← Back to Patent Explorer
US4160277A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Television picture enhancement circuit

Assignee: Radamec Broadcast Systems Ltd
•
Filing: 1977-08-19
•
Granted: 1979-07-03
•
Expires: 1997-08-19
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract In apparatus for generating a signal suitable for application to a television receiver, signals corresponding to highlights in the output of a television camera are detected and removed or replaced by signals having a value less than a threshold value, the signal thus modified being used to control an iris or equivalent means for controlling the response of the television camera to a given light input.

Inventors

  • 👤 Peter Worsfold

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 12:04
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/71

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 197 words
An image-responsive apparatus for generating a signal suitable for application to a television receiver to enhance the video picture thereof, comprising: (a) a television camera for generating an output signal representative of a scanned scene, (b) means for controlling the response of the camera to input light reflected from the scene, (c) a signal attenuating circuit connected in series between the camera and a video output line for attenuating selected portions of a video signal in response to a control signal applied thereto, (d) control means for generating a control signal when the camera output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, (e) means coupling the camera output signal to an input of the control means prior to the application of the camera output signal to the attenuating circuit, (f) means coupling an output signal from the control means to the attenuating circuit, whereby the attenuation circuit reduces the maximum amplitude of the signal applied to the video output line to a given value below the threshold value when the camera output signal is above said threshold value, and (g) means coupling the output of the attenuating circuit to the means for controlling the response of the camera.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 197 words
An image-responsive apparatus for generating a signal suitable for application to a television receiver to enhance the video picture thereof, comprising: (a) a television camera for generating an output signal representative of a scanned scene, (b) means for controlling the response of the camera to input light reflected from the scene, (c) a signal attenuating circuit connected in series between the camera and a video output line for attenuating selected portions of a video signal in response to a control signal applied thereto, (d) control means for generating a control signal when the camera output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, (e) means coupling the camera output signal to an input of the control means prior to the application of the camera output signal to the attenuating circuit, (f) means coupling an output signal from the control means to the attenuating circuit, whereby the attenuation circuit reduces the maximum amplitude of the signal applied to the video output line to a given value below the threshold value when the camera output signal is above said threshold value, and (g) means coupling the output of the attenuating circuit to the means for controlling the response of the camera.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 56 words
An image-responsive apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the signal attenuating circuit comprises gating means, and wherein the control signal comprises a gating signal, the gating means being operative in response to said gating signal to remove signals above the threshold value from the camera output prior to its application to the video output line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 36 words
An image-responsive apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the response of the camera includes an iris, and means for adjusting the iris in response to the signal from the attenuating circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
An image-responsive apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the television camera is of the silicon diode type.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
An image-responsive apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the means for controlling the response of the camera includes an iris, and means for adjusting the iris in response to the signal from the attenuating circuit.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4050085A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1982-07-02 1983-01-01 1983-07-03 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1986-07-02 1987-01-01 1987-07-03 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1990-07-02 1991-01-01 1991-07-03 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag