Abstract: A video zooming method and video camera adopting the same prevents a near object from becoming out of focus when zooming. The video camera selects a tele-state (high-power magnification) according to input from a user to perform a zooming operation and then checks a focusing state. When the lens is in focus, a zooming operation is performed while zoom lens position information and corresponding focus lens position information are stored; when the lens is out of focus, optical zooming and focusing operations are performed using the just-previously stored focus lens position information and the corresponding zoom lens position information. Then, a digital zooming operation is performed with respect to the video signal obtained from the optical zooming and focusing operations. Thus, although an automatic focusing is performed when zooming the zoom lens, a near object is prevented from becoming out of focus when the magnification is high-power or greater.

Abstract: In a digital still camera, it is cumbersome for the camera user to set an image photographing method and saving method of the photographed image, which are suitable for each object. When a photographing mode suitable for a moving object such as a “sports mode” is set, normal photographing is done, and the photographed image is lossless-compressed and saved. When a photographing mode suitable for a still object such as a “portrait mode” is set, a high-resolution image is captured by pixel shift photographing. The photographed image is lossy-compressed and saved.

Abstract: Geometric configurations for photosites found on photosensitive chips for creating electrical signals from an original image, as would be found, for example, in a digital scanner, copier, printer, facsimile machine, or other document generating or reproducing device. The photosensitive chips are mounted on a substrate to form a photosensitive array in a full width scanner or other photosensitive device. The geometric configurations reduce the Moiré patterns to provide a higher quality image.

Abstract: When the flash emission mode is set in continuous photography, the amount of emission of the built-in flash during continuous photography and the charge amount of the main condenser needed to realize this light emission are estimated. The gain is increased from a standard value when the charging time for obtaining the aforesaid charge amount is greater than the continuous frame speed. In this way continuous photography is accomplished while the shutter button is fully pressed without reducing the continuous frame speed.

Abstract: A field editing system for editing materials in a material collecting place. Data for management of digital video and audio signals and data of an edit list are recorded on a disc-like recording medium together with the digital video and audio signals. Collected materials can be processed on the common disc-like recording medium from image pickup to editing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a picture display using CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor; and, more particularly, to a CMOS image sensor having a testing circuit embedded therein and a method for verifying operation of the CMOS image sensor using the testing circuit. The CMOS image sensor according to the present invention includes a control/interface unit for controlling its operation sensor using a state machine and for interfacing the CMOS image sensor with an external system; a pixel array including a plurality of pixels sensing images from an object and generating analogue signals according to an amount of incident light; a converter for converting the analogue signals into digital signals to be processed in a digital logic circuit; and a testing circuit for verifying operations of the converter and the control/interface unit, by controlling the converter.

Abstract: A CCTV surveillance system is provided with an optical device (60) for providing different images through different areas of the CCTV camera lens (14) controllably at different times. The different images can be used to improve the resolution of the images obtained, or to increase the field of view, by sacrificing the image refresh rate.

Abstract: An intensity value is independently estimated based upon interpolated values as well as measured sensor values according to the location of an individual sensor within a sensor unit. The interpolated values are in either CrCb or RGB values while an estimated intensity value is in Y value. The independent intensity value substantially improves color resolution.

Abstract: An image capture module and an image capture apparatus for inputting shape of an object in three dimensional space, including a light emitting section which emits light to the object for reflection by the object and imaging of reflected light on a photo-receiving plane of a reflected light image detecting section via an image capture optical system. The reflected light image detecting section detects a reflected light image indicative of a distribution of intensity of the reflected light. The light may be irradiated evenly to the object and the shape of the object may be detected correctly even if the object has irregularity by disposing the light emitting section closely to the image capture optical system. The object may be illuminated evenly by the light from a light emitting section having plural light emitting elements by disposing the light emitting elements symmetrically about the image capture optical system.

Abstract: The present invention is aimed to provide an autofocus device and a correction method of correcting a zoom tracking curve for an intermediate subject distance without increase in storage capacity. A plurality of zoom tracking curves L1(Z) and L2(Z) corresponding to a plurality of different subject distance and correction data &agr;(Z) calculated in advance are stored in a memory 16. A control circuit 10 carries out a predetermined interpolation process using the stored plurality of zoom tracking curves and correction data to calculate a zoom tracking curve L(Z) corrected with respect to a subject distance differing from the plurality of subject distance. Tracking control of focus is carried out according to this calculated zoom tracking curve.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable fixing device of a CCD plate comprising at least a central supporter and a mask device. The central supporter is made of non-transparency material. The mask device and the central supporter are approximately combined by a supporting device. The mask device and the central supporter are moved with respect to one another in a traveling range. An adhesive agent is filled to the place between the mask device and the central supporter for combining the mask device and the central supporter in a fixing position in the traveling range. Thereby, the central supporter is made of non-transparency material without needing to be performed with light shield process or installed with light shield element for effectively reducing cost. A preferred guiding structure is formed between the central supporter and the mask device for guiding the central supporter and the mask device so that they may move steadily.

Abstract: In a solid state image device which has at least a horizontal CCD register, the horizontal CCD register is covered with a light shielding film which is formed by a resin material.

Abstract: A charge transfer device is disclosed wherein three pixel rows are arranged adjacently to each other. First to third pixel rows are arranged adjacently to each other, and the charge transfer device includes a first charge transfer element for reading out and transferring signal charges generated in the first pixel row and a second charge transfer element for reading out and transferring signal charges generated in the second and third pixel rows. Second readout electrodes for reading out signal charges generated in the second pixel row into the second charge transfer element are provided with one electrode placed between adjacent pixels of the third pixel row.

Abstract: DVD-video data and DVD-audio data are recorded in a DVD-Avd disc. The DVD-audio data is composed of an audio manager having an audio manager information, an audio manager menu, a first audio title set including first audio data and a second audio title set including second audio data. The first audio data of the first audio title set is connected with audio contents included in the DVD-video data, and a real time information (RTI) pack or a still picture (SPCT) pack is included in the second audio title set. Therefore, the audio contents of the DVD-video data and the audio data of the DVD-audio data are managed by the audio manager information, and text information indicated by real time information or a still picture is displayed while reproducing the audio data. Also, DVD-video data recorded in a DVD-video disc, which is normally reproduced by using a reproducing apparatus dedicated to the DVD-video disc, can be reproduced by using a reproducing apparatus for the DVD-Avd disc.

Abstract: A method for attaching imagers to color-separation prisms includes the steps of: arranging three solid-state array image sensor integrated circuits behind and in close proximity to the output faces of a color-separating prism having substantially equal optical path lengths for the three paths, the three solid-state array image sensor integrated circuits each having a solid-state array image sensor and bonding pads for electrical connections disposed on a top face thereof; aligning the three sensors such that the images traversing the three paths are coincident within a pixel dimension of the image sensors; filling the space between each output face of the prism and the top face of the corresponding image sensor with index-matched adhesive; and causing the index-matched adhesive to become rigid while maintaining the alignment of the three image sensors.

Abstract: A hood device 10 is provided for a two-dimensionally-scanning camera 20. The scanning camera 20 includes a body housing 22 and an image pickup optical system 28 housed in the body housing 22 for capturing an image in the field of view. The scanning camera 20 has a finder screen 36 provided on the top surface of the body housing 22. The body housing 22 further has a photographing window 30 formed therein, through which environmental light may enter the image pickup optical system 28 so as to form an image to be captured by the scanning camera 20. The hood device 10 comprises a hood mechanism 42 coupled to the body housing 22 and movable between first and second positions. The hood mechanism 42, when in the first position, covers the finder screen 36 and close the photographing window 30. The hood mechanism 42, when in the second position, uncovers the finder screen 36, leaves the photographing window 30 open and partially surrounds the finder screen 36 for shading it from environmental light.

Abstract: An adapter for receiving a surplus optical storage media drive capable of stand-alone playing of optical storage media is described. The adapter provides at least the minimum level of functionality required, together with the surplus optical storage media drive, to play optical storage media in order to extend the useful life of the surplus drive. The optical storage media may include compact disks, CD-ROMs, DVDs or the like type of storage media. The adapter provides the capability of connecting with external devices that improve the functionality and usefulness of the drive-adapter system.

Abstract: An analog signal processing apparatus for a digital camera includes a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit adjusting a direct current (DC) level signal from a charge coupled device (CCD) by using a black level as a reference and converting the DC level signal into a typical video signal, an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit automatically adjusting the gain of an output signal of the CDS circuit, an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter converting the analog signal from the AGC circuit into a digital image signal, a black level clamp circuit clamping the black level of the digital image signal from the A/D converter for a predetermined time interval and feeding back the clamped black level to the CDS circuit, and a clock generator generating first and second clock signals and a black level clamping signal so as to control the timing of the black level clamp circuit.

Abstract: An AV server comprises a processor part (30) for performing various signal processing, such as compression-expansion, of inputted video and audio signals, a video RAID part (21) for storing video signals, and an audio RAID part (10) for storing audio signals. The processor part (30) has a plurality of I/O boards (32n), provided for each channel, for supplying audio signals and video signals to the audio RAID part (10) and the video RAID part (21) respectively, and for receiving audio signals and video signals from the audio RAID part (10) and the video RAID part (21) respectively. The video RAID part (21) is of RAID-3 configuration. The audio RAID part (10) performs writing and reading of audio signals corresponding to each of a plurality of audio signal channels independent of the video RAID part (21).

Abstract: A video camera which comprises a progressive scanning CCD, a camera signal processing part for converting an output from the progressive scanning CCD to a video signal adaptive to video display, and a driving means for driving the progressive scanning CCD, and which enables to enlarge dynamic range by synthesizing a first signal obtained by exposure during a first predetermined time and a second signal obtained by exposure during a predetermined time after the exposure time of the first signal by means of the progressive scanning CCD to enlarge luminance gradation characteristics on appearance further includes at least a separating portion for separating the first signal and the second signal which are output from the progressive scanning CCD at different timings, a signal synthesizing portion for synthesizing the first signal and the second signal to produce a synthesized signal, and a delay portion for receiving the first signal output from the separating portion and for delaying the first signal by a prede