Abstract: A color film reading apparatus of this invention has holding means for holding a color negative film therein; illuminating means for projecting illumination light onto the color negative film; reading means for reading image data from the color negative film; shading correcting means for performing shading correction; and controlling means for controlling the reading means to cause the reading means to read data relative to an unexposed portion of the color negative film to thereby obtain shading correction data for the shading correcting means. The apparatus is capable of generating high-gradation color signals from either of color negative and positive films. This invention further provides an image forming apparatus capable of producing a high-gradation image from either of a film-type original document or a reflection-type original document.

Abstract: A video information system includes a screen (1) having at least two cells (2-5, 14-16) rotatable in at least one direction and forming a three-dimensional multi-plane screen system changeable in space. Information from at least one projector is fed to two or more cells (2-5). Video information is presented in an in-depth three-dimensionally unfolding space. The system also has the capability of producing simultaneous changes in time, and the screen system can be efficiently combined with scenery attributes. The video information can be fed to the cells of the screen in the form of front or rear projection.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus having a plurality of parallel linear sensors, which may be sensors for different colors, in which output from one or more of the sensors may be subjected to an interpolation process to produce image data corresponding to the same scan line of an original as the image data being output from another of the sensors. This makes it possible to use the same driving signals for all the sensors even if they are staggered, and yet to produce output image data free of noise of the kind which can be caused by crosstalk. In one embodiment, compensation is made for a distance between two (or more) of the image sensors, based on magnification. In another embodiment, an interpolator is provided and interpolates an image signal of two adjacent lines of image from one image sensor, in accordance with magnification, to obtain an image signal on the same line as that from another of the image sensors.

Abstract: In color printing, for example, a color image is generally picked up by a color camera, image scanner and is processed by an image processor and a processing result is obtained as a full color image by a color printer. Some color printers use three different color inks of yellow, magenta and cyan and other printers use black in addition to those inks. Black ink is outputted to print a black area of the colored image and allotment of yellow, magenta or cyan inks is formed on at least part of the black area. Allotment and output of each of the color inks onto the black ink is determined by a color matrix table which defines a color ink output rule. The color matrix table also contains matrix elements for not outputting any of the color of inks.

Abstract: The number of pages of a multi-page document which can be stored in a buffer memory, when one or more of the pages of the document is substantially non-compressible, is increased by the invention. A machine, which is adapted to reproduce multi-page documents from image data of interleaved compressible and substantially non-compressible types of pages, includes multi-page buffer memory. The image data of the compressible page type is compressed and stored in the buffer memory. All pages of one type, either compressible or substantially non-compressible, are reproduced and the reproductions stored. Then, all the pages of the other type are reproduced, during which time, the stored reproductions of the one type page are delivered seriatim from storage into the reproduction document in collated fashion at the position corresponding to the position of the associated original in the multi-page document.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus comprises: a color image pickup for converting an optical image into a plurality of electrical color signals; an adjusting unit for automatically adjusting a white balance between the color signals in accordance with a color temperature of an object to be photographed at a predetermined response characteristic; and a control unit responsive to a change in the brightness information in the optical image for variably controlling the response characteristic of the adjusting unit.

Abstract: An implosion protected cathode ray tube which comprises a glass envelope having a faceplate; and a layered protective structure deposited over and positioned frontwardly of the faceplate. The layered protective structure includes a first resin-coated layer held in contact with the faceplate, a hard coated layer for protecting the first resin-coated layer and a second resin-coated layer formed between the first resin-coated layer and the hard coated layer. The first resin-coated layer has a hardness which corresponds to 1H or lower of hardness of drafting pencil lead, and an elongation at breakage within the range of 65 to 85%. The first resin-coated layer also has a break strength of 3.5 kilograms per square millimeter or greater. The hard coated layer has a hardness which corresponds to 5H or higher of hardness of drafting pencil lead, and an elongation of 3% or smaller at breakage.

Abstract: An image read-out and reproducing apparatus comprises a read-out device for obtaining an image signal by two-dimensionally scanning a recording medium, on which image information has been recorded, with reading light, and a reproducing device for reproducing an image from the image signal by two-dimensionally scanning a recording sheet with reproducing light. A monitor light detector detects positions of reading light and reproducing light on main scanning lines by detecting monitor light. Read out in each main scanning is started when the monitor light is irradiated onto a first position on the monitor light detector, and reproduction in each main scanning is started when the monitor light is irradiated onto a second position on the monitor light detector, so that a position at which read out is started in each main scanning with the reading light and a position at which reproduction is started in each main scanning with the reproducing light approximately coincide in the main scanning direction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a photoelectric converter, a multiple-value circuit, and a detachable external storage unit. The photoelectric converter photoelectrically coverts data of an original into image signals. The multiple-value circuit converts the image signals into multiple-valued data by comparing the image signals with predetermined threshold value data. The detachable external storage stores the threshold value data. The threshold values can also be made automatically responsive to gray scale data. The automatic mode and the manual selection mode are switched between in response to a release (toggle) signal. Color separation and color ghost correction are provided; and various types of formatting management are faciliated. Partial color converting (as, for example, color reversal) is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an image pickup printing system which comprises an optical device for optically controlling an optical image of an object, an image pickup device disposed at the position of a focus of the optical device for converting an optical image into electric signals for a large number of divided dot-like regions on a plane, an image pickup device controller for controlling a manner in which electric signals produced by the image pickup device are to be taken out, so as to avoid NTSC signals and a printer device for printing out electric signals produced by the image pickup device. With the image pickup printing system, a hard copy can be printed by directly using signals obtained by the image pickup device.

Abstract: A method for obtaining digital data from an original, whereby the original is scanned in longitudinally successive, transversally extending strips by a semiconductor camera comprising a plurality of semiconductor elements arranged in series. The semiconductor camera is guided across the original or across a glass plate covering the original, in a transversely arranged, longitudinally displaceable portal-shaped supporting device. Distance between the original and the camera is maintained by moving the camera directly across the original or the glass plate covering the original, respectively. This method allows an exact adjustment of the distance between the camera and the original, although the intermediate glass plate may not be quite planar.

Abstract: A color image processing method and apparatus uses a luminance signal (Y) and two color difference signals (R-Y and B-Y). The luminance signal is subjected to gradation conversion using a plurality of tables in a gradation converter in accordance with a predetermined conversion characteristic, such as a histogram distribution of the luminance signals; the color difference signals are non-linearly quantized. Masking is performed by a storage circuit that stores color signal levels to be output using the converted luminance signal and the quantized color difference signals as inputs. As an additional feature, the number of bits in each of the quantized color difference signals is less than the number of bits in the converted luminance signal.

Abstract: White, yellow, and cyan color filters are superposed in rows and columns on picture elements of a solid-state color imaging apparatus. In each recurring cycle of four-row and two-column filters, the green component of light is transmitted through all filters.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for scanning and recording a color image. A source of light having a certain flicker rate illuminates the color image, and a scanning element, such as a charge-coupled device, scans the color image during scanning periods to generate electrical signals which are representative of the color image. Each of the scanning periods is equal to the reciprocal of the flicker rate to eliminate effects of the flicker on the electrical signals. A color filter with different-colored filter segments located between the scanning element and the color image enables the scanning element to produce electrical signals which are representative of different colors in the color image. The color filter is rotated at a rate such that each filter segment is interposed between the scanning element and the color image for a rotation period which is greater than the reciprocal of the flicker rate. The electrical signals are integrated in the scanning element for a first period (e.g., 8.

Abstract: An image pickup device has an image sensor which converts an optical image into electric information, and readout transfer paths to divide the information of one horizontal line of the sensor and to read it out, e.g., as dot signals. A control device distributes the above-mentioned information of one line with a predetermined period for each transfer path. An adjustment device adjusts the levels of the outputs from each of the readout transfer paths. The outputs of each of the color signals so adjusted are sequentially switched over and are sequence-processed. A suppression circuit provided in association with the sequencing circuitry suppresses the levels of each of the adjusted color signals to make those signals non-linear. Color filters may be provided, to produce color signals, and a luminance signal may be formed from the color signals. Delay circuits may be provided to ensure desired phase relations among the read-out signals.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image of a partial area of an entire image frame includes an apparatus for designating a part of a frame and apparatus for selecting an image formation operation for the predetermined area designated by the designating means or an image formation operation for the entire area. The image data corresponding to the predetermined area is read out and a histogram, indicating intensity distribution, is produced corresponding thereto. A gamma conversion characteristic is determined based on a cumulative frequency distribution produced from the histogram. The image data read out is converted in accordance with the determined gamma conversion characteristic. An image is formed on the basis of the converted image data representing the predetermined part of the frame or the entire frame.

Abstract: A plurality of grained screen patterns that are different from each other are previously stored in a grained screen pattern memory. The grained screen patterns are accessed at random in response to an address signal (AGP) generated in a random number generator. An original image data is compared with the random arrangement of the grained screen patterns for each pixel, to produce a halftone dot image. The halftone dot image thus obtained has no periodic distribution of density, such as a moire.

Abstract: A color image processing apparatus processes an image, signal having a plurality of color components, by black signal synthesis and undercolor removal to remove a non-color component such as black from the color component signal. The non-color component is utilized to discriminate if an area of a color image represented by the color component signal is a high resolution area represented, for example, by characters, or is a gray level area. If the area is a high resolution area, the color components of the color component signal and the non-color component are processed in accordance with respective constant threshold memory data. However, if the color component signal is discriminated as being a gray level area, the respective color components and the non-color component are processed in accordance with respective dither memory data. Accordingly, faithful and clear images may be reproduced in both high resolution and gray level areas with faithful color balance.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup element including: an MOS image sensor comprising: photoelectric conversion elements arranged in rows and columns; vertical selection lines extending along the rows; vertical signal lines extending along the columns; a vertical switching device associated with each photoelectric conversion element and controlled by an associated vertical selection line for selectively connecting an output of the associated photoelectric conversion element to an associated vertical signal line; a horizontal switching device associated with each column for selectively connecting an associated vertical signal line to an output line; a vertical shift register for controlling the vertical switching device through the vertical selection lines; and a horizontal shift register for controlling the horizontal switching device. The photoelectric conversion elements are divided into sets of m.times.

Abstract: Tone correction for input video signals is performed on the basis of look-up table data. The state of color tone is decided by using chroma signals each corresponding to one of input video signals, and a luminance signal produced from the input video signals. In response to the particular state decided, signals are produced by applying color correction level adjustment to the input video signals. A highlight point and a shadow point are set up based on one of such adjusted signals so as to produce look-up table data for each of the input video signals. This allows input video data to be subjected to tone correction which corresponds to particular photographing conditions, thereby eliminating overcorrection or undercorrection. Hence, the operator's decision as to the state of color tone is needless so that the ease of operation is promoted.