Abstract: Previously available analog domain decimation techniques are limited to simple equally-weighted averaging of photosite outputs. Decimation of a Bayer pattern image by an even-factor, such as by two or six, using simple equally-weighted averaging of photosite outputs in the analog domain results in effective sampling locations that are unevenly spaced apart. Standard interpolation of the unevenly spaced effective sampling locations generates image artifacts that reduce the quality of the reconstructed image in the smaller format because standard interpolation methods assume that the effective sampling locations are evenly spaced. Implementations of systems, methods and apparatus disclosed herein aim to produce substantially evenly spaced effective sampling locations in the analog domain.

Abstract: Previously available analog domain decimation techniques are limited to simple equally-weighted averaging of photosite outputs. Decimation of a Bayer pattern image by an even-factor, such as by two or six, using simple equally-weighted averaging of photosite outputs in the analog domain results in effective sampling locations that are unevenly spaced apart. Standard interpolation of the unevenly spaced effective sampling locations generates image artifacts that reduce the quality of the reconstructed image in the smaller format because standard interpolation methods assume that the effective sampling locations are evenly spaced. Implementations of systems, methods and apparatus disclosed herein aim to produce substantially evenly spaced effective sampling locations in the analog domain.

Abstract: An optical black level control circuit comprises a digital black level adjusting circuit for generating a black level correction signal by digital processing using a given time constant when an output error between an optical black level and a reference optical black level signal is within a predetermined range so that an error becomes less than a predetermined value and an analog black level adjusting circuit for compensating for said error when said error exceeds the predetermined range.

Abstract: In a high speed image capturing state, a camera signal processing circuit is not needed to perform a signal process at a high screen rate, but at a regular screen rate. In the high speed image capturing mode, raw data of 240 fps received from an image sensor 101 are recorded on a recording device 111 through a conversion processing section 201 and a recording device controlling circuit 210. Raw data that have been decimated and size-converted are supplied to a camera signal processing circuit 203 through a pre-processing circuit 202 and an image being captured is displayed on a display section 112 with a signal for which a camera process has been performed.

Abstract: The video camera apparatus obtains a still image sensing signal with high image quality in a progressive scan mode and is capable of recording onto a recording medium by a recording means which performs recording operation corresponding to an interlace scan mode. An image sensing signal read from a CCD image sensor 23 in the interlace scan mode is recorded directly onto a recording medium by a recording/reproducing section 5 through a camera signal processing circuit 24, while an image sensing signal read from the CCD image sensor 23 in the progressive scan mode is converted into an interlace scan signal and is then recorded onto a recording medium by the recording/reproducing section 5.

Abstract: The video camera apparatus obtains a still image sensing signal with high image quality in a progressive scan mode and is capable of recording onto a recording medium by a recording means which performs recording operation corresponding to an interlace scan mode. An image sensing signal read from a CCD image sensor 23 in the interlace scan mode is recorded directly onto a recording medium by a recording/reproducing section 5 through a camera signal processing circuit 24, while an image sensing signal read from the CCD image sensor 23 in the progressive scan mode is converted into an interlace scan signal and is then recorded onto a recording medium by the recording/reproducing section 5.

Abstract: The video camera apparatus obtains a still image sensing signal with high image quality in a progressive scan mode and is capable of recording onto a recording medium by a recording means which performs recording operation corresponding to an interlace scan mode. An image sensing signal read from a CCD image sensor 23 in the interlace scan mode is recorded directly onto a recording medium by a recording/reproducing section 5 through a camera signal processing circuit 24, while an image sensing signal read from the CCD image sensor 23 in the progressive scan mode is converted into an interlace scan signal and is then recorded onto a recording medium by the recording/reproducing section 5.

Abstract: An optical black level control circuit comprises a digital black level adjusting circuit for generating a black level correction signal by digital processing using a given time constant when an output error between an optical black level and a reference optical black level signal is within a predetermined range so that an error becomes less than a predetermined value and an analog black level adjusting circuit for compensating for said error when said error exceeds the predetermined range.

Abstract: The video camera apparatus obtains a still image sensing signal with high image quality in a progressive scan mode and is capable of recording onto a recording medium by a recording means which performs recording operation corresponding to an interlace scan mode. An image sensing signal read from a CCD image sensor 23 in the interlace scan mode is recorded directly onto a recording medium by a recording/reproducing section 5 through a camera signal processing circuit 24, while an image sensing signal read from the CCD image sensor 23 in the progressive scan mode is converted into an interlace scan signal and is then recorded onto a recording medium by the recording/reproducing section 5.

Abstract: The video camera apparatus obtains a still image sensing signal with high image quality in a progressive scan mode and is capable of recording onto a recording medium by a recording means which performs recording operation corresponding to an interlace scan mode. An image sensing signal read from a CCD image sensor 23 in the interlace scan mode is recorded directly onto a recording medium by a recording/reproducing section 5 through a camera signal processing circuit 24, while an image sensing signal read from the CCD image sensor 23 in the progressive scan mode is converted into an interlace scan signal and is then recorded onto a recording medium by the recording/reproducing section 5.

Abstract: An imaging apparatus can obtain a high quality still picture imaging signal in the all pixels read out mode and output it by means of an output processing means adapted to the interlaced read out mode. The imaging signal read out from a CCD image sensor 23 in the interlaced read out mode is directly supplied to a DV recording/reproducing processing section 4 by way of a camera signal processing circuit 24. The imaging signal read out from said CCD image sensor 23 in the apparatus is converted into an interlaced signal by a scan conversion section 3A, which is then supplied to the DV recording/reproducing processing section 4.

Abstract: In order to prevent a horizontal stripe and a flicker from taking place due to a gain difference between two circuit systems (channels), the solid state imager of the present invention includes a pilot signal generating means provided within a solid state image pickup element for allowing two output units to generate pilot signals of the same level and a gain correcting circuit provided outside of said solid state image pickup element for comparing levels of the pilot signals passed through the two circuit systems and correcting a gain of one circuit system if the two pilot signals have a level difference therebetween.

Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus for use with a video camera having a line scanning line period during which useful video information is provided and a flyback period during which an optical black signal level is provided. Replacement black signal information that is a function of the optical black signal level is inserted into a portion of the flyback period. When the camera is of the type having a complementary color matrix filter which produces odd and even raster scan lines of image pickup signals with different modulation components, another aspect of this invention provides improved contour correction. Modulation components in a scan line of image pickup signals caused by the patterns of filter elements included in the matrix are removed, thereby producing an averaged scan line of image signals from which is extracted a signal component that is uncorrelated from one line to the next.

Abstract: Video signal processing apparatus for use with a video camera having a line scanning line period during which useful video information is provided and a flyback period during which an optical black signal level is provided. Replacement black signal information that is a function of the optical black signal level is inserted into a portion of the flyback period. When the camera is of the type having a complementary color matrix filter which produces odd and even raster scan lines of image pickup signals with different modulation components, another aspect of this invention provides improved contour correction. Modulation components in a scan line of image pickup signals caused by the patterns of filter elements included in the matrix are removed, thereby producing an averaged scan line of image signals from which is extracted a signal component that is uncorrelated from one line to the next.

Abstract: A luminance signal is formed from a first luminance signal produced by mixing a plurality of complementary color signals obtained from a television camera having complementary color filters and from a second luminance signal produced by mixing at a predetermined ratio a plurality of primary color signals that are derived from the plurality of complementary color signals, the first and second luminance signals are then mixed so that the composite output signal forms the desired luminance signal. The first luminance signal is level adjusted based upon the color temperature detection signal derived from a color temperature detector and a second luminance signal is balanced in level based upon this color temperature detection signal. The second luminance signal is derived by mixing the three primary color signals at a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A solid state image pick-up device comprises a matrix of first and second photo-sensitive elements, vertical shift registers disposed parallel to each other to shift charges from the first and second elements, respective transfer gates between each first and second element and the adjacent vertical shift register, and a horizontal shift register connected to one end of each of the vertical shift registers.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit comprises an image sensor having an optical black level detecting portion, a buffer circuit for receiving an output signal from the image sensor, a clamping circuit for receiving an output from the buffer circuit, and a low-pass filter provided between the buffer circuit and the clamping circuit. This low-pass filter is made operative by a switching circuit in the interval responsive to the black level detecting portion in the output signal of the image sensor, while it is made inoperative in the interval responsive to the image pickup signal detecting portion. According to this circuit, the black level drift can be followed, thereby preventing the appearance of line noise on the screen without being influenced by the sag component due to the AC coupling.

Abstract: A plurality of sampled signals that differ in phase by 2.pi./N (where N is an integer greater than 1) from one another are mixed by sequentially supplying the sampled signals to a holding circuit, the holding circuit output is buffered in a buffer amplifier to produce the system output having a beneficial high-frequency characteristic. Deterioration of the frequency characteristic of the synthesized output signal for a high frequency range due to a low-pass filter effect stemming from the zero hold in the sample/hold circuit is prevented by the mixing circuit.

Abstract: A dot sequential color signal which is generated in an image pick-up means, as for example a CCD type image sensor is supplied to a first sampling and hold (S/H) circuit, with the frequency of the sampling pulse used in the first S/H circuit being at a predetermined frequency (FO), and the output of the first S/H circuit is supplied to a second S/H circuit, with the frequency of the sampling pulse used in the second S/H circuit being selected to be N times of the predetermined frequency (NFo), so that the frequency of the sampling noise caused by the sampling operation is relatively high compared with the output signal of the image pick-up means, and thus the cut-off frequency of a low pass filter for eliminating the sampling noise can be selected to be high enough not to attenuate the desired signal.