Abstract: An image sensor including: a pixel array disposed under a display panel, the pixel array including a plurality of pixels configured to perform a sensing operation by collecting a photo-charge generated by a light that penetrates the display panel; a row driver configured to drive the plurality of pixels row by row; and a controller configured to control the pixel array and the row driver such that a sensing sensitivity of blue pixels among the plurality of pixels is higher than a sensing sensitivity of red pixels and a sensing sensitivity of green pixels among the plurality of pixels.

Abstract: An image sensor comprising: a first layer having a plurality of groups of photodiodes formed in a semiconductor substrate, each group representing a 2×2 array of photodiodes, with 2 first pixels configured to detect light of a first wavelength and 2 second pixels configured to detect light of a second wavelength, each first pixel positioned adjacent to the second pixels; and a second layer overlapping the first layer, the second layer is organic, having a plurality of organic photodiodes configured to detect light of a third wavelength, each organic photodiode positioned to partially overlap 2 first photodiodes and 2 second photodiodes of the first layer.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, an imaging device includes an image sensor that includes a detector array. The detector array includes a plurality of detectors operable to receive a charge generated by light. The detector array also includes a plurality of detector sub-arrays each including one or more of the plurality of detectors. The one or more detectors of each detector sub-array are in a time delay and integration (TDI) configuration. The image sensor of the imaging device is operable to, for each of the plurality of detector sub-arrays of the detector array, generate an image signal corresponding to a scan of an object.

Abstract: In an embodiment, each of first and second pixel rows has pixels. A first transfer gate is arranged between the first and second pixel rows. Second transfer gates are arranged adjacently to odd-numbered pixels of the second pixel row, respectively. Third transfer gates are arranged adjacently to even-numbered pixels of the second pixel row, respectively. A first CCD register is arranged adjacently to the second transfer gates and third transfer gates. Fourth transfer gates are arranged adjacently to odd-numbered accumulation gates of the first CCD register. A second CCD register is arranged adjacently to the fourth transfer gates. An output portion converts transferred charges into a voltage signal. A clear gate controls draining of the charges accumulated in the first pixel row to a first drain portion. A switch gate controls draining of charges transferred in a row direction in the second CCD register to a second drain portion.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing device including an audio adjustment unit configured to adjust focus values each indicating a degree of highlighting of audio data of each content displayed in a plurality of display areas.

Abstract: A method of operating an image sensor. Charge accumulated in a photodiode during a first sub-exposure may be selectively stored in a storage node responsive to a first control signal. Charge accumulated in the photodiode during a first reset period may be selectively discarded responsive to a second control signal. Charge accumulated in the photodiode during a second sub-exposure may be selectively stored responsive to the first control signal. Charge stored in the storage node from the first and second sub-exposures may be transferred to a floating diffusion node responsive to a third control signal.

Abstract: According to one aspect, embodiments herein provide a CCD sensor comprising a pixel array having a first segment configured to produce a first tap signal responsive to receipt of electromagnetic radiation from a scene to be imaged, a second segment configured to produce a second tap signal responsive to receipt of the electromagnetic radiation from the scene, a region of interest including a portion of the first segment adjacent the second segment and a portion of the second segment adjacent the first segment, and a processor configured to receive the first and second tap signals, perform level correction on one of the first and second tap signals based on magnitudes of the first and second tap signals, and perform gain correction on one of the first and second tap signals based on a comparison between magnitudes of the first and second tap signals corresponding to the region of interest.

Abstract: In various embodiments, image sensors include an imaging array of optically active pixels, a dark-reference region of optically inactive pixels, and two light shields disposed over the dark-reference region and having openings therein.

Abstract: An imaging device includes: a plurality of pixel portions including color filters and photoelectric conversion portions, respectively, each of the photoelectric conversion portions generating charge according to light incident thereon, the color filters being provided on a light incidence side of the respective photoelectric conversion portions, a distance between the photoelectric conversion portions and the color filters being shorter than or equal to 3 ?m; and a separation wall which is provided between adjoining ones of the color filters and separates the color filters from each other.

Abstract: A color filter array of a color imaging device is formed by repeatedly arranging a basic array pattern in which RGB filters are arrayed in an array pattern of 8×12 pixels, in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The basic array pattern is arranged in a matrix manner in the horizontal direction and/or the vertical direction and includes A array to D array having an array pattern of 4×4 pixels. In each of arrays, G filters are arranged in a checkered pattern and the arrangements of G filters have a mirror image relationship between arrays that are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An image sensor and an image sensing method can obtain image signals with a high S/N ratio in a high-speed image pickup operation. Signal charges are input to input transfer stage 31 of CCD memory 30. Final transfer stage 32 is formed so as to be connected to the input transfer stage 31 and able to transfer signal charges to the input transfer stage 31. In an accumulation mode, read gate 42 and drain gate 40 are not turned on and the next transfer operation of the CCD memory 30 is conducted. The accumulated signal charges are transferred on a stage by stage basis and the signal charges obtained at the first image pickup timing are transferred again straightly to the input transfer stage 31. In this state, the signal charges obtained newly at photoelectric conversion section 20 at the next image pickup timing are injected into the input transfer stage 31 by way of input gate 21.

Abstract: Information provisioning includes acquiring one of an audio and a video elementary stream of content that is composed of a plurality of segments, and actual data of metadata that includes information related to the content. The metadata is divided into metadata processing units (MPU) corresponding to segments subjected to processing in the plurality of segments. A transport stream of a MPEG-2 system is generated that includes packetized elementary stream (PES) packets acquired by packetizing the segments of the data stream and metadata PES packets acquired by packetizing at least one MPU.

Abstract: An imaging element includes: a plurality of color filters arranged in a Bayer array; photoelectric conversion elements provided for the respective color filters; a signal adder circuit which carries out additions in each of the unit grids, by (i) adding up signals outputted from two photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to different colors of two color filters out of four color filters, and (ii) adding up signals outputted from two photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to remaining two color filters; and an A/D converter. The imaging element outputs: (i) a first digital image signal where signals of one color out of Ye (yellow) and Cy (cyan), and signals of G, are alternately placed; and (ii) a second digital image signal where signals of an other color out of Ye and Cy, which is different from the one color, and signals of Mg (magenta), are alternately placed.

Abstract: A method of controlling a camera system having a plurality of solid-state imaging devices is provided. The method includes supplying a horizontal addition control signal and a vertical addition control signal, phases of which are controlled, to the plurality of solid-state imaging devices; selecting pixel column(s) and row(s) of the plurality of solid-state imaging devices in accordance with the horizontal addition control signal and the vertical addition control signal; adding a plurality of pixel signals to each other, the plurality of pixel signals being adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction, in a vertical direction, or in both horizontal and vertical directions, of the selected pixel column(s) and row(s); and processing a luminance signal and a color signal using the added pixel signals and adding a sync signal to the luminance signal and the color signal so as to output a color image signal.

Abstract: A drive control method for an image pickup device is disclosed. The image pickup device includes two-dimensionally arranged light receiving elements to photoelectrically convert incoming light, vertical transfer paths to transfer charges, which have been generated through the photoelectric conversion by the light receiving elements, in the vertical direction, and a horizontal transfer path to transfer the charges, which have been transferred by the vertical transfer path, row by row in the horizontal direction. In the method, the charges, which have been horizontally transferred by the horizontal transfer path, are directed and outputted in more than one directions, and the directed charges are respectively transferred and are added by temporarily stopping the transfer of the charges.

Abstract: An image sensor includes a first sensor layer having a first array of pixels and a second sensor layer having a second array of pixels. Each of the pixels has an optical center. The first sensor layer is stacked over the second sensor layer such that the optical centers of the first array of pixels are offset from the optical centers of the second array to form a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A semiconductor substrate has an active pixel area comprising a stack of lower electrodes, an intermediate layer of an organic photoelectric conversion material, an upper electrode, a transparent insulating layer and first to third color layers. Disposed outside the active pixel area is a polish stop layer having a high resistance to polishing. In planarizing the first to third color layers, the polishing operation is ended upon reaching the polish stop layer.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to reduce the number of pixels to be read from an image sensor in accordance with a required image size and to shorten the time required to capture an image upon capturing a still image in an image capturing apparatus. To this end, this apparatus has an image sensor which comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion pixels arranged in a two-dimensional matrix in the vertical and horizontal directions, and a common output unit which is commonly provided to the plurality of photoelectric conversion pixels to sequentially output signals from the plurality of photoelectric conversion pixels; and a read drive unit which can switch a first read mode for dividing signals of photoelectric conversion pixels from the image sensor into m fields (m is a natural number not less than 3) by interlaced scan, and reading signals for the m fields, and a second read mode for reading signals for n fields (n is a natural number that meets 2?n<m) of the m fields from the image sensor.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device comprises: a semiconductor substrate; at least one photoelectric converting film that generates signal charges corresponding to an amount of incident light; at least one set of pixel electrode films arranged in row and column directions and attached to said at least one photoelectric converting film; vertical transfer paths in the semiconductor substrate, extended in the column direction; and charge accumulating portions in the surface portion of the semiconductor substrate that accumulate signal charges from the pixel electrode films, wherein the charge accumulating portions comprise a plurality of sets, each comprising a subset of the charge accumulating portions arranged in the column direction, and wherein the subset reads out the accumulated signal charges to the corresponding one of the vertical transfer paths, and wherein the two adjacent subsets of the charge accumulating portions are shifted to each other in a direction along the vertical transfer paths.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device, and a camera provided with this device, that can output high quality images at high speed are realized by preventing improper OB clamping in a solid-state imaging device that performs pixel mixing in the horizontal direction. Vertical final stages, which are the transfer stages closest to a horizontal transfer component 4, are provided with provided with independent transfer electrodes V3-1, V3-2, V3-3, V6-1, V5-2, and V5-3 that are independent of other columns in a region between the horizontal transfer component and an effective pixel region, and a common transfer electrode that is common to all of the columns in the region between the horizontal transfer component 4 and the OB region. Further, in the vertical final stages, the entire region between the OB region and the horizontal transfer component, or the region minus openings formed for the wiring of V3-1 and V5-1 in the columns closest to the effective pixel region, is covered with a light blocking film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging element which includes a plurality of drive signal inputs, a plurality of bus lines, and a plurality of vertical transfer register electrodes. In the solid-state imaging element, a charge accumulated in light-receiving elements in a pixel region is vertically transferred by the drive signals input to the electrodes. Each of the electrodes has a contact part connected to the second contact and having a width smaller than a width of the electrodes in the pixel region, and a blank region is formed between predetermined adjacent two of the contact parts so that a width of the blank region is larger than a distance between respective two of the contact parts other than the predetermined adjacent two of the contact parts. The first contact is disposed on the blank region.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus comprising a semiconductor substrate, a multiplicity of photo electric conversion elements, a vertical electric charge transfer device having a plurality of vertical electric charge transfer channels, reading out parts, each comprising a reading out electrode, wherein the reading out electrode and at least one of transfer electrodes adjoining to the reading out electrode are adjoining to same photo electric conversion element is characterized by that electric charge accumulated in each photo electric conversion element is transferred by every other line of vertical electric charge transfer channels in the vertical direction. The solid-state imaging apparatus can prevent color mixture even when the inter-VCCD blooming is occurred.

Abstract: A solid-state image device including pixels arranged two-dimensionally, the pixels each including a photoelectric converter for converting incident light into an electric signal, is provided. The solid-state image device includes an output amplifier configured to amplify a photoelectric conversion output from each of the pixels, and a reference voltage amplifier configured to output a reference voltage. The solid-state image device selectively outputs the photoelectric conversion output and the reference voltage.

Abstract: A first voltage is impressed to a reading out electrode for reading out accumulated signal electric charges from photo electric conversion elements to transfer channels in a reading out period and at a same time during the reading out period a second voltage is imposed to at least one of the transfer electrodes adjoining to the reading out electrode for each photo electric conversion element for accumulating the signal electric charge in the vertical electric charge transfer channel under the one of the transfer electrode in a first mode for outputting signal electric charges independently, and only the first voltage is imposed only to the reading out electrode for reading out the accumulated signal electric charge from the photo electric conversion elements to the transfer channels in a reading out period in the second mode for adding the signal electric charges.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging apparatus comprises a semiconductor substrate, a multiplicity of photo electric conversion elements, a vertical electric charge transfer device having a plurality of vertical electric charge transfer channels and transfer electrodes, reading out parts and a driving device that imposes a first voltage to the reading out electrode for reading out the accumulated signal electric charge from the photo electric conversion elements to the transfer channels in a reading out period and at a same time during the reading out period imposes a second voltage to at least one of the transfer electrodes adjoining to the reading out electrode for each photo electric conversion element for accumulating the signal electric charge in the vertical electric charge transfer channel under the one of the transfer electrode. Damage in the dynamic range of the solid-state imaging apparatus can be prevented.

Abstract: A digital camera including a CCD imager and a complementary color filter mounted on a light receiving surface thereof. The complementary color filter has color blocks each having 8 rows×4 columns while CCD imager has, at its light receiving surface, pixel blocks corresponding to those color blocks. The color block is assigned, in its each row, with all the kinds of color components, i.e., G, Mg, Ye and Cy, at least one in number per kind. A timing generator reads from respective columns pixel signals including all the kinds of color components at least one in number per kind, and transfers the read pixel signals in vertical direction. The timing generator also transfers the pixel signals in a horizontal direction each time vertical transfer by 8 rows has been completed.

Abstract: A column analog-to-digital converter having a voltage comparator and a counter is arranged for each a vertical signal line. The voltage comparator compares a pixel signal inputted via the vertical signal line at each row control signal line with a reference voltage, thereby generating a pulse signal having a length in time axis corresponding to the magnitude of a reset component and a signal component. The counter counts a clock to measure the width of the pulse signal until the end of the comparison operation of the comparator, and stores a count at the end of the comparison. A communication and timing controller controls the voltage comparator and the counter so that, in a first process, the voltage comparator performs a comparison operation on a reset component with the counter performing a down-counting operation, and so that, in a second process, the voltage controller performs the comparison operation on a signal component with the counter performing an up-counting operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solid-state image sensor, a solid-state image sensing apparatus, and a camera realizing a high-speed operation, all operable to output signal charges so as to maintain the light sensitivity and generate high-quality video signals free from moiré and aliased signals even if the number of pixels making up one frame of an image is reduced. The solid-state image sensor comprises a plurality of photoelectric converters, vertical transfer groups, and a horizontal transfer unit disposed at one side of the vertical transfer groups. Each vertical transfer group includes 2n+1 vertical transfer units, where n is an integer of 1 or more. Each vertical transfer unit includes a plurality of transfer electrodes arranged in columns and charge storage units receiving and storing charges from the photoelectric converters. In n out of the 2n+1 vertical transfer units, predetermined transfer electrodes disposed near the horizontal transfer unit are independent transfer electrodes.

Abstract: A driving method for a solid-state imaging device including a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, VCCDs, a line memory, and an HCCD includes: transferring all of the electric charges, which are stored in the line memory in an array, to the HCCD; and transferring only an electric charge, which is positioned at an upstream side of the HCCD in the charge transfer direction, of two adjacent electric charges having the same color components among the transferred electric charges in the horizontal direction and adding the two electric charges.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element includes photoelectric conversion elements having a complementary or Bayer color filter array. The solid-state imaging element adds together electric charges stored in nine photoelectric conversion elements having color filters of one of multiple colors in each portion of six rows and six columns, to obtain a resulting electric charge, and outputs the resulting electric charge as one pixel. A portion for one of the colors deviates from a portion for each of the other colors by three rows and/or three columns. This pixel-addition operation produces an effect of a spatial low pass filter, thereby reducing signal components exceeding a Nyquist frequency corresponding to a target resolution. Consequently, aliasing noise in an image with the target resolution is reduced, and therefore higher image quality can be achieved, when compared with a conventional resolution reduction technique.

Abstract: An image-capturing device includes a lens, a grid of light-sensitive elements, a sampling mechanism, and an image generation module. The lens is configured to be triggerable to open for a given duration. The grid is positioned so that when the lens is open, light is cast onto the grid. Each element of the grid is configured to provide a charge response to light. The sampling mechanism is coupled to the grid to repeatedly sample the grid during the duration by detecting whether the charge response of individual elements that comprise the grid exceeds a designated threshold level. The sampling mechanism records information that is indicative of a time in the duration in which the charge response of individual elements exceeds the designated threshold level. The image creation module generates an image corresponding to the scene using the information recorded by the sampling mechanism.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element contains a plurality of photoelectric converting regions, vertical transfer portions, a horizontal transfer portion, and an output portion. These photoelectric converting regions are arranged on a surface of a semiconductor substrate along a row direction, and a column direction perpendicular to the row direction. The photoelectric converting regions are subdivided into main regions “m” having relatively wide light-receiving areas, and sub-regions “s” having relatively narrow light-receiving areas. These main areas “m” and sub-areas “s” produce signal electron charges corresponding to light having predetermined spectral sensitivities, and then store the produced signal electron charges. A partial photoelectric converting region within the photoelectric converting regions corresponds to different color light with respect to the main region “m” and the subregion “s.

Abstract: A method for reading out charge from an interlined CCD having a plurality of photo-sensing regions and a plurality of vertical shift registers, and each photosensitive region is mated respectively to a CCD of a vertical shift register and a color filter having a repeating pattern of two rows in which each row includes at least two colors that forms a plurality of 5 line sub-arrays sequentially numbered in the space domain; and the color filter spanning the photo-sensing regions, the method includes sequentially or substantially simultaneously reading out lines 1, 3 and 5 into the vertical shift register that keeps the colors separated; summing the charge in lines 1, 3 and 5; sequentially or substantially simultaneously reading out lines 2 and 4 into the vertical shift register that keeps the colors separated; summing the charge in lines 2 and 4; transferring one or more rows of the summed charge into a first horizontal charge-coupled device; transferring alternate charges in the first horizontal charge-couple

Abstract: There is provided an electronic camera comprising an imaging element which photo-electrically converts an object field light, a timing generator including an internal register in which timing of a drive signal used to operate the imaging element can be programmed, a power supply control portion which supplies a second voltage to the imaging element when a predetermined time has elapsed after supply of a first voltage to the timing generator, and a control portion which starts at least program setting in the internal register of the timing generator after elapse of a time that the timing generator requires to operate stably at the first voltage and before elapse of a time that the imaging element requires to operate stably at the second voltage.

Abstract: A pixel area of a megapixel solid-state color imaging device is divided into unit areas for pixel adding and all the pixels for the same color are added together in each unit area. Accordingly, the percentage of utilized pixels is raised to 100% and aliasing noise to low frequencies in a high-frequency video signal is greatly suppressed by a spatial LPF (low pass filter) effect of the pixel addition in the area units.

Abstract: In the present invention, first of all, an image in each field is monitored by carrying out monitoring. An evaluation value of an AE is calculated from a result of the monitoring, and if the result of the calculation shows that the image is not in low luminance, data in each of the fields is read out by carrying out an exposure, and a normal process for a still image is performed. If the result of the calculation shows that the image is in the low luminance, the exposure and read out of the field data such as a difference in a luminance in each of the fields are carried out, and first and second field data are compared. Then, whether an object moves or not is determined from a result of the comparison, and if the object is determined to be moved, the normal process for the still image is performed. If the object is determined not to be moved, the entire field data from the first to third field data are added.

Abstract: In a digital camera by the use of a CCD of a honeycomb array, the center positions of mixed pixels of colors B and G are fixed in (4k+1)th and (4k+2)th rows, wherein k represents an integer 0 or more, while the center positions of mixed pixels (mixed pixels R11 and R15) of a color R in the (4k+1)th row are required to be shifted to positions indicated by circles drawn by dotted lines in FIG. 4, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 4. For example, pixel values of the mixed pixels R11 and R15 are weighed in a weighing ratio of 1:3 so as to take a weighted average (i.e., (R11+3R15)/4) in such a manner that the center position of the mixed pixel R15 is shifted to a position obtained by dividing the distance between the center positions of the mixed pixels R11 and R15 at 3:1.

Abstract: A spectral device is disposed above a semiconductor substrate formed with a number of photoelectric conversion elements. The spectral device has a plurality of spectral regions each corresponding to a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements, each of the spectral regions spectroscopically splitting light fluxes of a plurality of colors necessary for color imaging and contained in incidence light toward different directions, each of the spectroscopically split light fluxes becoming incident upon an associated photoelectric conversion element among the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to each of the spectral regions.

Abstract: A color image capture element comprises a plurality of color component photoelectric conversion elements, each disposed with a color filter on a light receiving surface for respectively transmitting different color components, for receiving incoming light and selectively outputting respective color signals corresponding to the intensity of the different color components, and an infrared component photoelectric conversion element, disposed with an infrared transmitting filter on a light receiving surface for transmitting an infrared component, for selectively outputting an infrared signal. This enables the infrared component included in at least one of a plurality of color signals to be corrected, thereby improving the sensitivity of a color image capture apparatus.

Abstract: A color filter arrangement (11) is used, in which a plurality of filter units are each made of 2×2 arrangements of red (R), green (G), green (G) and blue (B) color elements. First, signal charges are added up for all pixels belonging to each of a plurality of pixel blocks made of quadratic arrangements of 3×3 of pixels, which are larger than the filter units (2×2 arrangement). Then, compressed color information for each of the pixel blocks is obtained from a result of the addition for each pixel block, taking the 2×2 arrangements of pixel blocks as large filter units.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device has a discharge gate and a discharge drain provided adjacent to a connection of a vertical CCD and a horizontal CCD so that charges accumulated for an arbitrary pixel can be completely depleted. Data can be read at an arbitrary decimation rate only by changing a drive condition of the discharge gate. An arbitrary decimation rate can be achieved and a frame rate, resolution or the like can easily changed while vertical transfer electrodes can keep the same wiring structure as in a still mode (normal reading) without making a complicated wiring structure of vertical transfer electrodes such as the prior art. Therefore, this solid-state image pickup device can achieve an arbitrary decimation rate and easily change a frame rate, resolution or the like only by changing drive conditions without making a complicated wiring structure of vertical transfer electrodes.

Abstract: A color interpolation technique may use a Bayer matrix or pattern. In one embodiment, a color intensity gradient may be calculated between data from a center pixel in the Bayer pattern and the sensor spaced from the center pixel. A minimum and maximum gradient for a plurality of pixels may then be determined. Minimum and maximum intensity values for a group of pixel data values may be determined and these may be averaged to determine a value which may be utilized for interpolation purposes. The technique can use only a simple shift and does not require large dividers.

Abstract: In an output section (11d) of an image sensor (11), information charges are discharged from a capacitance at a reset clock &phgr;r1, which is twice the period of a horizontal clock &phgr;h, and the information charges for two pixels are accumulated in the capacitance. In two steps, a sample-and-hold circuit (14) inputs an image signal Y0(t) that is output from the output section (11d) and outputs an image signal Y1(t) in which a period representing the information charge for one pixel and a period representing the information charges for two pixels alternately repeat. By taking the difference between the value of the period representing the information charges of two pixels and the value of the period representing the information charge of one pixel in the image signal Y1(t), the information charge of each pixel can be individually determined.

Abstract: To avoid mixtures of signal charges read out in an all-pixel read out mode and also in a thinning read out mode, a charge sweeping-out pulse is produced from a timing generating circuit of a CCD solid-state imaging device. In the CCD solid-state imaging device, there are provided a solid-state imaging element capable of being selectively operable in an all-pixel read out mode where signal charges of all pixels are independently read out at the same time instant, and in a thinning read out mode where signal charges are read out only from a portion of pixel columns along the vertical direction, and a timing generating circuit for generating at least one piece of a signal charge sweeping-out pulse used to discharge the signal charges of the respective pixels just after the signal charges are read out during an exposing time period immediately before a read out operation is transferred from the thinning read out mode to the all-pixel read out mode.

Abstract: A pixel structure of an image sensor, the pixel structure for providing sensor signals in response to incident light is provided. The pixel structure includes light selective elements, the light selective elements having predetermined thicknesses to absorb only light having wavelengths corresponding to the visible region of the light spectrum.

Abstract: Computer systems may be provided with additional performance for demanding applications while adding little additional hardware. For example, a slave device for a host computer system combines an embedded programmable controller with non-volatile memory, local RAM, and interface logic. The host computer system treats the slave device as if it would be a hierarchical memory system such as a conventional disk drive on which it may store and retrieve files. Additionally, the host computer system may program the controller to perform operations on stored information, including image processing and/or data compression. The non-volatile memory may include a disk drive, writable CD-ROM, optical drive, or non-volatile solid state memory.

Abstract: A video inspection device using a field mode CCD camera. In order to inspect the printing on a moving web, a field mode CCD camera is provided with a zoom lens and strobe light. The image obtained is processed so that only alternate pixels of the image are stored. When reading out the stored image, the image is blown up by a factor of two and the missing pixels are interpolated horizontally and vertically. The resultant image is displayed in a monitor for the operator to inspect.

Abstract: A color linear image sensor is constituted by forming a plurality of linear image sensors on a single wafer, each linear image sensor including a photoelectric conversion unit for converting light from an object into an electrical signal, a plurality of charge transfer units for transferring the signal converted into the electrical signal by the photoelectric conversion unit to an output unit, and color filters which are formed on the photoelectric conversion unit to color-separate the light from the object. A plurality of lines of photoelectric conversion units are arranged in each linear image sensor. At least one charge transfer unit is arranged between the photoelectric conversion units to synthesize output signals from the plurality of lines of photoelectric conversion units and to transfer the output signals from the photoelectric conversion units to the next photoelectric conversion unit. An accumulation unit temporarily stores the output signals from the photoelectric conversion units.

Abstract: An image sensor device capable of snap shot color applications comprising an array of image registers for converting the light from successive image frame exposures into indicative charge packets, and an array of light-shielded storage registers interspersed in regular displacements among the array of image registers for receiving the transfer of the charge packets from adjacent image registers over multiple image frame exposures, whereby, for example, red, green, and blue color image frames can be rapidly acquired upon the opening of a flash exposure shutter, and very rapidly transferred in parallel into the storage registers from which the three frames can be read out as a color image when the shutter is closed.

Abstract: An imaging system having an image sensor which is read out as a plurality of parallel image signals. A plurality of parallel image signal processing channels are provided to process said plurality of image signals. Each channel includes a programmable I/O station for receiving, storing, and transmitting data used in controlling the channel. A closed loop serial I/O transmission link serially connects the programmable I/O stations. A controller is connected to the link to control the transmission of data to one or more of said plurality of programmable I/O stations.