Abstract: A technique for backlight compensation in a monitoring camera performs automatic backlight compensation without any need for manually redesignating a backlight compensation area, despite changes in ambient illumination, by selecting the most appropriate backlight compensation area for changes in the ambient illumination and the movement of an object from among a plurality of predetermined backlight compensation areas and controlling an iris on the basis of the luminance signal level of the selected backlight compensation area, to thereby control the luminance signal level.

Abstract: A system and method for control of the field of view of one or more cameras for providing that one or more subjects are to be in a single field of view ("share view") wherein the system will automatically calculate the values for the various field of view variables to provide the appropriate camera operation. Various computer-controlled programs are included to operate the system including programs for the integration of camera operation and automatic tracking of the subjects present. The system is designed for video and it can automatically add and remove subjects from a share view.

Abstract: A method for reducing smear in video images generated by a frame transfer CCD imaging system having an array of charge coupled devices. The video images comprise successive image frames, each frame including an array of image pixels corresponding to the array of charge coupled devices. The pixel array has a plurality of rows and columns. Each frame is temporally separated from a next successive frame by an integration time interval during which light falling upon the array of charge coupled devices is integrated to produce integrated charge samples representative of image frame pixel values, and by a transfer interval during which the charge samples are transferred from an imaging area to a storage area.

Abstract: A photometric circuit performs photometry on an object field using an accumulating photometric element, such as, for example, a CCD. An accumulation controller controls the photometric circuit. An abnormality sensor determines whether an abnormality, such as, for example, the inversion effect of the photometric output of the photometric circuit has occurred. The accumulation controller sets the accumulation time of the photometric element for the next round of photometry to a minimum value, for example, when it has been determined by the abnormality sensor that an abnormality has occurred. This allows the photometric circuit to return to normal operation as quickly as possible.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element for picking up an image of a subject and outputting a picked-up image signal, an electronic image magnification enlarging circuit for enlarging an image magnification of the subject by intermittently reading out the picked-up image signal outputted from the image pickup element and varying an image read-out area of an image plane, an exposure control circuit for executing exposure control on the basis of a result obtained by comparing a level of the picked-up image signal with a predetermined reference level, and a correcting circuit for correcting, according to the image magnification of the electronic image magnification enlarging circuit, a no-signal-containing portion produced by an operation of the electronic image magnification enlarging circuit and contained in the picked-up image signal to be supplied to the exposure control circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing dimly illuminated and rapidly changing scenes includes a sensor assembly which generates a video signal. The apparatus further includes a controller which receives the video signal for comparison to a desired average video value whereupon the controller adjusts at least one adjustable variable contained within the sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a lens which has an adjustable iris and an image intensification tube which includes a photocathode and a micro-channel plate. The photocathode has an adjustable photocathode gate pulsewidth and the micro-channel plate has an adjustable micro-channel plate gain. A strobe is also provided to illuminate the scene viewed by the sensor assembly wherein the strobe is connected to a processor which is also connected to the controller. The controller determines what the ambient light level is to be at the next illuminated or non-illuminated scene and adjusts the adjustable variables accordingly.

Abstract: A hand deviation correction device for correcting hand deviation components of an image. The hand deviation correction device includes a deflection detection unit for detecting the state of deflection, a deflection state discriminating unit for discriminating at least willful deflection and deflection by hand deviation, as deflection state, based on deflection detection signals from the deflection detection unit and a deflection correction signal outputting unit for calculating a deflection correction amount from the deflection state discrimination unit based on the deflection state discriminating signal from the deflection state discriminating unit for outputting a deflection correction signal.

Abstract: An adapter device for connecting a peripheral equipment such as an electronic camera to an electric apparatus, such as a TV monitor includes a body formed approximately in a rectangular parallepiped shape having respective first and second longitudinally displaced side surfaces extending transversely of the body, a first connector disposed on an upper surface of the body and arranged for connection with the peripheral equipment, a second connector disposed at the first side surface of the body and arranged for connection with the electric apparatus and an operation member disposed at the second side surface of the body and movable transversely of the body for connecting and detaching the peripheral equipment to and from the first connector. The adapter device includes a cam system with multiple cam parts arranged to facilitate connecting and detaching the peripheral equipment to and from the first connector.

Abstract: A system and method of determining representative frames of a video sequence to form a visual table of contents for a video tape is disclosed. A representative frame is identified on the occurrence of an event, such as the beginning of a recording sequence, which may follow a record command, a pause-release command, some form of special effect command, or a user-initiated marking command. The representative frame, and location data associated therewith, may be marked along the length of a video tape in a camcorder or VCR, or, the representative frame may be identified and stored, along with the location data therefor, on a MIC. In the case where the representative frame location data is stored on the tape, a scanning mechanism is provided for scanning the recorded video tape to locate the representative frames.

Abstract: An electronic still-video camera is provided capable of preserving image data having a quantity which is greater than the storage capacity of a memory cartridge (memory card) loaded in the camera. Besides being capable of receiving an external memory in a memory cartridge loaded in the camera, the camera incorporates an internal memory. Image data obtained as a result of photography is stored in either the internal memory or the external memory, depending upon which memory has been selected by a memory selection switch.

Abstract: The image indicating device has an LCD on which a first color filter is provided, and a CCD on which a second color filter is provided. In the first color filter, a color filter element of one of said three primary colors is disposed on each of the dots in such a manner that the three primary colors are arranged in a delta-arrangement. A number of pixels of the CCD, which are arranged in a matrix, is double a number of dots of the LCD. In the first and second horizontal lines of the second color filter, adjacent pairs of color filter elements having the same color are arranged in a vertical direction, and in the third and fourth horizontal lines of the second color filter, adjacent pairs of color filter elements having the same color are arranged in a horizontal direction.

Abstract: A linear image sensor includes N arrays of photoelectric converting pixels, wherein N is an even integer at least equal to 2. Each array is formed by arranging, with a predetermined pixel pitch in a first direction of the array, a plurality of pixels, and each of the pixels is so shaped that the area per unit length of the pixel decreases progressively from the center of the pixel both in the first direction of the array and in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The N arrays themselves are provided with a mutual distance from each other of M/2 times the pixel pitch in the second direction and are mutually displaced by 1/N of the pixel pitch in the first direction so as to form a mutually interpolating arrangement, wherein M is a positive integer equal to at least 1 and wherein M and N are independent of each other.

Abstract: A camera for recording motion sequences which may be selected for forming an integral image. The camera includes an image capture device for capturing a scene action as a motion sequence of image frame signals; and a first storage device for storing the motion sequence. A comb subset of the motion sequence is selected; and a second storage device which may be the same or different from the first storage device, stores the selected comb subset of the motion sequence. A method of obtaining in a camera such as the foregoing camera, a set of images from which a lenticular motion image can be formed, is further provided.

Abstract: A charge-coupled device (CCD) scanning apparatus which consists of a plurality of nonsquare crystals is disclosured. By modulating a radio of vertical width to lateral width in the nonsquare crystal, the improved CCD scanning, apparatus can decrease the sample width, increase the sample frequency, therefore, it can reduce distortion and improve the quality of the image.

Abstract: An optical apparatus includes a light quantity adjusting member arranged to vary a quantity of light when the member is moved, a stepping motor arranged to drive the light quantity adjusting member, a luminance detecting part for detecting the luminance of a shooting object on the basis of the quantity of light obtained through the light quantity adjusting member, and a control circuit for driving and controlling the stepping motor in such a way as to make a difference between the luminance of the object detected by the luminance detecting part and a target luminance value smaller, the control circuit being arranged to change the driving speed of the stepping motor to be lowered when the object luminance comes near to the target luminance value.

Abstract: An amplifying circuit comprising an amplifying element and a memory element as well as an element to adjust the signal in an output terminal of the amplifying element to a known level, a measure of the corresponding level in a control terminal of the amplifying element being stored on the memory element.

Abstract: Image transduction device pixel cells are described which have analog memory integrated with the pixel transduction elements and arrays made from such pixel cells. The integrated pixel cells are capable of storing information which, for example, can achieve a desired transduction transfer function for a given pixel transduction element. While the present invention may be used with any type of continuously variable, settable, and nonvolatile analog memory, the analog memory is beneficially based on a ferroelectric gate transistor comprised of an amorphous silicon transistor integrated with a ferroelectric gate dielectric layer or an amorphous silicon transistor with a charge storage dielectric gate layer.

Abstract: An imaging device formed as a monolithic complementary metal oxide semiconductor integrated circuit in an industry standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor process, the integrated circuit including a focal plane array of pixel cells, each one of the cells including a photogate overlying the substrate for accumulating photo-generated charge in an underlying portion of the substrate and a charge coupled device section formed on the substrate adjacent the photogate having a sensing node and at least one charge coupled device stage for transferring charge from the underlying portion of the substrate to the sensing node. There is also a readout circuit, part of which can be disposed at the bottom of each column of cells and be common to all the cells in the column. The imaging device can also include an electronic shutter formed on the substrate adjacent the photogate, and/or a storage section to allow for simultaneous integration.

Abstract: There is provided a signal processing apparatus for processing input three primary color signals, which is capable of providing natural color reproduction. Input color signals R to B are subjected to a matrix operation to obtain color difference signals (R-Y)0 and (B-Y)0. The color signals R to B are compressed by means of high luminance compression circuits 12R to 12B, respectively, and these output color signals R1, G1 and B1 are subjected to obtain a luminance signal Y1, color difference signals (R-Y)1 and (B-Y)1. The respective outputs obtained from the matrix operation are operated by means of look-up tables 43 to 45 and 52 to obtain color difference signals (R-Y)3 and (B-Y)3 for representing a color which has the same hue as a hue .theta. 0 of color represented by color signals R to B and a saturation same with the saturation r1 of color represented by color signals R1, G1 and B1.

Abstract: A video camera having a recorder-reproducer, comprising an OSD IC and an LCD panel device that includes a synchronization signal separation circuit, an LCD panel, a signal line, and an LCD controller made of a horizontal synchronization separation circuit and a PLL circuit. The horizontal synchronization separation circuit separates a horizontal synchronizing signal from a composite synchronizing signal received from the synchronizing signal separation circuit. The PLL circuit generates a reproduced horizontal synchronizing signal in synchronism with the horizontal synchronizing signal separated by the horizontal synchronization separation circuit. The reproduced horizontal synchronizing signal output by the PLL circuit is fed to the LCD panel via the signal line. Although the PLL circuit is intended to supply the reproduced horizontal synchronizing signal primarily to the LCD panel, this signal is also fed to the OSD IC via a terminal and a switch.