Abstract: CMOS pixel sensors have been of interest as replacements for CCD's in imaging applications. Such devices promise lower power and simpler system level design through fewer power supply voltages and higher functional integration. It is difficult and cost ineffective to utilize images to test active pixel sensors. Here, a method and apparatus for electrical testing of CMOS pixel sensors is described which involves electrically writing a pattern into the CMOS pixel sensors for the detection of adjacent cell shorts or stuck at faults as well as verification of read-channel circuit functionality and performance. The invention provides for an electrical testing of CMOS pixel array that is simple, time efficient and cost effective for use in, for example, production.

Abstract: In an image pickup apparatus which is provided with both a large-size image display monitor and an EVF of the type which is provided in a video camera or the like, the EVF is provided with a proximity-of-eye detecting circuit, and if proximity of an eye of a photographer is detected, the large-size image display monitor is turned off. However, if the large-size image display monitor faces the direction of a subject side, the large-size image display monitor remains on. Accordingly, power consumption is reduced, and a subject can visually confirm a photographed image even during photography. In addition, if the proximity of the eye of the photographer is detected, control of the image pickup apparatus based on an external (for example, wireless) control signal is inhibited.

Abstract: An image sensor is described which provides a smoothed output without storing data from photoelectric conversion elements at off-chip data storage device(s). The image sensor includes a plurality of neuron MOSFETs and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, each photoelectric conversion element corresponding to one of the plurality of neuron MOSFETS. Each neuron MOSFET has at least a primary input gate, two or more secondary input gates and an output. The primary input gate of each neuron MOSFET is coupled to its corresponding photoelectric conversion element. The secondary input gates are coupled to selected ones of the other photoelectric conversion elements. A switch is coupled to the output of each of the plurality of neuron MOSFETs. The switch selectively couples each of the plurality of neuron MOSFETs to an output of the image sensor. In order to provide edge detection, a plurality of MOSFETs are provided, each having an input coupled to a respective photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A digital electronic still-video camera is capable of performing rapid-sequence photography at high speeds. When a rapid-sequence photographic mode has been set, each of a plurality of frames of image data obtained by such photography is compressed. Image data which forms a single multiple-frame picture is constructed by a set of image data composed of the compressed plurality of frames. Thinning out is performed in order to compress the image data. The image data is successively stored, while being thinned out, at corresponding addresses of an image memory in such a manner that a multiple-frame picture is constructed in the image memory. After photography in the rapid-sequence mode ends, the image data in the image memory is subjected to data compression and then recorded on a memory card.

Abstract: A two-dimensional imaging system employs a multiplicity of radiation sensors disposed in an array of rows and columns. In order to couple signals from each of the sensors from an inaccessible location to an accessible location for processing of the sensor signals to produce an image of a subject viewed by the sensors, a fiber optic link employing both frequency multiplexing and frequency modulation of sensor data connects the sensor array with the signal processing equipment. In each column of the array, the sensors produce electrical signals which are coupled via a multiplexer to modulate the frequency of a voltage-controlled oscillator. A plurality of oscillators are provided for the concurrent generation of frequency-modulated signals which are then summed together to produce a composite signal. The composite signal is transmitted via a fiber-optic link to the signal processing equipment wherein the composite signal is demodulated and the frequency contributions of the various sensors are identified.

Abstract: An analog voltage signal corresponding to a light intensity received by a photosensitive pixel is sampled. At the time when thus sampled analog voltage signal is inputted into a clamping circuit, a comparative voltage signal changing over time is coupled therewith by means of capacitive coupling. In a comparator circuit, the voltage level of the output signal from the clamping circuit is compared with the reference voltage level, while being changed. Then, the counter digital signal at the moment when the comparison result signal changes is latched in a holding circuit. Thus, imaging is executed accurately at a high speed.

Abstract: An image sensor is described which provides a smoothed output without storing data from photoelectric conversion elements at off-chip data storage device(s). The image sensor includes a plurality of neuron MOSFETs and a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, each photoelectric conversion element corresponding to one of the plurality of neuron MOSFETS. Each neuron MOSFET has at least a primary input gate, two or more secondary input gates and an output. The primary input gate of each neuron MOSFET is coupled to its corresponding photoelectric conversion element. The secondary input gates are coupled to selected ones of the other photoelectric conversion elements. A switch is coupled to the output of each of the plurality of neuron MOSFETs. The switch selectively couples each of the plurality of neuron MOSFETs to an output of the image sensor. In order to provide edge detection, a plurality of MOSFETs are provided, each having an input coupled to a respective photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A light quantity control device includes a motor, a light quantity control member arranged to be moved by the motor used as a drive source, a speed detecting part arranged to form speed information by using information on a change of the position of the light quantity control member, a first circuit arranged to generate a first control voltage for the motor, taking the speed information into consideration, and a second control circuit arranged to generate a second control voltage for the motor, the second control voltage being opposite in polarity to the first control voltage and having the same absolute value as the first control voltage.

Abstract: A combination of digital camera design and digital photography technique that allows a single digital camera to be used for both single-shot and multiple-shot color operation. The invention includes a digital camera half of the light-sensing elements of which--the "majority pixels"--are sensitive to a first primary color and the other half of which--the "minority pixels"--are divided about equally between those sensitive to a second primary color and those sensitive to a third primary color. Further, these light-sensitive elements are arranged so that by a simple lateral shift of the array, typically by the width of a single pixel, every one of the majority pixels will be moved into a position previously held by one of the minority pixels. When used in conjunction with known pixel-interpolation methods this camera produces single-shot digital images equal or better in color quality to any existing single-shot digital camera.

Abstract: An image movement vector detection apparatus detects an image movement vector from an image signal produced by a video camera. The apparatus includes a vibration vector detector which detects a vibration vector from the image signal resulting from vibration of the video camera. An image movement vector detector detects an image movement vector representing movement of an object within the image signal based both on the image signal and the vibration vector.

Abstract: A signal correction circuit for correcting deviating pixel values includes a part (113, 117) for comparing a first pixel value (R.sub.orig) of a given pixel with a second value (R.sub.filt) obtained from pixel values of pixels surrounding the given pixel so as to supply a decision signal (decR) if a predetermined criterion is satisfied; and a multiplexer (115) coupled to the above-noted part (113, 117) for supplying the second value (R.sub.filt) if the predetermined criterion is satisfied for not more than one color (R,G,B), and for supplying the first pixel value (R.sub.orig) in the opposite case.

Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention preferably comprises an image sensor, an orientation sensor, a memory and a processing unit. The image sensor is used for generating captured image data. The orientation sensor is coupled to the image sensor, and is used for generating signals relating to the position of the image sensor. The memory, has an auto-rotate unit comprising program instructions for transforming the captured image data into rotated image data in response to the orientation sensor signals. The processing unit, executes program instructions stored in the memory, and is coupled to the image sensor, the orientation sensor and the memory. The method of the present invention preferably comprises the steps of: generating image data representative of an object with an image sensor; identifying an orientation of the image sensor relative to the object during the generating step; and selectively transferring the image data to an image processing unit in response to the identifying step.

Abstract: In a frame-by-frame color image pickup apparatus, images of light components transmitted through red, green, and blue filters of a rotating filter are introduced to an image pickup device arranged in an optical path with rotating filter. The cells in the image pickup device are grouped into cell blocks, each block made up of four cells arranged in one horizontal row and four vertical columns. The rotational speed of the rotating filter is increased, and the cells within each block selected by switches for reading are fixed when an image is dynamic, a quarter of all the cells are read at one cycle of revolution of the rotating filter, and the remaining cells are interpolated to form one frame image. Color breakup is thus precluded. When an image is still, the cells selected are switched at each cycle of revolution of the rotating filter, and all the cells are read over four cycles of revolution of the rotating filter. Thus, a high resolution color image is obtained.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor arranged to photoelectrically convert an image light coming from an object, an iris arranged to adjust the quantity of image light incident on the image sensor, a detection circuit for detecting the state of the iris, a correction circuit to correct the output of the detection circuit so as to correct a change of the iris caused by a change in the mode of shooting, and a focus adjusting device. The correction circuit is arranged such that, when an aperture value is caused to change by a change in the shooting mode, the correction circuit offsets the change of the aperture value by correcting aperture value information before the aperture value information is supplied to the focus adjusting device.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating an auto-focus measurement value for use in performing an auto-focus operation on the basis of contrast components in a video signal. The apparatus includes a line peak circuit which sequentially receives lines of the video signal and generates therefrom a sequence of maximum values of the contrast components of each of the lines. An averaging circuit calculates a rolling average of the line maximum values to form average values. A peak hold circuit outputs a maximum value of the average values as the auto-focus measurement value. The resulting auto-focus measurement value is not greatly affected either by noise or by moving objects within the image represented by the video signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to auto variable anti-blooming bias circuits which can automatically vary the anti-blooming bias of the CCD image sensors according to the intensity of light incident thereon. The circuits comprise a DC voltage generation part for receiving signals fed-back from the output terminal of the CCD image sensor and generating DC voltage by averaging the applied signals, an input voltage generation part for receiving DC voltage transmitted from the DC voltage generation part and generating variable input voltage according to the received DC voltage, and an anti-blooming bias generation part for receiving the variable input voltage transmitted from the input voltage generation part and reference voltage and transmitting to the input, terminal of the CCD image sensor as an anti-blooming bias after comparing the two signals.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device of the charge-coupled type is improved in that the width W1 (as viewed in the charge transfer direction) of each of the transfer gate electrodes for generating transfer elements in the field shift mode, the width W2 (as viewed in the charge transfer direction) of each of the transfer gate electrode for generating potential barriers also in the field shift mode are selected so as to satisfy the following formula, and a buried channel junction depth X.sub.JBC of each of the vertical charge transfer paths are selected so as to satisfy W1>W2 and/or W2>2.multidot.X.sub.JBC. In the inventive image pickup device, the charge quantity transferred is increased without impairing the vertical resolution of the device.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus for imaging an object to produce a high resolution picture from video camera using a charge coupled device having a lower resolution includes an optical processor for segmenting into N pieces and extending N times a received optical image, a device for converting each segmented and extended one of the N pieces to a respective electrical signal and a signal processor for reading all of the respective electrical signals in a predetermined order to thereby process the segmented optical image sequentially so that a high resolution image can be obtained without utilizing a high pixel count charge coupled device. A method for forming high resolution images is also disclosed.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) scanning apparatus which consists of a plurality of nonsquare crystals is disclosured. By modulating a radio of vertical width to lateral width in the nonsquare crystal, the improved CCD scanning, apparatus can decrease the sample width, increase the sample frequency, therefore, it can reduce distortion and improve the quality of the image.

Abstract: A video conference system includes a detecting circuit for detecting an amount corresponding to a movement delay, if the movement delay occurs in a terminal device prepared at a second point when the terminal device is made to perform the movement, in accordance with an instruction sent from the first point, and a memory circuit for storing the amount corresponding to the movement delay detected by the detecting circuit. The device is made to move in a direction opposite to the direction in which the device has been made to move, on the basis of the amount stored in the memory circuit.