US5548333A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Color mixing prevention and color balance setting device and method for a field-sequential color television camera
Assignee: Nikon Corp
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Filing: 1994-12-01
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Granted: 1996-08-20
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Expires: 2014-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A device and method provides high-speed processing in a color television camera without color mixing and achieves a color balance. The device comprises a color filter for color separating the light from the object being photographed, a solid state imaging element that forms an image from the light separated by the color filter, and with which control of charge accumulation is possible; and an accumulation time regulating device that sets the charge accumulation time of the solid state imaging element so as to avoid the color mixing interval during which color boundaries of the color filter are passing over the solid state imaging element. Charge is only accumulated during intervals other than the color mixing interval. Color balance of a field-sequential color television camera can be set without relying on a signal executing circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Kiyoshige Shibazaki
- 👤 Kenji Suzuki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 17:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/73; H04N23/10; H04N23/125; H04N23/13; H04N23/16; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N23/88; H04N25/00; H04N25/10; H04N25/11; H04N25/50; H04N25/53; H04N25/533; H04N25/534; H04N25/70; H04N25/71; H04N25/73
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An image processing system for a color television camera comprising: a color filter that separates light from an object being photographed into a plurality of color images having different colors; an imaging element that receives the plurality of color images from the color filter and outputs image signals based on an amount of charge that accumulates in said imaging element during an accumulation interval while said imaging element is receiving each of said plurality of color images; and a timing regulation device that sets the accumulation interval of the imaging element based on color mixing intervals during which more than one of said color images simultaneously are received by said imaging element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An image processing system for a color television camera comprising: a color filter that separates light from an object being photographed into a plurality of color images having different colors; an imaging element that receives the plurality of color images from the color filter and outputs image signals based on an amount of charge that accumulates in said imaging element during an accumulation interval while said imaging element is receiving each of said plurality of color images; and a timing regulation device that sets the accumulation interval of the imaging element based on color mixing intervals during which more than one of said color images simultaneously are received by said imaging element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said imaging element is a solid state imaging element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said color filter includes color boundaries between different color portions of said color filter, and said color mixing interval is an interval during which one of said color boundaries is passing over said imaging element.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said timing regulation device sets the accumulation interval of the imaging element to correspond to an interval other than said color mixing intervals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said imaging element receives the plurality of color images sequentially from said color filter such that said color television camera is a field-sequential color television camera.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said imaging element accumulates charge in a series of fields, and said timing regulation device sets the accumulation interval in all of said fields.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said imaging element accumulates charge in a series of fields, at least some of said fields containing said color mixing interval, and said timing regulation device sets the accumulation interval in at least some of said fields that contain said color mixing interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said imaging element discards any charge that accumulates in said imaging element at times other than during said accumulation interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said imaging element discards any charge that accumulates in said imaging element during said color mixing intervals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said timing regulation device adjusts color balance by setting the accumulation interval of said imaging element to a different accumulation interval for each one of said plurality of different color images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
112 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said timing regulation device includes: an initial accumulation interval setting device that sets the accumulation interval of said imaging element to a predetermined interval for each of the plurality of color images according to a color balance setting instruction; a calculating device that generates a correcting signal based on the image signal output by the imaging element for each of the plurality of color images after the setting by said initial accumulation interval setting device; and an adjusted accumulation interval setting device that adjusts color balance based on the correcting signal by adjusting the accumulation interval for each of the plurality of color images.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The image processing system of claim 11, wherein said predetermined interval is the same for each of said plurality of color images.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The image processing system of claim 11, wherein said predetermined interval is a predetermined interval ratio.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
59 words
The image processing system of claim 1, wherein said color filter is a movable color filter, and further comprising a movement sensor that senses movement of said movable color filter and generates a movement signal, said timing regulation device determining said color mixing intervals and thereby setting the accumulation interval of the imaging element based on said movement signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image processing system for a color television camera comprising: an imaging element that receives a plurality of different color images and outputs image signals based on an amount of charge that accumulates in said imaging element during an accumulation interval while said imaging element is receiving each of said plurality of different color images; and a timing regulation device that sets the accumulation interval of the imaging element to a different accumulation interval for each of said different color images to achieve color balance.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
85 words
An image processing system for a color television camera comprising: an imaging element that receives a plurality of different color images and outputs image signals based on an amount of charge that accumulates in said imaging element during an accumulation interval while said imaging element is receiving each of said plurality of different color images; and a timing regulation device that sets the accumulation interval of the imaging element to a different accumulation interval for each of said different color images to achieve color balance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
121 words
The image processing system of claim 15, wherein said timing regulation device includes: an initial accumulation interval setting device that sets the accumulation interval of said imaging element to a predetermined interval for each of the plurality of color images according to a color balance setting instruction; a calculating device that generates a correcting signal based on the image signal output by the imaging element for each of the plurality of color images after the setting by said initial accumulation interval setting device; and an adjusted accumulation interval setting device that adjusts color balance based on the correcting signal by adjusting the accumulation interval for each of the plurality of color images from said predetermined interval to said different accumulation intervals.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The image processing system of claim 15, further comprising a color filter that separates light from an object being photographed into said plurality of color images having different colors, which are received by said imaging element.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image processing system for a color television camera comprising: color separation means for separating light from an object being photographed into a plurality of color images having different colors; imaging means for receiving the plurality of color images from the color separation means and for outputting image signals based on an amount of charge accumulated by said imaging means during an accumulation interval while said imaging means is receiving each of said plurality of color images; and timing regulation means for setting the accumulation interval of the imaging means based on color mixing intervals during which more than one of said color images simultaneously are received by said imaging means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
111 words
An image processing system for a color television camera comprising: color separation means for separating light from an object being photographed into a plurality of color images having different colors; imaging means for receiving the plurality of color images from the color separation means and for outputting image signals based on an amount of charge accumulated by said imaging means during an accumulation interval while said imaging means is receiving each of said plurality of color images; and timing regulation means for setting the accumulation interval of the imaging means based on color mixing intervals during which more than one of said color images simultaneously are received by said imaging means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The image processing system of claim 18, wherein said timing regulation means sets the accumulation interval of the imaging means to correspond to an interval other than said color mixing intervals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The image processing system of claim 18, wherein said imaging means accumulates charge in a series of fields, and said timing regulation means sets the accumulation interval in all of said fields.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The image processing system of claim 20, wherein at least some of said fields contain said color mixing interval.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
45 words
The image processing system of claim 18, wherein said timing regulation means includes color balance adjusting means for adjusting color balance by setting the accumulation interval of said imaging means to a different accumulation interval for each one of said plurality of different color images.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
115 words
The image processing system of claim 22, wherein said color balance adjusting means includes: initial accumulation interval setting means for setting the accumulation interval of said imaging means to a predetermined interval for each of the plurality of color images according to a color balance setting instruction; calculating means for calculating a correcting signal based on the image signal output by the imaging means for each of the plurality of color images after the setting to said predetermined interval by said initial accumulation interval setting means; and adjusted accumulation interval setting means for adjusting the color balance based on the correcting signal by adjusting the accumulation interval for each of the plurality of color images.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
61 words
The image processing system of claim 18, wherein said color separation means is a movable color filter, and further comprising a movement sensing means for sensing movement of said movable color filter to generate a movement signal, said timing regulation means determining said color mixing intervals and thereby setting the accumulation interval of the imaging means based on said movement signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image processing system for a color television camera comprising: imaging means for receiving a plurality of different color images and for outputting image signals based on an amount of charge accumulated by said imaging means during an accumulation interval while said imaging means is receiving each of said plurality of different color images; and timing regulation means for setting the accumulation interval of the imaging means to a different accumulation interval for each of said different color images to achieve color balance.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
83 words
An image processing system for a color television camera comprising: imaging means for receiving a plurality of different color images and for outputting image signals based on an amount of charge accumulated by said imaging means during an accumulation interval while said imaging means is receiving each of said plurality of different color images; and timing regulation means for setting the accumulation interval of the imaging means to a different accumulation interval for each of said different color images to achieve color balance.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
123 words
The image processing system of claim 25, wherein said timing regulation means includes: initial accumulation interval setting means for setting the accumulation interval of said imaging means to a predetermined interval for each of the plurality of color images according to a color balance setting instruction; calculating means for calculating a correcting signal based on the image signal output by the imaging means for each of the plurality of color images after the setting to the predetermined interval by said initial accumulation interval setting means; and adjusted accumulation interval setting means for adjusting the color balance based on the correcting signal by adjusting the accumulation interval for each of the plurality of color images from said predetermined interval to said different accumulation intervals.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of processing images in a color television camera comprising: separating light from an object being photographed into a plurality of color images having different colors; accumulating charge in an imaging element by exposing the imaging element to the plurality of color images, the imaging element outputting image signals based on the amount of charge accumulated by the imaging element during an accumulation interval; and setting the accumulation interval based on color mixing intervals during which more than one of the color images simultaneously are received by the imaging element.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of processing images in a color television camera comprising: separating light from an object being photographed into a plurality of color images having different colors; accumulating charge in an imaging element by exposing the imaging element to the plurality of color images, the imaging element outputting image signals based on the amount of charge accumulated by the imaging element during an accumulation interval; and setting the accumulation interval based on color mixing intervals during which more than one of the color images simultaneously are received by the imaging element.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the light from the object is separated by a color filter that includes color boundaries between different color portions of said color filter, said color mixing interval being an interval during which one of said color boundaries is passing over said imaging element.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 27, wherein said accumulation interval is set to correspond to an interval other than said color mixing intervals.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the imaging element accumulates charge in a series of fields, and said accumulation interval is set to occur in all of said fields.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 27, wherein the imaging element accumulates charge in a series of fields, at least some of said fields containing said color mixing interval, and said accumulation interval is set to occur in at least some of said fields that contain said color mixing interval.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising discarding any charge that accumulates in the imaging element at times other than during said accumulation interval.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 27, further comprising adjusting color balance by setting the accumulation interval of the imaging element to a different accumulation interval for each one of said plurality of different color images.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method of claim 33, wherein adjusting the color balance includes: setting the accumulation interval of the imaging element to a predetermined interval for each of the plurality of color images according to a color balance setting instruction; calculating a correcting signal based on the image signal output by the imaging element for each of the plurality of color images after the accumulation interval is set to said predetermined interval; and adjusting the color balance based on the correcting signal by adjusting the accumulation interval for each of the plurality of color images.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said color filter is a movable color filter, and further comprising sensing movement of said movable color filter, and wherein the color mixing intervals are determined, and thereby the accumulation interval of the imaging element is set, based on the sensed movement of the movable color filter.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of processing images in a color television camera comprising: accumulating charge in an imaging element by exposing the imaging element to a plurality of color images, the imaging element outputting image signals based on the amount of charge accumulated by the imaging element during an accumulation interval; and setting the accumulation interval of the imaging element to a different accumulation interval for each of said different color images to achieve color balance.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
74 words
A method of processing images in a color television camera comprising: accumulating charge in an imaging element by exposing the imaging element to a plurality of color images, the imaging element outputting image signals based on the amount of charge accumulated by the imaging element during an accumulation interval; and setting the accumulation interval of the imaging element to a different accumulation interval for each of said different color images to achieve color balance.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
103 words
The method of claim 36, wherein setting the accumulation interval includes: setting the accumulation interval of said imaging element to a predetermined interval for each of the plurality of color images according to a color balance setting instruction; calculating a correcting signal based on the image signal output by the imaging element for each of the plurality of color images after the accumulation interval is set to said initial predetermined interval; and adjusting the color balance based on the correcting signal by adjusting the accumulation interval for each of the plurality of color images from said predetermined interval to said different accumulation intervals.
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) | 1999-08-20 | 2000-02-19 | 2000-08-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-08-20 | 2004-02-19 | 2004-08-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-08-20 | 2008-02-19 | 2008-08-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |