Abstract: An automatic exposure control apparatus includes an image frame luminance calculation unit for calculating an average luminance of an image frame; a region luminance calculation unit for calculating average luminances of a plurality of regions, the plurality of regions constituting the image frame; a select region luminance calculation unit for arranging the average luminances obtained by the region luminance calculation unit in the luminance order, for selecting at least one of the plurality of regions according to the luminance order and for calculating an average luminance selected from at least one of the plurality of regions; a backlight degree calculation unit for calculating a value representing a backlight degree based on the average luminance obtained by the select region luminance calculation unit; a target luminance calculation unit for calculating the target average luminance based on the value; and an exposure correction unit for correcting an exposure so that the average luminance obtained by th

Abstract: A camera, which includes a first lens group for a zoom operation, a second lens group for a focus adjustment operation, a motor for moving the first and second lens groups parallel to an optical axis, a sharpness signal detection circuit for extracting a sharpness signal according to a focusing degree from a video signal of an object image formed via the first and second lens groups, and a focus adjustment circuit for performing the focus adjustment operation on the basis of the sharpness signal output from the sharpness signal detection circuit, further includes a sharpness signal detection region changing circuit for changing a region for extracting the sharpness signal at a predetermined period within a picture obtained from the video signal.

Abstract: A color camera capable of providing good dark gradation without color hue and saturation change is disclosed, the color camera comprising a picking-up device for converting an incident light into a video signal, a detector for detecting proportion of an area having a signal level below a predetermined dark level to produce a dark area proportion signal, and a stretching circuit for stretching a dark signal level in the video signal in accordance with the dark area proportion signal.

Abstract: A new and useful method is disclosed for transferring information from cinema film at a first speed to broadcast quality video signals at a second and different, predetermined speed which may be greater or less than the first speed, in a telecine with an internal frame store using a beam of optical information signals.

Abstract: A spatial light modulator (10) of the DMD type having an array of memory cells (16) controlling an array of pixels (12). The memory cell array (16) has several integral, interleaved spare rows of memory cells MR (R1), MR (R2), and MR (R3), which can be selectively utilized to replace a defective row of primary memory cells. A fused row address mapping logic circuit (40) includes a network of fuses (F0-F12) and controls the implementation of memory cells, as well as the mapping of address signals to the memory cells as a function of inputs (R0-R11) received from a row decoder circuit (20). This circuit (40) is transparent to the row address decoder circuit (20). The present invention is suitable for large spatial light modulators compatible with high definition television (HDTV). High yield devices can be obtained with the present invention.

Abstract: An image data circuit compensates sensitivity differences in image detection between a pair of image sensors. The image sensors each include a plurality of charge storage type optical sensing elements. Correction data indicative of sensitivity difference between the image sensors is stored in permanent memory. A clock pulse generator circuit generates clock pulses for counting charge storage periods indicated by output signals from the optical sensing elements. A pair of counter circuits counts the clock pulses and outputs count values corrected with the correction data and corresponding to the charge storage periods. A pair of quantizing circuits converts the output signals to image data based on the corrected count values.

Abstract: A tiltable, rotatable and detachable LCD view finder for a camcorder that enables a user to easily take pictures while viewing the LCD viewfinder. The viewfinder can be rotated 360.degree. and tilted 180.degree. relative to the upper surface of the camcorder body. The viewfinder system includes: an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) viewfinder; a downwardly opened recess formed on a predetermined edge portion of said LCD viewfinder and having a first side wall, a second side wall, a back wall and a semicircular end; and a tiltable, rotatable and detachable compound joint assembly member fitted into said recess for tiltably, rotatably and detachably connecting the LCD viewfinder, whereby the LCD viewfinder can be tilted, rotated, and detached relative to the camcorder body.

Abstract: A mounting array for a planar photo-sensitive imaging CCPD disposed in a camera and adapted to facilitate both position-adjustment and securement of the CCPD in five senses, i.e. Left/Right, up/down, in/out, pitch angle and red angle; third array comprising a planar circuit board for receiving and carrying the CCPD; a pair of like threaded posts projected from the camera to penetrate through respective oversized holes in the board; two pairs of front/rear washers each adapted to adjustably affix the board on a respective post and so facilitate Left/Right, up/down and roll angle adjustment of the board in the oversized holes; the washer means also facilitating in/out adjustment of the board and, by differential-adjustment between both washer pairs further facilitating pitch angle adjustment.

Abstract: An automatic focusing circuit comprises: a lens section including a focusing lens; photoelectric converting means for photoelectrically converting an amount of light which passed through the lens section; a first filter having first frequency characteristics to extract a first high frequency component from a luminance signal; a second filter which is used to extract a second high frequency component from said luminance signal and which has frequency characteristics steeper than those of the first filter; optical black level detecting means for detecting an optical black level of an image pickup signal; and a control section to control the focusing lens on the basis of the optical black level and the first and second high frequency components.

Abstract: There is provided an exposure control circuit apparatus of a structure such that a momentary change of luminance level can be equivalently disregarded, and a response of an iris can be closer to that of the eye of a human being.

Abstract: In an electronic still camera which digitizes a video signal to store it in a memory and displays the signal by reproducing means, a multi-picture control circuit and method for an electronic still camera are disclosed. The circuit comprises a picture selector for inputting a picture to be displayed or a detecting completion instruction, a microcomputer for inputting an instruction from the picture selector to perform a predetermined control, and a multi-picture controller for generating a read address of one picture or multiple pictures written in a main memory under the control of the microcomputer. The circuit and method are capable of displaying more than one picture onto the picture display at a time, thereby reducing the time required to detect more than one picture's worth of data written in the main memory of an electronic still camera.

Abstract: A video camera system for recording an image of an subject. The video camera system includes; a video camera body for recording the image of the subject; a supporting base for supporting a coupling member; the coupling member for coupling the video camera with the supporting base so that the video camera is mounted on the supporting base, and for releasing the video camera from the supporting base; and a controller for setting functions of the video camera, such as the exposure level, the focusing point adjustment mode, the angle of view, the white balance, and the automatic gain control level, to record the image of the subject within a predetermined focal range when the video camera is mounted on the supporting base.

Abstract: An arrangement for high-resolution scanning of large image formats with exact geometrical correspondence is described. It is applied in photogrammetry and in optoelectronic scanners with high requirements regarding exact geometrical correspondence. Metric image contractions of large image formats are obtained without dimension-embodying auxiliary means by employing a CCD matrix which is exactly dimensioned to pixel sensitivity distribution. This CCD matrix is used as an absolute dimensional embodiment, from which only one active pixel area determined as a function of the memory area of the frame grabber is adopted into the frame grabber while ensuring an image contraction which is absolutely synchronous with the pixels.

Abstract: In a moving body detection device of a camera in this invention, in order to correctly detect an area in which a target moving body is present even when the camera moves, an area in which the moving body is present is detected from a plurality of divided areas by comparing respective motion vectors. Further, in the moving body detection device of a camera in this invention, an image of an object derived by use of a video camera is detected by a CPU via a Y/C separation circuit, A/D converter circuit and video RAMs. Motion vectors of image portions are detected from the two image portions which are extracted at two different timings from desired first and second preset areas of the detected image displayed on a display unit by means of the CPU, video RAMs, RAM and ROM. Then, whether an object which is present in the first preset area is a moving body or not is determined by the CPU based on the detected motion vector of the image.

Abstract: When defective pixels of a solid state image pickup device of a video camera are corrected by signal processes, a white spot noise is detected by closing an iris and by comparing the signal level and a level of only a dark current. Further, in this case, a gain of an AGC circuit for controlling a gain of a video signal is raised and a precise detection is executed. By executing such a detecting operation at the time of turn-on or turn-off of a power source, the user is not annoying. In the ordinary photographing, a reference level in detection of a white spot noise is set to an optimum value in accordance with a temperature of the solid state image pickup device or its peripheral temperature or the gain of the AGC circuit so that the white spot noise detection is not influenced by the temperature of the solid state image pickup device or the operating state of the AGC circuit.

Abstract: A solid state image device including: a plurality of photoelectric converting elements arranged in a matrix pattern along a first and a second direction in a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of electric charge transfer regions for receiving electric charges from the photoelectric converting elements and for transferring the electric charges toward the first direction, the electric charge transfer regions being provided adjacent to the plurality of photoelectric converting elements in the semiconductor substrate and extending along the first direction; and a plurality of gate electrodes for applying a voltage to the electric charge transfer regions to transfer the electric charge from the photoelectric converting elements to the electric charge transfer regions, and to transfer the electric charges toward the first direction, each of the gate electrodes having a plurality of transfer electrode portions provided over the electric charge transfer regions and a plurality of clip electrode portions electricall

Abstract: A camera that includes negative film and a CCD sensor for simultaneously capturing images chemically and electronically using a beam splitter. A liquid crystal display is used for viewing the captured images immediately after they are captured or for reviewing images stored in a removable memory for deletion or output. An adjustable lens and mirror which can route light from the source directly to the film when a high quality image is to be captured, so that the source light is not split between the film negative and the sensor. The images can be stored at various densities, such as 3.times.5 print or fax resolution, to match the intended output. The memory is organized into stack locations. Each stack location can store one or more images of varying densities allowing the camera to effectively use the memory. The storage status of each stack location is indicated by stack location partition flags. A full memory can also be removed and replaced.

Abstract: A charge transfer device including a charge input portion for inputting a reference charge, a charge transfer portion for receiving and transferring the reference charge, and a conversion portion converting the reference charge outputted from the charge transfer portion into a reference voltage. The reference charge input portion may be arranged to generate a reference charge. Alternatively, the reference charge may be externally generated. The charge transfer device may further include a signal charge input portion for inputting signal charges to the charge transfer portion. The signal charge input portion may be arranged to generate signal charges corresponding to incident light. Signal charges externally generated may be inputted to the signal charge input portion. The charge transfer device enables a charge-output voltage characteristic to be accurately detected at all times without any problem. It is also possible to accurately control the charge-output voltage characteristic.

Abstract: The invention aims to prevent a head of an ignition plug from being worn. A connecting assembly for an ignition plug P in a gasoline engine comprises a high tension supply terminal 11 adapted to be connected to a high tension cable C, a cylindrical ignition plug connecting terminal 12 having an outwardly extending projection 12b, a high tension supply terminal socket 13 secured to an end of the cylindrical ignition plug connecting terminal 12 and electrically contacted with the high tension supply terminal 11, and a cylindrical plug cap 14 made of a synthetic resin material for receiving the cylindrical ignition plug connecting terminal 12 therein with the outwardly extending projection 12b being embedded in an inner wall of the cap 14. The ignition plug connecting terminal 12 can be secured to the ignition plug P by embedding the outwardly extending projection 12b of the terminal 12 in the plug cap 14.

Abstract: A low-noise FET amplifier is connected to amplify output charge from a che coupled device (CCD). The FET has its gate connected to the CCD in common source configuration for receiving the output charge signal from the CCD and output an intermediate signal at a drain of the FET. An intermediate amplifier is connected to the drain of the FET for receiving the intermediate signal and outputting a low-noise signal functionally related to the output charge signal from the CCD. The amplifier is preferably connected as a virtual ground to the FET drain. The inherent shunt capacitance of the FET is selected to be at least equal to the sum of the remaining capacitances.