Stereoscopic image signal processing device

Claim 2

A stereoscopic image signal processing device for processing a stereoscopic image signal in the form of a plurality of time-divisionally multiplexed image information signals, comprising: (A) changeover timing detection means receptive to said stereoscopic image signal for detecting the timing of changeover between any two of the time-divisonally multiplexed image information signals of said stereoscopic image signal; (B) memory means for memorizing a prescribed image information signal out of said plurality of image information signals; (C) control means for controlling the writing-in and reading-out operation of said memory means in accordance with the changeover timing of all said image information signals detected by said changeover timing detection means; and (D) output means responsive to the changeover timing of all of said image information signals detected by said changeover timing detection means for providing as an output only said prescribed image information signal.

Claim 3

A device according to claim 1, further comprising indicating means having a first output mode in which said stereoscopic image signal is output, and a second output mode in which one of the plurality of image information signals is output, and having a function of selectively indicating either one of said first and second output modes.

Claim 4

A device according to claim 2, wherein said output means is arranged to output, when the first output mode is indicated by said indicating means, said stereoscopic image signal, and to output, when the second output mode is indicated, only said one image information signal while changing over said stereoscopic image signal and the output from said memory means alternately in response to the changeover timing of all of said image information signals detected by said changeover timing detection means.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 1, wherein said control means is arranged to operate in such a manner that, as said stereoscopic image signal is being input to said device, during the time when said prescribed image information signal is input, said memory means is caused to perform the writing-in operation for said prescribed image information signal, and during the time when image information signals other than said prescribed one are input, the reading-out operation of the image information signal said memory means has memorized is performed.

Claim 6

A stereoscopic image signal processing device in which a stereoscopic image signal including two image information signals which are different from each other and alternately arranged at predetermined periods is produced and the stereoscopic image signal thus produced is processed to form an output, comprising: (A) image pickup means for shooting an object to be photographed to form a stereoscopic image signal by providing as outputs a first object image signal and second object image signal which are different from each other in prescribed alternate periods; (B) changeover timing detection means for detecting the timing of changeover between said first object image signal and said second object image signal in the stereoscopic image signal produced from said image pickup means; (C) memory means for memorizing said first object image signal out of said first object image signal and said second object image signal; (D) control means for controlling the writing-in and reading-out operation of said memory means in accordance with the timing of changeover between said first and said second object image signals detected by said changeover timing detection means; (E) indicating means having a first output mode for providing as an output the stereoscopic image signal and a second output mode for providing as an output only said first object image signal, and having a function of selectively indicating either one of said first and said second output modes; and (f) output means responsive to indication of the first output mode in said indicating means for providing as an output the stereoscopic image signal obtained from said image pickup means, and responsive to indication of the second output mode for providing as an output only said first object image signal by alternately changing over the output of said image pickup means and the output of said memory means in response to the timing of changeover between said first and said second object image signals detected by said changeover timing detection means.

Claim 7

A stereoscopic image signal processing device in which a stereoscopic image signal including two image information signals which are different from each other and alternately arranged at predetermined periods is produced and the stereoscopic image signal thus produced is processed to form an output, comprising: (A) image pickup means for shooting an object to be photographed to form a stereoscopic image signal by providing as outputs a first object image signal and second object image signal which are different from each other in prescribed alternate periods; (B) changeover timing detection means for detecting the timing of changeover between said first object image signal and said second object image signal in the stereoscopic image signal produced from said image pickup means; (C) memory means for memorizing said first object image signal out of said first object image signal and said second object image signal; (D) control means for controlling the writing-in and reading-out operation of said memory means in accordance with the timing of changeover between said first and said second object image signals detected by said changeover timing detection means; (E) indicating means having a first output mode for providing as an output the stereoscopic image signal and a second output mode for providing as an output only said first object image signal, and having a function of selectively indicating either one of said first and said second output modes; and (f) output means responsive to indication of the first output mode in said indicating means for providing as an output the stereoscopic image signal obtained from said image pickup means, and responsive to indication of the second output mode for providing as an output only said first object image signal by alternately changing over the output of said image pickup means and the output of said memory means in response to the timing of changeover between said first and said second object image signals detected by said changeover timing detection means.

Claim 8

A device according to claim 5, wherein said control means is arranged to operate in such a manner that, as said image pickup means is producing a stereoscopic image signal, during the time when the first object image signal is the output from said image pickup means, the writing operation of said first object image signal in said memory means is performed, and during the time when the second object image signal is the output from said image pickup means, the reading-out operation of the first object image signal said memory means has memorized is performed.

Claim 9

A device according to claim 5, wherein said image pickup means includes a first image pickup element corresponding to the right eye of a human being, and a second image pickup element corresponding to the left eye, said first image pickup element being arranged to produce said first object image signal, and said second image pickup element to produce said second object image signal.

Claim 10

A device according to claim 7, further comprising spectacle means for viewing a stereoscopic picture having light shutters operable for passing or blocking light in either of the right or left spectacle portions thereof, and drive means operating in such a manner that, depending on the timing of changeover between said first and said second object image signals detected by said changeover timing detection means, during the time when said first object image signal is the output from said image pickup means, only the right spectacle portion of said stereoscopic picture viewing spectacle means is rendered operable to pass light therethrough, and during the time when said second object image signal is the output from said image pickup means, only the left spectacle portion of said stereoscopic picture viewing spectacle means is rendered operable to pass light therethrough.