Abstract: An image signal processing device of the present invention includes an RGB-YC conversion for converting color component signals output from a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor to luminance signals and components thereof lying in a high frequency range. The luminance signals and their components lying in a high frequency range are fed to a first, a second and a third low pass filter (LPF), respectively. Luminance signals output from a third LPF are fed to an adder while components lying in a high frequency range are fed from the first LPF to a selector. Further, the components output from the second LPF are fed to the selector via a resolution correcting section. The selector selects either one of the two different kinds of components input thereto. The adder adds the luminance signals output from the third LPF and the components selected by the selector and thereby outputs second luminance signals.

Abstract: To provide a signal processing apparatus and an image pickup signal processing method both of which restrain a color signal from being influenced by band limitation in a color processing system, thereby enabling signal processing which produces an undegraded image, the processing of color-suppressing RGB signals or complementary color signals is performed between a color interpolation circuit and a color-difference matrix circuit. Otherwise, the processing of suppressing a color signal is performed in front of the color interpolation circuit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes an image pick-up section in which photosensitive devices are arranged in, e.g., a honeycomb G square lattice, RB full-checker pattern due to shifted pixels. Regions void of the photosensitive devices are assumed to be virtual photosensitive devices. A signal processing section generates data for the virtual photosensitive devices by using the data of surrounding photosensitive devices while attaching importance to accurate color reproduction and horizontal and/or vertical resolution. As a result, the number of pixel data are increased in a square lattice arrangement. Therefore, high quality image signals are readily achievable with a smaller number of photosensitive devices than conventional with a conventional apparatus. Interpolation can be executed with the high quality signals to the limit of resolution with an adequate circuit scale.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a timing signal feeding section for outputting signals assigned to a preliminary pickup mode as well as signals assigned to an actual pickup mode that follows the preliminary pickup mode. In the preliminary pickup mode, signal charges read out of photodiodes are mixed and read out via a horizontal transfer path as if they were reduced in the horizontal direction, thereby increasing a substantial transfer rate. A signal processor includes a preliminary pickup processing circuit. The preliminary pickup processing circuit performs calculations with digital data derived from the mixed signal charges. As a result, the representative primary colors R (red), G (green) and B (blue) of a plurality of signal charges are produced from the mixed, reduced signals by approximation or within a preselected horizontal range. A luminance signal and chrominance signals are then produced from the above colors R, G and B.

Abstract: An image interpolating device comprises a color filter, in which R, G, and B color filter elements are disposed in a checkerboard arrangement, and an imaging device which generates R, G, and B-signals corresponding to the color filter elements. In an interpolation process, the difference between a first comparative value V1 and a second comparative value V2 is compared. V1 is determined using color signals of pixels offset in the right and left directions to an objective pixel. V2 is determined using color signals of pixel offset in the upper and lower directions to the objective pixel. When V1 is less than V2, an arithmetic mean of G-signals of pixels offset in the right and left directions by one pixel is obtained as an interpolated G-signal. When V1 is not less than V2, an arithmetic mean of G-signals of pixels offset in the upper and lower directions by one pixel is obtained as the interpolated G-signal.

Abstract: An adaptive color enhancer applies different scale factors to different pixels in a digital image. More color enhancement occurs for bright pixels and for dim pixels than for average-intensity pixels. Also, more color enhancement is applied to the more colorful pixels while less color enhancement is applied to dull, less-colorful pixels. Rather than enhance all pixels to the same extent, the bright, colorful pixels are enhanced further than the average. Likewise, dim areas are color enhanced more than average. A calculation unit receives a YUV pixel. The Y value is compared to range limits and a piece-wise-linear (PWL) function generates an intermediate scale factor. The absolute values of the U and V color values are combined to create a colorfulness factor. The colorfulness factor is also used with a PWL function and the intermediate scale factor to generate a final scale factor for that pixel. The final scale factor is then multiplied by the U and V values of the pixel to generate a color-corrected pixel.

Abstract: Two image signals from a non-interlace scanning type CCD at predetermined horizontal and vertical sampling frequencies are respectively inputted to automatic gain controllers, then to a color separator where the input signals are separated into luminance signal and color difference signals. The luminance signal is processed by a two-dimensional filter which traps frequency components having ½ of the horizontal and vertical sampling frequencies. Accordingly, a variation in amplification characteristics of the automatic gain controllers is compensated as a variation of luminance signals having Nyquist frequencies in the horizontal and vertical directions. Thereby, bad effect due to variations in amplification characteristics of the automatic gain controllers is reduced even through two output signals from the non-interlace scanning type CCD are processed by the respective automatic gain controllers.

Abstract: A single-plate color solid-state image pickup apparatus constructed to prevent a color deviation, using as a color filter array, complementary color filters that are sequentially arranged in color filter columns in a horizontally repeating cycle of four pixels of first, second, third, and fourth, such that: first color-difference signals are obtained as modulated signals periodically in a certain number of pixels from “first+second” and “third+fourth” pixel columns; second color-difference signals are obtained as modulated signals periodically in the same pixel number as the first color-difference signals from “second+third” and “fourth+fifth” pixel columns; and the first and second color-difference signals obtained from the pixel columns of “third+fourth” and “fourth+fifth” are different in phase by 180 degrees from the first and second color-difference signals obtained from the pixel columns of “first

Abstract: When processing an image of a two-dimensional pixel arrangement such as a Bayer arrangement, when a pixel G (j, i) of a first color component which represents luminance is interpolated, the value of the first color component associated with the primary reference pixels located adjacent to the top and bottom or left and right of the interpolated pixel position, and secondary reference pixels of the first color component, located in the vicinity of the primary reference pixel, is checked. The existence of an image edge component is detected. When an image edge component is detected, the weight of the reference pixels, for example, G(j−1, i), G(j+1, i), G(j, i−1) and G(j, i+1) is changed at the top, bottom, left and right.

Abstract: A signal processing method for estimating luminance is provided, for use with matrix patterned image sensors where elected sensor pixels (G), preferably green pixels, from which luminance-representative signals are taken, only occupy alternate horizontal and vertical positions in the matrix pattern. The method is designed for detecting luminance contour edges and/or stripes in an image so as to enable images obtained form the sensor to be enhanced. Each pixel site (Hc) which is at the centre of both a row and a column of five pixels, and which is not the site of an elected (green) pixel, is identified and, for each such identified site (Hc), the signals output from the immediately adjacent four pixels (Gn,Ge,Gs,Gw) in said row and column are processed to establish both signal amplitude and pixel position.

Abstract: A system and method for demosaicing raw data (“mosaiced”) images utilizes an asymmetric interpolation scheme to equalize color discontinuities in the resulting demosaiced images using discontinuities of a selected color component of the mosaiced images. Discontinuities of the selected color component are assumed to be equal to discontinuities of the other remaining color components. Thus, color discontinuity equalization is achieved by equating the discontinuities of the remaining color components with the discontinuities of the selected color component. The asymmetric interpolation scheme allows the system and method to reduce color aliasing and non-colored “zippering” artifacts along feature edges of the resulting demosaiced images, as well as colored artifacts.

Abstract: A color filter array includes arrangements of green-filtered pixels to optimize performance and accuracy of color interpolation operations. Where red or blue pixels are found, green values are estimated with a high degree of accuracy. Unknown red and blue intensity values are interpolated by converting known red and blue values to hue. The interpolated hue values are then converted to intensity data.

Abstract: A color image pickup apparatus includes a photo-to-electric conversion section subjected to progressive scanning. A first delay circuit defers an output signal of the photo-to-electric conversion section. A first adder combines the output signal of the photo-to-electric conversion section and an output signal of the first delay circuit. A second delay circuit defers the output signal of the first delay circuit. A second adder combines the output signal of the photo-to-electric conversion section and an output signal of the second delay circuit. A third delay circuit defers an output signal of the first adder. A first subtracter implements subtraction between the output signal of the first adder and an output signal of the third delay circuit. A fourth delay circuit defers an output signal of the second adder. A second subtracter implements subtraction between the output signal of the second adder and an output signal of the fourth delay circuit.

Abstract: An image mixing circuit usable in a video camera for mixing images with a continuous gradation characteristic in both the luminance signal and color signal is provided according to the present invention. A color separation circuit separates plural image signals into plural luminance signal components and plural color signal components. A control signal generation circuit then generates the control signal needed for image synthesis from the plural image signals. A luminance signal mixing circuit and a color signal mixing circuit then separately mix the respective luminance signal components and color signal components according to the control signal.

Abstract: A video data storage apparatus includes a source of video data including a number of video cameras and digitizing circuitry. Two hard disk drives are provided in the apparatus for storing the video data. Also provided in the apparatus is an archive device such as a back-up tape unit. Video data is stored on one of the hard disks, while concurrently video data is copied from the other hard disk onto the tape backup.

Abstract: An image is captured into a video signal by an array sensor with color stripes. The system first interprets the highest frequencies of the signal as an upper sideband of the I color component so as to double the recoverable bandwidth of color detail. From the upper sideband of the signal, the corresponding lower color sideband is predicted and its effect is then subtracted from the luminance component, from which, in turn, an image is generated. The resulting image is enhanced in sharpness and has fewer artifacts. Color may be demodulated from sensor signal and the predominant I color vector demodulated from the color carrier utilizing an asymmetric sideband filter.

Abstract: A solid state imaging apparatus includes two-dimensional frequency process which is applied to an output signal from each pixel of a progressive scan-type CCD. The CCD has an an arrangement of color separation filters without making carriers in the horizontal and vertical directions of the two-dimensional frequency to obtain chrominance signals with less moire in the horizontal and vertical directions of the two-dimensional frequency. A luminance signal with less moire in the horizontal and vertical directions of the two-dimensional frequency can be obtained by interpolating with the ratio of a chrominance signal with less moire.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup apparatus for obtaining a luminance signal from the average value of outputs of two or more pixels varying in spectral characteristic from line to line. It includes a circuit to correct the amplitude of a luminance signal in every other line such that the amplitude of the luminance signal in each line is constant in a uniform luminance face image pickup state. The circuit may automatically switch the amplitude of the luminance signal in accordance with a change in the color temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color signal processing apparatus in which at least three types of color signals corresponding to filters are received from a solid-state image pickup element on which at least three types of color filters are formed, and linear matrix conversion of the at least three types of color signals determined by spectral characteristics of the corresponding color filters is performed to generate R, G, and B signals.

Abstract: An image signal processor for correcting a difference in level between luminance signals in horizontal scanning lines using a control signal generated in accordance with a color signal, wherein the color signals are two color difference signals (R-Y) and (B-Y), and wherein the control signal includes a linear combination of the two color difference signals (R-Y) and (B-Y).

Abstract: A color sequential electronic camera includes an RGB light source in which the R and G sources are activated in combination to provide a luminance light beam, and the R and B sources separately to provide separate chrominance light beams. Image light reflected by a subject is captured by an image sensor, which generates a color sequential signal comprising a sequence of luminance and chrominance image components. By activating the light sources such that chrominance light beams alternate between luminance light beams, the chrominance image components are captured at a lower temporal rate than the luminance image components. Furthermore, by binning the sensor photosites together for the chrominance image, the chrominance components are captured at a lower spatial resolution than the luminance image components.

Abstract: The outputs of N kinds of spectral response characteristics from an image sensor are passed through low-pass filters to obtain N kinds of outputs from the 1st through Nth, and the output signal of a pixel of interest having the Kth (1.ltoreq.K.ltoreq.N) spectral response characteristic is multiplied by the ratio of the low-pass filter output of the image sensor output at the coordinates of the pixel of interest to the Kth low-pass filter output at the coordinates of the pixel of interest, thereby the luminance signal with alleviated attenuation of the harmonics components is obtained.

Abstract: An optical sensor has an electrically adjusted mosaic filter in which each optical filter element of the mosaic filter covers a photosensitive device or region disposed adjacent to the filter. The electrical signals from each photosensitive region or device is amplified, varied and summed to produce an optical sensor output substantially matching a desired spectral response curve as a function of varying the amplified outputs of the photosensitive regions.