Eastman-kodak Company

Jerry R Horak

Ronald R Firth

Peter L Dillon

Harold F Langworthy

Frederick J Rauner

Robert C Gross

A color imaging device is comprised of means for sensing radiation comprising a planar array of charge-handling semiconductor photosensors, preferably at least one of the photosensors having a radiation sensing area with at least one dimension less than about 100 microns, and superimposed thereon, filter means for controlling access of radiation to the sensing means. The filter means is in micro-registration with the array of photosensors and comprises a transparent mordant layer with a plurality of radiation intercepting means defining a planar array of filter elements. The filter area of each intercepting means contains at least one mordantable dye which absorbs radiation in at least one portion of the spectrum and transmits radiation in at least one other portion of the spectrum. The color imaging device comprises an interlaid pattern having at least two sets of intercepting means, the first set having a different radiation absorption and transmission characteristic from that of the second set.

Solid-state color imaging devices

A color video signal composed of successive groups of analog color samples, successive samples in at least some of said groups alternating between one color and another, wherein such groups represent successively scanned rows or lines of video frames or fields, is processed, prior to recording, by assigning respective samples to one of a plurality of channels of substantially equal bandwidth in a manner such that respective channels contain subgroups of samples representing only one color per subgroup, thereby minimizing the power at the sampling frequency in such channels. The information in the channels is recorded on a corresponding plurality of tracks on a recording medium by multi-channel essentially-fixed-head recording apparatus thereby realizing the manufacturing economy of essentially-fixed-head type apparatus. In one embodiment of the invention, samples of a first color occur more frequently in the color video signal than do samples of a second color, thereby maximizing the utilization of the information storage capacity of the recording medium. In a preferred implementation, the color video signal is generated by a solid state image sensing array having discrete image sensing elements selectively sensitized to green, red, or blue. Green-sensitive elements occur more frequently in the array than do red- or blue-sensitive elements in recognition of the fact that human visual acuity is higher for green, than for red or blue. The signal is separated sample-by-sample and the samples assigned to eight channels in a manner such that for each group of samples, the samples representing green (green samples) occupy four of the eight channels, and the samples representing red (red samples) and/or blue (blue samples) occupy the other four channels.

Multichannel recording format for a sampled-analog color video signal

Apparatus for correcting time base error (such as flutter, scatter, and skew) in a multichannel, sampled-analog type video signal includes means for clocking the signal portions carried by respective channels into respective deflutter buffers by respective input clock signals derived from horizontal sync information appearing in respective channels. Each buffer contains input register means capable of receiving a signal portion containing flutter distortion, storage means for holding the signal portion received, and output register means for delivering the signal at a substantially constant periodic rate. The input register means is controlled by the input clock signal, which contains flutter distortion corresponding to the flutter distortion in the signal portion. By synchronously delivering the signal portions from the output register means in all of the buffers, under control of a common output clock signal, flutter is removed from the signal portion in each channel, and inherently, scatter and skew among the signal portions in respective channels are removed from the signal.

Apparatus for correcting time base error in a multichannel,

A circuit for correcting a fluttering video signal to conform to a standard time base utilizes a set of analog shift registers that are specially adapted to permit controlled parallel transfer of video line-scan information between registers. Such provision for parallel transfers permits exclusive assignment of input and output functions (and corresponding clocking) to respective registers. In a presently preferred implementation, three charge-transfer-type registers are aligned side by side on a single 'chip' and control of parallel charge transfers between each cooperating pair of adjacent registers is achieved through the use of an interposed electrode structure.

Time base correction circuit employing controlled parallel signal

Solid-state color imaging devices and method for making them

An edge guide is provided for use in a narrow-track linear transport recorder. The guide forms a straight edge near a magnetic head for referencing the location of a magnetic tape with respect to the head. when a coaxial-reel tape cassette is inserted into the recorder, a pair of conical rollers provided in the cassette for use with the guide cooperatively urge an edge of the tape against the guide. The edge guide extends substantially the full distance between the rollers to minimize any tendency of the tape to buckle as it is urged against the guide. A tape drive engages the tape at a position outside of the span between the rollers to move the tape past the head without interfering with the cooperative action of the rollers and the edge guide. Thus, the critical edge guide requirements for narrow-track recording are met entirely outside of the mass-produced cassette.

Growing community of inventors

Rochester, NY, United States of America

Jerry R Horak