Abstract: An electronic imaging device has a reproduction section which reproduces at least one of a thumbnail image and a full image, display section to display reproduced at least one of the thumbnail image and the full image, a scene select section which selects a desired thumbnail image and outputs a scene select signal, and display controller to display a full image corresponding to the desire thumbnail signal in the display section based on the scene select signal output at the end, and the display controller controls the record reproduction section before reproducing the full image corresponding to the thumbnail image based on the scene select signal output at the end when the plurality of scene select signals are input.

Abstract: An automatic voice tracking camera system (12) is provided. System (12) includes a camera (18) operable to receive control signals for controlling a view of the camera (18). A microphone array (14) comprises a plurality of microphones. The microphone array (14) is operable to receive a voice of a speaker and to provide an audio signal representing the voice. A beamformer (30) coupled to the microphone array (14). The beamformer (30) is operable to receive the audio signal, to generate from the audio signal speaker position data representing a position of the speaker, and to provide the speaker position data. A camera controller (36) is coupled to the beamformer (30) and to the camera (18).

Abstract: A new kind of pixel is formed of two floating diffusions of different sizes and different conductivity type. The two floating diffusions have different image characteristics, and hence form a knee-shaped slope.

Abstract: A system for sensing and displaying lens data for a cinematography zoom lens and camera in real time. A plurality of sensors are connected to the lens for producing signals continually representing the present positions of focus, zoom and T-stop setting rings of the lens. A range finder is positioned adjacent the lens for producing a signal representing the distance from the lens to an object located in front of the lens. A printed circuit board with a microprocessor receives and processes the signals and has a memory with data representing the focus, zoom and T-stop characteristics of that lens. A display device is positioned adjacent the lens and selectively displays indicia representing the positions of the focus, zoom and T-stop settings, the distance to the object and the depth of field.

Abstract: An aspect ratio variable solid state imaging device capable of reducing the frequency of a drive pulse of a horizontal register required for discharging signal charges in unnecessary portions at a small aspect ratio or of reducing a discharge period for signal charges in unnecessary portions in each horizontal period. In the mode of a small aspect ratio, in the horizontal blanking period, signal charges in the right side unnecessary portion on one line is mixed with signal charges in the right side unnecessary portion for the next line at the output end section of the horizontal register, and then the mixed signal charges are transferred to be discharged in the horizontal blanking period. In the horizontal transfer period, signal charges in the middle portion is horizontally transferred.

Abstract: A semiconductor based image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels formed upon a major surface of a semiconductor substrate, a majority of the pixels having a photodetector with a plurality of color filters of at least two different colors arranged over a second majority of the pixels a sense node formed within each of the pixels and operatively connected to CMOS control circuitry a plurality of busses arranged such that there is at least one unique bus operatively connected to the pixels for each color and interface means for providing an electrical connection to a timing circuit, the interface means having individual connections to each of the busses and capable of providing the predetermined voltage on the busses at a desired time.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus having an image sensing device, an image sensing time fixing instruction device for instructing to fix the image sensing time so as to inhibit the image sensing time of the image sensing device from changing in each image sensing, and a signal processing device for performing a first image sensing operation for making the image sensing device perform an image sensing operation in an exposure state to obtain a sensed image signal, and a second image sensing operation for making the image sensing device perform an image sensing operation in a non-exposure state to obtain a sensed image signal, and processing the sensed image signal obtained by the first image sensing operation by the sensed image signal obtained by the second image sensing operation, the signal processing device having a first mode for making the image sensing device perform the first image sensing operation and then the second image sensing operation, and a second mode for making the image sensing device perform

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus having an image sensing device, a signal processing device for performing a first image sensing operation for making the image sensing device perform an image sensing operation in an exposure state to obtain a sensed image signal, and a second image sensing operation for making the image sensing device perform an image sensing operation in a non-exposure state to obtain a sensed image signal, and processing the sensed image signal obtained by the first image sensing operation by the sensed image signal obtained by the second image sensing operation, the signal processing device having a first mode for making the image sensing device perform the first image sensing operation and then the second image sensing operation, and a second mode for making the image sensing device perform the second image sensing operation and then the first image sensing operation, and a storage device for storing signals obtained in the first and second modes processed by the signal processing device.

Abstract: An automatic voice tracking camera system (12) and method of operation are disclosed. The system (12) includes a first camera (18) and a camera controller (36). The first camera (18) is operable to receive control signals for controlling a view of the first camera (18). The camera controller (36) is operable to determine a responsive camera movement of the first camera (18) based upon coordinates for a point in space where the determination comprises comparing the coordinates with a first spacial region (90) defined around a current speaker position. The camera controller (36) is then operable to generate camera control signals based upon the appropriate responsive camera movement and to provide the camera control signals to the first camera (18). In one embodiment, the camera controller is further operable also to compare the coordinates with a second spacial region (92) defined around the current speaker position.

Abstract: An electronic still camera is provided with timing generators in drive signal generating circuitry which are selected to generate various timing signals in accordance with a mode set by mode selection. Two vertical drivers generate substrate potentials defining the signal charge capacity of photo-sensitive cells. In accordance with the mode set, a system controller feeds a mode adaptive selector with a control signal. In response to the mode signal, the mode adaptive selector selects an output from one of the vertical drivers. From the one vertical driver, the photosensitive cells are fed with a predetermined voltage higher than usual as the substrate potential. An image signal obtained is amplified by a signal processing circuit provided in the following stage.

Abstract: The handle grip and electronic controls of a handle control for a lens zoom speed control are ergonomically designed to provide quick comfortable access to all of the control switches. While grasping the rubberized foam handle grip in the palm of the hand of the operator, a thumb engages and holds a push button or rocker switch to switch between the wide angle and telephoto mode. Simultaneously, an inner edge of the forefinger engages and rotates a speed control dial to increase or decrease the speed of lens zoom in the selected wide angle or telephoto mode as controlled by engagement of the thumb with the appropriate mode switch. Rotation of the speed control dial away from the operator (in a counterclockwise direction), causes an increased speed of zooms whereas rotation of the dial towards the operator (in a clockwise direction) decreases the speed of zoom (in the selected wide angle or telephoto mode).

Abstract: A pixel image sensor having an array of pixel elements arranged in a color mosaic pattern, each pixel element being responsive to light of a particular color. Each pixel element is supplied with a reference voltage signal corresponding to the color of light to which the pixel element is responsive. The reference voltage signal determined the sensitivity of the pixel element. The white balance of the image sensor is adjusted by varying independently the reference voltage signals for each color. The color mosaic pattern of the array may include a pixel element responsive to white light. The output from the white pixel sensors may be used to adjust the color constancy of the image sensor. The image array reduces the need for post-capture processing of the image for white balancing, by incorporating the white balance operation into the capture process.

Abstract: In an electronic camera, captured images are refreshed at a high refresh rate in a normal image-capturing mode and at AE/AF, and an image with many pixels is captured in a macro image-capturing mode and a mode for outputting an image signal to an external monitor. In the normal image-capturing mode and at the AE/AF, a solid-state imaging device is driven by reading signals from ¼ or ⅛ of the photoelectric elements in a vertical direction. In this case, a slightly rough image is obtained at a high refresh rate and with a small amount of electricity. In the macro image-capturing mode and the mode for outputting the image signal to the external equipment, the solid-state imaging device is driven by reading signals from ½ of the photoelectric elements or all the photoelectric elements automatically. Consequently, an image with many pixels is obtained.

Abstract: An imaging array of active pixel sensors uses a compact three transistor CMOS implementation for each pixel. A current source at the top of each column creates a distributed feedback amplifier for each pixel in a selected row. The reset amplifier acts as a variable resistance in the source-follower amplifier feedback circuit. The variable resistance is controlled by a range reset voltage applied to the reset amplifier thereby nulling the photodiode reset noise.

Abstract: In a method of interpolating a color sample in a signal (RGBin) having alternately colored samples, the missing color sample is interpolated in dependence upon neighboring color samples (G1, G2, G3, G4) of the same color (G) as the color sample to be interpolated, and a differently colored sample (R/B) from the same location as the color sample to be interpolated.

Abstract: A hand held stabilizer holder for hand held cameras comprises a first frame having a hand grip and a pivot mount spaced from the hand grip; a second frame pivotally mounted to the first frame at the pivot mount, and a camera mount on the second frame disposed below the pivot mount so that the camera remains in its orientation upon pivoting of the holder.

Abstract: A digital camera having a viewfinder includes a zoom control and switch arrangement that enables a user to zoom in and zoom out of an object image while visualizing in the viewfinder the optical and digital zooming effects selected by the user via the switch arrangement.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup device in which a plurality of photoelectric conversion element pairs are disposed in a row direction and a column direction, each pair constituting one unit including two adjacent photoelectric conversion elements disposed in the column direction, wherein a pitch of pairs in the row direction is generally equal to a pitch of pairs in the column direction.

Abstract: An electronic camera which photographs images of an object, outputs image signals corresponding to the images, and stores the image signals with an assigned file name. A display on the electronic camera displays images corresponding to the stored image signals. Along with each displayed image signal, the electronic camera's display also displays the assigned file name and a frame number. If a user chooses to delete a particular image, the frame numbers for stored image signals following the deleted image are advanced by one, in order to maintain an unbroken numerical sequence. The file names assigned to each stored image signal will remain unchanged.

Abstract: An imaging system comprises an image detection unit (52) and a filter unit (58). Pixel image signals are passed in parallel from the image detection unit (52) to the filter unit (58). Circuit elements within each pixel (56) generate pixel image signal whose amplitude is proportional to the logarithm of the image intensity at that pixel. The filter unit (58) carries out a spatial filtering operation and outputs the result.