Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus of a video camera automatically matches a focus in response to a video signal obtained from an image sensing circuit. The automatic focusing apparatus detects the level of a high frequency component of the video signal in order to supply a focus evaluating value which takes a maximum value in an in-focus position. A focusing motor controlling circuit performs an automatic focusing operation by a hill-climbing servo system based on the supplied focus evaluating value. A determination is made by employing a fuzzy inference with respect to the initialization of the direction of movement of a lens when the automatic focusing operation starts, the selection of a focusing area from a plurality of areas, and the reactivation of the automatic focusing operation due to a change of an object once the automatic focusing operation is completed.

Abstract: Documents represented as bitmap images are transformed into coded textual data and coded graphics data by graphics and textual recognizers, which use a standard notation for recording the results of the document recognition processes, including any ambiguities, in a document description language. Recognized portions of the document, represented as editable coded data, such as for example ASCII, are placed in elements, defined in the document description language, with all contents of an element sharing some common characteristic. Elements can include, for example: character-string-elements, questionable-character-elements, questionable-word-elements, verified-word-elements, alternate-word-elements, segment-elements, and arc-elements.

Abstract: Multiresolution (pyramid) filtering is useful in image processing. An IC for implementing a variety of multiresolution filters includes a programmable, symmetric, and separable two-dimensional filter. The input signal to the filter can be an input signal applied to the IC or a combination of two such signals. Circuitry in the IC may be programmed to imply pixel values around the edges of the two-dimensional image signals processed by the filter. The filter provides an output signal as well as each of the unfiltered signals from a tapped delay line of a filter that combines successive lines of the image. The IC also includes an arithmetic and logic unit in which the filtered output signal may be combined with an unfiltered input signal or one of the unfiltered tap signals. If the filter is programmed to produce a Gaussian low-pass filtered image, this image, combined with image data from a center one of the filter taps produces a Laplacian function of the original image.

Abstract: A method for identifying and removing noise from digitized images includes the steps for judging whether or not a group of black pixels represents a noise by analyzing the number of pixels in the group, the degree of flattening of the group and the curvature of the region. According to the inventive method, since the entire region is scanned at once, allowing the detection of various sized pixel groups, the black pixel groups meeting a predetermined level can be selected and removed from a corresponding predefined region. Thus, noise can be removed from several predefined regions using a different noise level for each region.

Abstract: A method of correcting image read signals including the steps of reading an image line by line by a linear sensor; determining an average value when a plurality of lines of a plurality of blind pixels of the linear sensor are read, computing the signals read from the image by using the average value so as to correct an influence of a dark current of said linear sensor, and outputting said computed signal as the image read signal. According to the present invention, the dark current can be accurately obtained according to the read state without being affected by errors in measurement due to the variations in each of the one-line pixels or due to noise.

Abstract: A signal converting device receives input data obtained by continuously scanning data for a predetermined period along one of i axes X1, X2 . . . Xi of an imaginary i-dimensional spatial coordinate system, where the data exists in given space-time regions a1, a2 . . . ai extending along these axes. The device processes the data in a given sub time-space region Nj included in any time-space region aj (where j=1, 2 . . . i) at a magnification specific to a given sub time-space region Mj (1.ltoreq.j.ltoreq.i). As a result, the device outputs new data existing in the sub time-space region Mj. The region Mj is identical to the sub time-space region Nj, or exists outside the time-space region aj.

Abstract: A matrix array image sensor integrated circuit chip is provided including horizontal and vertical scanning means with the sensor cells within columns of the array being associated with an analogue charge sense amplifier. The analogue charge sense amplifier includes a first amplifier in the form of an inverting charge integrator which provides a preliminary detection of the charge accumulated in the sensing cell by integrating the charge to produce a voltage which is capacitively stored in a voltage storage means. The sensing cell may then be reset by control logic while it is isolated from the stored voltage which is in turn selectively sampled using a switch to read out through a second amplifier stage to be provided as an output from the integrated circuit chip. A method for operation of the device in processing an image read cycle is also provided.

Abstract: Apparatus which transfers photos, motion picture films and slides to videotape (or other video recording media) by means of a video camera and recorder, such as a camcorder, is operable in three modes: first for film or slide to video transfer using a movie or slide projector to present images from motion picture film or slides to the camcorder; second to illuminate a photo or other print and present the image therefrom to the camcorder; and third to illuminate with concentrated light a slide or transparency to present an image projected by the illumination to the camcorder thereby enabling direct transfer of images from slides or transparencies. The apparatus includes a box with openings on opposite ends and on a side thereof.

Abstract: A device for assistance in the optical focusing of the objective of a camera comprises a contour extraction circuit coupled to a marker generator, the output of which is connected to a combination circuit furthermore receiving the video signal from the camera. The resultant composite signal is applied to the viewfinder. Thus a marker, the position of which in the image is a function of the focusing, appears in the viewfinder, the focusing being obtained when the marker is in an extreme position on its axis of shift. The device can be applied notably to the focusing of high-definition television cameras.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device including a lens group by which movement of a focused field of an object changes, a drive motor for moving the lens group, a luminance processing circuit for image-sensing the object through the lens group to extract a luminance signal, an accumulating circuit for outputting a focusing evaluation value signal for evaluating a focal condition of the object on the basis of the extracted luminance signal, a least squares circuit for determining reliability of the output focusing evaluation value signal, and a control circuit for controlling the drive motor to improve the focal condition of the object on the basis of the determined reliability.

Abstract: An estimate of a threshold value for feature extraction from image data containing noise and quantized into a plurality of quantization levels is made by filtering, such as recursively averaging n adjacent quantization levels and counting the extrema of the result. The recursive averaging is repeated with increasing values of n until only three extrema are present in the filtered data. The estimate of the threshold value is refined by comparing averages or summations of n quantization levels above and below the estimate and altering the estimated threshold value based on a comparison of the averages or summations. By basing both the estimation and refinement processes on the original data and using a value of n which is smaller in the refinement process than in the estimation process, a highly effective threshold value for the feature extraction process is obtained. Adaptive adjustment of n during the estimation process minimizes loss of data as well as computing time.

Abstract: In the exposure control circuit of an image input device according to the present invention, the rays of light from the subject pass through a diaphragm adjusting the amount of light and undergoes photoelectric conversion at a CCD imaging element. The image signal read from the CCD imaging element is accumulated more than once at an accumulating circuit. The luminance of the subject is detected at a luminance detector. Based on the detected luminance, a condition setting circuit sets the amount of incident light, exposure time, and the number of additions to suitable values. With those suitable settings, the amount of light through the diaphragm, the exposure time of the CCD imaging element, and the number of accumulations by the accumulating circuit are controlled so as to enable the subject to be photographed under the best condition.

Abstract: An electronic camera is provided which, in photographing, obtains size information about an object, generates the size information, or size data calculated through arithmetic operation, or a scale pattern based on the size data, and records the scale pattern on a recording medium in the same recording area as an object image or in a separate area made correspondent to a recording area for the object image, and which, when size display is instructed during photographing or in reproduction, displays a scale (including a pattern representing the scale, indications representing the scale by characters and/or figures such as graduation numerals, and color-coded indications representing the scale) together with the object image on the same screen.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup device includes light-receiving circuitry having a plurality of light-receiving cells arranged in a matrix. Apparatus is provided for reading and storing electrical signals output by the light-receiving circuitry, and includes (1) a first memory for reading bright signals out of the light-receiving cells arranged in a row for storing the bright signals for a horizontal scanning period, (2) a second memory for reading dark signals out of the light-receiving cells arranged in the row for storing the dark signal for the horizontal scanning period, and (3) a readout circuit for reading the bright and dark signals stored in the first and second memories simultaneously. A removing circuit is provided for removing fixed pattern noise by simultaneously processing the bright and dark current signals read out from the first and second memories. Preferably, this removing circuit comprises a differential amplifier.

Abstract: A video camera includes a lens, an iris and an iris driving circuit, an image sensor, a circuit for dividing the picture into a plurality of sub-areas for extracting the luminance of each sub-area according to the luminance signal provided from the image sensor as a luminance distribution signal, a circuit for generating a signal defining a target value of an iris driving signal, an adaptive circuit using an artificial neural network to which the luminance distribution signal is input for carrying out adaptive conversion so that the offset between a provided teacher signal and its own output is minimized, and a switch for selecting either the target value signal or the output of the adaptive circuit to provide the same as a teacher signal to the adaptive circuit.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprises a control circuit for applying a control signal to a control electrode of a photoelectric transducer, an operating point detection circuit for receiving an output signal from the photoelectric transducer and inverting an output state thereof depending on a level of the output signal, and a sample/hold circuit controlled by an output of the operating point detection circuit to hold a signal level corresponding to the control signal as developed when the output state of the operating point detection circuit is inverted, the signal held by the sample/hold circuit being read as a photoelectrically converted output. Photoelectric conversion characteristics thereby exhibits good linearity.

Abstract: In a video camera having at least a semiconductor image sensor and a rotary sector shutter arranged in the radiation path of the semiconductor image sensor, in which the light-dependent charge integration in the semiconductor image sensor is released by applying a control signal, the sector shutter includes a plurality of light-transmissive sectors of different size. The charge integration of the semiconductor image sensor is released before a selected light-transmissive sector enters the radiation path thereby ensuring equal integration periods for all portions of the semiconductor image sensor.

Abstract: A method for use in a handwriting recognition system, and apparatus for accomplishing the method, that generates a User set of prototype symbols. The method includes the steps of (a) inputting one or more strokes for representing a predetermined symbol; and (b) comparing characteristics of the inputted strokes to stroke characteristics associated with one or more predetermined Starter prototype symbols. If the stroke characteristics match to within a predetermined threshold, the method further includes a step of (c) averaging the characteristics of the inputted stroke or strokes with the characteristics of a corresponding one or ones of the strokes of the matching one of the Starter prototype symbols to form a User prototype symbol. Further steps include (d) storing the User prototype symbol for subsequent use; and (e) deleting one or more Starter prototype symbols of the same label as the input symbol.

Abstract: A process for converting characters arranged circularly, as for example about the center hole of a compact disk, into a linear arrangement. Points are assigned to locations on the circular arrangement. These points are mapped to a linear arrangement. The number of points is selected to be greater than those of the original image to enhance the resolution of the resulting image. The location of the points is stored in an address array. The values of the pixels in the original image are then copied to a target array. The pixel values are then converted to binary values serving as input to a recognition neural network and a verification neural network.

Abstract: An analog line store comprises a bank of storage capacitors n in number, an n:1 read multiplexer for sequentially sampling from the n storage capacitors as part of a read-then-write operation, a 1:n write multiplexer for sequentially sampling to the n storage capacitors as a further part of the read-then-write operation, and a scanning register for generating control signals for the write multiplexer and the read multiplexer. The storage capacitors have similar capacitances that are substantially invariant with change in stored charge. Such an analog line store is integrated together with a solid-state imager array to provide for the cancellation of fixed pattern noise from the imager video output signal.