Abstract: An image combined high sensitivity image and low sensitivity image is provided with well-adjusted white balance and broad dynamic range. The image is obtained by multiplying the combined data by total gain that depends on scene. A white balance is adjusted with gain value calculated from of high output image data. Lv value representing luminance is calculated and compared with a threshold to decide whether or not the high sensitivity image and the low sensitivity image should be combined. First gamma correction unit performs gamma-correction for the image signal derived from the high sensitivity signal with first gamma character, second gamma correction unit performs gamma-correction for the image signal derived from the low sensitivity signal with second gamma character that is different from the first gamma character, and addition unit combines the image signal from the first gamma correction unit and the image signal from the second gamma correction unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a camera body with high operability and a camera system with high operability including the camera body and an image pickup lens unit that is detachably mounted on the camera body. The camera body has two modes, namely, a photographing mode for receiving an image signal from the image pickup lens unit, applying signal processing to the image signal, and recording the image signal and a reproduction mode for reading out a recorded image signal and displaying an image based on the image signal on a display screen and includes a mode switching section that switches these two modes freely according to operation.

Abstract: An imaging device has a single image pickup element, an image pickup lens arranged in front of the image pickup element, a first optical element having a concave lens property and arranged in front of the image pickup lens, and a second optical elements having no concave lens property and arranged in front of the image pickup lens. The first optical element guides light from a wide angle range in a forward slanting lower side direction onto the image pickup lens, and forms the light as an image in the image pickup element via the image pickup lens. The second optical elements guide lights from non-wide angle ranges in both left and right side directions onto the image pickup lens, and form these lights as images in the image pickup element via the image pickup lens.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the correction of video signals which are produced by pixel-by-pixel reading of picture cells from an optoelectronic sensor via two or more channels which have different transmission characteristics. In this case, the video signal is supplied to a processing circuit and is converted to digital pixel values. Estimated values for pixel values of another transmission channel are calculated from the digital pixel values of one transmission channel, and the estimated values and pixel values of one transmission channel are used to derive correction values, which correct differences between the estimated values and the pixel values of the relevant transmission channel, if necessary.

Abstract: A noise restraint apparatus for a digital camera which has an imaging device for imaging a photographic subject, comprises an outputting processor and a controlling processor. The outputting processor outputs a vertical synchronous signal to the imaging device. The controlling processor controls an output cycle with which the outputting processor outputs the vertical synchronous signal. The output cycle has a first cycle, for a first period which is the period before an exposure operation, in which a photographic subject is imaged by the imaging device, and a second cycle which is longer than the first cycle, for a second period, while the exposure operation is performed.

Abstract: A method of managing files of a digital photographing apparatus and a digital photographing apparatus performing the file management method are provided. The file management method includes: photographing an image in a photographing mode, playing back stored image files in a playback mode, selecting an image file to be deleted according to a manipulation by a user in the playback mode, and deleting the image file from a storage medium after the playback mode is changed to the photographing mode.

Abstract: An image sensing apparatus calculates the first white balance control data on the basis of representative values of data for respective color components for at least some of image sensing data, or data of average values of the color components. The apparatus calculates the second white balance control data obtained by correcting the first white balance control data on the basis of the correlation between the first flashing information sent from an electronic flash device and the second flashing information sent from the electronic flash device in photography. The apparatus performs white balance adjustment in regular photography using the second white balance control data.

Abstract: In an illumination apparatus, an optical element has an exit surface in which an inclination to a perpendicular to an irradiation optical axis in a first area is greater than that of a second area, and the inclination of the first area gradually increases in order from the irradiation optical axis, an intermediate part and a periphery of the exit surface. The first and second areas are defined as those divided by an interface surface that includes an irradiation optical axis and is orthogonal to a plane that is orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the light source. A first reflective surface reflects first light to the intermediate part in the first area. A second reflective surface reflects second light to the periphery in the second area.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus comprises an image capturing element which performs image capturing while utilizing a plurality types of color filters which are arranged based on repetition of a pattern determined in advance, a color change detecting part which detects a color change regarding the result of the image capturing while considering the pattern, and an adder and a core processing part which generate a luminance signal regarding the result of the image capturing based on the result of color change detection.

Abstract: In a digital camera, when snapshot shooting is instructed during recording of a moving image, a shot still image is temporarily pushed aside in a memory area for use in pushing aside (7a) in a frame buffer (7). A currently shooting motion image and a still image are displayed in parallel on a display (9), so that a user can confirm a content of a snapshot. The moving image continues to be recorded even during a push-aside operation. After a moving image processing is completed, the still image is processed by an image correcting circuit (4) The frame buffer (7) comprises a plurality of frame recording areas, and is shared on the occasions of a moving image processing and a still image processing. In a normal moving image processing, these areas are utilized in a cyclic manner, and when the still image is shot, any of areas will be utilized. Thereafter, the rest of areas are utilized in the cyclic manner for the moving images.

Abstract: A digital video image stabilization method features scene change detection, adaptive stabilization in two dimensions, prevention of accumulated-compensation saturation, multi-resolution motion estimation, and compatibility with MPEG video encoding standards. The method uses block-based motion estimation on a selected set of macroblocks, which generates and validates a set of motion vectors, to determine how a digital camcorder or other video recording device is moving; accumulates motion data to estimate and preserve overall motion due to panning while eliminating small variations due to shaking; and resets its accumulated motion data when it detects a scene change. The method uses this information to select a sub-image from a larger image for the selected video frame. When one or more edges of the sub-image approach the edges of the larger image, the method reduces its correction factor to transition smoothly to a faster pan and prevent saturation.

Abstract: A photosensitive imaging apparatus has a linear array of groups of photosensors. In a low-resolution scanning mode, all of the photosensors in each group act together as one large photosensor. In a high-resolution scanning mode, each photosensor in a group acts outputs image-based signals independently. In either mode, the signals output by the photosensors are transferred to one of two output lines, such as for “odd-” and “even-” positioned photosensors or groups of photosensors. The signals on the two lines can then be multiplexed to a single output line. The dual output lines enable fast signal output in either resolution mode.

Abstract: Combining audio channel signals includes shifting the phase of a first audio signal relative to a second audio signal. In one embodiment, the relative phase shifting is substantially limited to a predetermined frequency range.

Abstract: An improved electrolytic loudspeaker assembly (10) designed to reproduce a broad band of audio signals and that consists of a thin, non-magnetic capacitive transducer (12) and a transducer driver unit (60). The transducer (12) consists of a compound diaphragm (14) further consisting of a vibratory center section (16) having attached to each of its surfaces a respective front section (26) and back section (32). All three sections of the compound diaphragm are held captive by a frame assembly (40). The transducer (12) is driven and controlled by the transducer driver unit (60). The unit couples the audio signal to the transducer's front and back sections (26) (32) and supplies an unregulated, d-c bias voltage to the transducer's center section (16). The unit (60) maintains the proper ratio between the bias voltage and audio signal to achieve optimum performance.

Abstract: A digital glitch filter includes first and second NOR gates coupled with feedback to form a first sampling stage, third and fourth NOR gates coupled to the output of the first and second NOR gate, respectively, and fifth and sixth NOR gates coupled with feedback to form a second sampling stage and coupled to the output of the third and fourth NOR gate, respectively, as well as three AND gates. A clock pulse generator is used to generate the pulse signals required by the glitch filter. For multiple-signal applications, the glitch filter requires relatively few gates.

Abstract: A direct frequency synthesizer is provided with a single stage or multiple cascaded stages. Each stage includes a fixed frequency input channel and a selectable frequency input channel which are coupled respectively to the I and L ports of a mixer. The input channel includes a divider having a divisor equal to N. The selectable frequencies range from f.sub.1 to f.sub.1 +j.theta.. Single-pole-multiple-throw switches selectively connect the fixed and selectable frequencies to the mixer to generate output frequency signals through an output filter bank. Specific relationships among N, n and .theta. are used to establish continuous output frequency coverage, stage cascadability and other synthesizer operating features.

Abstract: A multichannel sine synthesizer for the primary signal production in measuring signal generators having a phase accumulator (11), a low-pass filter (12), an interposed first synthesis channel (13) and a clock control unit (25) which together convert a phase increment applied to the phase accumulator (11) into a sinusoidal signal. A problem in such synthesizers is the comparatively low maximum frequency of the sinusoidal signal produced because this frequency is limited by alias frequency effects. This is the reason why, in order to increase the maximum frequency with the same clock frequency, there is connected parallel to the synthesis channel (13) at least one further modified synthesis channel (26), which operates so as to be shifted in the time and to the input side of which is applied an additive phase value constant with a given frequency.

Abstract: A numerical control type oscillator whose output oscillation frequency is controlled depending on input numerical data, comprises: first accumulation means for accumulating a first set value which is set depending on the input numerical data with a first frequency and sequentially outputting the accumulated value; second accumulation means for accumulating a second set value which is set depending on the input numerical data with a second frequency and varying the first set value by a predetermined value temporarily when the accumulated value reaches a predetermined maximum value; and frequency generation means for outputting a frequency depending on an output of the first accumulation means as an oscillation frequency.

Abstract: A linear FM waveform generator employs direct digital synthesis and includes a digital linear FM signal generator, a digital-analog converter, and a sampler means. The linear FM waveform generator includes a frequency slope register coupled to a first stage integrator which in turn is coupled to a second stage integrator, all of which operate off a system clock. The output signal from the second stage integrator represents phase as a quadratic function of time. A stored sine look-up table is referenced to generate an output digital signal representing amplitude as a function of time. The output digital signal is converted to an analog linear FM waveform which in turn is coupled to a sampler that includes a step recovery diode and a fast switch.

Abstract: An operational amplifier circuit comprises a pair of emitter common transistors forming a differential amplifier circuit including a first conductivity type first and second transistors; a current mirror circuit including a second conductivity type third and fourth transistors having commonly connected bases and collectors which are connected with the first and second transistors, respectively and a second conductivity of fifth transistor having an emitter connected with the common bases and a base connected with the collector of the fourth transistor; and an output circuit including a second conductivity type sixth transistor having a base connected with the collector of the first transistor and a second conductivity type seventh transistor having a base connected with the emitter of the sixth transistor for outputting an output of the collector of the seventh transistor via a transistor buffer.