Abstract: The invention makes a suitable selection from zoom modes and lens elements so thin that the thickness of each lens group can reduced, thereby slimming down a zoom lens with great thoroughness and, hence, an electronic image pickup system. The electronic image pickup system a zoom lens and an electronic image pickup device located on the image plane side of the zoom lens. The zoom lens comprises, in order from the object side, a first lens group G1 comprising two lens components and having generally negative power and a second lens group G2 comprising two lens components and having generally positive power. The focal length of the zoom lens can be varied by varying the air separation between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2. The zoom lens should satisfy at least one of conditions (a) to (n).

Abstract: A CCD image sensor with a color filter array (CFA) for color imaging involves stripes of Cyan and of Yellow filter material on the imaging surface of a CCD array, preferably a full-frame (FF) CCD imager, with the two sets of color stripes arranged perpendicular to each other and one set parallel to the array axes to form two layers at the areas where they cross. Unit color cells comprise 2-pixel by 2-pixel blocks, each containing a Cyan, a Yellow, a Green (where the stripes overlap), and a White (where there is no stripe) pixel. Also, the longitudinal set can be segmented into two pixels or more in length, and the segments transversely displaced or staggered to form an elongated checkerboard pattern to compensate for devices with single-column blemishes.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which can produce an image provided with exposure suitable for both a backlighted object and its background without requiring a mechanical member, such as an iris or the like. The image pickup apparatus has a photoelectric conversion section for photoelectrically converting a light image so as to accumulate light information and to output the light information every unit light accumulation period which forms one picture. A digital camera signal processing circuit processes an output from the photoelectric conversion section to output a video signal. A timing signal generator outputs a plurality of timing signals for setting light information accumulation time every unit light accumulation period which is set in the photoelectric conversion section.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an image input unit into which image information is input and which can output the image information as electronic data; and an intensity computation unit for computing smoothing intensity for smoothing the electronic data, from the intensity of a predetermined color component included in the electronic data output from the image input unit. The smoothing intensity is set on the basis of a relationship between the intensity of a predetermined color component and the frequency of noise. When the intensity of a predetermined color component output from the pixel of interest is high, a rate at which the intensity of the predetermined color component output from the pixel of interest is to be distributed to surrounding pixels constituting the matrix is set to a large value. When the intensity of the predetermined color component is low, the rate is set to a small value.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device includes photoelectric converters in row-column matrix configuration, VCCDs, one for each column, a color filter disposed above each converter to form a color filter array including layouts each including n rows, and a drive circuit for conducting readout treating (m*n) rows as one set, and selecting from the sets a plurality of units symmetrically distributed. Electric charge is read from the plural units. A first readout operation reads electric charge from a first group of rows having asymmetric distribution. A j-row transfer operation transfers the electric charge for j rows. A second readout operation reads electric charge from a second group of rows having asymmetric distribution at positions to which the electric charges are transferred by the j-row transfer operation. The electric charges are added in the VCCDs.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus which is capable of forming an image signal having a high resolution when a monotone image is photographed by a structure having a switching circuit for switching between a first photographing mode in which an electric signal transmitted from an image pickup device is used to form a color natural image signal and a second photographing mode for forming a high resolution image signal of a monochrome object to insert/remove an optical low pass filter in accordance with the switching operation, wherein the length of the optical passage is corrected by another optical system.

Abstract: A color image signal input from a CCD or the like is processed to generate a color image signal containing a color subimage portion or a monochrome image signal containing a monochrome subimage portion and to record the image signals directly or after the image signals are JPEG compressed. For JPEG color recording, a color image signal supplied from a CCD and A/D converter is input to a selector, and to a 10/16 converting circuit and a first FIFO, and thereafter a color image and its color subimage are generated by a video processing circuit and compressed by a JPEG circuit, and output from a second FIFO and bus I/F to be recorded. For JPEG monochrome recording, an input color image signal is supplied to the 10/16 converting circuit and clamp circuit, multiplied at the first FIFO by a predetermined coefficient to generate a monochrome image containing a subimage. For RAW color or monochrome recording, JPEG compression is not performed.

Abstract: An image in a field inputted by interlace scanning is delayed for a time period corresponding to one field, then, by comparing the delayed image signals and the not-delayed image signals of the image, a movement detecting unit determines whether the input image is a moving image or a still image and outputs a signal indicating the determined result. A selecting unit which includes an image combining unit combines the delayed image signals and the not-delayed image signals, and selects either the combined image signals or not-combined image signals on the basis of the detected result by the movement detecting unit. Accordingly, the image signals realizing a high quality image displayed on a multimedia device are obtained.

Abstract: A CCD (charge coupled device) camera system capable of a multi-media response includes: a prism which disperses according to frequency optical signals of an object focused on the prism by a lens; first and second CCDs for converting optical signals which are imaged by the prism into electrical signals, and having mutually different color filter arrays consisting of a complementary color stripe pattern and an effective number of pixels corresponding to the international standard; first and second sample and hold circuits for removing noise from the output video signals of the first and second CCDs; first and second analog to digital converters for converting the analog video signals of the first and second sample and hold circuits into digital signals; and a CCD video signal processor for calculating the sum of and the difference between the two sets of signals output by the first and second sample and hold circuits so as to generate brightness signals and color signals.

Abstract: A complementary color-filtered array interpolation by first interpolate each color and then adjust each color at a pixel with addition or subtraction of a color imbalance factor for the pixel.

Abstract: A CCD video camera is coupled to a host system. The CCD video camera captures image data representing elements in its field of view. The video camera does not include a digital signal processing circuit for processing the raw video data into the appropriate video format. The raw video data is processed and converted into the appropriate video format for display by the host computer system after it is received from the video camera. Necessary gain adjustments and control signals are calculated within the host computer and provided to the video camera or used during the digital signal processing of the video data to adjust the parameters of the data before the video images are displayed. A histogram is generated in order to continually monitor and adjust the exposure and gain of the system and thereby appropriately change the necessary control signals for optimal performance.

Abstract: Color separating characteristics which are preferable in case of obtaining the primary color components are obtained from an image pickup signal by using a color separation matrix. A luminance signal is obtained by a luminance signal formation processing section from the signal supplied from an image pickup device through an A/D converter and chrominance signals are obtained by a chrominance signal separation processing section. In the chrominance signal separation processing section, the signals obtained from the image pickup signal are multiplied with a color separation matrix, thereby obtaining primary color components RGB. The color separation matrix is constructed by coefficients for white balance adjustment and coefficients for adjustment in consideration of the primary color components of the image pickup signal.

Abstract: A color image pickup apparatus includes a photo-to-electric conversion section subjected to progressive scanning. A first delay circuit defers an output signal of the photo-to-electric conversion section. A first adder combines the output signal of the photo-to-electric conversion section and an output signal of the first delay circuit. A second delay circuit defers the output signal of the first delay circuit. A second adder combines the output signal of the photo-to-electric conversion section and an output signal of the second delay circuit. A third delay circuit defers an output signal of the first adder. A first subtracter implements subtraction between the output signal of the first adder and an output signal of the third delay circuit. A fourth delay circuit defers an output signal of the second adder. A second subtracter implements subtraction between the output signal of the second adder and an output signal of the fourth delay circuit.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus includes a solid-state imaging device and a signal processing circuit. The solid-state imaging device includes: a plurality of photoelectric converting sections provided with color filters having different spectroscopic characteristics, and each converting light incident thereon into a charge and accumulating the charge, and a plurality of vertical charge transfer sections for vertically transferring the charge read from each of the photoelectric converting sections. A plurality of reading operations to read the charges accumulated in the photoelectric converting sections to the plurality of the vertical charge transfer sections are performed within a time duration for scanning an image for one image plane, and the charges read from the photoelectric converting sections are transferred through the vertical charge transfer section separately for each of the reading operations.

Abstract: When a selecting unit selects a second mode for sensing a document or the like, image signals obtained by exposing an exposing unit enters a second mode unit through a clamping unit and the selecting unit. High resolution image signals are generated in the second mode unit. Meanwhile, levels of the electrical image signals are detected by a detecting unit, and a control unit performs either exposure control by the exposing unit and gain control by a gain control unit or both in accordance with a peak level of the detected levels of the electrical image signals. At the same time, a correction unit sets a target value for the levels of the electrical image signals in accordance with a selected mode. The electrical image signals are controlled so that the detected levels approach the target value, thereby a document, an illustration, and the like can be sensed in high resolution and an image of high quality can be obtained regardless of character density in the document.

Abstract: An image signal processor generates color difference output signals from color component signals representative of image data. The image signal processor includes multiple color calculators that generate multiple sets of primary color signals from the color component signals. Multiple color difference calculators connected to the color calculators generate multiple sets of color difference signals using the respective sets of primary color signals. A synthesizing circuit combines the multiple sets of color difference signals using a predefined ratio to generate the color difference output signals. By generating multiple sets of signals, errors due to noise can be filtered and higher quality images produced.

Abstract: A CCD portion is driven by a driving circuit for separately reading out all pixels. Data for 4 lines are input in parallel to a two-dimensional register array by scanning line delay devices, and an interpolation processing is performed for each of color signals G, Mg, Cy and Ye based on data corresponding to pixels in a 4 row by 4 column matrix. Color difference signal generation circuit performs a color separation processing based on thus interpolated color signals.

Abstract: A still picture recording digital camera including a light quantity limiter for interrupting incident light to the camera; an image pickup unit including a pixel for converting the incident light to an electric pixel signal and outputting the pixel signal as a digital image signal; a signal processor for generating a digital image signal having a predetermined format; a recording unit for recording the digital image signal output from the image pickup unit or the signal processor; the light quantity limiter limiting the incident light quantity to a predetermined quantity and then interrupting the incident light; the image pickup unit outputting a dynamic picture digital image signal when the light quantity limiter is limiting the incident light quantity, and outputting a still picture image signal after the light quantity limiter has interrupted the incident light; and the signal processor performing different signal processing operations when the signal processor has received a digital image signal for a dyn

Abstract: Disclosed is an image processing method of expanding the dynamic range by determining a saturated or noise region in an image signal and replacing the image signal with a proper image signal. A threshold value is set in units of colors on the basis of a standard image signal for each color, which is obtained upon sensing an image in a standard exposure, and a non-standard image signal for each color, which is obtained upon sensing the image in a non-standard exposure. A saturated or noise region is determined by applying the threshold value set in units of colors to the standard image signal. A region determined as a saturated or noise region is replaced with the non-standard image signal.

Abstract: An image taking apparatus includes an image taking sensor 10 having a high-resolution mode and a normal mode; synchronous signal generators 7 and 8 for generating synchronous signals corresponding to the high-resolution mode and the ordinary mode, respectively; a first memory 17 for storing image signals taken in the high-resolution mode; a second memory 35 for storing image signals taken in the normal mode; and a video signal encoder 33 for processing the image signals stored in the second memory 35 in accordance with a predetermined image signal system, wherein, in the high-resolution mode, image signals are stored in the first memory 17 to output digital image signals, and, in the normal mode, image signals are stored in the second memory 35, video signals 34 being output from the encoder 33.

Abstract: A solid state color image pickup apparatus easily converts an output from a solid state image sensor to a television signal with a simple structure, thereby facilitating the reduction of the size, weight, power consumption and cost of the image pickup apparatus. A color filter, which has a plurality of color filter elements respectively facing light receiving elements of a solid state image sensor, modulates optical information so that an image pickup signal output from the solid state image sensor is composed of a luminance signal component and modulated color signal components, which are obtained by modulating, with two color-difference signals, two carrier waves having phases different from each other by .pi./2, the phases of the two carrier waves are different by .pi.

Abstract: In order to attain a high-speed thin-out reading operation and to obtain high image quality in an image pickup apparatus, a color filter array of this invention is applied to an interline CCD (image pickup element) in which a vertical CCD is driven in eight phases). The high-speed thin-out reading operation is performed as follows. That is, photoelectrically converted carriers for two horizontal lines are transferred to the vertical CCD every third lines (e.g., C in the first line and M in the second line, C in the fifth line and G in the sixth line, . . . are transferred to the vertical CCD), and residual photoelectrically converted carriers (the Y carrier in the third line, the G carrier in the fourth line, the Y carrier in the seventh line, and the M carrier in the eighth line) are discharged by a substrate discharge operation.

Abstract: An automatic focusing system for a still video camera has a light detector for outputting an image signal corresponding to an intensity of light which is incident on the light detector. An image signal is output for each of a plurality of colors of light that are incident on the light detector. The autofocusing system also includes a processor for determining the value of an AF signal corresponding to the focus condition of each of the image signals. A controller executes the autofocus operation. The AF signal having the highest value is used by the controller to execute the autofocus operation.

Abstract: In a method of controlling an image sensing device which can be operated in two different modes, namely a field mode and a frame mode, in a frame mode, a potential of a substrate of the image sensing device and an intermediate voltage of pulses to be applied to a vertical transfer unit are set to potentials which are lower than those in the field mode, first. Then, by changing the potential of the substrate and the intermediate voltage to the same potentials as in the field mode during reading out the first field of the image sensing device, a dynamic range which is as wide as that in the field mode and a charge transfer efficiency which is as well as that achieved in the field mode are realized.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for processing a digitized image obtained from an image sensor having color photosites aligned in rows and columns that generate at least four separate color values but only one color value for each photosite location, adjacent rows of values for each photosite being combined so that for each pair of photosites there is a single color value which is a combination of at least two different color values. In this apparatus, the combined single color values are used to produce Laplacian values for each pair of photosites. Also, the color signal values corresponding to adjacent pairs of photosites and the Laplacian values are used to produce a luminance value corresponding to each pair of photosites.

Abstract: A luminance signal generating device having two CCDs on which complementary color filters are provided. Each color filter includes a matrix arrangement in which color filter elements for passing magenta, green, yellow and cyan light are arranged in a regular manner. If a first field is read from the CCDs, magenta (Mg) and Green (G) pixel signals of odd-numbered rows are read from the first CCD, and yellow (Ye) and cyan (Cy) pixel signals of even-numbered rows are read from the second CCD. If a second field is read from the CCDs, yellow (Ye) and cyan (Cy) pixel signals of even-numbered rows are read from the first CCD, and magenta (Mg) and green (G) pixel signals of odd-numbered rows are read from the second CCD. Four pixel signals (Mg, G, Ye, Cy) from optically adjacent pixels are added to each other to obtain a luminance signal.

Abstract: An image pickup apparatus including: an image pickup device; a mode selection circuit for selecting a mode from a group consisting of a video camera mode and a still video camera mode; a first drive circuit for, when the video camera mode is selected by the mode selection circuit, driving the image pickup device to perform an interlace-scanning operation so as to read vertically-disposed two pixels while being mixed with each other; a second drive circuit for, when the still video camera mode is selected by the mode selection circuit, driving the image pickup device to perform an interlace-scanning operation so as to read each row; a memory for recording a first field signal and a second field signal of the image pickup device at the time of the operation performed by the second drive circuit; an addition circuit for adding the first field signal of the memory and the second field signal of the same to each other; and a signal processing circuit for performing a signal process so as to generate a luminance si

Abstract: A still picture recording digital camera including a light quantity limiter for interrupting incident light to the camera; an image pickup unit including a pixel for converting the incident light to an electric pixel signal and outputting the pixel signal as a digital image signal; a signal processor for generating a digital image signal having a predetermined format; a recording unit for recording the digital image signal output from the image pickup unit or the signal processor; the light quantity limiter limiting the incident light quantity to a predetermined quantity and then interrupting the incident light; the image pickup unit outputting a dynamic picture digital image signal when the light quantity limiter is limiting the incident light quantity, and outputting a still picture image signal after the light quantity limiter has interrupted the incident light; and the signal processor performing different signal processing operations when the signal processor has received a digital image signal for a dyn

Abstract: A pixel signal generating device is provided with a color filter having a matrix arrangement, in which color filter elements for passing magenta light, green light, yellow light and cyan light are arranged in a regular manner. A first exposure is performed without radiating an electronic flash, and Ye- and Cy-signals are inputted into a second image memory. A second exposure is performed while radiating the electronic flash, and Mg- and G-signals are inputted into a first image memory. Without discharging electric charges accumulated on the CCD, a third exposure is performed without radiating the electronic flash, and Ye- and Cy-signals are generated. The Ye- and Cy-signals obtained by the first exposure and stored in the second image memory are subtracted from the Ye- and Cy-signals of the second and third exposure to form one image.

Abstract: A dual type imaging device includes a first CCD and a second CCD, on which complementary color filters with a checkerboard (or matrix) arrangement are disposed. The complementary color filters have the same construction as each other, having magenta elements, yellow elements, cyan elements and green elements arranged in a regular manner. The arrangement of the color elements of the filter of the first CCD is offset, by a width of one light-sensitive element, with respect to the arrangement of the color elements of the filter of the second CCD. An R-signal, a G-signal and a B-signal are sensed in accordance with four light-sensitive elements which are arranged in a 2.times.2 matrix.

Abstract: A color filter array for an image sensor which has a plurality of pixels is disclosed. The color filter array includes a plurality of color pixel kernels, with each kernel having a plurality of pixels arranged in the following pattern______________________________________ M G C Y G M Y C Y C G M C Y M G ______________________________________wherein:M is magenta;G is green;C is cyan; andY is yellow.

Abstract: A solid state imaging apparatus includes two-dimensional frequency process which is applied to an output signal from each pixel of a progressive scan-type CCD. The CCD has an an arrangement of color separation filters without making carriers in the horizontal and vertical directions of the two-dimensional frequency to obtain chrominance signals with less moire in the horizontal and vertical directions of the two-dimensional frequency. A luminance signal with less moire in the horizontal and vertical directions of the two-dimensional frequency can be obtained by interpolating with the ratio of a chrominance signal with less moire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a color signal processing apparatus in which at least three types of color signals corresponding to filters are received from a solid-state image pickup element on which at least three types of color filters are formed, and linear matrix conversion of the at least three types of color signals determined by spectral characteristics of the corresponding color filters is performed to generate R, G, and B signals.

Abstract: To obtain an image pickup device capable of obtaining wide-band R, G, and B signals, R, G, and B signals are generated by a coincidence and matrix circuit using Ye/Cy and Mg/G components of outputs from an image pickup element in units of pixels. A wide-band signal generation circuit generates wide-band signal components from another arithmetic operation using the outputs from the image pickup element. The resultant wide-band signal components are mixed with the R, G, and B signals using an adder and a subtracter, thereby obtaining wide-band R, G, and B signals. Therefore, the wide-band R, G, and B signals suitable for multimedia applications and free from color blurring at a high resolution can be obtained.

Abstract: A photometry device having a first and a second imaging device, a control mechanism and a photometry measurement mechanism. The first and second imaging devices include light-sensitive elements which are sensitive to complementary colors dispose thereon in a 2.times.2 matrix. The control mechanism controls the first and second imaging devices to construct luminance signals in accordance with the output signals of the first and second imaging devices. The photometry measurement mechanism carries out photometry measurement in accordance with the luminance signals constructed by the control mechanism.

Abstract: A color image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup element, an optical low-pass filter, and a memory. The image pickup element has four types of color filters which are arranged to form an offset sampling structure in which color filters of different colors are repeatedly arranged at a two-pixel period in the horizontal direction, and color filters of different colors are repeatedly arranged at a two-pixel period in the vertical direction while being offset in the horizontal direction by one pixel. The optical low-pass filter has an optical member for splitting an incident light beam into two light beams separated from each other by a distance D in a direction inclined clockwise or counterclockwise at an angle .theta. with respect to a scanning direction of the image pickup element, the distance D satisfying conditions defined by1.6PhPv/.vertline.Ph sin .theta.+2Pv cos .theta..vertline..ltoreq.D.ltoreq.2.4PhPv/.vertline.Ph sin .theta.+2Pv cos .theta..vertline.(0.ltoreq..theta..ltoreq..pi.

Abstract: A color image pickup apparatus using a single-plate type solid-state image sensor is arranged to obtain a signal of an excellent color separation characteristic. An object image is formed on the photoelectric conversion part of the image sensor with color filters of different colors disposed on each of the picture elements of the image sensor. A signal outputted from the solid-state image sensor is converted into a digital signal by an A/D converter. The digital signal is taken in by a signal processing circuit to separate chrominance signals superposed on a luminance signal. At that time, signals for primary color components are formed by carrying out a matrix computing process by using coefficients obtained from the image pickup output of the solid-state image sensor.

Abstract: There is provided a color video camera apparatus (10) which includes an image sensor (11) having a plurality of pixel elements for converting an optical image into an electric image signal, a color filter (12) arranged on the image sensor and having a predetermined mosaic pattern of different colors including complementary colors, an image signal processing circuit (15) for processing the electric image signal to produce at least first and second color difference signals (2R-G) and (2B-G), a variable coefficient generator (20) for generating first and second coefficients (a) and (b) each of which is variable in dependence on the first and second color difference signals, first and second multipliers (19 and 22) for multiplying the first and second color difference signals respectively by the second and first coefficients, and first and second adders (18 and 21 ) for adding outputs of the second and first multipliers to the first and second color difference signals to generate objective third and fourth color

Abstract: A solid state image pickup device having a high luminance signal resolution in both horizontal and vertical directions using only one CCD is realized. It is so arranged as to make light incident upon and passed through a fixed complementary color filter array subjected to a photoelectric conversion with an all-pixel concurrent readout photoelectric conversion means and fed to a luminance signal processing unit and a chrominance signal processing unit through an H memory unit to develop a luminance signal together with a first and a second chrominance signals at output terminals.

Abstract: A dual type imaging device includes a first CCD and a second CCD, on which complementary color filters with a checkerboard (or matrix) arrangement is disposed. The complementary color filters have the same construction as each other, having magenta elements, yellow elements, cyan elements and green elements arranged in a regular manner. The arrangement of the color elements of the filter of the first CCD is offset, by a width of one light-sensitive element, to the arrangement of the color elements of the filter of the second CCD. An R-signal, a G-signal and a B-signal are sensed in accordance with four light-sensitive elements which are arranged in a 2.times.2 matrix.

Abstract: An electronic still camera comprises a solid state image sensor for outputting a color picture signal corresponding an incident optical image, a signal processor for signal-processing the color picture signal from the solid state image sensor to produce a color still picture signal, a recorder for recording the color still picture signal produced by the signal processor, and a driver for moving at least one of the optical image and the solid state image sensor from an original position in a horizontal direction by a pixel pitch and in an oblique axial direction defined by horizontal and vertical lines extending respectively from the original position in the horizontal and vertical directions by half the pixel pitch.

Abstract: A moving picture monitoring device includes a first CCD on which an infrared-cut-filter is provided, and a second CCD on which an infrared-cut-filter and a complementary colors filter are provided. The complementary colors filter has magenta filter elements, green filter elements, yellow filter elements and cyan filter elements, which are disposed in a predetermined arrangement. In a monitor-through mode, only the second CCD is operated. A digital signal processing circuit generates differential color signals (R-YL, B-YL) and a luminance signal (YL). These signals (R-YL, B-YL, YL) are outputted to a display device, so that a color moving picture is indicated thereon.