Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for sampling an analog, periodic, measured signal, which is subject to a phase jitter. The misread signal is to be detected with a prior event. One measured value is recorded for each individual signal and each successive measured value recording is delayed by a time unit in which each measured value recording takes place in a fixed time grid with a prior event, and in which the point in time of the start of the signal is detected in the time grid and is stored, assigned to the recorded measured value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a video camera apparatus which can automatically correct an image vibration, such as a handling or the like electronically. A control circuit changes an interpolation coefficient .alpha. of an interpolation processing circuit in response to a detected output from a vibration detecting apparatus or an output from a motion vector calculating apparatus that detects a vibration of a video signal. Also, the control circuit controls a scanning pulse generating circuit that derives a scanning pulse for scanning the imager. The scanning pulse generating circuit changes a combination of two scanning lines that are to be interpolated by the interpolation processing circuit using the interpolation coefficient .alpha. by changing the scanning state of the imager when 0.ltoreq..alpha.<X or (1-X)<.alpha..ltoreq.1 and X.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.(1-X) if X is a limited value of the interpolation coefficient .alpha. and the limited value X is a value smaller than 1/2.

Abstract: In the method of driving a solid-state image sensing device, for each vertical blanking (VBL), the signal charges of a first pixel group composed of photosensitive pixels of odd ordinal numbers counted in the vertical direction of the photosensitive region and the signal charges of a second pixel group composed of photosensitive pixels of even ordinal numbers counted in the same way are reversed in the vertical transfer direction, so that the signal charges of the first and second pixel groups can be outputted from the same charge detecting circuit for each field. Further, unnecessary accumulated charges in the pixel groups in the photosensitive region are cleared off in response to an accumulated charge clear pulse.

Abstract: A solid state image sensor comprising a matrix of photosensitive elements adapted to accumulate signal charges corresponding to at least two different aspect ratios, a plurality of vertical shift registers disposed adjacent to columns of the photosensitive elements for a vertical transfer of the signal charges and a plurality of horizontal shift registers corresponding to the respective aspect ratios and disposed in parallel with each other for a horizontal transfer of the signal charges from the vertical shift registers. As a horizontal shift register exclusive to each aspect ratio is provided in the above manner, it is no longer necessary to superimpose the signal outputs of a plurality of buffer amplifiers so that a picture signal corresponding to the desired aspect ratio can be easily read out.

Abstract: There is provided a low-cost CCD solid state imaging device which can make best use of effective pixels and which can obtain images of two or more kinds of aspect ratios without using digital signal processing or any optical means. For creation of wide aspect ratio images, an image is formed by signal charges transferred by a first horizontal CCD. On the other hand, an image is formed by signal charges transferred from the first horizontal CCD to a second horizontal CCD via a coupling, whereby a narrow aspect ratio image with a horizontal dimension shorter than a wide aspect ratio image is created by utilizing any arbitrary horizontal area out of all effective pixels of a light receiving portion, depending on the area where the first horizontal CCD and the second horizontal CCD are coupled with each other by the coupling.

Abstract: A single-output CCD image sensor selectively transfers a normal or a mirror image without changing the combination of clock signals needed by the HCCD. The CCD image sensor comprises VCCD's arrayed in each row, photodiodes connected to the VCCD's through transfer gates, and an upper HCCD connected to one end of the VCCD's. A rotating part for connecting one end of the upper and lower HCCD's as used for one of the normal or mirror image serial transfers. A control gate formed in parallel between the upper and the lower HCCD is used for the other of the normal or mirror image serial transfers, and operates in parallel. An output circuit is connected to the other end of the lower HCCD.

Abstract: In a linear sensor, a charge transfer part is disposed between a one-dimensional array of photodetectors and an overflow drain and includes a CCD having four or more transfer gates for each photodetector for transferring signal charges from the photodetector array in a direction of the photodetector array, transfer gates controlling charge transfer from the photodetectors to the CCD, and shutter gates for controlling charge transfer from the charge transfer part to the overflow drain. Each transfer gate is disposed between each photodetector and a prescribed one of the four or more transfer gates, and each shutter gate is disposed between the prescribed transfer gate and the overflow drain. The four or more CCD transfer gates are controlled by four or more phase driving clocks.

Abstract: A high speed clock driver circuit for use with an area image sensor which has two horizontal shift registers is disclosed. Circuitry is provided which is responsive to the third level of one of the horizontal high speed clock driver signal and the vertical transfer signals for enabling the transfer, in parallel, of pixels from the first register into the second horizontal shift register.

Abstract: An image sensor of charge storage type and a driving method of the image sensor. A light signal from a photosensitive element is read by an amplifier and the read signal is held in a sample hold circuit of a signal detector. Next, a voltage is given from a variable power source to the amplifier and a signal output from the amplifier is compared with the previously held signal in a comparator in the signal detector. The voltage of the variable power source at an equal point where the two signals are coincident with each other in the comparison is read as a true value. Hence, irrespective of dispersion of characteristics of amplifiers, the correct value can be always detected. The influences of the dispersion of the amplifiers, a temperature change and a time-drift of TFT characteristics are removed to improve S/N.

Abstract: In a still image pickup apparatus of the kind arranged to start an exposure by causing an image sensor to begin an accumulating action and to end the exposure by using a light-shielding member having a poor responsivity, the exposure time is arranged to be controlled by allowing the accumulating action of the image sensor to begin after the light-shielding member starts the light-shielding action for terminating the exposure time. This arrangement enables the apparatus to perform a high-speed shutter operation irrespectively of the responsivity of the light-shielding member.

Abstract: An inflatable restraint system includes a diagnostic circuit which measures the resistance of an external deployment path containing a squib. The circuit supplies a test current through the path and measures the voltage across the path which is monitored by a microprocessor. A vehicle battery supplies the power to the system and is connected to a constant current source in series with the external path to provide the test current. A current limiting device between the external circuit and ground comprises a current sink allowing a maximum safe current in the external circuit in the event of inadvertent application of battery voltage to the external circuit and, during a normal resistance test, imposes only a small voltage drop on the test current circuit.

Abstract: A method for producing an image with a wide dynamic range using an imaging element in which periods for accumulating charges can be varied in one field is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: reading a charge stored in the imaging element in a first period of the field as a first signal; reading a charge stored in the imaging element in a second period of the field as a second signal, the second period being different from the first period; applying a first weight to the first signal in accordance with the level of the first signal; applying a second weight to the second signal in accordance with the level of the second signal; producing a synthesized signal by synthesizing the weighted first signal and the weighted second signal; and compressing the level of the synthesized signal to a predetermined standard level.

Abstract: A two color, light emitting diode having a green diode and a red diode therein is incorporated with a control switch for an automotive accessory. The control switch is normally green in color providing a finger target when the system is not operated because only the green diode emits light. The diode is amber in color upon closing the switch because the red diode and green diode are both illuminated. The two color, light emitting diode is used for accessory systems such as electric windows, traction control systems, rear window defrosters and other accessory systems.

Abstract: A television camera equipped with a continuously-variable-speed electronic shutter function which can control the charge-storing time of a solid-state image sensor and an amplifier so that a video signal follows the optimum light amount for a subject at high speed and with high accuracy. A shutter-equipped image sensor which is controlled by a shutter pulse generating unit, converts light incident on an optical lens into an electric signal. The electric signal, after being passed through an amplifier and a signal processing unit, is detected by a video level detecting unit as a video level. A shutter control unit holds the shutter amount corresponding to the video level for each field to immediately calculate an estimated shutter amount by using a predetermined equation, and supplies the calculated shutter amount to the shutter pulse generating unit for each field. A control mode decision unit exclusively controls a gain control unit serving as an AGC and the shutter control unit.

Abstract: A video camera having an imaging device providing a video signal comprises; lens means for focusing an object leading to the imaging device, signal processor or processing outputs of the imaging device to video signals, focus detection means for detecting focus information of the object, drive means for driving the lens according to outputs of the focus detection means, and control means for controlling the lens position from first position to a predetermined position when the power is supplied.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a CCD camera comprising those sequential processes comprises steps of shifting a spot light source held by a positioning device, in front of a fixed CCD camera between two remote points on a visual line in order that light beam in the center of the light source can be incident upon predetermined picture element of a solid sensor built in the CCD camera, computing angles between a plurality of visual lines generated by shifting the light source and the optical axis of the CCD camera based on position data related to the positioning device, and calibrating the corresponding relationship between the angle of light beam incident upon the CCD camera and the predetermined picture elements built in the solid sensor.

Abstract: An object tracking apparatus for an automatic zoom lens control in a video camera includes a memory for storing data for zoom track lines showing the relationship between the distance variation of a zoom lens and the distance variation of a focus lens while the distance of an object is kept constant, a zoom encoder for producing a zoom position signal showing the zoom lens position, a microcomputer for detecting the variation amount of the zooming position, and a zoom motor for variably controlling the zoom lens position corresponding to the detected zoom speed. A corresponding method for automatic object tracking using a zoom lens is also described.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device includes an image sensor having a two-dimensional matrix of picture elements. A first vertical scanning circuit provides a first vertical scanning signal, while a second vertical scanning circuit provides second and third vertical scanning signals. A switching circuit is coupled with horizonal lines of picture elements in the image sensor on one vertical side of the two-dimensional matrix and serves to switch either the first vertical scanning signal from the first vertical scanning circuit to the horizontal lines of picture elements, or in the alternative, the second and third vertical scanning signals from the second vertical scanning circuit thereto. When selected by the switching circuit, the first vertical scanning signal reads the picture elements in a respective horizontal line and a horizontal scanning circuit scans the picture elements in the selected horizontal line to read image signals from these picture elements.