Patent US898012A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4879591A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US4879591A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Image pickup apparatus compensating an image signal for variations in color temperature

Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1987-01-16
•
Granted: 1989-11-07
•
Expires: 2007-01-16
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A color image pickup apparatus comprises a color image pickup element and a shutter device for exposing the pickup element to an image light. The apparatus further comprises a color signal level adjusting circuit and a control circuit. In one embodiment, when the exposure time is set to a period shorter than one TV field period, the exposure timing is controlled by the controlled circuit at a predetermined phase of the color temperature change of the illumination. In another embodiment, the level adjusting circuit is controlled by the control circuit in accordance with the phase relationship of the exposure timing relative to the color temperature change of the illumination. Thus, an appropriate compensation of the image signal for the color temperature change can be achieved at the time of the image picking up under the illumination whose color temperature changes periodically.

Inventors

  • 👤 Masahiro Takei

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 22:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N23/88

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim 109 words
An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image under an illumination whose color temperature changes periodically, said apparatus comprising: image pickup means for producing an image signal in response to a received image; detection means for detecting a phase relationship between a timing of producing the image pickup signal and the change in the color temperature of the illumination; control means for (1) controlling the timing of producing said image signal in the image pickup means based on the output of the detection means, and (2) for controlling color balance among a plurality of color signals involved in said image signal in accordance with the detected phase relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 109 words
An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image under an illumination whose color temperature changes periodically, said apparatus comprising: image pickup means for producing an image signal in response to a received image; detection means for detecting a phase relationship between a timing of producing the image pickup signal and the change in the color temperature of the illumination; control means for (1) controlling the timing of producing said image signal in the image pickup means based on the output of the detection means, and (2) for controlling color balance among a plurality of color signals involved in said image signal in accordance with the detected phase relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said control means is arranged to respond to said detection means to cause the pickup means to pick up the image at a predetermined phase of the change in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said control means comprises: compensation means for compensating the image signal produced by said pickup means at a compensation value corresponding to the detected phase relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 32 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said detection means includes: a sensing element for producing an output signal which varies in correspondence to the change in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 28 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said element includes a light sensor which is responsive to a change in luminosity of the illumination correlated to the color temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 47 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes: timing signal generation means for generating timing signals in accordance with the detected phase relationship; and means for applying each of said timing signals to control the timing of image picking up by said image pickup means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 45 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: manually operable triqqer means; said control means further including output means for outputting one of the timing signals generated by said generation means in response to the operation of said trigger means to trigger said image pickup means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 24 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes: means for adjusting a period of image picking up by said image pickup means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 38 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said control means includes: means for adjusting a phase relationship between a timing of the image picking up by said image pickup means and changes in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 118 words
An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image under an illumination whoso color temperature changes periodically, said apparatus comprising: image pickup means for producing an image signal in response to a received image; detection means for detecting the change in the color temperature of the illumination; and control means arranged to control the image pickup means based on the output of the detection means to produce an image signal corresponding to that produced by an illumination whose color temperature remains constant, said control means comprising compensation means responsive to said detection for compensating the image signal produced by said pickup means in accordance with a detected relationship between an image pickup timing and the color temperature change.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 118 words
An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image under an illumination whoso color temperature changes periodically, said apparatus comprising: image pickup means for producing an image signal in response to a received image; detection means for detecting the change in the color temperature of the illumination; and control means arranged to control the image pickup means based on the output of the detection means to produce an image signal corresponding to that produced by an illumination whose color temperature remains constant, said control means comprising compensation means responsive to said detection for compensating the image signal produced by said pickup means in accordance with a detected relationship between an image pickup timing and the color temperature change.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 32 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said detection means includes: a sensing element for producing an output signal which varies in correspondence to the change in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 30 words
Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said sensing element includes a light sensor which is responsive to the change in the luminosity of the illumination correlated to the color temperature.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 22 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: control means for controlling a timing of image picking up by said image pickup means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 42 words
Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein and said control means includes: timing signal generation means for generating timing signals having a predetermined cycle, and means for applying said timing signals to control a timing of image pickup by said image pickup means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 74 words
Apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising: manually operable trigger means; said control means further including output means for outputting one of the timing signals generated by said generation means in response to the operation of said triqqer means to triqqer said image pickup means; said control means further being arranged to detect a phase relationship between a timing of output of said output means and a change in color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 21 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means for adjusting a period of image picking up by said image pickup means
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 35 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising means for adjusting a phase relationship between the timing of the image pickup by said image pickup means and the change in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 29 words
Apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising: means for forming a period of image pickup by said image pickup means within a period shorter than one TV field period.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 134 words
A camera for picking up an image under an illumination whose color temperature changes periodically, said camera comprising: a color image pickup element for producing a color image signal in response to a colored image light; exposure means for exposing said image pickup element to the image light; detection means for detecting the change in the color temperature of the illumination; and control means arranged to control the image pickup means based on the output of the detection means to produce an image signal corresponding to that produced by an illumination whose color temperature remains constant, said control means comprising compensation means responsive to said detection means for compensating the image illumination signal produced by said pickup element in accordance with a detected phase relationship between an exposure timing and the color temperature change.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 134 words
A camera for picking up an image under an illumination whose color temperature changes periodically, said camera comprising: a color image pickup element for producing a color image signal in response to a colored image light; exposure means for exposing said image pickup element to the image light; detection means for detecting the change in the color temperature of the illumination; and control means arranged to control the image pickup means based on the output of the detection means to produce an image signal corresponding to that produced by an illumination whose color temperature remains constant, said control means comprising compensation means responsive to said detection means for compensating the image illumination signal produced by said pickup element in accordance with a detected phase relationship between an exposure timing and the color temperature change.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 43 words
Camera according to claim 19 wherein said control means is responsive to said detection means for causing said exposure means to expose said pickup element to the image light as a predetermined phase of the change in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 33 words
Camera according to claim 20, further comprising: compensation means for compensating the image signal produced by said pickup element with a compensation value corresponding to said predetermined phase of the color temperature change.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 32 words
Camera according to claim 20, wherein said detection means includes: a sensing element for producing an output signal which varies in correspondence to the change in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 30 words
Camera according to claim 22, wherein said sensing element includes a light sensor which is responsive to the change in the luminosity of the illumination correlated to the color temperature.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 58 words
Camera according to claim 20, wherein said control means includes: timing signal generation means for generating timing signals in synchronism with said predetermined phase of the change in the color temperature of the illumination, and means for applying each of said timing signals to define a timing of exposure of said image pickup element by said exposure means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 44 words
Camera according to claim 24, further comprising: manually operable trigger means; said control means further including output means for outputting one of the timing signals generated by said generation means in response to the operation of said trigger means to triqqer said exposure means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 26 words
Camera according to claim 20, wherein said control means includes: means for adjusting the period of exposure of said image pickup element by said exposure means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 41 words
Camera according to claim 20, wherein said control means includes: means for adjusting the phase relationship between the timing of the exposure of said image pickup element by said exposure means and the change in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 21 words
Camera according to claim 20, wherein said exposure means includes: a shutter device disposed in front of said image pickup element.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 21 words
Camera according to claim 19, wherein said exposure means includes: a shutter device disposed in front of said image pickup element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 31 words
Camera according to claim 29, wherein said detection means includes: a sensing element for producing an output signal which varies in correspondence to a change in color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 29 words
Camera according to claim 30, wherein said sensing element includes a light sensor which is responsive to a change in luminosity of the illumination correlated to the color temperature.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 24 words
Camera according to claim 29, further comprising: control means for controlling the timing of the exposure of said pickup element by said exposure means.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 46 words
Camera according to claim 32, wherein said control means includes: timing signal generation means for generating timing signals having a predetermined cycle, and means for applying each of said timing signals to control the timing of exposure of said image pickup element by said exposure means.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 70 words
Camera according to claim 33, further comprising: manually operable trigger means; said control means further including output means for outputting one of the timing signals generated by said generation means in response to the operation of said trigger means to trigger said exposure means; said control means further being arranqed to detect a phase relationship between the timing of the output of said output means and the color temperature change.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 23 words
Camera according to claim 29, further comprising: means for adjusting the period of exposure of said image pickup element by said exposure means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 38 words
Camera according to claim 29, further comprising: means for adjusting the phase relationship between the timing of the exposure of said image pickup element by said exposure means and the change in the color temperature of the illumination.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 31 words
Camera according to claim 29, further comprising: means for forming a period of exposure of said pickup element by said exposure means within a period shorter than one TV field period.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 87 words
An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image under an illumination whose color temperature changes periodically, said apparatus comprising: (a) image pickup means for converting an optical image into plural color image signals; (b) detecting means for detecting a phase of the change in the color temperature of th illumination; and (c) control means for controlling color balance among said plural color image signals in accordance with a phase relationship between the change of the color temperature nd a pickup timing of said image pickup means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 87 words
An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image under an illumination whose color temperature changes periodically, said apparatus comprising: (a) image pickup means for converting an optical image into plural color image signals; (b) detecting means for detecting a phase of the change in the color temperature of th illumination; and (c) control means for controlling color balance among said plural color image signals in accordance with a phase relationship between the change of the color temperature nd a pickup timing of said image pickup means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising: discriminating means for discriminating the phase of the change in the color temperature which corresponds to said pickup timing.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 26 words
Apparatus according to claim 38, further comprising: control means for controlling said pickup timing in accordance with said phase of the change of the color temperature.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-11-06 1993-05-08 1993-11-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-11-06 1997-05-08 1997-11-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-11-06 2001-05-08 2001-11-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag