Abstract: An image processing apparatus 100 selects one of multiple low-resolution images as a reference image candidate and determines transformation matrices for aligning the other aligning low-resolution images; conducts coordinate-transforming the other low-resolution images with the transformation matrices and plotting the reference image candidate and the coordinate-transformed low-resolution images on to a mapping image to generate a reconfigured image for reference image selection; gives a higher evaluation value to the reference image candidate as the number of pixels of the reference image candidate and the other low-resolution images plotted on the mapping image is larger. This image processing apparatus can select a reference image appropriate for generating a high-quality, high-resolution image from among multiple low-resolution images.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a video signal processing device, which can produce a digital video signal, excellent in image quality, fully utilizing effective picture elements of the imaging element, without performing a special control of an imaging element driving unit. In accordance with a contour correction gain calculated based on a compression ratio detecting signal outputted from an image compressing unit 21, a contour correction unit 22 can carry out a contour correction on a compressed image. Accordingly, an NTSC/PAL encoder 24 can output a preferable video signal, which has been subjected to an appropriate contour correction. Moreover, a digital outputting unit 25 outputs an uncompressed video signal, and therefore can provide a preferable video signal without deteriorating the effective picture elements of an imaging element.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus that reduces the degree of occurrences of false colors and of differing line concentration by performing knee processing properly, thereby providing desirable video signals. In the apparatus, at the occasion of generating luminance signals and color differences based on the result of knee processing, it is possible to properly generate a luminance signal which is derived from the addition result of pixels which are next to each other and generate a color difference signal which is derived from a difference of the pixels next to each other, achieved by performing the knee processing while keeping the signal level ratio at least between the pixels next to each other on video signals made up of color components arranged on a pixel by pixel basis. In this way, it is possible to keep a balance in hue of a color signal even after being subjected to knee processing.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a video signal processing apparatus that can be reduced in production cost, and perform an electronic zooming function. In the video signal processing apparatus, a noise reduction of and a gain adjustment of the video signal from the imaging element 12 is performed by the analog preprocessing means 13. The video signal from the analog preprocessing means 13 is then converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 14 in synchronization with the horizontal sync signal and its clock signal. The luminance and color difference signals are produced from the digital signal by the Y/C signal processing means 15, and delayed by the line delay means 16 on the basis of the period of the horizontal sync signal.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a video signal processing device, which can produce a digital video signal, excellent in image quality, fully utilizing effective picture elements of the imaging element, without performing a special control of an imaging element driving unit. In accordance with a contour correction gain calculated based on a compression ratio detecting signal outputted from an image compressing unit 21, a contour correction unit 22 can carry out a contour correction on a compressed image. Accordingly, an NTSC/PAL encoder 24 can output a preferable video signal, which has been subjected to an appropriate contour correction. Moreover, a digital outputting unit 25 outputs an uncompressed video signal, and therefore can provide a preferable video signal without deteriorating the effective picture elements of an imaging element.

Abstract: A video signal processing apparatus that reduces the degree of occurrences of false colors and of differing line concentration by performing knee processing properly, thereby providing desirable video signals. In the apparatus, at the occasion of generating luminance signals and color differences based on the result of knee processing, it is possible to properly generate a luminance signal which is derived from the addition result of pixels which are next to each other and generate a color difference signal which is derived from a difference of the pixels next to each other, achieved by performing the knee processing while keeping the signal level ratio at least between the pixels next to each other on video signals made up of color components arranged on a pixel by pixel basis. In this way, it is possible to keep a balance in hue of a color signal even after being subjected to knee processing.

Abstract: A video signal including illumination flicker component is integrated at each of unit areas (horizontal lines) in a frame (field) of the video signal. The integrated level at each of the unit areas at the frame and the integrated level at the corresponding unit area of an adjacent frame are averaged. Dividing is effected between results of the averaging and integrating every unit area. It is judged whether flicker exists in the video signal by frequency-analyzing results of the dividing result at the unit areas. The unit area may be plural adjacent lines where flickering are negligible. The averaging circuit may be circulation type of or FIR filter. Threshold level for judging the flicker is changed according to a shutter speed control signal. Flicker compensation may be executed by controlling shutter speed or the AGC according to flicker judging result. A still condition at a block in a frame may be detected from the integration result at plural frames.

Abstract: An imaging circuit generates a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals respectively having first and second dynamic ranges which are different but continues. The first video signal is synchronized with the second video signal. An exposure ratio between the first and second exposure intervals is detected. A gain of the second video signal is adjusted according to the exposure ratio. A combined video signal is generated from the first and second video signals according to a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio between first and second video signals and levels of the first and second video signals to have an expanded dynamic range such that the first dynamic range is connected to the second dynamic range with difference in gains of the first and second video signals adjusted for linearity.

Abstract: An imaging circuit generates a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals respectively having first and second dynamic ranges which are different but continues. The first video signal is synchronized with the second video signal. An exposure ratio between the first and second exposure intervals is detected. A gain of the second video signal is adjusted according to the exposure ratio. A combined video signal is generated from the first and second video signals according to a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio between first and second video signals and levels of the first and second video signals to have an expanded dynamic range such that the first dynamic range is connected to the second dynamic range with difference in gains of the first and second video signals adjusted for linearity.

Abstract: An imaging circuit generates a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals respectively having first and second dynamic ranges which are different but continues. The first video signal is synchronized with the second video signal. An exposure ratio between the first and second exposure intervals is detected. A gain of the second video signal is adjusted according to the exposure ratio. A combined video signal is generated from the first and second video signals according to a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio between first and second video signals and levels of the first and second video signals to have an expanded dynamic range such that the first dynamic range is connected to the second dynamic range with difference in gains of the first and second video signals adjusted for linearity.

Abstract: Input data is sampled discretely by a sampling circuit and a cumulative histogram of a plurality of bars is prepared by a cumulative histogram preparing circuit on the basis of the sampled input data. The cumulative histogram is latched by a latch circuit for three vertical scanning periods. Bar values of the cumulative histogram are used by an interpolation circuit to perform contrast conversion of the input data. A gamma circuit applies the gamma characteristic to the data subject to the contrast conversion. An output of the gamma circuit and the input data are inputted to an adder circuit so as to be added and averaged at a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A defective pixel correction circuit corrects a defective pixel in a solid imaging device such as a CCD exactly and sufficiently. A boundary detection circuit calculates magnitudes of boundaries from signals of eight peripheral pixels taken in a pixel taking-in circuit and a boundary ordering circuit compares the calculated magnitudes of the boundaries with one another to order the magnitudes of the boundaries. An interpolation circuit produces an interpolation signal in accordance with an interpolation method determined by an interpolation method determining circuit on the basis of the order of the ordered boundaries to correct the defective pixel.