H04N 23/00

Definition

(Für diese Definition ist die deutsche Übersetzung noch nicht abgeschlossen)

Processes and apparatus related to the concept of electronic image capture using an electronic image sensor and the related control and processing of the generated electronic image signals.

Image pickup devices using electronic image sensors such as digital cameras, video cameras, TV cameras, CCTV cameras, surveillance cameras, camcorders, digital cameras embedded in mobile phones, aspects peculiar to the presence of electronic image sensor in electronic still cameras, digital still cameras etc.

Electronic image capture by methods or arrangements involving at least the following step: the scanning of a picture, i.e. resolving the whole picture-containing area or scene into individual picture-elements and the derivation of picture-representative electrical signals related thereto, simultaneously or in sequence, e.g. by reading an electronic solid-state image sensor (SSIS) pickup device (e.g. CCD or CMOS image sensor) as an electronic image sensor converting optical image information into said electrical signals. In colloquial speech said step is frequently formulated as e.g. capturing a video sequence, digital photographing, etc.

Concerning cameras:

• video cameras, TV cameras (e.g. in studios), CCTV cameras, surveillance cameras, camcorders; constructional and mechanical details related to such cameras even when not peculiar to the presence of the electronic image sensor e.g. housings;
• arrangements/methods for image capture using an electronic image sensor, i.e. (i) sensor read-out; (ii) processing or use of electrical image signals from the electronic image sensor for the generation of camera control signals;
• for controlling the electronic image sensor or its read-out for e.g. exposure, scene selection for auto-focusing, or electronic image enhancement or processing of image signals captured by the electronic image sensor, e.g. white balance, electronic motion blur correction, noise suppression;
• for controlling other camera functions, e.g. exposure, anti-shake compensation by influencing optical parts of the camera, focusing;
• in-camera image processing e.g. correction of lens distortion, defective pixel correction, noise suppression, removal of motion blur, improving the dynamic range of the final image;
• electronic viewfinders, control of image pickup devices based on information displayed by the electronic viewfinder;
• electrical and mechanical aspects of camera modules using electronic image sensors and related constructional details as in webcams or mobile phones;
• remote control of cameras peculiar to the electronic image sensor, e.g. affecting their operation, or being based on a generated image signal;
• adaptations peculiar to the presence or use of an electronic image sensor, the transmission, recording or other use of electrical image data and related circuitry, e.g. mounting of electronic image sensor, integrated cleaning system for the electronic image sensor, dust mapping, cooling of the electronic image sensor, controlling the operation of the electronic image sensor by external input signals;
• cameras wherein the inventive contribution lies in the interaction of features covered above with those covered by G03B e.g. switch-over between electronic motion-blur correction of electronic viewfinder during focusing and optical motion-blur correction of the lens during exposure, electronic-motion blur correction of the electronic image signal based on output signals of additional sensor, or interaction between mechanical shutter and electronic control of the charge accumulation period of the electronic image sensor;
• applications concerning studios and image-capturing devices that cannot be classified in lower groups such as camera operation in general, e.g. for studio or TV events, processing for simulating film artefacts, virtual studio, virtual depth image, video assist systems, other studio equipment e.g. autocues and teleprompters.

Beziehungen zu anderen Klassifikationsstellen

Groups in G03B are to be considered when the following aspects are concerned:

• apparatus/methods for taking photographs using light-sensitive film for image capture, apparatus/methods for printing, projecting or viewing images using film stock, photographic film or slides by optical means, e.g. mounting of optical elements, flashes, and their related controls, e.g. exposure, focus, (opto-)mechanical motion blur (anti-shake), cooling, beam shaping;
• aspects of apparatus/methods for taking photographs using electronic image sensors for image capture, insofar as they correspond to those of said apparatus/methods for taking photographs using light-sensitive film, i.e. not peculiar to the presence or use of the electronic image sensor, e.g. mounting of optical elements or flashes, and their related controls insofar as they are not peculiar to the presence or use of the electronic image sensor, e.g. exposure, focus, (opto-)mechanical motion blur correction (anti-shake);
• optical viewfinders;
• remote control of cameras not peculiar to the electronic image sensor, e.g. not affecting their operation, or being based on a generated image signal;
• optical aspects of camera modules using electronic image sensors and related constructional details (e.g. lens actuators).

The following scheme is intended to illustrate the relationship between H04N and G03B:

Querverweise

Nichteinschränkende Querverweise in anwendungsorientierte Klassifikationsstellen

Informative Querverweise

Glossar

Synonyme und Stichwörter

Abkürzungen

Synonyme