Showing papers on "Video camera published in 1986"

Optical card reader utilizing area image processing

Abstract: An optical card reader for reading marks made on the face of a preprinted card utilizes a video camera and a memory device to capture and store an image of at least a portion of the card. Positioning indices are printed on the card, and the reader has stored therein information defining possible locations of valid marks relative to the positioning indices. The centroids of the positioning indices on the cards are determined to define the possible locations of valid marks on the cards. The densities and centroids of the marks located in the possible locations are analyzed to determine if a valid mark is present.

Infrared imager for viewing subcutaneous location of vascular structures and method of use

Abstract: A human appendage, typically the inside of the elow, is illuminated with an infrared source, for example, at least one incandescent light bulb. A video camera for producing a video image and immediately overlying monitor for displaying the video image is utilized to look at the flesh. The camera is sensitive to infrared radiation. A video display results in which infrared absorbing or scattering contrasting portions of the flesh are highlighted, for example, hard to find veins for insertions of needles. A contrast enhancing circuit is included which discloses amplifying the video information with high contrast enhancement of the video. Adaptation of the disclosed circuit to conventional TV charge coupled device cameras and monitors is illustrated with compensation of horizontal sweep to even image background, intensity averaging line to line for vertical image uniformity and display of image contrasts on a log amplification format.

Method of making an identification card

Abstract: A high-security identification card is produced in a system in which a photograph from a video camera is converted to digital data and reproduced with high-fidelity on a video display screen. Other images, such as signatures and fingerprints, can be treated in a similar manner using either a video camera or a CCD (charge-coupled device). After processing, the video information is displayed on the screen where it is combined with variable data typed in from a keyboard. The digital data from the terminal is fed into a laser printer that prints the portrait and any desired alphanumeric information on a paper sheet. The paper is then laminated, under heat and pressure, between two sheets of transparent thermoplastic material, at a temperature and pressure sufficient to cause the plastic material to penetrate the interstices between the fibers of the paper card and form a unitary structure that cannot be delaminated without destruction of the identifying data. The digital information is stored in a permanent memory to allow the card to be reproduced later, with or without modifications.

High speed instantaneous multi-image recorder

Abstract: This high speed, instantaneous multi-image recorder comprises a video camera, sensor unit and light projector. A frame memory is connected to the video camera, a flashtube is to the light projector, a retarder is to the sensor unit. The flashtube is connected to the retarder, and a monitor is connected to the frame memory. The video camera, sensor unit and light projected are placed as directed toward a moving object which is, for example, a golf club. When the golfer swings the club, the sensor unit detects the club, the light projector flashes, and the video camera picks up the golf ball and club head around the moment of impacting. Thus, the video camera catches many instantaneous poses within a frame. Many such images picked up in a signal frame of the video camera are displayed on the monitor screen for analysis.

Method and apparatus for storing a massive inventory of labeled images

Abstract: A massive inventory of labeled images, for example of every real estate parcel in a city, is produced on different frames of a video disc, from which the images may be randomly accessed for use in tax assessment, real estate sales and the like. Digital information is accessed from memory (e.g., magnetic disc) associated with a computer and monitored to define a route for a field rig, equipped with a video camera, which scans the images and provides TV signals in the order in which the digital information corresponding thereto is accessed. Each video image is labeled with text from the digital information corresponding to the image to produce TV signals with labeling information therein. Pluralities of frames of the TV signals are recorded on a video recorder. A single frame is selected from each plurality and recorded on a different frame of the video disc record.

Method for applying a creative design to a fabric from a Singapore Dammar resin coated transfer sheet

Abstract: A method for creating personalized, creative designs or images on a fabric such as a tee shirt or the like using a personal computer system. The design is first created by hand on the monitor screen of the computer system. The design so created is then printed onto a heat transfer sheet. The design is then ironed onto the fabric or tee shirt. The design may also be an image, such as a picture created by a video camera.

Focus warning system for a manually-focused still video camera having an electronic viewfinder

Abstract: A manually-focused video camera provides a movie image for an electronic viewfinder and a still image for recording apparatus. A diaphragm in the optical section of the camera determines the optical aperture presented to incoming image light, which coincidentally establishes the depth of field in which the subject remains in focus. When the aperture necessary for a still image exceeds the aperture used for the movie image by, e.g., three aperture stops, a warning system in the camera produces a control signal. The existence of this signal indicates a potential focusing problem due to the disparity between aperture values and the reduced depth of field in the corresponding still image. The signal is used, e.g., to illuminate a warning element in the viewfinder or to insert a neutral density filter into the path of incoming light, in the latter case forcing the movie aperture to approach the still aperture and thereby causing the movie depth of field to approach the still depth of field.

Asynchronous still timing for a video camera producing movie or still images

Abstract: A still video camera produces a movie image for previewing in an electronic viewfinder according to a specific image repetition rate and a still image for recording on a magnetic disk. In the movie mode, video signals are clocked from a solid-state, interline transfer image sensor by application of driving signals from a movie timing generator. The still mode interrupts the movie timing with a special driving signal from a still timing generator. By initiating the still exposure in synchronism with the high frequency movie driving signals that operate the image sensor . . . and not with regard to the vertical drive interval determining the image repetition rate . . . a "pseudo"-asynchronous relationship can be obtained with the movie mode and the still exposure can begin without noticeable delay. After the still exposure is completed, control of the image sensor is returned to the movie timing generator in synchronism with the image repetition rate.

The Determination of Sky View-Factors in Urban Environments Using Video Imagery

Abstract: A technique is described whereby sky view-factors may be determined using a video camera equipped with a fish-eye lens. The video image is digitized and then analyzed to distinguish between “sky” and “non-sky” pixels. View-factors are calculated for each pixel and then summed for all “sky” pixels to yield a composite sky view-factor for the image. The technique is illustrated by applying it in three urban locations, all of which are characterized by high building densities (and hence complex skylines). The three images processed have sky, view-factors in the range 0.15 to 0.46 (as independently determined). It is shown that the present technique produces values in close agreement with these and appears quite robust when compared with calculations based on the work of Johnson and Watson.

Arthroscopic video camera system

Abstract: An arthroscopic video camera system especially constructed to utilize a compact miniature CCD chip type of color video camera for high resolution and high light sensitivity. A disposable sterile plastic housing is provided for the camera. Prior to the arthroscopic procedure, the camera is placed in the sterile plastic housing, and is connected through a sterile electric cord to an electronic control unit. A gas sterilized adapter is attached to the front end of the camera, and the adapter is plugged into an arthroscopic mounting bracket, and a sterilized light cord extending from a remote light source is then plugged into the mounting bracket. Finally, a selected arthroscope is also plugged into the mounting bracket to be illuminated through the mounting bracket by light from the remote source, and to provide images through the mounting bracket for the video camera.

Glassware inspection using optical streak detection

Abstract: Method and apparatus for inspecting transparent articles such as glassware for various types of defects, while conveying the articles past an optical inspection assembly. An article to be inspected is transported through an inspection station where it may undergo rotational and translational motion while being illuminated during an inspection interval. The inspection apparatus includes a video camera which provides output signals representative of the luminance of image elements, and video processing circuitry to derive line sum signals representative of the aggregate luminance of preselected scan lines. The line sum signals are further processed to discriminate streaks of brighter-than-normal or darker-than-normal pixels in a series of image frames. The user may establish window parameters to define an area of the article to be scanned for defects.

Electronic timing and recording apparatus

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus electronically times and records a moving object as it travels over a measured course. The apparatus is especially useful in recording and timing an athlete running over a measured course in order to determine the overall athletic prowess of the athlete. The apparatus provides more accurate and uniform testing of an athlete's ability to run a predetermined distance as fast as possible. The apparatus includes a plurality of ultrasonic detectors positioned in predetermined spaced relationship along a course over which an athlete runs (object moves). A sequence of RF detection signals are sent to a timing circuit which computes the elapsed times of the athlete (object) over the course. The times are recorded along with video information produced by a video camera. When the timing information and recorded scene are played back on a video monitor, the timing information is displayed along with the video image to facilitate analysis of the recorded event.

Integrated camcorder viewing and support system

Abstract: A camcorder is equipped with a head mounted viewfinder that is visible to only one eye of the camera operator. The viewfinder is mounted on an adjustable head support and positioned directly in front of one eye of the camera operator so that the camera operator sees the recorded scene viewed by the video camera with the eye and is free to view the remaining surroundings with the other eye. A counter-balanced staff supports the camcorder in such a way that the staff and camcorder can be held in one hand. The single eye viewfinder arrangement cooperates with the counter balanced camera support staff to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of the television camera operator and to minimize undesirable side effects such as camera wobble.

Video camera microphone with zoom variable acoustic focus

Abstract: In a video camera having a zoom lens and a microphone pickup for recording sound associated with the video images, the acoustic focus (or acoustic acceptance angle) of the microphone pickup is varied between uni-directional and omni-directional in synchronism with the zoom lens control of the camera in order to correlate the optical field of view of the lens with the acoustic field of view of the microphone for optimum coordination of picture and sound.

Method and apparatus for preparing a check, money order or credit card.

Abstract: In a method for preparing a check, money order or credit card (93), a series of signals coding a pictorial image of an individual's face is generated by a video camera (15) or digital scanner (59) and stored in digital form in a memory (37) for producing on a web the pictorial facial image of the individual. The memory also stores additional information pertaining to the individual user, such as his name, address and account numbers, this additional information also being electronically transmittable to a printing facility for conversion into legible or machine-readable form in conjunction with the pictorial image of the user. The signals coding the individual user's facial image are transmittable to remote CRT monitors at retail outlets for enabling comparison of the picture-quality facial image with the visage of a person tendering a purchase instrument such as a check, money order to credit card.

Variable speed video camera

Abstract: A compact video camera which is operable at continuously variable shutter speeds to capture high speed events which may be recorded and played back in slow motion for scene analysis. The video camera includes an image sensor, a zoom lens, and a rotating shutter which is continuously adjustable to different shutter speeds. The camera components are dimensioned and configured in a compact design for easy-to-use hand-held operation. The shutter includes a pair of rotating shutter discs having openings which are selectively adjustable relative to each other to vary the interval during which the imager sensor is exposed to a scene projected onto it by the zoom lens. The shutter discs are mounted on respective first and second holow shafts. The first shaft is rotatably and slidably mounted on a portion of the second shaft by a linkage. Adjustment of the relative rotational position of the two disc to control the size of the relative shutter opening is effected by a cable which is connected at one end to the first shaft, which is passed through the hollow shafts and which is connected at its other end to a control member. The control member is actuated by a change in sensor signal intensity to effect a change in relative shutter opening.

Video camera with automatically variable diaphragm and shutter speed control

Abstract: A compact video camera which is operable at variable shutter speeds to capture high speed events which may be recorded and played back in slow motion for scene analysis. The video camera includes an image sensor, a variable diaphragm and a variable speed shutter. The variable diaphragm and variable speed shutter are controlled automatically to maintain constant the peak to peak signal level of the video signal produced by the image sensor so that the highest shutter speed is always maintained as scene brightness changes.

Microscopic spectral imaging using a video camera.

Abstract: SUMMARY A technique is described which permits the simultaneous acquisition of multiple fluorescent emission and/or absorption spectra from discrete regions of a specimen under microscopic observation. The instrument consists of a modified inverted microscope, an optical diffraction grating, a silicon intensified target (SIT) camera, and a digital video image processor. Observation of the zero diffraction order of the grating with the SIT camera permits an optical slice of the specimen to be selected by positioning the region of interest over the entrance slit of the grating housing. To obtain the spectral characteristics of this optical slice, the grating is rotated to impinge the first order diffraction on the camera. The video image of this first order diffraction maintains spatial integrity along the slit's long axis and provides spectral dispersion on the perpendicular axis. Thus, each of the horizontal video lines along the long axis of the slit represents a spectral analysis of the corresponding spatial location within the specimen. The spectral resolution (0.2 nm/channel) of each video line is determined by the resolution of the camera system in conjunction with the resolution of the grating. The image processing system acquires and processes all 500 spectra in 33 ms and permits the accurate localization of the source of each spectrum in the slice. This type of topological spectral analysis permits the determination of both spatial and spectral characteristics of intrinsic or extrinsic chromophores within the specimen. In addition, this technique permits the detection of and the possible correction for photobleaching, light scattering and image plane effects. The application of this technique to the study of single cells is discussed and an example of the technique in determining the fluorescence spectra of acridine orange within the nucleus of an intact mammalian blastocyst is described.

Image forming device

Abstract: PURPOSE:To semi-automatically from a logographic type image devoted to an original image by converting a converted grey image data into binary image data by a predetermined threshold. CONSTITUTION:In front of a video camera 10, a logographic type is disposed and picked up by the video camera 10 and this is fed to a digital signal processing circuit 20. From an encoder 21, a brightness component corresponding to a logographic type image is outputted. This brightness component is digitized and the digitized image data is fed to a work station 30 and converted by a grey scale. The image data converted by the grey scale is converted into a binary image data by this designated threshold and displayed on an image plane S of a monitor 50. Accordingly, since the logographic type image only of white and black is displayed on the monitor 50, only by watching this image, a goodness or not of the threshold when converting into the binary data can be judged.

Automatic camera control system

Abstract: The TV system includes an audio tape recording apparatus, a videotape recording apparatus and a video camera device having a video camera and associated control circuits, so that the video camera device is controlled by signals reproduced by the audio tape recording apparatus or by the videotape recording apparatus and video signals from the well-controlled video camera device are recorded on a videotape by the videotape recording apparatus.

Simultaneous exposure/focus control in a video camera using a solid state image sensor

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for providing automatic exposure/focus control in a solid state video camera by converting the image information from a solid state image sensor to a digital representation and using the least significant bits of the digital representation for focus detection and the most significant bits for exposure measurement.

Automated microbiological testing appparatus and method

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for obtaining test results fro' microbiological test trays and strips includes an incubation chamber, an inspection station at which test trays may be inspected to determine the results of microbiological tests, a video camera disposed to form images of the test trays at the inspection station, and an image processor for receiving the images from the video camera and processing them to determine test results. Only predetermined areas of interest in the image made by the camera are electronically analysed. Each well of a given tray is assigned a partial result based upon the electronic analysis of the area or areas of interest within that well. The incubation chamber holds a number of tray carriers in two stacks. An elevator is provided to move any given carrier to a position at which it can be moved from the incubation chamber to the inspection station.

Object recognition using tactile image array sensors

Abstract: The objective of this paper is to develop an object recognitlon system through the combination of 2-D tactile image array and visual sensors. A video camera is used to acquire a top view image of an object and two tactile sensing arrays mounted on a gripper are used to detect the tactile information about the lateral surfaces of the object. 3-D reference object models are established as a decision tree, and recognition of unknown objects is accomplished through measuring and comparing input object features hierarchically with these of the reference objects associated with the decision tree. The clustering process and recognition procedures are described. The recognition scheme has been implemented. The resulting decision tree is also presented.

Optical profilometry system for tubular products

Abstract: An optical inspection system for tubular products utilizes a feeler for engaging the internal surface of the tube to be inspected and a miniature charge coupled device video camera for viewing the interface between the feeler and the tube. An image processing computer responsive to the output of the video camera produces information for rapidly assessing damage or distortion of the tube. The camera is pulled or pushed through the tube while continuously monitoring the optical contrast between the feeler and the tube wall. The camera image of the tube ID is fed to the image processing computer to determine and record changes in ID contour is a function of the axial position of the camera and feeler. These data in turn can be used in tubing life prediction considerations. The data may be analyzed manually if desired.

MicroTICAS. The design of an inexpensive video-based microphotometer/computer system for DNA ploidy studies.

Abstract: A description is presented of the microTICAS video-based microphotometer/computer system, which has been designed and implemented to provide an inexpensive means for the rapid assessment of DNA ploidy patterns. The design goal was to provide a low-cost, easily serviced unit capable of providing useful clinical results and that would be easy and convenient to use. The resulting system achieves those ends as well as providing a flexible research tool that can be extended with appropriate programming to perform a wide range of tasks. The major parts of the microTICAS system are the microscope/optical system, the video camera with its control unit, the video data digitizer, the frame buffer and display monitor and the small host computer. Commercially available components were chosen for these system components and have been assembled into a system with only a minimum of modifications. The resulting system can be configured to be compatible with both North American and European standards.

Video camera stabilizer

Abstract: A device for transporting a camera and for reducing camera shake and arm fatigue by stabilizing the camera against the torso of a person The device includes an arm that telescopes to a length suitable for the user to position the end of the arm upon which the camera is mounted adjacent his face A bulbous, generally arcuate-shaped bumper is located at the end of the arm opposite that on which the camera is mounted and permits the use of the camera at various angles relative to the user's torso Further, a neck strap is pivotally located adjacent the bumper such that when the neck strap is worn about the person's neck, and the camera is in use, the arm of the device is raised to place the camera at the person's eye level and the bumper rests against the person's torso but when the camera is not in use, the arm is lowered to allow the camera to be conveniently carried in front of or to one side of the user

Automatic white balance adjusting system for a color video camera

Abstract: An automatic white balance adjusting system for a color video camera employs a high luminance part of the luminance signal to control automatic gain controllers for the red and blue components of the signals.

Video encoding apparatus

Abstract: In a video encoding apparatus of the invention, a video camera is provided with a moving direction detecting means for detecting movement of the camera in preset moving direction and outputting a detecting signal, a movement information generator is installed for operating the displacement amount of the video camera based on the detecting signal outputted from the moving direction detecting means and calculating the specific position on the memory corresponding to the operated displacement amount of the video camera and outputting the position to a reference signal generator, and plural blocks stored to the specific position on the frame memory are read based on output from the movement information generator.

Automatic focusing device for video camera or the like

Abstract: An automatic focusing device for use with a solid-state self-scanned image sensor having a rectangular light detecting area for scanning an object image and converting the same to a video signal, including a focus detecting means, a driver means and a control means. The focus detecting means produces a focus signal from the video signal. The driver means moves a focusing lens group in an image-forming lens system in one direction or the other along its optical axis in increments or steps each equal to a predetermined small distance Δx. The control means is responsive to the focus signal for controlling the driver means to bring the lens group into a position in which a maximum focus signal is produced. Even after the lens group has been brought into the properly focused position, the control means controls the focus detecting means to generate a focus signal and resumes the focusing process when the generated focus signal varies beyond a certain value.

Moving video surveillance system

Abstract: A surveillance system in which a video camera (7) is displaceable inside a transportation tube (1) along any direction in three-dimensional space under the effect of a compressed fluid. The transportation tube (1) is provided with at least one longitudinally-extending transparent observation window (2). The camera (7) is contained in a displaceable "torpedo" (8) and has its optical axis running parallel to the axis of the tube (1), and it receives images through the window (2) by means of a mirror (11) having two faces at an angle with the common edge running vertically and intersecting the optical axis (12), thus enabling the camera to transmit simultaneous left and right looking images to a central control station by a microwave beam.