Abstract: An image pickup apparatus has at least one image pickup device such as an NDI provided with a plurality of picture elements arranged in horizontal lines to form a matrix on which is placed a color separation filter. The color separation filter has a plurality of filter elements including first filter elements for separating a first color, and second and third filter elements which are disposed in line sequence between adjacent first filter elements. A plurality of horizontal lines of the picture elements are read simultaneously during each horizontal scan. A low-band luminance signal for forming a color difference signal is formed from signals derived from a single horizontal line, while high-band luminance signal is formed from signals derived from the plurality of horizontal lines which are read simultaneously during each scanning.

Abstract: An automatic focusing apparatus having a focusing lens system and an image pickup device for converting a light beam incident thereon into the corresponding electrical signal. The automatic focusing apparatus is arranged so that focusing is performed in accordance with the focus voltage obtained from a predetermined high-frequency component of the electrical signal, on the basis of the fact that the level of the focus voltage corresponds to the sharpness of the resultant image. The focus voltage is successively compared with each of a plurality of reference voltages predetermined to be increased in steps. The focusing lens system is controlled in position in accordance with a comparison between the first reference voltage agreeing with one of the focus voltages and the second reference voltage agreeing with another focus voltage so that the focusing lens system approaches the focus position.

Abstract: A color image signal processing method for a color image input/output system reads an original by an image input section and corrects the color and gradation of the thus obtained image signals and feeds output density signals for each color to an image output device. The processing method includes the steps of calculating differences between desired finished densities and the output density signals at specified points on the original which are obtained by converting input density signals on the specified points based upon reference gradation conversion curves and then prepares characteristic curves of the differences with respect to the output density signals using the same functions for the respective colors and then prepares corrected gradation conversion curves by adding the reference gradation conversion curves to the functions.

Abstract: An electronic still camera includes a photo-taking lens, color temperature detector for detecting the color temperature of the outside of the camera including an object, an image pickup for accumulating therein charges according to the incident light from the object passed through the photo-taking lens, a regulator for regulating the picture signal from the image pickup on the basis of the output of the color temperature detector, a recorder means for recording the picture signal passed through the regulator on a recording medium, a device for producing a luminance signal from the output of the color temperature detector, and a computer for calculating the charge accumulating time of the image pickup for the light from the photo-taking lens on the basis of the luminance signal.

Abstract: An improved camera for recording stimuli received by the pilot of an aircraft. The camera features an improved mount for alignment of a charge-coupled device image forming element with respect to the housing of the camera. The improved mount comprises inner and outer eccentric adjustment members fitting within a bore in the camera housing. Each adjustment member comprises a cylindrical outer surface and a cylindrical bore, the axes of the cylindrical bores and cylindrical outer surfaces being parallel to but not coincident with one another, such that axial misalignment of an image forming element mounted on the inner adjustment member may be corrected by relative rotation of the adjustment members. Skew adjustment may also be provided. During assembly, the camera according to the invention is mounted on an alignment fixture bearing a predetermined relation to a target.

Abstract: A color image sensor comprises an image reading device, made up of a plurality of sensor elements each reading the image information of corresponding pixels, and an incident light splitter for splitting light to be incident on the sensor elements into a plurality of color components. The light rays incident on the sensors are splitted into a plurality of color components by the incident light splitting means. Each of the color components of the splitted incident light is sequentially read by one sensor.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for allowing a raster input scanner with scanning array to operate asynchronously in which timing of the fixed rate shift pulses which delineate the integration period of the array is changed to maintain the shift pulses in timed synchronization with a random integration signal.

Abstract: A video system for exposing a video camera to a field of view through a sequence of different filter elements. A position detection system is employed in order to identify which filter element is in the field of view without requiring synchronization between the filter elements and the camera system. The filter elements are rotated on a wheel in front of the camera lens by an unsynchronized motor, and wheel position is detected and used to trigger a frame buffer so that it fills with signals from a camera view through a particular unitary filter. The position detection system may include a coded marking on the wheel which is detected by a separate sensor or detection in the signal stream from the camera, or it may include means for sensing the filter characteristic in the video signal itself. A controller provides a request of video signals for a particular filter characteristic which operates in synchronism with the position sensor.

Abstract: A CCD imager (10) is adaptable for recording a still image and translating the still image into a NTSC television format. An image array (12) of the imager (10) has a plurality of cells arranged in rows and columns (35-37). The cells are further divided into a plurality of fields including a first field and a second field, cells in any one row belong to a single field. A memory array (16) of the imager comprises a plurality of memory cells (128, 130, 82, 84, 174, 176, 152 and 154) including first cells (128, 82, 174, 152) for storing signals from the first field, and second cells (130, 84, 176, 54) for storing signals from the second field. A transferor (14) is operable to transfer the first field signals to the first memory cells (128, 174, 152), and also transfers the second field signals to the second memory cells (130, 84, 176, 154).

Abstract: A solid state imager device having an electronic shutter function suitable for use in a video camera or an electronic still camera to suppress brightness differences on TV screens between open and closed periods of the shutter having a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a region of second conductivity type formed on the semiconductivity substrate of the first conductivity type and a signal charge accumulating region formed on the surface side of the second conductivity type region wherein, a predetermined voltage is applied to the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type and the signal charges accumulated in the signal charge accumulating region are discharged to the semiconductor substrate of the first conductivity type, whereby, the exposure time of the solid state imager device can be controlled so that when this imager device is used, for example, in a video camera, the video camera does not have to be provided with a mechanical shutter.

Abstract: A multilayered CCD image sensor having semiconductive cells aligned on a substrate to define picture elements of the image sensor, and a photosensitive layer, which is provided above the substrate, is conducted to the semiconductive cells, and photovoltaicly generates charges of light radiation thereon. A vertical charge transfer section is provided on the substrate and is elongated to be parallel to a linear cell array. A horizontal charge transfer section is coupled to one end portion of the vertical charge transfer section, and a drain layer for sweeping out excess charges is coupled to the other end portion of the vertical charge transfer section. In a normal signal charge readout mode, signal charges from the cells are normally transferred to the horizontal charge transfer section through the vertical charge transfer section. A sweep-out operation of excess charges is performed during a vertical blanking period.

Abstract: An asymmetrical sideband modulated (ASM) signal, such as an RF NTSC television signal is demodulated into in-phase and quadrature phase components, each of which are sampled at a sampling rate that is less than the Nyquist rate for the components. The signals, each of which includes aliasing distortion, are respective real and imaginary parts of a complex signal that is not subject to aliasing distortion at the chosen sampling frequency. The in-phase component of the signal is recovered by inserting zero-valued samples interstitially into each of the sampled in-phase and quadrature phase signals and then applying the modified signals to a complex filter. The resultant interpolated in-phase signal is a full bandwidth signal and is substantially free of aliasing distortion.

Abstract: A color image sensor has a plurality of sensor parts aligned in line and the sensor parts are a plurality of sensor chips with filters of a plurality of colors and arranged in line. In this sensor, one of the sensor parts which corresponds to one of the plurality of colors and which influences resolution only to a small extent is omitted at a junction between adjacent ones of the sensor chips. Alternatively, in this sensor, sensor parts with a plurality of filters having a relatively high transmittance, among the filters of the plurality of colors, are alternately arranged to constitute a first sensor row, and sensor parts with filters having a relatively low transmittance are arranged in line to constitute a second row. The second row is parallel to the first row. Each sensor part constituting the second row is larger than that constituting first row.

Abstract: Display systems useful for projection video and television systems are provided to perform with high efficiency and good color rendition. In these systems, color may be provided, as one example, by various light valves, such as liquid crystal displays. Each of the liquid crystal displays are positioned at equal path distances from an illuminating subsystem, and have equal path distances from the light valves to a projection subsystem. This enables optimum illumination of each of the light valves. Various embodiments of arranging the light valves, as well as providing illumination are described.

Abstract: A sensor (CTD) which is formed with pick-up elements (D) for converting incident radiation (L) into electric charge packets which can be shifted to a sensor signal output (TO) through sensor elements under the control of clock pulse signals (CS1) may be beset with unwanted signal smear caused by the shifting process. To eliminate this, the relevant pick-up device includes a signal smear reduction circuit (SRC) which is specifically operative for a smear component produced during instantaneous shifting after a radiation information integration period.

Abstract: A Y/C separator circuit for separating the luminance and chrominance signals from a color composite video signal includes a comb filter, a filter circuit for extracting an ac component of the luminance signal, an ac component detecting circuit for detecting the level of the ac component of luminance signal and generating an ac component detection signal when the level of the ac component of the luminance signal exceeds a predetermined level, signal leakage detection circuit for detecting a leakage signal between the luminance signal and the chrominance signal on the basis of a difference between information signals of the color composite video signal in adjacent two horizontal scanning periods, and generating a leakage detection signal.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting information recorded on film to video signal data in which the film is transported in the direction of its length between light source and scanner optics in which each film frame is scanned by lines and scan data is stored in a frame buffer. The storage operation is synchronized by frame through an electro-optical assembly which is positioned to detect passage of film sprocket apertures toward the scanning station, which apertures possess a predefined relationship to the frame edges in accordance with industry standards. A shift register delay is responsive to pulses from a film transport tachometer for selectively delaying the synchronization signal to the buffer, and thereby accommodating both separation of the synchronization optics from the scanning station and variations in film transport velocity. The frame buffer is clocked to store data by scan line through a second tachometer, which thus likewise automatically compensates for variations in film transport speed.

Abstract: Sets of color filters are located so that one color filter is above each photoelectric conversion element and each set of color filters forms a pixel. An optical diffusion member is provided over each set of color filters to cause the diffusion of light incident on the color filters. Light shields are placed between each optical diffusion member to shield each optical diffusion member.

Abstract: A cover accessory for a still camera permits the replacement of the film with an electronic recording of the video image. An optical system is provided with the cover for re-forming an image of an object, an image having been formed by an objective lens in a predetermined film plane, and providing the image to a photo taking device for electronically recording image data. A relay viewfinder optical system is connected optically to the viewfinder of the camera, and indicates at least one viewfinder indication that is proper to the video accessory through the relay viewfinder.

Abstract: In an automatic focusing circuit of a video camera, an automatic focusing operation is performed by a focus evaluating value produced in response to a video signal obtained in an image sensing circuit (4). A focusing motor control circuit (14) controls rotation of a focusing motor (3) so that a focusing lens (1) is once fixed in the position where the focus evaluating value takes the maximum value. Then, a control circuit (14) resumes the automatic focusing operation after a lapse of a second time period when it is determined that the focus evaluating value was decreased to a predetermined level during a first time period and maintained the level over the second time period, and does not resume the automatic focusing operation when it is determined that the focus evaluating value did not maintain the level.