Abstract: In an automatic focusing circuit of a video camera, an automatic focusing operation is performed in response to a first focus evaluating value which is steeply changed and a second focus evaluating value which is gently changed, in response to the position of a lens, in which the first and second focus evaluation values are generated in response to a video signal obtained in an image sensing circuit 4. When a comparator 28 determines that the first focus evaluating value does not reach a predetermined reference value, a in-focus state detecting circuit 24 and a focusing motor control circuit 10 perform an intermittent automatic focusing operating every other field in response to the second focus evaluating value.

Abstract: A color graphic image processing system which first reads the color graphic image to be processed by using a color image input device, and then encodes read-out signals into 4 through 6 units of encoded words per each color using a data input system. The color graphic image processing system then compresses the encoded data for storage in a storage data device and then the system transmits the stored data for conversion into specific data signals suited for an output device. The system then delivers complete picture signals to the output device.

Abstract: A highly controllable video camera is disclosed which includes an image intensifier for collecting light reflected or emitted from an object for a short period of time and developing a luminous image of the object which is communicated to a completely exposed CCD image sensor over a second period related to the decay rate of the light emitting phosphor screen of the image intensifier, the type of photograph being taken and the desired image quality. The CCD subsequently develops the light focussed thereon into electrical signals representative of the object. The electrical signals collected within the CCD are serially read from the CCD by a readout processing control and the discrete signals are alternately switched into ODD and EVEN memory banks for storage in a pattern which will facilitate producing an interlaced video signal from the output of the memories.

Abstract: In the generation of NTSC color television signals, the luminance signal and the color difference signals are pre-filtered along the vertical picture axis. Full bandwidth luminance is pre-filtered by combining, with appropriate coefficients, signals from three adjacent television lines, and, additionally, a vertical detail signal is generated by combining the same three adjacent television lines, with difference coefficients, and low pass filtering the resultant signal. A desired adjustable level of the vertical detail signal is added back into the pre-filtered full bandwidth luminance signal to partially or fully cancel the effect at the lower frequencies of pre-filtering the luminance signal. Time multiplexed color difference signals at baseband are prefiltered by combining with appropriate coefficients, the signals from three adjacent television lines. The prefiltering operation is translated to the conventional NTSC chrominance band by the color modulation process.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus having an electrode to eliminate surplus charges by surface charge recombination. The operating frequency which is applied to the electrode to perform the recombination is changed in accordance with the variable exposure time during the converting operation to change anti-blooming capability.

Abstract: A solid-state color imaging apparatus having a plurality of picture elements for converting incident light to signal charges with the picture elements being arrayed regularly in both a horizontal direction and a vertical direction to form horizontal rows and vertical columns. First color filters are on the picture elements in odd numbered rows for providing modulation characteristics of color components and causing the picture elements in the odd numbered rows to generate a first color difference signal. Second color filters are on the picture elements in even numbered rows for providing modulation characteristics of color components and causing the picture elements in the even numbered rows to generate a second color difference signal. The first and second color difference signals are substantially zero when achromatic light is incident upon the picture elements or is picked up at a reference color temperature.

Abstract: A light signal control circuit for an image pick-up apparatus detects a substantially peak value of image pick-up signals by a first level detection circuit, detects a substantially average value of the image pick-up signals by a second level detection circuit, determine a brightness condition of an object by a decision circuit, weights the outputs of the first level detection circuit and the second level detection circuit by a weighting circuit, and controls the amount of light reaching an image pick-up apparatus in accordance with an output of the weighting circuit. Optimum light control corresponding to the brightness condition of the object is attained by controlling the weighting operation in accordance with an output of the decision circuit.

Abstract: A luminance-chrominance signal separation circuit in which only those values of a digitized video signal which do not manifest drop-out are used for producing a luminance and a chrominance signal from linear combinations of the video signals. Different combinations are used depending on the locations of the drop-out.

Abstract: A data compander for digital video signals wherein the sampling frequency is locked to the chrominance-subcarrier frequency. The data compander includes the following cascaded subcircuits: a lock-mode-changing filter which changes the lock of the video signals with the chrominance subcarrier into signals whose clock frequency is locked to the line frequency; an (a/b)-decimation filter, where a, b are integers, and a is less than b; a first peaking filter; a utilization circuit for the line-locked signals; a (b/a)-interpolation filter; a lock-mode-reversing filter which changes the lock of the signals with the line frequency; and a second peaking filter.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging system is provided with a vertical and/or horizontal window function, in which vertical and/or horizontal scanning corresponding to an unnecessary pick-up range of a camera subject (hatched portions of FIG. 8) is done with a high rate or omitted by driving with high frequency or resetting a vertical and/or a horizontal scanning register.

Abstract: A color document image reading device provides for inputting of a color image on an original document to various kinds of image processing apparatus. The color document image is decomposed into predetermined pixels, then photoelectrically converted into an electric signal, and then outputted with the pixels arranged time-serially. A filter has a plurality of color separation filter elements which are arranged in a flat configuration while being physically isolated from each other by a light-intercepting area having a predetermined width. The filter is driven by filter drive means in a reciprocal motion in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis, whereby any of the filter elements is brought into alignment with the optical axis. The filter is supported in such a manner as to be movable in a direction of movement of the filter drive means while being prevented from moving in the other directions.

Abstract: An electronic still camera comprising a shutter release, a solid state imaging device on which an image of an object is focused through an optical system, a driver for driving the imaging device to derive an object picture signal, an analog-to-digital converter for converting this signal into a digital image signal, and a semiconductor memory card detachably loaded into the housing, for recording the digital image signal. The memory card has semiconductor memory chips mounted on a printed circuit board. The camera operates in a motion image display mode by half depression of the shutter release, and operates in a still image mode by full depression of the release. In the motion image display mode, the driver drives the imaging device on a real time basis to sequentially derive object picture signals and supplies them to an electronic view finder to display the object in the motion image mode. In the still image mode, a shutter pulse corresponding to the shutter time external set is generated.

Abstract: Reading horizontal and vertical scanning circuits and a resetting vertical scanning circuit are connected to an image sensor including a plurality of photodiodes arranged in a matrix form. The resetting vertical scanning circuit generates vertical scanning pulses prior to the scanning of the reading vertical scanning circuit by a shutter time T.sub.S. Where the reading vertical scanning circuit performs a two-line-at-a-time reading, the resetting vertical scanning circuit also performs the two-line-at-a-time reading. The reading vertical scanning circuit reads the signal of the lines reset by the resetting scanning circuit and outputs it as a video signal.

Abstract: An image reading device for reading an image by a solid-state image reading elements (CCDs) being disposed at the image forming point of an optical unit which is integrated with at least an image forming lens, dichroic mirror for separating the color image into plural color components and unit construction parts such as a base, fixing plates, and lens barrel. The image reading elements are fixed to a lens holding member with an attaching plate by using adhesive. The attaching plate has a position adjusting mechanism.

Abstract: A registration adjusting apparatus for a color television camera having a plurality of image pick-up tubes in which an effective image area is divided into segmented image areas and the registration adjustment is effected for every one of the segmented image areas, changes the registration control data sequentially at predetermined intervals and calculates the registration error in every segmented image area over the entire image area from the values of the centering control data produced at the time points when the registration errors of the respective segmented image areas are inverted in polarity, thereby to reduce the time necessary for performing registration adjustment. The registration error data is produced using a test chart of vertical and horizontal stripes over the segmented image area and by interpolation or extrapolation, the registration error data at the centers of the respective segmented image areas can be obtained.

Abstract: A layer of fresh colorant is deposited on a first drum. Solvent is selectively deposited on a second drum in contact with the colorant layer in response to an electrical signal representing the density of a picture element. The colorant layer is subsequently brought into contact with first the solvent on the second drum and then with a recording medium to transfer the portion of the colorant layer which contacts the solvent to the recording medium.

Abstract: The magnitude of a chroma-key selected color signal is evaluated for successive pixels in comparison with the previous line as well as in comparison with a previous pixel, for processing a cutover switching signal. A provisional switching signal is produced if either comparison result exceeds a prescribed threshold value. Since it is desired to fade in the foreground signal, it becomes important, if the trailing edge of the provisional signal occurs relatively early, that an adaptive nonrecursive digital filter operating as a color carrier phase shifter should be used to assure prompt transfer of control of the fading in (or fading out) steps to a color carrier phase correction signal present at the input of an intermediate store which operates as a sample and hold circuit. The filter receives successive color control signals for a period controlled by an exclusive OR-gate comparing the delayed and an undelayed provisional switching signal.

Abstract: An image processing system capable of image enlargement and reduction. Interpolation data is stored in memory in the form of look-up tables for producing image data interpolating between adjacent pixels. The interpolation is carried out based on a selection signal determined in accordance with the designated magnification. The stored interpolation data has a plurality of data tables having distinctive conversion characteristics. A particular data table can be selected in accordance with a property of the original image.

Abstract: A device performs color balance adjustment on the basis of color temperature information obtained by adding up measured color information outputs sampled from color sensors which obtain measured color information from an object to be photographed.

Abstract: A color image pickup device comprises an image pickup tube, a color stripe filter comprising a plurality of stripe groups each having a plurality of stripes, and a circuit for obtaining a color multiplexed signal by multiplexing color components obtained via the color stripe filter in a direction perpendicular to the scanning direction for every one stripe group. The color stripe filter is arranged on the image pickup tube so that a longitudinal direction of the stripes of the color stripe filter is substantially parallel to a scanning direction of the image pickup tube. A filter for extracting a fundamental wave component and a second harmonic wave component from the output of the color stripe filter may be provided so that the color components are supplied to the circuit via the filter.