Abstract: Imaging apparatus includes an image sensor which is connected to a computer, or computer frame store, by an interface. The computer is arranged to generate control signals which are used to control the sequence of signals applied to the image sensor, thereby enabling the interface to be used with a plurality of different image sensor types.

Abstract: A CCD image sensor is operated in an asynchronous mode to enable it to capture short lived events, or to freeze rapid motion. The image is acquired during an integration period which is triggered by a strobe pulse, and the resulting charge is held in a storage section of the CCD sensor until a regularly occuring field read-out period, during which the charge is read-out to constitute a video signal.

Abstract: To determine some spatial characteristic, such as size or shape, of an object, the object is viewed with a television camera that employs an image sensor such as a CCD device. An image is formed on a television screen and a set of measurement markers (or cursors) are superimposed on the image at desired positions. The CCD timing signals are used to accurately determine the position of the cursors and hence the desired spatial characteristic.

Abstract: A CCD frame transfer image sensor wherein the effective integration period can be shortened by electrical means. The sensor comprises an image section having a first photo-sensitive portion of an array of CCD channels and a store section having a second light shielded portion of the array. Means are provided for controlling the potentials applied to the control electrodes of the array so as to transfer along the channels charge generated in the image section into a charge sink structure during one of the active line periods at a frequency outside the bandwidth of the output signal of the sensor.