US4879600A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image sensing apparatus with control for varying the readout methodology
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1988-03-21
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2008-03-21
Abstract
Abstract In an image sensing apparatus of the kind having an optical system for forming an image of an object, an image sensor arranged to convert information on image bearing light incident on the optical system into an electrical signal and to read out the electrical signal either in a field mode in which two line portions of the signal are added together in reading or in a frame mode in which the line portions of said signal are read out one by one, and a flash device, a control circuit is arranged to control the selection of either the field mode or the frame mode according to a focal length of the optical system or according to a signal indicative of completion of preparation for flashing by the flash device.
Inventors
- 👤 Makoto Ise
- 👤 Tadashi Okino
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/72; H04N23/74; G; G03; G03B; G03B2217/00; G03B2217/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: (a) an optical system for forming an image of an object to be photographed; (b) image sensing means for photo-electrically converting said formed image into an electrical image signal to be accumulated; and (c) control means for changing a method for reading out said electrical image signal from said image sensing means in accordance with information on a focal length of said optical system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: (a) an optical system for forming an image of an object to be photographed; (b) image sensing means for photo-electrically converting said formed image into an electrical image signal to be accumulated; and (c) control means for changing a method for reading out said electrical image signal from said image sensing means in accordance with information on a focal length of said optical system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising signal forming means for forming a signal relative to the focal length of said optical system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said control means has a first reading mode in which picture element portions of said electrical image signal of the image sensing means are serially read out one by one, and a second reading mode in which a plurality of picture element portions of said electrical image signal are added together and are serially read out.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said control means is arranged to select one of said first and second reading modes according to the focal length of said optical system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising detection means for detecting a luminance of said object to produce a detection signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control means is arranged to change said reading method on the basis of a combination of said detection signal produced from said detection means and the information on said focal length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a flash device for illuminating said object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising detection means for detecting a luminance of said object to produce a detection signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control means is arranged to change said reading method on the basis of a combination of three factors including said detection signal produced from said detection means, information as to whether said flash device is to be used and the information on said focal length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising variable gain control means for amplifying an output of said image sensing means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said control means is arranged to change a combination of said reading method and a gain of said variable gain control means according to the information on said focal length.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising detection means for detecting a luminance of said object to produce a detection signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said control means is arranged to change a combination of said reading method and a gain of said variable gain control means on the basis of a combination of said detection signal produced from said detection means and the information on said focal length.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a flash device for illuminating said object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
65 words
An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said control means is arranged to change a combination of said reading method and a gain of said variable gain control means on the basis of a combination of three factors including said detection signal produced from said detection means, information as to whether said flash device is to be used and the information on said focal length.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
147 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: (a) image sensing means for converting an image of an object into an electrical image signal; (b) flash illuminating means for illuminating said object with a flash light; (c) detection means for detecting a luminance of said object obtained under illumination by the flash light of said flash illuminating means to produce a detection signal; and (d) control means for changing a reading method for reading out said electrical image signal of said image sensing means according to said detection signal produced from said detection means, said control means having a first reading mode in which picture element portions of said electrical image signal of the image sensing means are serially read out one by one, and a second reading mode in which a plurality of picture element portions of said electrical image signal are added together and are serially read out.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
147 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: (a) image sensing means for converting an image of an object into an electrical image signal; (b) flash illuminating means for illuminating said object with a flash light; (c) detection means for detecting a luminance of said object obtained under illumination by the flash light of said flash illuminating means to produce a detection signal; and (d) control means for changing a reading method for reading out said electrical image signal of said image sensing means according to said detection signal produced from said detection means, said control means having a first reading mode in which picture element portions of said electrical image signal of the image sensing means are serially read out one by one, and a second reading mode in which a plurality of picture element portions of said electrical image signal are added together and are serially read out.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said control means is arranged to select one of said first reading mode and said second reading mode according to said detection signal of said detection means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 16, further comprising variable gain control means for amplifying an output of said image sensing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said control means is arranged to change a combination of said reading method and a gain of said variable gain control means in accordance with said detection signal of said detection means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: (a) image sensing means for converting an image of an object into an electrical image signal; (b) flash illuminating means for illuminating said object with a flash light; (c) detection means for detecting whether a sufficient quantity of the flash light is obtainable on flash light illumination by said flash illuminating means to produce a detection signal; (d) variable gain amplifying means for amplifying said electrical image signal read out from said image sensing means at a rate of gain set according to said detection signal of said detection means; (e) exposure control means for controlling the quantity of light incident on said image sensing means; and (f) exposure correction means for correcting to a predetermined degree the degree of exposure obtainable under the control of said exposure control means after the gain attainable by said variable gain amplifying means is changed according to said detection signal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
152 words
An image sensing apparatus comprising: (a) image sensing means for converting an image of an object into an electrical image signal; (b) flash illuminating means for illuminating said object with a flash light; (c) detection means for detecting whether a sufficient quantity of the flash light is obtainable on flash light illumination by said flash illuminating means to produce a detection signal; (d) variable gain amplifying means for amplifying said electrical image signal read out from said image sensing means at a rate of gain set according to said detection signal of said detection means; (e) exposure control means for controlling the quantity of light incident on said image sensing means; and (f) exposure correction means for correcting to a predetermined degree the degree of exposure obtainable under the control of said exposure control means after the gain attainable by said variable gain amplifying means is changed according to said detection signal.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 20, further comprising: an optical system for forming an image of an object to be photographed.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising: control means for changing method for reading out said electrical image signal from said image sensing means in accordance with information on a focal length of said optical system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, further comprising signal forming means for forming a signal relative to the focal length of said optical system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said control means has a first reading mode in which picture element portions of said electrical image signal of the image sensing means are serially read out one by one, and a second reading mode in which a plurality of picture element portions of said electrical image signal are added together and are serially read out.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said control means is arranged to select one of said first and second reading modes according to the focal length of said optical system.
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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 |