Abstract: A solid-state array scanner with a color filter at each pixel sensor is provided to accomplish color scanning of color images with a set of pixels sensors for each color pixel. In addition, a scaler device is provided for selectively scaling the output pixel signal from each pixel sensor to correct for color filter loss when scanning black/white images. Thus, while a set of pixel signals must be combined for each color pixel in color mode scanning, in mono mode scanning of black/white images, the pixel signal from each pixel signal may be used. An address means selectively addresses each solid-state pixel sensor device in the array for readout of the illumination intensity, or pixel signal, sensed by that device. Each pixel sensor will have a given color filter dependent upon the sensor's location in the array. From the address of the pixel sensor, the scaler value to compensate for the color filter in mono mode can be selected.

Abstract: An application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is programmable for provision of timing and control of imaging signals, including genclock and defective pixel correction function. The ASIC stores information regarding the existence of a next closely spaced defective pixel as the least significant bits of an n-bit words address of a previous defective pixel and compares only the X location information for the next pixel.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus for use as a video camera has a defect detecting mode and an operation mode. The solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a solid-state image sensor having pixels arranged in rows and columns for producing an output signal representing a detected image. The solid-state image sensor operates in a field reading mode for reading electric charges from the pixels in approximately one field period such that the electric charges of the pixels of two adjacent rows are summed before being outputted from the solid-state image sensor, the summed electric charges being different in even- and odd-numbered fields, and also operates in a frame reading mode for reading electric charges from the pixels in approximately one frame period such that the electric charges of the pixels of one of two vertically adjacent rows are read in even-numbered fields and the electric charges of the pixels of the other of two adjacent rows are read in odd-numbered fields.

Abstract: The analysis of an image of the field of observation from a heat camera by bands of n lines prompts the appearance of streaks or "striping" in certain zones of the image, all these zones constituting a "striping space". The device for the implementation of the method includes means to determine a base of orthonormal functions H and V, generating a vector space of functions for which the values taken, at each point of the image, represent the luminance values of all the types of striping, means to modelize the striping exhibited by the image in determining the coefficients of distribution of this striping on the basic functions, means to synthesize the striping, in determining the luminance values of the striping from the coefficients of correlation and from the values of he basic functions, and, finally, means to substract the luminance values of the synthesized striping from the luminance values of the initial image.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device in which detection data regarding whether the write data into a memory to store image data and the read-out data coincide or not is generated every unit data amount and the access to the memory is controlled in accordance with evaluation data obtained by evaluating the detection data in accordance with a degree of influence on an image, thereby enabling the memory to be effectively used. Information indicative of the degree of influence on the image includes the bit position of the pixel data consisting of a plurality of bits, the position of each pixel data on the screen, the density of pixels corresponding to the invalid memory cells in the memory, and the like.

Abstract: An image signal processing apparatus has a fault correcting circuit for replacing a signal output by a fault pixel included in a solid-state image sensor with a signal output by a normal pixel arranged near the fault pixel to correct the fault pixel signal. The fault correcting circuit comprises a memory for storing a data code representing the position and type of the fault pixel, a decoder circuit for converting the data code read from the memory, into a pixel-fault correction pulse, a dividing/delay circuit for dividing a pixel signal output from the image sensor into a plurality of pixel signals and delaying these pixel signals by different delay times, and a switch circuit for selecting pixel signals delayed by different delay times, in accordance with the pixel-fault correction pulse, thereby to replace the fault pixel signal with the normal pixel signal.

Abstract: A solid state image pickup apparatus comprises a solid state imager having a plurality of pixels and which outputs a signal corresponding to light incident thereon, a sample and hold circuit for sampling and holding analog output signals from respective pixels of the solid state imager in response to a sampling signal, a low-pass filter connected to the analog output of the sample and hold circuit for eliminating a high frequency component therefrom so as to output a filtered signal, an analog-to-digital converter for converting the filtered signal to a digital filtered signal, a memory for storing position data indicative of a position of a defective pixel, a circuit for stopping the supply of the sampling signal to the sample and hold circuit in response to the position data indicating a defective pixel so that the output signal from the defective pixel is replaced with the analog output signal from a pixel read immediately prior thereto, an interpolating circuit connected to the analog-to-digital converter

Abstract: A solid state image pickup device includes light-receiving circuitry having a plurality of light-receiving cells arranged in a matrix. Apparatus is provided for reading and storing electrical signals output by the light-receiving circuitry, and includes (1) a first memory for reading bright signals out of the light-receiving cells arranged in a row for storing the bright signals for a horizontal scanning period, (2) a second memory for reading dark signals out of the light-receiving cells arranged in the row for storing the dark signal for the horizontal scanning period, and (3) a readout circuit for reading the bright and dark signals stored in the first and second memories simultaneously. A removing circuit is provided for removing fixed pattern noise by simultaneously processing the bright and dark current signals read out from the first and second memories. Preferably, this removing circuit comprises a differential amplifier.