EP0277714A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Electronic imaging apparatus and method
Assignee: Polaroid Corp
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Filing: 1988-01-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for improving the quality of an electronic image generated by a charge coupled device (CCD) array (28) that senses scene images through a prism (28A, 28B) or prismatic filter movable into and out of the path of image-containing light rays impinging on the colour filter overlying the CCD array that alternately shifts the scene image between colour filters of the CCD array that absorb particular scene image colours and those that transmit these colours to their associated CCDs while in the case of the prismatic filter absorbing the dominant scene colour generated by the coloured optical filter. Scene image signals generated by a CCD array (18) in this manner are processed such that their spatial relationship with respect to the second scene image is precisely monitored and electronically counter-shifted for subsequently scene image reconstruction. By shifting the scene image between individual CCDs having different colour optical filters, most of the CCDs in the CCD array can generate image signals for two different scene colours or scene colour combinations and thereby improve the image resolving capabilities and/or the colour balance of electronic images generated by the CCD array.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Plummer
- 👤 Hugh R. Mackenzie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:41
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/10; H04N23/125; H04N23/50; H04N23/55; H04N25/00; H04N25/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
Electronic imaging apparatus comprising an array (18) of photosensitive elements; an array (20) of at least three primary colour filters fixedly positioned in overlying relationship to the photosensitive element array (18) such that each of the filters is operably associated with one of the photosensitive elements; means (12) for focusing image carrying light rays onto the photosensitive element array (18) through the filter array; and means responsive to light rays incident on each photosensitive element for producing an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the incident light characterised by means (26) for passing light rays from each area of a scene through one of the filters onto an adjacent photosensitive element to produce a first electrical signal correlated to that scene area and for subsequently producing a second electrical signal correlated to that scene area by redirecting light rays from that same scene area through another filter of the filter array (20) which has different filter characteristics to the one filter, and by means (24) for at least temporarily storing the first and second electrical signals for each scene area, whereby they may be later manipulated to produce an enhanced image of the scene.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
Electronic imaging apparatus comprising an array (18) of photosensitive elements; an array (20) of at least three primary colour filters fixedly positioned in overlying relationship to the photosensitive element array (18) such that each of the filters is operably associated with one of the photosensitive elements; means (12) for focusing image carrying light rays onto the photosensitive element array (18) through the filter array; and means responsive to light rays incident on each photosensitive element for producing an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the incident light characterised by means (26) for passing light rays from each area of a scene through one of the filters onto an adjacent photosensitive element to produce a first electrical signal correlated to that scene area and for subsequently producing a second electrical signal correlated to that scene area by redirecting light rays from that same scene area through another filter of the filter array (20) which has different filter characteristics to the one filter, and by means (24) for at least temporarily storing the first and second electrical signals for each scene area, whereby they may be later manipulated to produce an enhanced image of the scene.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the another filter is structured to either filter out or transmit the primary colour or colours which was or were incident on a portion of the photosensitive element array to produce the first electrical signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the filter array (18) in its entirety is structured to normally pass image carrying light rays from a scene which are weighted in favour of one of the at least three primary colours; and wherein the means (26) for passing light rays produces the second electrical signal by passing the light from the scene area through a filter element (28A, 28B) interposed in advance of the filter array (18), which is structured to filter out the one primary colour, and then redirecting same through the another filter of the filter array which is structured to filter out the primary colour or colours other than the one primary colour which was or were incident on a portion of the photosensitive element array (20) to produce the first electrical signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the scene light rays are redirected from one filter to another filter in the filter array by a prism (28A,28B) periodically interposed in advance of the filter array (18).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, when dependant on claim 3, wherein the filter element (28A,28B) interposed in advance of the filter array (20) is a prismatic magenta filter of the subtractive type.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the prism or filter element is mounted for rotation on a wheel (26) having an opening (30A, 30B) therethrough with the prism or element and the opening being alternatively interposed in advance of the filter array.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the prism or filter element is mounted for translation on a support member (46) having an opening (48) therethrough overlying the filter array with the prism or filter element being periodically interposed in advance of the filter array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the photosensitive elements in the array of photosensitive elements (18) is a charged coupled device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the colours in the array (20) of primary colour filters are yellow, green and cyan.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of electronic imaging comprising passing image carrying light rays through an array (20) of at least three primary color filters fixedly positioned in overlying relationship to a photosensitive element array (18) such that each of the filters is operably associated with one of the photosensitive elements; focussing the image carrying light rays onto the photosensitive element array (18); and generating an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the light incident on the photosensitive elements characterised by passing the image carrying light rays from an area of a scene through one of the filters onto an adjacent photosensitive element to produce a first electrical signal, correlated to that scene area and subsequently producing a second electrical signal correlated to that scene area by causing light rays from the same scene area to pass through another filter of the filter array which has different filter characteristics to the one filter; and by at least temporarily storing the first and second electrical signals for each scene area, whereby they may be later manipulated to produce an enhanced image of the scene.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
181 words
A method of electronic imaging comprising passing image carrying light rays through an array (20) of at least three primary color filters fixedly positioned in overlying relationship to a photosensitive element array (18) such that each of the filters is operably associated with one of the photosensitive elements; focussing the image carrying light rays onto the photosensitive element array (18); and generating an electrical signal indicative of the intensity of the light incident on the photosensitive elements characterised by passing the image carrying light rays from an area of a scene through one of the filters onto an adjacent photosensitive element to produce a first electrical signal, correlated to that scene area and subsequently producing a second electrical signal correlated to that scene area by causing light rays from the same scene area to pass through another filter of the filter array which has different filter characteristics to the one filter; and by at least temporarily storing the first and second electrical signals for each scene area, whereby they may be later manipulated to produce an enhanced image of the scene.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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