Abstract: An amplification device having a cascode structure includes an amplification circuit including a first transistor and a second transistor, cascode-connected to each other and receiving an operating voltage to amplify an input signal; a first bias circuit generating a first bias voltage and supplying the first bias voltage to the first transistor; and a second bias circuit generating a second bias voltage based on a control voltage and the operating voltage and supplying the second bias voltage to the second transistor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of an electronic device, including acquiring image data from a plurality of image sensors including optical black (OB) areas that are light-shielding areas for providing a constant reference signal, correcting an OB deviation between data acquired from the OB areas, for at least one piece of the image data, and outputting, to an image processing unit, the image data for which the OB deviation is corrected.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the present invention provides methods for creating video signals including (a) receiving an input video signal including an input red component, an input green component, and an input blue component; (b) determining (i) that a magnitude of the input red component is greater than a magnitude of the input green component and (ii) a differential between the magnitude of the input red component and the magnitude of the input green component; and (c) sending an output video signal including an output red component, an output green component, and an output blue component, where at least one of the following is true: (i) the output red component is decreased by a fractional amount relative to the input red component based on the differential; and/or (ii) the output green component is increased by a fractional amount relative to the input green component based on the differential, and the output blue component is increased by a fractional amount relative to the input blue component based on the di

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic compensation of insertion loss in signals transmitted over conductors is presented. The present invention is particularly applicable to the transmission of signals over long lengths of CAT-5 or similar twisted-pair cables. A reference signal having a known form and strength (e.g. a pulse signal) is provided to each pair of conductors carrying a component of a signal from a transmitter to a receiver. The receiver includes adjustable gain amplifiers for each conductor pair over which a component of the signal is transmitted. The gains of the amplifiers are initially set at an initial level (e.g., their maximum gain) to allow detection of the reference signal. Once the reference signal is detected in a conductor pair, the amplifier gains are adjusted such that the level of the reference signal is restored approximately to its original form and strength.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for restoration of DC in electrical signals is presented. A sample pulse representing a DC portion of an electrical signal is generated. The sample pulse triggers a sample and hold circuit to acquire the correct offset voltage in the electrical signal during this DC portion. The offset voltage feeds back through a summing node to the electrical signal thereby restoring the video signal to the desired DC voltage level with respect to ground.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide an image reading apparatus including: a monochrome CCD sensor including a first photo-diode array; plural color CCD sensors each including a second photodiode array; an AD converter configured to apply analog-to-digital conversion to each of analog outputs from the second photodiode array and the first photodiode array; a delay processing unit configured to delay at least one of color image data of plural colors from the AD converter and interpolate, with delayed any one or more of the color image data, a blank of image data that is to be read on a line in a sub-scanning direction; and an inter-line correction unit configured to correct, by the intervals and a set reduction magnification, a positional deviation in the sub-scanning direction between the monochrome image data and the color image data, respective timings of which are aligned on the line by the delay processing unit.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a signal input unit through which an image signal is input, the image signal comprising a synchronization signal and an active signal; an adjustment signal generating unit that generates an adjustment signal; a signal processing unit that receives the adjustment signal and adjusts the image signal based on the received adjustment signal; and a controller which analyzes the input signal and controls the adjustment signal generating unit to change characteristics of the adjustment signal if the adjustment signal does not lie within a blanking interval between the synchronization signal and the active signal. With this configuration, even when an image signal having a reduced blanking interval between the synchronization signal and the active signal is input, the adjustment signal can be generated within the blanking interval of the image signal, not within the active signal interval.

Abstract: A sync signal acquisition device is disclosed which comprises a transistor, a resistor, a clamper, an analog multiplexer and a comparator. While operating in a composite HS mode, prior to the generation of the sync signal HS, the invention uses a conventional circuit to extract a composite sync signal at start-up, thereby allowing related circuits to generate the sync signal HS and a clamping signal. Then, a mode selecting signal is used to disable the automatic clamping mode and switch the analog multiplexer to a forced clamping mode. At this point, the output voltage of the damper is set by a user instead of process; accordingly, the DC voltage level is more controllable, but not subject to drift due to process changes or temperature changes.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for restoration of DC in video signals is presented. A sample pulse representing the back porch of an incoming video signal is generated from the horizontal sync signal. The sample pulse triggers a sample and hold circuit to acquire the correct offset voltage in the output signal during this back porch period. The offset voltage feeds back through a summing node upstream of either the circuit causing the offset or an input amplifier thereby restoring the video signal to the desired DC voltage level with respect to ground.

Abstract: An image processing device is provided which comprises an input unit and an analog front end circuit with DC inputs. According to the invention, no capacitor is installed in the input unit and no clamper is installed in the AFE circuit with DC inputs. By appropriately selecting a comparing voltage and adding a level shifter or a compensation circuit, the invention can still generate an accurate digital signal.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for restoration of DC in video signals is presented. A sample pulse representing the back porch of an incoming video signal is generated from the horizontal sync signal. The sample pulse triggers a sample and hold circuit to acquire the correct offset voltage in the output signal during this back porch period. The offset voltage feeds back through a summing node upstream of either the circuit causing the offset or an input amplifier thereby restoring the video signal to the desired DC voltage level with respect to ground.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a signal processing system is provided that includes: (a) a video input 400 operable to receive a first analog video signal and remove the DC voltage offset component from the video signal to form a DC-adjusted analog video signal; and (b) DC restore circuitry 416 operable to set an average DC voltage of a first portion of the DC-adjusted analog video signal to a ground reference voltage to yield a DC-adjusted analog video signal. The DC-restored analog video signal is then provided to an Analog-to-Digital or A/D converter 112 for conversion into a digital video signal.

Abstract: A circuit and method for clamping a composite video component signal at the video black level by using horizontal synchronization timing information contained within the signal and clamping the signal during a time interval in which it is at the desired black level.

Abstract: A feedback circuit for restoration of DC in video signals is presented. A sample pulse representing the back porch of an incoming video signal is generated from the horizontal sync signal. The sample pulse triggers a sample and hold circuit to acquire the correct offset voltage in the output signal during this back porch period. The offset voltage feeds back through a summing node upstream of either the circuit causing the offset or an input amplifier thereby restoring the video signal to the desired DC voltage level with respect to ground.

Abstract: A sync signal acquisition device is disclosed which comprises a transistor, a resistor, a clamper, an analog multiplexer and a comparator. While operating in a composite HS mode, prior to the generation of the sync signal HS, the invention uses a conventional circuit to extract a composite sync signal at start-up, thereby allowing related circuits to generate the sync signal HS and a clamping signal. Then, a mode selecting signal is used to disable the automatic clamping mode and switch the analog multiplexer to a forced clamping mode. At this point, the output voltage of the damper is set by a user instead of process; accordingly, the DC voltage level is more controllable, but not subject to drift due to process changes or temperature changes.

Abstract: A brightness limitation system is employed in a television circuit to prevent the black reference voltage level and the video signal from entering a minimum signal clipping zone, to provide precise correction signal, limiting the brightness, to maintain a constant black reference voltage level, and maintain a video signal with dynamic amplitude. The brightness limitation circuit detects a minimum signal level amongst the black reference signals from each color channel and compares the minimum signal with a fixed voltage level to generate a brightness feedback signal. The brightness feedback signal is then used to modify the black reference signal level for each color channel.

Abstract: To provide an image processing system, projector, information storage medium and black and white extension processing method which can improve the quality of image when at least one of white extension and black extension is performed to video signals, a extension degree setting section is controlled by using a control section to change a degree of extension only when a change-over of scenes occurs, and luminance values of R-signals, G-signals and B-signals are extended toward one of white and black sides with the degree of extension set by the extension degree setting section by using extending sections and a luminance changing section.

Abstract: A color video display signal processor comprises a source of a color difference signal and an analog to digital converter for converting the color difference signal to a digital signal. A potential divider is coupled to reference voltages of the analog to digital converter for generating a clamp voltage. A clamp arrangement is coupled to the color difference signal and to the analog to digital converter and receives the clamp reference voltage. In response to a clamp pulse the clamp arrangement couples said clamp voltage to said color difference signal.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for performing dot inversion with standard drivers and backplane on novel display panel layouts. Suitable dot inversion schemes are implmented on a liquid crystal display having a panel and a driver circuit. The panel substantially comprises a subpixel repeating group, the group having a even number of subpixels across a first direction. The driver circuit comprises a set of drivers, coupled to the panel providing image data signals to the panel, the signals effecting substantially a dot inversion scheme to the panel. The drivers are also substantially connected to the columns of the panel in a sequence along the driver circuit wherein at least one driver is not connected to a column of the panel, and at least two subpixel regions of the panel having same colored subpixels in the two regions with substantially different polarities.

Abstract: A color video display signal processor comprises a source of a color difference signal and an analog to digital converter for converting the color difference signal to a digital signal. A potential divider is coupled to reference voltages of the analog to digital converter for generating a clamp voltage. A clamp arrangement is coupled to the color difference signal and to the analog to digital converter and receives the clamp reference voltage. In response to a clamp pulse the clamp arrangement couples said clamp voltage to said color difference signal.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing TV audio/video/program guide settings, based on a biosensor signal representative of viewer mood.

Abstract: In a video stabilizing circuit for a display apparatus, the clamp levels of R, G and B chromatic signals are controlled by feeding back the output currents of respective R, G and B terminals so that real time responses can be made, as against the fluctuations of video output load, thereby obtaining high brightness displays. The circuit according to the present invention is characterized in that output currents of R, G and B terminals are fed back from video output sections to clamp level control sections. The potential of a cut-off control terminal of the video pre-amplifier is then varied in such a manner that, if the beam current sensed by the clamp level control section is large, the bias voltage of the chromatic signals is made small. If the beam current sensed by the clamp level control section is small, the bias voltage of the chromatic signals is made large. Therefore, during a high brightness display, fluctuations in the brightness of the high beams and low beams is reduced and display is improved.

Abstract: An offset level detection method for auto color gain control of analog video signals, which is used to find an optimal offset level for determining the input of the auto color gain control. The method includes at least the following steps: First, a lower limit of the min of analog video signals is determined. The position of the lower limit of the min is set as a first min. An upper limit of the min is searched backwards from the first min. The position of the upper limit of the min is set as a second min. Finally, the first min and the second min are averaged to obtain an optimal offset level.

Abstract: A primary color video output circuit for limiting an input video signal. The circuit includes a clipping circuit, a reference voltage generating circuit and an amplifier. The clipping circuit limits the level of the input video signal based on a reference voltage generated by the reference voltage generating circuit. The amplifier is then used to amplify the clipped video signal.

Abstract: A video signal clamping circuit for maintaining a constant clamping output level is disclosed including a clamper for generating a clamping output level in response to a reference voltage by use of an external condenser receiving a video signal and a plurality of transistors, a level variation detector for sensing a variation the clamping output level of the clamper and generating a level variation signal corresponding to the variation in the clamping output level, and a reference voltage compensator connected to the level variation detector, for receiving the level variation signal and compensating for the reference voltage of the clamper.

Abstract: A luminance signal generation circuit with single clamp and horizontal synchronization pulse generation circuit generates a separate luminance video signal Y, representing RGB input signals, and having a horizontal synchronization pulse. During a burst period, the single clamping circuit compares the separate luminance signal Y to a reference signal. A difference signal, representing the difference between the separate luminance signal Y and the reference signal, is used to adjust a blanking level of the RGB input signals until the blanking level of the separate luminance signal Y is equal to the reference signal. During the non-burst periods, the single clamping circuit is disabled and a Y-matrix circuit combines the RGB input signals into the separate luminance signal Y. A horizontal synchronization pulse generation circuit generates a horizontal synchronization pulse to be added to the clamped separate luminance signal Y.

Abstract: A color picture display apparatus is provided having a driving circuit for a display device so that a low light adjustment is not influenced by a high light adjustment during white balance adjustment. Horizontal blanking period is blanked by a transistor and a clamping potential of a low light level for white balance adjustment is added to the above blanked signal. The signal, to which a clamping potential was added, is gain-adjusted and clamped by a capacitor and a transistor. Next, the clamped portion is blanked at a transistor and the blanked signal is supplied to a CRT through a driving stage. Low light adjustment is done by adjusting clamping potential with a potentiometer and high light adjustment is done by adjusting gain with another potentiometer.

Abstract: Video components U and V are applied to an input of a multiplexer. An output signal of the multiplexer is clamped using a clamper that is common for each of the video signal components. An input of the multiplexer is located upstream of the clamper. The clamped signal is processed through an analog-to-digital converter and applied to a line memory for providing video line doubling.

Abstract: A color corrector receiving a video signal as an input signal and producing an output signal representing a function of power of the input signal includes a logarithmic converter for achieving a logarithmic conversion of the input signal and outputting a resultant signal, a variable gain amplifier for altering amplitude of the signal from the logarithmic converter and outputting an obtained signal, and an antilogarithmic converter connected to the amplifier for outputting a signal representing an exponential function of the signal from the amplifier.

Abstract: A gradation compensating apparatus comprises a skin color detecting circuit for detecting a skin color signal from an inputted color difference signal, a compensation amount controlling circuit for controlling the signal level by the skin color detecting signal as a compensating signal, an APL detecting circuit for detecting an APL level from an inputted luminance signal and for outputting the detected APL level as an APL voltage, an APL controlling circuit for controlling the compensating signal level by the APL voltage, an output circuit for outputting a compensating output voltage by controlling the compensating signal with an inputted dc voltage, and a CRT driving circuit for controlling the brightness of the picture by using the compensating output voltage as a cutoff reference voltage.

Abstract: A bias source (R7,R8,C24) connected to a summing amplifier (Q1) produces a first DC bias at the amplifier input (emitter) and a second DC bias at the amplifier output (collector). A first circuit node (B) is AC coupled (22) to a luminance signal source (Y1, 18), DC coupled via a first resistor (R4) to the input of the summing amplifier and DC coupled via a first amplifier (28) to a luminance load (Y3,30). A second circuit node (A) is AC coupled (20) to a chrominance signal source (C1,18), DC coupled via a second resistor (R3) to the input (emitter, Q1) of the summing amplifier and DC coupled via a second amplifier (26) to a chrominance signal load (C3,30). A third amplifier (Q2) provides DC coupling of the output of the summing amplifier (Q1) to a composite video signal load (E,40).

Abstract: A driver for a cathode ray tube includes a black level compensation circuit which generates an offset voltage which tracks the current flowing to the output of the driver and therefore the average picture level (APL). The offset voltage is added as a component of the output voltage so as to increasingly shift the output voltage toward black as the APL increases. This compensates for CRT gamma non-linearities and for light scattering effects which might otherwise cause the loss of perceived detail and sharpness in dark areas of a high APL image. In the disclosed embodiment, the driver comprises a cascode amplifier and the offset voltage generating element includes a capacitively bypassed resistor connected in a reference voltage network connected to the emitter circuit of the lower (common emitter configured) transistor of the cascode amplilfier.

Abstract: A video signal clamp involves evaluating the difference between the signal level and the desired clamp level during the back porch interval. A correction signal indicates whether the signal level must be increased or decreased to establish the desired clamp level. Generation of the correction signal involves a median filter algorithm. Any required increase or decrease of the signal level occurs continuously throughout each horizontal line interval.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus includes an image sensing circuit, an inverting circuit for inverting a polarity of an output of the image sensing circuit, and a correcting circuit for correcting a black reference level of the output of the image sensing circuit in accordance with an operation of the inversion circuit.

Abstract: A pedestal clamping device clamps a pedestal level of an input video signal in response to a predetermined pedestal voltage, and converts the input video signal into a clamped video signal. A black-level expanding device expands a tone of a black portion of the clamped video signal, and converts the clamped video signal into a black-level expanded video signal. A color greatest detecting device detects a greatest of color signals of the input video signal. A adding device adds an output signal from the color greatest detecting device and the pedestal voltage.

Abstract: In an image pick up device, signal level of red, green and blue color signals is coarsely adjusted in a signal processing circuit, and then a black level of video signal is finely adjusted in a digital signal processing circuit, thereby being capable of easily adjusting the black level and improving the accuracy of black level adjustment.

Abstract: A clamp circuit including a clamping capacitor and a differential amplifier charge and discharge the clamping capacitor in accordance with the magnitude of difference signals applied to the differential amplifier's inverting and non-inverting inputs. The inverting input receives the voltage produced by the clamping capacitor. This voltage is digitized by an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and is set to a reference voltage range by a voltage divider network. The ADC output signal is compared to a given reference level corresponding to a selected voltage in the reference voltage range to produce a difference output signal. This difference output signal is summed with the selected voltage in the reference voltage range and applied to the non-inverting input of the differential amplifier to produce a clamp voltage with substantially minimum offsets due to the amplifier, ADC and DAC.

Abstract: An RGB preamplifier for a video display includes respective multipliers independently operable for adjusting the contrast of input primary and secondary video signals. The contrast adjusted video signals are added to form a combined display signal, the combined signal being applied to the first inputs of primary and secondary comparators each of which is also supplied with a respective reference DC level. The primary and secondary video signals are alternately nulled at horizontal line rate by nulling the corresponding multipliers. The primary comparator samples the combined signal when the secondary signal is nulled for clamping the DC level of the primary signal in relation to the primary reference DC level and the secondary comparator samples the combined signal when the primary signal is nulled for clamping the DC level of the secondary signal in relation to the secondary reference DC level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for adjustment of the white balance of a CRT display system enabling white balance adjustment to be performed in a short time and a television receiver using the same. The white balance adjustment apparatus has a level adjustment circuit, an attenuation resistor, a video signal output circuit, a coupling capacitor, and a synchronous-signal-tip level clamp circuit and is connected to the cathode electrode. The level adjustment circuit has a variable amplifier which amplifies only the video signal component V, a synchronous signal separation circuit, a variable amplifier for causing attenuation of the horizontal synchronous signal H-SYNC, a signal addition circuit, and an AND gate. In the white balance adjustment mode, the ratio of levels of the video signal and synchronous signal is changed from the usual 0.714:0.218 to, for example, 0.714:0.005.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus adds a plurality of input digital chroma image data and input digital luminance image data during a back porch of the input image data and outputs average value data. A subtractor subtracts the average value data, from the input digital chroma image data and input digital luminance image data and outputs data, using a first subtracting method for the chroma image data and a second subtracting method, different from the first subtracting method, for the luminance image data. A memory stores the data output by the subtractor. The input digital chroma image data and the input digital luminance image data are sampled at a frequency an integral number of times as great as a frequency of a subcarrier, and are added.

Abstract: Offset cancelling circuitry for cancelling offsets among the reference levels of a plurality of video signals each being associated with a particular color. The video signals are each applied to a particular differential amplifier. A multiplexer and a sample and hold circuit multiplex the video signals so as to output the video signal through a single circuit. An analog-to-digital converter converts the multiplexed video signals to corresponding digital data. The color-by-color digital data are each averaged and the resulting mean values are used as correction data. Alternatively, the digital data from the analog-to-digital converter may be transformed to analog data and then fed back to the differential amplifiers as detected and integrated correction data. Further, the multiplexed video signals may be clamped by a clamp buffer circuit and fed back to the differential amplifiers. As a result, offsets among the video signals are cancelled via the sample and hold circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus that is self-contained with video equipment, such as a video camera or video record/playback device, and which generates video signal adjustment data for use by video signal processing circuits that are included in such video equipment. An input video signal is coupled to luminance and/or chroma digital signal processing circuits which are supplied with luminance or chroma adjustment control data, respectively, for subjecting the input video signal to predetermined luminance or chroma adjustment operations, thereby producing adjusted digital luminance and chroma signals, respectively. At least one of the adjusted digital luminance and chroma signals is sampled at preselected times; and the sampled digital signals are used by an adjustment control data generator for generating the luminance and/or chroma adjustment control data that are supplied to the luminance and/or chroma digital signal processing circuits.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for electronically processing negative composite video signals, wherein the negative composite video signals correspond to a negative image as produced by the projection of negative photographic film. The negative composite video signals are converted to positive composite video signals. The entire portion of the negative composite video signal between adjacent horizontal blanking portions is electronically inverted. The horizontal blanking portions of the negative composite video, which include the color burst signal, are not inverted. The composite signal that results includes the blanking portions, having the color burst signal, in their original, unaltered state. The image portion of the resulting composite signal, i.e., the portions of the resulting composite signal between the horizontal blanking portions, is inverted, and the resulting composite video signal is thus converted from negative to positive state.