Patent ID: 6175384
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A video camera apparatus, comprising:(A) an image sensor for converting an image formed on an image sensing plane to an image signal;(B) an image processing circuit for performing a predetermined camera process on the image signal output from said image sensor and outputting a video signal based on a predetermined format;(C) an iris control circuit for controlling an iris by a feed-back loop for controlling an amount of incident light;(D) a gain control circuit for controlling a gain for amplifying the image signal by a feed-back loop serially connected to said iris control circuit;(E) a detecting circuit for extracting, between said image sensor and said image processing circuit, a predetermined signal from the image signal in each of a plurality of areas set in an image frame and detecting levels of the predetermined signals and distribution of the levels of the predetermined signals, said detecting circuit discriminating an exposure condition on the basis of the distribution; and(F) an exposure control circuit for selecting said areas and controlling said iris control circuit and said gain control circuit and correction responding speeds of said iris control circuit and said gain control circuit on the basis of the levels of the predetermined signals and the exposure condition.