US6747704B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video camera apparatus capable of simply extracting brightness information used in auto-iris control
Assignee: Sony Corp
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Filing: 1998-03-05
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Granted: 2004-06-08
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Expires: 2018-03-05
Abstract
Abstract In a video camera apparatus, a proper iris control operation can be carried out based upon pseudo-luminance information, and the iris control operation and also the focus control operation can be independently performed. The R, G, B pixel data which are outputted from a CCD image sensor and are acquired before being inputted to an image signal processing unit are multiplied with each other so as to produce the pseudo-luminance information instead of the luminance signal. The iris control operation is carried out based on this pseudo-luminance information. Also, the respective R, G, B pixel data acquired before being inputted to a white balance amplifier are multiplied with each other to produce the pseudo-luminance information.
Inventors
- 👤 Jun Kitamura
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:57
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N23/00; H04N23/70; H04N23/71; H04N23/60; H04N23/67; H04N23/75; H04N23/80; H04N23/84; H04N23/88; H04N25/00; H04N25/10; H04N25/11; H04N25/13; H04N25/134
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A video camera apparatus comprising: a solid-state imaging element having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, a color filter being arranged with respect to each of said pixels; image signal processing means for producing image information constructed of luminance information and color information based on the respective pixel information outputted from said solid-state imaging element; averaging means for averaging a predetermined amount of the respective pixel information; pseudo-luminance information producing means for multiplying the averaged pixel information which is outputted from said solid-state imaging element and is acquired before being inputted into said image signal processing means to thereby produce a pseudo-luminance information signal; and iris control means for performing an iris control based on said pseudo-luminance information signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A video camera apparatus comprising: a solid-state imaging element having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, a color filter being arranged with respect to each of said pixels; image signal processing means for producing image information constructed of luminance information and color information based on the respective pixel information outputted from said solid-state imaging element; averaging means for averaging a predetermined amount of the respective pixel information; pseudo-luminance information producing means for multiplying the averaged pixel information which is outputted from said solid-state imaging element and is acquired before being inputted into said image signal processing means to thereby produce a pseudo-luminance information signal; and iris control means for performing an iris control based on said pseudo-luminance information signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A video camera apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said color filter is a G (green) checkered pattern and R (red)/B (blue) line sequential type color filter; and said pseudo-luminance information producing means produces said pseudo-luminance information signal by executing the following calculation: 2 G+R+B.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
79 words
A video camera apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: white balance control means for performing a white balance control by controlling a gain of pixel information outputted from said solid-state imaging element with respect to each of colors based on color information obtained by said image signal processing means; wherein: said pseudo-luminance information producing means produces luminance information by multiplexing the respective pixel information which is acquired before being inputted into said white balance control means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A video camera apparatus as claimed in claim 3 , further comprising: luminance signal producing means for entering therein the pixel information outputted from said white balance control means to produce a luminance signal from said pixel information; color signal producing means for entering therein the pixel information outputted from said white balance control means to produce a color signal; and white balance detecting means for detecting a white balance condition in response to said color signal; wherein: said white balance control means controls a gain of the pixel information with respect to each of colors based on the detection result of said white balance detecting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A video camera apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said iris control means is a mechanical iris.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
A video camera apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said iris control means controls exposure time of said solid-state imaging element to control the iris.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A video camera apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said iris control means is gain control means for controlling a gain of the pixel information outputted from said solid-state imaging element.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
65 words
A video camera apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: focus detecting means for detecting a focus condition based on pixel information identical to the pixel information inputted to said pseudo-luminance information producing means; and focus control means for controlling a focusing condition of an optical image entered into said solid-state imaging element based on the detection result of said focus detecting means.
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) | 2007-06-08 | 2007-12-08 | 2008-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-08 | 2011-12-08 | 2012-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-08 | 2015-12-08 | 2016-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |