US3965290A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Video-to-binary conversion apparatus having moire suppression characteristics
Assignee: RAPICOM INC A CORP OF DEL
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Filing: 1975-03-21
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Granted: 1976-06-22
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Expires: 1995-03-21
Abstract
Abstract Video-to-binary conversion apparatus for use in image reproduction systems and the like to convert an input video signal to an output binary signal and comprising an output data normalizer for normalizing the binary output data signal relative to the input binary signal, an integrator for integrating the difference between the input video signal and the normalized output data signal and for developing an adaptable, data state determining threshold signal commensurate therewith, and a comparator for comparing the input video signal to the adaptive threshold signal to develop a binary output data signal which corresponds to the input video signal. The circuit electronically compensates for small signal errors which would otherwise occur in the transformation of the scan data from analog-to-binary form and which would give rise to a moire degradation in the reproduced image.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Tisue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 18:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/40; H04N1/403; H04N1/40075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit having moire suppression characteristics, comprising: means for receiving an input video signal which varies between a first signal level corresponding to one image characteristic and a second signal level corresponding to an opposite image characteristic; normalizer means for normalizing a binary output data signal relative to said input video signal and for developing a normalized output data signal; integrator means for integrating the difference between said input video signal and said normalized output data signal and for developing an adaptive threshold signal commensurate therewith; and comparator means for comparing said input video signal to said adaptive threshold signal to develop said binary output data signal, said binary output data signal changing between first and second data states each time said input video signal is coincident with said adaptive threshold signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit having moire suppression characteristics, comprising: means for receiving an input video signal which varies between a first signal level corresponding to one image characteristic and a second signal level corresponding to an opposite image characteristic; normalizer means for normalizing a binary output data signal relative to said input video signal and for developing a normalized output data signal; integrator means for integrating the difference between said input video signal and said normalized output data signal and for developing an adaptive threshold signal commensurate therewith; and comparator means for comparing said input video signal to said adaptive threshold signal to develop said binary output data signal, said binary output data signal changing between first and second data states each time said input video signal is coincident with said adaptive threshold signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 1 and further comprising means for normalizing said input video signal in a predetermined manner prior to its input to said integrator means and said comparator means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said normalizer means includes detector means for developing a first video peak level signal, a second video peak level signal, and logic signals indicating within which one of three ranges of signal level said input video signal presently falls; and control means responsive to said logic signals and said output data signal and operative to cause particular combinations of said first video peak level signal, said second video peak level signal and said input video signal to be input to said integrator means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said normalizer means includes peak detecting means for detecting said first signal level and said second signal level of said input video signal and for causing said normalized output data signal to have a first binary signal level commensurate with said first signal level and a second binary signal level commensurate with said second signal level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 4 and further comprising means for monitoring the operation of said normalizer means and for resetting said integrator means each time said normalized output data signal does not change state within predetermined periods of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 1 wherein said integrator means includes means responsive to said normalized output data signal and said input video signal and operative to develop a difference signal commensurate therewith, and means for integrating said difference signal to develope said adaptive threshold signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 6 wherein said integrator means further includes means for preventing values of said difference signal less than a predetermined value from being integrated by said means for integrating.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 7 wherein said normalizer means includes peak detecting means responsive to opposite peak signal levels of said input video signal and operative to cause said normalized output data signal to have binary signal levels respectively commensurate therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 1 and further comprising memory circuit means for storing said adaptive threshold signal for a predetermined period of time before it is input to said comparator means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 9 wherein said memory circuit means includes a data storage means for storing a first adaptive threshold signal, and means for subsequently adding said first adaptive threshold signal to a second adaptive threshold signal and then inputting the sum to said comparator means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A video-to-binary conversion circuit as recited in claim 9 wherein said normalizer means includes peak detecting means responsive to opposite peak signal levels of said input video signal and operative to cause said normalized output data signal to have binary signal levels respectively commensurate therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
126 words
In an image reproduction system including means for scanning an image and developing a video signal commensurate therewith, signal conversion means for converting the video signal to a binary signal, and means for utilizing the binary signal to develop a reproduction of a scanned image, an improved signal conversion means having moire suppression characteristics comprising: normalizer means for normalizing said binary signal relative to said video signal; integrator means for integrating the difference between said video signal and the normalized binary signal to develop an adaptive threshold signal; and comparator means for comparing said video signal to said adaptive threshold signal to develop said binary signal, said binary signal changing binary states each time said video signal has a predetermined relationship to said adaptive threshold signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
126 words
In an image reproduction system including means for scanning an image and developing a video signal commensurate therewith, signal conversion means for converting the video signal to a binary signal, and means for utilizing the binary signal to develop a reproduction of a scanned image, an improved signal conversion means having moire suppression characteristics comprising: normalizer means for normalizing said binary signal relative to said video signal; integrator means for integrating the difference between said video signal and the normalized binary signal to develop an adaptive threshold signal; and comparator means for comparing said video signal to said adaptive threshold signal to develop said binary signal, said binary signal changing binary states each time said video signal has a predetermined relationship to said adaptive threshold signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
92 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 12 wherein said normalizer means includes detector means for developing a first video peak level signal, a second video peak level signal, and logic signals indicating within which one of three ranges of signal level said video signal presently falls, and control means responsive to said logic signals and said binary signal and operative to cause particular combinations of said first video peak level signal, said second video peak level signal and said input video signal to be input to said integrator means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 12 wherein said improved signal conversion means further comprises means for normalizing said video signal in a predetermined manner prior to its input to said integrator means and said comparator means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
69 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 12 wherein said normalizer means includes peak detecting means for detecting a black video peak level and a white video peak level of said video signal and for causing the normalized binary signal to have a first binary signal level commensurate with said black video peak level and a second binary signal level commensurate with said white video peak level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 15 wherein said improved signal conversion means further comprises means for monitoring the operation of said normalizer means and for resetting said integrator means each time said normalized binary signal does not change state within predetermined periods of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
48 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 12 wherein said integrator means includes means responsive to said normalized binary signal and said video signal and operative to develop a difference signal commensurate therewith, and means for integrating said difference signal to develop said adaptive threshold signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 17 wherein said integrator means further includes means for preventing values of said difference signal less than a predetermined value from being integrated by said means for integrating.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
44 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 18 wherein said normalizer means includes peak detecting means responsive to opposite peak signal levels of said video signal and operative to cause said normalized binary signal to have binary signal levels respectively commensurate therewith.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
41 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 12 wherein said improved signal conversion means further comprises memory circuit means for storing said adaptive threshold signal for a predetermined period of time before it is input to said comparator means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
58 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 20 wherein said memory circuit means includes a data storage means for storing a first adaptive threshold signal, and means for subsequently adding said first adaptive threshold signal to a second adaptive threshold signal and then inputting the sum to said comparator means for comparison to said video signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
43 words
In an image reproduction system as recited in claim 20 wherein said normalizer means includes peak detecting means for detecting opposite peak signal levels of said video signal and for causing said normalized binary signal to have binary signal levels respectively commensurate therewith.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-06-22 | 1979-12-22 | 1980-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-06-22 | 1983-12-22 | 1984-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-06-22 | 1987-12-22 | 1988-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |