflow drain region, a time period during which photocarriers, i.e. electrons are flown into the gate region and stored therein, can be controlled at will, and an electronic shutter function can be achieved.

Abstract: An object which is sequentially illuminated by light having wavelengths different for each of several fields is imaged using an X-Y addressed solid state imaging device. The photoelectrically converted signals are read out from the solid state imaging device by the application of drive signals, the read-out being performed without providing a period during which light illumination is suspended. The color mixture caused in accordance with the read-out timing is corrected by using weighting coefficients so as to produce predetermined color video signals.

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: A solid state image sensor having row lines connected to a vertical scanning circuit, column lines connected to a horizontal scanning circuit, a video line selectively connected to the column lines, and pixels arranged at cross points between the row and column lines, each pixel including a static induction transistor having a drain connected to the ground, a source connected to a column line and a gate connected to a capacitor formed by a gate electrode connected to the gate, a photoconductive film applied on the gate electrode and a transparent electrode applied on the photoconductive layer. The transparent electrode may be divided into a plurality of parts each of which extends in a row direction and is connected to respective row line.

Abstract: A solid state image pick-up device includes a number of picture elements arranged in a matrix form each picture element being constituted by a MOS transistor and a photodiode, gates of the MOS transistors arranged in a vertical direction are connected to respective horizontal scanning lines which are connected to outputs of a horizontal shift register. Drains of the MOS transistors arranged in a horizontal direction are connected to respective vertical scanning lines both ends of which are connected to first and second signal read-out lines via first and second vertical selection switches, respectively. The first and second vertical shift registers produce first and second vertical scanning pulses which are shifted by given time period corresponding to a desired shutter open time. Each picture element is scanned twice by means of the first and second vertical scanning pulses. By adjusting said time period, the shutter open time can be set at with within a wide range.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor including a substrate, an epitaxial layer grown on the substrate, an opaque bottom electrode applied on the epitaxial layer, a photoconductor film deposited on the bottom electrode, a transparent surface electrode applied on the photoconductor film, a reading-out SIT formed in the epitaxial layer and a resetting MOS-FET also formed in the epitaxial layer. A gate diffusion region of the reading-out SIT is connected to the bottom electrode and a source region of resetting MOS-FET is also connected to the bottom electrode. A source electrode connected to the source region of the reading-out SIT is extended under the bottom surface, while an insulating layer is interposed therebetween to form a capacitance. Charge carriers stored in the gate region of the reading-out SIT can be read-out to derive a large output voltage due to the amplifying function of the reading-out SIT.

Abstract: A solid state image pick-up device includes a number of picture elements arranged in a matrix form. Each picture element being constituted by a MOS transistor and a photodiode, gates of the MOS transistors arranged in the vertical direction are connected to respective horizontal scanning lines which are connected to outputs of a horizontal shift register. Drains of the MOS transistors arranged in a horizontal direction are connected to respective vertical scanning lines both ends of which are connected to first and second signal read-out lines via first and second vertical selection switches, respectively. In the case of effecting a shutter speed control, the first and second vertical shift registers produce first and second vertical scanning pulses which are shifted by a given time period corresponding to a desired shutter open time to scan each picture element twice during each frame period.

Abstract: A solid state image sensing device having a number of static induction transistors (SIT) arranged in a matrix form, sources of SITs arranged in each column being commonly connected to respective column line which is connected to a video line via respective column selection transistor whose gate is connected to a horizontal scanning circuit, gates of SITs arranged in each row being connected to respective row line connected to a vertical scanning circuit, and drains of all the SITs being commonly connected to the ground. The vertical scanning circuit produces a row selection signal which has such a potential that an SIT is readout, while its gate is biased reversely.