Abstract: An apparatus is provided for processing the output signals of a charge transfer device having at least one row of photoelectric elements. The charge transfer device produces output signals with charge levels that are provided to a shift register having a plurality of elements. The successive charge levels from each photoelectric element are provided to respective shift register elements, and the charge levels are transferred within the shift register to a readout terminal. Some of the charge is retained by each element as the charge is transferred. The retained charge is added to the next charge transferred into the element. This adding of residual charges averages the charges transferred, producing undesirable noise. A sample and hold device removes sampling artifacts inherent in the signal provided by the CCD, to produce a signal representing successive image pixel values.

Abstract: A noise suppression, signal recovery circuit for use with an array of charge coupled device having a plurality of phase readouts. The video information present in the multiple phases are combined into a single video output signal by using a minimal number of parts while providing for noise suppression designed to suppress typical noise present in charge coupled device arrays.

Abstract: In a television camera including an imager of the field-transfer type having A, B and C registers, an indication signal representative of dark current response accompanying the video signal is generated by comparing first and second signals representative of charge packets derived from the B and C registers, respectively. Specifically, the first signal is generated when the C register supplies signals supplied from the B register which includes substantially no photo-responsive components transferred from the A register. The second signal is generated when the C register supplies signals after the signal supplied from the B register have already been read out and while no new signals from the B register are being transferred into the C register and therefore represents absolute black.

Abstract: A circuit including emitter-coupled transistors improves the symmetry of an applied square wave. A limiter in the collector circuit limits the paraphase output voltage excursion. Changes in energizing voltage affect the current in the limiter and cause incremental changes in the output duty cycle. A compensator includes a voltage divider coupled between the output terminals for producing a control voltage related to the output signal amplitude. The control voltage controls a current source coupled to joined emitters for creating an offsetting current through the limiter.

Abstract: A balanced modulator or mixer is used for modulating components of a chrominance signal onto a subcarrier to generate double-sideband suppressed-carrier amplitude-modulated signals. The video component is applied to a phase splitter which produces two antiphase baseband video signals, which in turn are applied to modulator switches driven in antiphase at the carrier rate for producing the DSB SC signal at a common output terminal. For reducing residual carrier output resulting from unbalance of the video during black level, a sample-and-hold circuit is coupled to each output of the phase splitter and is gated during black level. A differential amplifier compares the sampled signals and reduces the unbalance in a feedback manner to eliminate residual subcarrier during black level.

Abstract: In a television camera having an electron scanning beam stabilizer circuit, a circuit for improved handling of highlights comprises means for forming an electrical signal corresponding to a pickup tube image highlight, limiting the magnitude of said signal to a predetermined level and utilizing that signal to form a highlight handling signal which causes the increase in beam scanning current necessary to discharge said highlight. In a color camera, the output from one pickup tube can be used to derive the signals necessary to control all three tubes simultaneously. A modified beam stabilizer circuit comprises means for allowing the beam current to increase without reduction by the beam stabilizer in order to discharge the highlight. A complementary signal derived from the highlight handling signal is applied to the modified beam stabilizer simultaneously with the highlight handling signal in order to neutralize the beam stabilizer.

Abstract: A system, including apparatus and method for cutting leather and like flexible sheet material into straps and/or strips and for sequentially sizing and shaping the straps and/or strips uniformly, the apparatus comprising a cylindrical bar with shaping and sizing circumferential grooves in the surface thereof, a pivotable biased holder carrying a cutting edge disposed at a narrow acute angle across one or both of the mentioned grooves in the cylindrical bar so that undesired portions of the straps or strips are cut off to size and shape the strap or strip as it is forceably drawn between the groove and the mentioned cutting edge. The cylindrical bar also comprises a slot and one or more spacers to hold one or more blades parallel to each other and perpendicular to the body so that a sheet of rawhide, leather or like flexible material may be selectively and simultaneously cut into uniform strips by drawing the sheet through the parallel blades.