Patent US5671015A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5671015A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Signal processing apparatus
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1992-11-30
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Granted: 1997-09-23
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Expires: 2012-11-30
Abstract
Abstract A signal processing apparatus includes a first loop circuit for adjusting gains of a plurality of variable gain amplifiers to which signals output from a charge-coupled device (CCD) imager of multiple-channel reading type are applied, a control circuit for driving and controlling an iris in accordance with output signals from the plurality of variable gain amplifiers, a second loop circuit for adjusting levels of pilot signals to be superimposed upon the output signals of the CCD imager at a desired level, respectively, a third loop circuit for controlling levels of the pilot signals which are superimposed upon the output signals of the CCD imager so as to be coincident with each other, and a control unit for controlling the first loop circuit and the control circuit, the second loop circuit, and the third loop circuit so that they are operated in a time-division fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Osamu Yagi
- 👤 Kenji Tanaka
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/14; H04N5/16; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A signal processing circuit for processing output signals from a CCD (charge-coupled device) imager of a multiple read-out type having horizontal and vertical blanking periods for receiving light signals from an iris and on which respective pilot signals are superimposed, comprising: a plurality of variable gain amplifiers for receiving said output signals from said CCD imager to produce respective amplified signals; a first loop circuit operable to adjust respective gains of said plurality of variable gain amplifiers; an iris control circuit operable to control said iris on the basis of said amplified signals; a second loop circuit operable at least once during each horizontal blanking period of said CCD image to similarly adjust said respective pilot signals at a desired level; a third loop circuit operable at least once during each horizontal blanking period of said CCD imager to equalize the levels of said respective pilot signals; and control means for controlling said first loop circuit, said iris control circuit, said second loop circuit, and said third loop circuit to operate during respective different time intervals in a predetermined cycle, said predetermined cycle being repeated at least once during each vertical blanking period of said CCD imager.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A signal processing circuit for processing output signals from a CCD (charge-coupled device) imager of a multiple read-out type having horizontal and vertical blanking periods for receiving light signals from an iris and on which respective pilot signals are superimposed, comprising: a plurality of variable gain amplifiers for receiving said output signals from said CCD imager to produce respective amplified signals; a first loop circuit operable to adjust respective gains of said plurality of variable gain amplifiers; an iris control circuit operable to control said iris on the basis of said amplified signals; a second loop circuit operable at least once during each horizontal blanking period of said CCD image to similarly adjust said respective pilot signals at a desired level; a third loop circuit operable at least once during each horizontal blanking period of said CCD imager to equalize the levels of said respective pilot signals; and control means for controlling said first loop circuit, said iris control circuit, said second loop circuit, and said third loop circuit to operate during respective different time intervals in a predetermined cycle, said predetermined cycle being repeated at least once during each vertical blanking period of said CCD imager.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The signal processing circuit according to claim 1, wherein said first and second loop circuits include a detector circuit and a microcomputer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The signal processing circuit according to claim 2, wherein said third loop circuit includes said detector circuit, said microcomputer and a buffer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The signal processing circuit according to claim 2, wherein said second loop circuit includes a plurality of horizontal shift registers of said CCD imager.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The signal processing circuit according to claim 3, wherein said iris driving control circuit includes said detector circuit and said microcomputer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The signal processing circuit according to claim 3, wherein said first, second and third loop circuits are operated in a time division manner in the order of said first, second and third loop circuits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
193 words
A camera, comprising: an iris; a CCD (charge-coupled device) imager of a multiple read-out type having horizontal and vertical blanking periods for receiving light signals from said iris and for superimposing respective pilot signals on said light signals; a plurality of variable gain amplifiers for receiving output signals from said CCD imager to produce respective amplified signals; a first loop circuit operable to adjust respective gains of said plurality of variable gain amplifiers; an iris control circuit operable to control said iris on the basis of said amplified signals; a second loop circuit operable at least once during each horizontal blanking period of said CCD imager to similarly adjust said respective pilot signals at a desired level; a third loop circuit operable at least once during each horizontal blanking period of said CCD imager to equalize the levels of said respective pilot signals; and control means for controlling said first loop circuit, said iris control circuit, said second loop circuit, and said third loop circuit to operate during respective different time intervals in a predetermined cycle, said predetermined cycle being repeated at least once during each vertical blanking period of said CCD imager.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
193 words
A camera, comprising: an iris; a CCD (charge-coupled device) imager of a multiple read-out type having horizontal and vertical blanking periods for receiving light signals from said iris and for superimposing respective pilot signals on said light signals; a plurality of variable gain amplifiers for receiving output signals from said CCD imager to produce respective amplified signals; a first loop circuit operable to adjust respective gains of said plurality of variable gain amplifiers; an iris control circuit operable to control said iris on the basis of said amplified signals; a second loop circuit operable at least once during each horizontal blanking period of said CCD imager to similarly adjust said respective pilot signals at a desired level; a third loop circuit operable at least once during each horizontal blanking period of said CCD imager to equalize the levels of said respective pilot signals; and control means for controlling said first loop circuit, said iris control circuit, said second loop circuit, and said third loop circuit to operate during respective different time intervals in a predetermined cycle, said predetermined cycle being repeated at least once during each vertical blanking period of said CCD imager.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera of claim 7, wherein said first and second loop circuits include a detector circuit and a microcomputer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The camera of claim 8, wherein said CCD imager includes horizontal shift registers, and said second loop circuit includes a plurality of said horizontal shift registers of the CCD imager.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The camera of claim 8, wherein said third loop circuit includes said detector circuit, said microcomputer, and a buffer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The camera of claim 9, wherein said iris control circuit includes said detector circuit and said microcomputer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The camera of claim 9, wherein said first, second, and third loop circuits operate in a time division manner in the order of said first, second, and third loop circuits.
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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) | 2000-09-22 | 2001-03-24 | 2001-09-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-22 | 2005-03-24 | 2005-09-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-22 | 2009-03-24 | 2009-09-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |