Abstract: In an image pick-up apparatus 1, when an instruction of setting white balance is given by user's manual operation, a central region of a picked up image is set and further the central region of image is divided into plural regions of image. In each of the plural regions of image, RGB components are detected, and gain values of R and B components are calculated, which make these R and B components equivalent to G component. Further, when a variance of colors of the plural regions of image is less than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that a picture is taken with a color pattern set at the center of viewing angle, an average of gain values set for the plural regions of image is calculated and the average is supplied to a gain controlling unit 41 to be applied to an image signal.

Abstract: For flash photography, a rise of a flash emission control pulse precedes emission timing by a predetermined period. A start of flash emission of a flash lamp precedes a start of exposure of an image sensor. Since the start of the emission is earlier than the start of the exposure, a period of unstable flash emission can be excluded from an exposure time T of the image sensor. The exclusion prevents a captured image from being affected by the period of unstable flash emission. Accordingly, it becomes possible to ensure high color reproducibility for photography with auxiliary light.

Abstract: In an image pick-up apparatus 1, when an instruction of setting white balance is given by user's manual operation, a central region of a picked up image is set and further the central region of image is divided into plural regions of image. In each of the plural regions of image, RGB components are detected, and gain values of R and B components are calculated, which make these R and B components equivalent to G component. Further, when a variance of colors of the plural regions of image is less than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that a picture is taken with a color pattern set at the center of viewing angle, an average of gain values set for the plural regions of image is calculated and the average is supplied to a gain controlling unit 41 to be applied to an image signal.

Abstract: In a camera having a gamma-correction circuit on an output signal processing path of a CCD, an incident light path leading to the CCD is kept opening in a state where nonlinear gamma-correction processing in the gamma-correction processing circuit is prohibited, first image data (CCD output data; DATA1) are generated based on electric signal output from the CCD, incident light path leading to the CCD is kept closing, second image data (CCD output data; DATA2) are generated based on electric signal output from the CCD and lastly, the second image data DATA2 are subtracted from the first image data DATA1, thereby correcting to eliminate dark voltage component included in the first image data DATA1.

Abstract: A first gain value table stores gain values set in R and B amplifiers of a first gain adjusting circuit, and a second gain value table stores gain values set in R and B amplifiers of a second gain adjusting circuit. The gain values from the second gain value table are sequentially set in the second gain adjusting circuit to detect white portions. Based on the detection of the white portions, a gain value to be set in the first gain adjusting circuit is selected from the first gain value table, to obtain an image that maintains white balance.

Abstract: For flash photography, a rise of a flash emission control pulse precedes emission timing by a predetermined period. A start of flash emission of a flash lamp precedes a start of exposure of an image sensor. Since the start of the emission is earlier than the start of the exposure, a period of unstable flash emission can be excluded from an exposure time T of the image sensor. The exclusion prevents a captured image from being affected by the period of unstable flash emission. Accordingly, it becomes possible to ensure high color reproducibility for photography with auxiliary light.

Abstract: Upon depression of a shutter key of a key input unit, a sensed image (DATA1) is captured by exposing a CCD for exposure time T1 with a mechanical shutter opened, and a dark frame image (DATA2) is captured by exposing the CCD for exposure time Ta with the mechanical shutter closed. A correction value corresponding to exposure time T1 is then determined by looking up a correction data table stored in a storage area of a data memory, and DATA2 is corrected using the determined correction value. By subtracting the corrected DATA2 from DATA1, a dark output component contained in DATA1 is removed.

Abstract: In a camera having a gamma-correction circuit on an output signal processing path of a CCD, an incident light path leading to the CCD is kept opening in a state where nonlinear gamma-correction processing in the gamma-correction processing circuit is prohibited, first image data (CCD output data; DATA1) are generated based on electric signal output from the CCD, incident light path leading to the CCD is kept closing, second image data (CCD output data; DATA2) are generated based on electric signal output from the CCD and lastly, the second image data DATA2 are subtracted from the first image data DATA1, thereby correcting to eliminate dark voltage component included in the first image data DATA1.

Abstract: An electronic camera comprises first and second gain adjusting circuits as well as a gain value storing section including a first gain value table storing gain values set in an R and B amplifiers of a first gain adjusting circuit when auto white balance control is executed, and a second gain value table storing gain values set in an R and B amplifiers of a second gain adjusting circuit when auto white balance control is executed, wherein the gain values from the second gain value table are sequentially set in the second gain adjusting circuit to detect white portions, and, on the basis of the results of the detection, a gain value to be set in the first gain adjusting circuit is selected from the first gain value table, whereby the gain value is set in the first gain value adjusting circuit to obtain an image that maintains white balance.

Abstract: A driver is provided for driving a plane fluorescent panel as a backlight source in a small liquid crystal television receiver. The panel is driven with a pulse signal controlled such that a first edge of the pulse signal which is a rise or fall edge of the pulse signal is within a front porch of a horizontal blanking period of a video signal and that a second edge of the pulse signal which is a fall or rise edge of the pulse signal is within the width of a horizontal synchronous pulse to thereby drive the fluorescent panel efficiently to provide a stabilized light emission and render it difficult for noise in the fluorescent panel to enter the display of the television receiver. A small liquid crystal television receiver with a plane fluorescent panel driven so is also provided.

Abstract: A tracking control device comprises a tape driving device for driving a magnetic tap at a predetermined running speed; and a rotary head carrying a magnetic head, for rotating the magnetic head to trace a plurality of record tracks on a magnetic tape driven by the tape driving device, the magnetic head having two gaps which have different azimuth angles from each other, the respective gaps being adapted to be used to trace every other record track. A signal reproducing circuit is connected to the magnetic head, for reproducing as signal supplied from the magnetic head; and a pilot signal detector is connected to the signal reproducing circuit for detecting pilot signals included in the signal reproduced by the signal reproducing circuit, the pilot signals being recorded in record tracks on both sides of the record track which is traced by one of the gaps of the magnetic head, and for outputting pilot-signal detection signals each representing levels of the detected pilot signals.

Abstract: In a magnetic recording and/or reproducing apparatus of a rotary head type, a magnetic head having two gaps of different azimuth angles is installed on the rotary drum and a switching signal, the polarity of which is inverted every rotation of the rotary drum is generated. The duty of the switching signal is adjusted so as to correspond to a time-difference between the two gaps of the above head. The timings of the recording operation and the reproducing operation to be performed by the magnetic head are controlled on the basis of the above adjusted switching signal.