Abstract: An image sensor having a photodetecting element array including a plurality of blocks linearly arrayed in a first scan direction, each block compromising a plurality of photodetecting elements, a plurality of switching elements for transferring charges generated in the photodetecting elements, and a drive IC for outputting the charges in the form of image signals. The switching elements in a block and the switching elements in another block located adjacent to the former block are connected by signal lines, in order of linear proximity to each other. The signal lines connecting the switching elements in a block to the switching elements in blocks on both sides of the former block are disposed oppositely with respect to the first scan direction, and are disposed in such a way that the shortest signal line is located closest to the photodetecting element array, the next shortest signal line is located next closest to the photodetecting element array, and so on.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for transferring data from an imaging device. An image array is used to capture an image arranged in columns and rows of charges held in pixels in the image array. These charges are then transferred through a group of vertical registers to a storage register. Once in the storage register rows which have not been selected for transfer are dumped to a dump drain. Rows that have been selected for transfer continue through the vertical registers until they reach a pair of transfer registers from which the rows are output.

Abstract: A video signal correction device is arranged to form a correction signal corresponding to an input video signal, to add the correction signal to the input video signal for correcting the video signal, and, in adding the correction signal to the video signal, to vary the level of the correction signal according to the level of the input video signal. This arrangement enables the device to correct the video signal always in an optimum manner for improved reproducibility of the video signal.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a sensing element, such as a CCD, which receives a light signal, performs a photoelectric conversion, and stores information. Information is read from the sensing element, while information which corresponds to a partial interval T1 of a reading interval period nT is eliminated, at the reading period nT, which is n (where n is an integer equal to or greater than 2) times a field period T of a standard television signal.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus for forming an image corresponding to a subject is provided, which image forming apparatus includes a taking lens for making an optical image corresponding to the subject, and a dividing portion for dividing the optical image transmitted via said taking lens into several adjacent optical image parts. The image forming apparatus further includes several solid-state image sensors corresponding to the number of the optical image parts, each of said solid-state image sensors receiving a corresponding optical image part from among the several optical image parts from the dividing portion and outputting an image signal corresponding to the optical image part, the optical image parts received by said solid-state image sensors being adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A CCD image pickup apparatus comprises a CCD having a plurality of horizontal scanning lines and a plurality of picture elements arranged along each of the horizontal scanning lines, a plurality of video output signal lines connected to the CCD in such a manner that a plurality of video output signals are produced by the CCD and introduced into the video output signal lines, a video signal synthesizing means for synthesizing the video output signals so as to produce a single video signal, and an A/D conversion means for analog-digital converting the single video signal produced by the synthesizing means so as to produce a digital signal. A sampling-hold means can be used between the amplifier and the synthesizing means in place of the A/D conversion means and the D/A conversion means.

Abstract: Apparatus for converting, for example, 24 Hz 1:1 format film to, for example, a 60 Hz 2:1 interlace format video signal comprises a converter (12) for transferring 24 Hz 1:1 format film material to a 60 Hz 2:1 interlace format video signal using 3 2 3 2 pull down, and a coder (13) associated with the converter (12) for associating a 10-field sequence identifier with the video signal. The 10-field sequence identifier is used to maintain identification of the phantom fields and the field sequence through subsequent processing, and in particular to control motion processing.

Abstract: A CCD imaging camera is adaptively controlled by: illuminating a reflectance field of view, selectively sensing a desired image field area within the field of view and generating an image signal thereof, reducing low frequency components of the sensed area image signal, generating a contrast signal from the image signal, generating an average or mean signal from a plurality of image contrast signals, comparing the mean signal with a reference signal corresponding to a predetermined contrast maximum value, and thereafter controlling the light level or the range of the camera to the object field.

Abstract: The high voltage power supply of an image intensifier is operated intermittently to minimize the effect on a resulting intensified image of interference produced by the power supply, the input capacitance of the intensifier maintaining the high voltage at an acceptable level when the power supply is not operating. When used in conjunction with a video camera, the power supply may be allowed to operate only during the frame synch and/or line synch periods. A shutter may inhibit operation of the image intensifier while its power supply is operating.

Abstract: A high definition camera for photographing still pictures using a high resolution charge-coupled solid-state imaging device. The charge-coupled solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged in rows and columns in matrix form, each element corresponding to a pixel and the rows being divided into four fields, a plurality of vertical charge transfer paths formed between each column of the photoelectric conversion elements and a horizontal charge transfer path connected to a terminal portion of each of the vertical charge transfer paths. Pixel signals generated at photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to one of four fields are transferred to transfer elements in a field shift period corresponding to the one field.

Abstract: A camera includes an electronic zooming feature to selectively transform an image actually received at an image sensor into a displayed image at a photographing plane according to different angles of view corresponding to different zooming ratios. The image actually received is converted to binary data and stored in memory according to address coordinates. Electronic zooming is performed without affecting the optical system of the camera by reading stored data from memory to obtain an area defined by selected address coordinates and displaying an image corresponding to a desired focal length.

Abstract: The apparatus and method transforms composite video signals according to NTSC, PAL, or SECAM standards into a symmetrical form in which the chroma component is phase locked to the instantaneous horizontal frequency to provide a fixed chroma phase to horizontal position alignment of video samples for efficient spatial manipulation thereof while preserving the storage efficiency of the single signal composite video format. The horizontally phase-locked symmetrical composite video signal may be transformed back to original asymmetrical chroma-reference based phase modulation for conventional display of the video signals.

Abstract: An intermittent motion flying spot telecine capable of operating in real time provides an adequate film pull down time to allow the use of pin-registration by including a digital scan corrector (18) and a picture store and sequential-to-interlace converter (19) and by adjusting the CRT scanning circuitry (24). Three measures are employed: (I) the film is scanned with a sequential scanning raster and subsequent sequential-to-interlace conversion is performed, so as to combine two field blanking intervals into one longer one, (II) data is written into the picture store at a faster rate than required for the output and read out at a conventional rate, and (III) a triangular line scanning waveform is employed to allow line flyback time to be removed and the instantaneous line rate increased.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device composed of a plurality of photo-diodes each of which having a P-N junction. A P-N junction which corresponds to that of a faulty picture cell is destroyed through use of a high energy beam irradiation, such as a laser. Signal data corresponding to that of the destroyed picture cell is detected through use of a voltage comparator which outputs a signal indicative of either a preceding picture cell or that corresponding to a picture cell of a preceding row of picture cells. This system can be used for specific address information.

Abstract: An interchangeable lens system includes a camera unit and a lens unit detachably attached to the camera unit. The camera unit includes an exposure control signal forming circuit for forming an exposure control signal for control of the state of exposure and a control reference value for the exposure control signal, and a transmitting circuit for transmitting to the lens unit the exposure control signal formed by the exposure control signal forming circuit. The lens unit includes an exposure controlling circuit for controlling the state of exposure, a receiving circuit for receiving the exposure control signal from the camera unit, an information generating circuit for generating an absolute circuit amount for the exposure controlling circuit on the basis of the exposure control signal received by the receiving circuit, and a controlling circuit for controlling the exposure controlling circuit in accordance with the absolute control amount.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device has a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, a plurality of first vertical shift registers, a plurality of slice circuits, a plurality of second vertical shift registers, a plurality of charge cumulating media, a read circuit, and a horizontal shift register. The photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in a matrix, and generate charges in accordance with an irradiated light amount. The first vertical shift registers are coupled to the photoelectric conversion elements, and transfer the charges read from the photoelectric conversion elements. The slice circuits are connected to output terminals of the first vertical shift registers, cut excessive charges exceeding a preset slice level from the charges input from the first vertical shift registers, and output effective charges.

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for a camera is arranged to binary-code luminance levels obtained in a plurality of areas set on an image sensing plane; to detect any change in the binary coded inforamtion between timewise different fields; and to compute a degree and range of the change. An automatic focusing action is brought to a stop when the computed degree of change exceeds a predetermined value on the assumption that the change results from a movement of the camera due to camera shake or panning. In case that the degree of change is less than the predetermined value, the change is considered to have resulted from a movement of an object to be photographed. In that event, the focusing action is allowed to continue by tracing the moving object witha focus detecting zone.

Abstract: An exposure feedback apparatus is disclosed that includes a comparison unit for receiving and comparing image data with a predetermined exposure level and generating a comparison signal indicative thereof, and a multiplexing unit responsive to the comparison signal for supplying the image data to a display output line when the image data is within a desired exposure range and for alternatingly supplying the image data and preselected display data to the output line when the image data is outside of a desired exposure range. In operation, the alternating supply of the image data and preselected display data to the display output line causes portions of a display unit coupled thereto to "blink" when areas of the imaged scene exceed the predetermined exposure level. Thus, the user is supplied with visual feedback that is indicative of the exposure conditions of the captured image.

Abstract: Solid state image sensing apparatus including a readout circuit associated with each detector element. The readout circuit includes a clipping gate that operates to drain charge, from a charge storage region associated with the detector element, that is in excess of a potential barrier height of the clipping gate. The barrier height is first maintained at a lower value and then at a higher value during each frame integration period so that intensity range compression of a high level image signal is achieved, while a low level image signal is not affected by the operation of the clipping gate.

Abstract: A continuous-motion line-array telecine images the film image onto three linear array sensors having respective color filters. Vertical scanning is provided by the continuous motion of the film. The sensors can be spaced by an amount equivalent to a given number of line scans for one film and television format combination. To accommodate other formats, a cylindrical lens pair is selectively included, which provides a desired magnification in the vertical direction but not the horizontal direction. The sensor spacing does not then need to be changed and the sensors can be made as an integral device, so that they can be constructed closer together and are likely to have more similar characteristics.