Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method of processing an image signal in which one image characteristic, such as luminance density or color saturation, may have a range incapable of reproduction by an output device due to limitations inherent in such device. In the disclosed method the range of the image characteristic for one image frame is detected and compared to the range that the output device can reproduce. Depending on the result of the comparison, the input image signal is processed differently; for example, the image signal may be converted so that the range of the image characteristic is shifted or compressed, or it may not be converted at all.

Abstract: A projection-type television receiver comprising right, left and center projection tubes each having a face, the images on the faces of the right and left tubes being formed in registry with the center of each corresponding face for minimizing keystone distortion and maximizing luminance in the receiver, and a transmissive screen for displaying a composite picture of images from the tubes. A lens corresponding to each tube focuses the images from the tube to form a coincident image, and mirrors reflect the coincident image onto the screen for viewing. A particular arrangement of the lenses is described for substantially uniform luminance on the screen and for a substantially symmetrical temperature distribution on the faces of the tubes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a reference scan line for two-dimensional image coding preferably compatible with known facsimile transmission equipment are disclosed. Selection of a reference scan line in accordance with the method and apparatus of the invention allows data compression for facsimile transmission so that the cost for use of the communication link is reduced. More than one previous scan line is considered as a candidate reference scan line. A reference scan line is selected from among a plurality of previous scan lines, for example, the immediately preceding ten scan lines. The preselected or adaptively selected scan line among the multiple prior scan lines, more particularly, the previous scan line which is most similar to the current scan line to be coded, is selected as the reference scan line. The reference scan line is then fed with the current scan line to be coded to a two-dimensional data compression coding process so as to yield optimum data compression.

Abstract: A digital color image processing method and apparatus is characterized by producing three color reproduction functions by normalizing samples of color values from three color components of a digital image. The color reproduction functions are applied to the respective color components of the image to produce dimensionless Z values. A contrast adjusting constant is computed and the dimensionless Z values are multiplied by the constant to adjust the contrast of the processed image. Finally a constant representing the mean density for each of the color components for a particular output medium is added to the contrast adjusted Z values to produce the processed digital image.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus can rapidly produce a hard copy of a video image by setting parameters for processing an input image signal while a record medium is being advanced to an initial recording position. The parameters which are set are upper and lower limits for normalizing the input image signal, and are determined by performing histogram processing on the input image signal. In addition, the processing apparatus may include a plurality of combined normalization and gamma correction reference tables for processing the input image signal. One of the plurality of combined reference tables is selected on the basis of the upper and lower limits determined by the histogram processing of the input image signal. Alternatively, separate normalization and gamma correction reference tables may be used.

Abstract: A process for increasing the resolution of color television solid state cameras provided with three semiconductor image sensors, each assembled of an array of optoelectric elements, includes: geometrically offsetting the sensors in horizontal direction by one third of the distance between the optoelective elements; phase-shifting scanning signals applied to respective sensors by 120.degree.; generating standard signals for luminance and chrominance and matrixing an additional luminance signal; low-pass filtering the standard signals and high-pass filtering the additional luminance signal; and adding the filtered standard and additional luminance signals to produce a resultant luminance signal of higher resolution. A control signal is derived from the high-pass filtered additional luminance signal and is used for controlling amplitudes of the color-difference signals.

Abstract: A solid-state color imaging apparatus comprising a beamsplitter for splitting an incoming light beam representative of an image into at least first and second light beams corresponding to a first color band (e.g., green) of the incoming light and the first color band and a second color band (e.g., blue) of the incoming light, respectively, and first and second solid-state imagers disposed for receiving respective ones of the light beams. The first imager is optically offset with respect to the second imager and their output signals processed so as to develop an apparently improved resolution signal for light of said first color band when compared to the signal developed for light of said second color band.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing or enlarging an image. More specifically, this invention can increase or decrease the magnification ratio of an image even while scanning each line. This invention involves converting a first image with a first pel density to a second image with a second pel density. The intensity P of a new pel at a point p of the second image is represented by ##EQU1## where m is the number of reference pels of the first image that are sampled and that are within a given two-dimensional reference window when it is in a predetermined position corresponding to the point p, where Ii is the intensity of the i-th pel of the m sampled reference pels, and where .alpha.i is a contribution rate indicating how much the i-th pel contributes to the intensity P. Pre-calculated contribution rate data (.alpha.i) and pre-calculated shifting amount data indicating the relative amount the reference window is to be shifted are stored in a memory.

Abstract: A color separation filter arrangement for an image intensifier having separate blue, green and red filters which respectively have pass bands for visible blue light and its second order wavelengths, visible green light and its second order wavelengths, and visible red light. The blue, green and red filters are interposed individually in succession in the path of incident visible light and infrared energy to the photocathode of the image intensifier. Use of this color separation filter produces a relatively high signal-to-noise ratio at the output of the image intensifier when it is used under night sky illumination.

Abstract: A disclosed last-line overscan system and method allow for sampling of video display characteristics such as RGB cathode currents during each frame of displayed video for an underscanned video monitor without distortion of the visual display. Detection of the initiation of the vertical sync signal operates to overscan the last display line by driving the trace off the visual display area and away from the active raster. Sampling may then occur during an interval in which no visual display is possible thereby preventing distortion of visual information and preventing undesired brightness in the active raster. Subsequent to the interval for sampling of the RGB beam currents, vertical retrace is effectuated for display of the succeeding video frame.

Abstract: A color imaging device includes a solid state image sensor formed with a plurality of picture elements in a two dimensional array. A color filter array has filter portions in one-to-one correspondence with the picture elements. The filter portions are formed as lenses to provide a focusing effect. These lenses can include cyan focusing color filter portions, yellow focusing color filter portions, and full-color light-transmitting focusing color filter portions. All of these filter portions focus incident light using a lens effect onto respective elements on the solid state image sensor. In one embodiment, protective layers are located between filter parts. Other embodiments use tannic acid in their formation. In this way, inaccuracies in color signal separation are minimized.

Abstract: A process for color correcting an original color transparency in making individual plates for color printing comprises the steps of directing light through the transparency, adjusting the relative color densities of the primary color components (yellow, magenta and cyan) in the light to provide a desired color balance in the overall appearance of the transparency, determining the individual color densities of the primary color components at that desired color balance, determining the amounts of correction to the yellow, magenta and cyan dot percentages (dot sizes) in order to compensate for contamination of one or more colors in each of the three primary colors of printing inks, and scanning the color transparency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining an accurate half-tone dot percent of each color separation where a color designated by a color specimen is to be reproduced by printing of ink of the colors, for example, yellow, magenta, cyan and black. A variety of color charts printed using predetermined combinations of half-tone dot percents are optically measured to obtain color information of the colors printed on the color charts. The obtained color information values together with the corresponding predetermined combinations of half-tone dot percents therefor are then utilized to prepare a conversion table of color information and corresponding half-tone dot percents for reproducing each of the colors printed on the color charts. A color specimen is then optically measured to detect color information of a color to be reproduced.

Abstract: In a solid-state imaging device, a chrominance signal different from a signal to be obtained at a specified time among a plurality of chrominance signals to be successively obtained from a solid-state image sensor is interpolated with the chrominance signal obtained directly before the time of interpolation, or with the chrominance signal of a picture element corresponding to the signal to be obtained at the time of interpolation based upon the subject being achromatic. The particular signal to be used for the interpolation is decided based upon the difference between the signal to be obtained at the time of interpolation and a signal of the same chrominance obtained one cycle before the time of interpolation, or the differences between signals obtained directly before the time of interpolation and to be obtained directly after the time of interpolation and the chrominance signals obtained one cycle before the times of these signals.

Abstract: In a color image sensor, CCD chips having peculiar spectrum distribution characteristics are arranged in two rows on a base with the CCD chips in one row staggered with respect to those in the other row. A pair of convergent rod lens arrays is located between a color document and the array of CCD chips for projecting an image of the document onto the CCD element array. The CCD elements each having a plurality of photosensitive areas with white, yellow and cyan filters, or yellow, green and cyan filters, or red, green and blue filters, provided thereon. A pair of fluorescent lamps for illuminating the document is each provided in the neighborhood of each of the pair rod lens arrays. They have spectrum distribution characteristics not covering wavelengths above 700 nm. One of them has a spectrum distribution characteristic with a peak substantially at 450 nm, and the other has a spectrum distribution characteristic with a peak substantially at 590 nm.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus include an input device that has a single signal line. The input device inputs a data signal and a discrimination signal through the signal line with the data signal having one of a plurality of data formats in each of which a plurality of kinds of data are arranged during respectively different periods of the data signal. The discrimination signal represents the one of the formats in which the data signal is arranged. A discriminator, connected to the single signal line, is responsive to the discrimination signal to discriminate the format of the data signal input by the input device. A separation circuit is responsive to the discrimination by the discriminator to respectively separate the plurality of kinds of data from the data signal in accordance with the format of the data signal. The different kinds of data carried by the data signal may include different color component data.

Abstract: A multi-color image display system comprising a cathode ray type of tube having a single electron gun disposed for directing a beam of electrons onto an output image display screen provided with three juxtaposed segments of different phosphor materials which emit respective different color light when penetrated by electrons from the beam. The display system also includes a beam directing assembly coupled to the tube for deflecting the electron beam to scan respective raster patterns sequentially on the three segments of the output screen and varying the intensity of the electron beam accordingly to produce thereon respective different color component light images of the same subject matter, the outer images being inverted with respect to one another and the central image being oriented similarly to one of said outer images.

Abstract: A color television camera has an optical color separation system provided in an optical path for scene light so as to produce pictures of different colors on pickup areas of pickup elements. The scene light extends along optical axes in the system which are central axes of the pickup areas. To synchronize picture signals so that picture coverage is optimized on the joint display thereof, the camera comprises a test image projector and an adjusting circuit. So as to obtain a compact optical system without using a movable reflecting surface for the test image, which surface would be moved in and out of the optical path, the light of the test image is projected at an oblique angle with respect to the optical axes into the color separation system and strikes the pickup areas at an oblique angle. Optical imaging errors produced thereby are precompensated. Optical precompensation means are provided in the form of an obliquely arranged test image slide and a cylindrical plano-convex correction lens.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing an indication that a color represented by a color video signal having a luminance component Y and two color difference components R-Y, B-Y is validly reproducible on an RGB color display device. A resistive matrix converts the Y, R-Y, B-Y components of the color video signal to three primary color components R, G, B. Comparators compare the amplitude of each primary color component with predetermined minimum and maximum values, and an OR-gate produces a gamut error signal if the amplitude of one or more of the primary color components is outside the range established by the corresponding predetermined minimum and maximum values. The gamut error signal is applied to a display modifier which modifies the luminance and color difference components to produce a visually distinct effect on a waveform or display monitor. Alternatively, the gamut error signal may be applied to, for example, a color shutter incorporated in the waveform or display monitor to modify the color of the display.

Abstract: A geometry adjustment device for a color video projector having three monochrome tubes each projecting an image of a given color on a screen, comprising a geometry correction circuit adjustable by the user for providing, by acting on a single signal, vertical amplitude, vertical linearity and horizontal trapezoid corrections of the images projected on the screen by the tubes.