MXPA98009805A - Image formation device with expanded dynamic scale, a video camera that includes them, and a method to generate a dynamic scale video signal expand - Google Patents

Abstract

An image circuit generates substantially at the same time a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second exposure interval, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure range, the first and second video signals respectively have first and second dynamic scales that are different but continuous. The first video signal is synchronized with the second video signal. An exposure ratio between the first and the second exposure interval is detected. A gain of the second signal of the video is adjusted according to the exposure ratio, a combined video signal of the first and second video signals is generated, according to a mix control signal, indicative of a ratio of mixing between the first and second video signals and the levels of the first and second video signals, to have an expanded dynamic scale, such that the first dynamic scale is connected to the second dynamic scale with difference in gains of the first and second video signals adjusted for linearity, an edge enhancement signal can be controlled in gain or controlled in core removal according to the mix control signal or the exposure ratio. The similar apparatus and method for color signals is also described: the dynamic scale of output for a deployment is limited by a non-line process

Description

APPARATUS OF FORMATION OF IMAGES WITH EXPANDED DYNAMIC SCALE, A C MARA VIDEO THAT INCLUDES THEM, AND A METHOD TO GENERATE AN EXPANDED DYNAMIC SCALE VIDEO SIGNAL BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an image forming apparatus with its expanded dynamic scale, a video camera including the same, and a method for generating an expanded dynamic scale video signal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE An image forming apparatus is known for generating an expanded dynamic scale video signal by combining video signals generated substantially at the same time with different exposure ranges. Said image forming apparatus is described in Japanese Patent Application Provisional Publication No. 07131718A. A video signal processing circuit is known which includes an edge enhancement signal generation circuit that generates an edge improvement signal from a video signal, and a gamma correction circuit to compensate for a gamma of the video signal, where the edge enhancement signal is not subject to the gamma correction and is added to the corrected gamma video signal. Said video signal processing circuit is described in Japanese Patent Application Interim Publication No. 63-209373.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The aim of the present invention is to provide a superior image forming apparatus with expanded dynamic scale, a superior video camera including it, and a superior method for generating an expanded dynamic scale video signal. In accordance with the present invention, a first image forming apparatus is provided, characterized in that it comprises: an image former including a conducting circuit for receiving an optical image and generating a first video signal with a first exposure interval, and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals having respectively first and second effective detection scales which are different but continuous; a synchronization circuit for synchronizing the first video signal with the second video signal, each corresponding to frames of the first and second video signals; a circuit for detecting the exposure interval ratio sensitive to the conduction circuit for detecting an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges; a gain adjustment circuit responsive to the first and second video signals of the synchronization circuit for adjusting a difference between gains of the first and second video signals of the synchronization circuit in accordance with the exposure ratio of the detection circuit of the exposure interval ratio for linearity; a mixing control signal generating circuit for generating a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second video signals according to the first and second video signals of the gain adjustment circuit; and a combination circuit for generating and producing a combined video signal of the first and second video signals of the gain adjustment circuit according to the mixing control signal and the levels of the first and second video signals to have an expanded detection scale, so that the first effective detection scale is connected to the second effective detection scale In the first image forming apparatus, the gain adjusting circuit adjusts the difference between the gains of the first and second video signals of the synchronization circuit to provide a linearity in the expanded detection scale The first image forming apparatus may further comprise: an edge improvement signal generating circuit for generating an edge improvement signal to from the combined video signal; a control circuit for the amount of edge improvement to control an amount of the edge improvement signal according to the mixing control signal; and an addition circuit for adding the edge improvement signal of the gain adjustment circuit and the combined video signal and producing an improved edge video signal. In this case, the edge improvement amount control circuit controls the amount of the edge improvement signal according to the exposure ratio in addition to the mixing control signal. The first image forming apparatus may further comprise: an edge improvement signal generating circuit for generating an edge enhancement signal from the combined video signal; a signal generation circuit controlling the amount of core removal to generate a control signal of the amount of core removal according to the mixing control signal; and a core removal circuit for performing a core removal operation for the improved edge signal in accordance with the control signal of the core removal amount of the signal generation control circuit of the amount of removal of the core. core; and an addition circuit for adding the edge improvement signal of the edge improvement signal generation circuit and the combined video signal, and producing an improved edge video signal. In this case, the circuit generating the control signal of the core removal amount generates the control signal of the core removal amount according to the exposure ratio in addition to the mixing control signal. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a first method for generating a combined video signal from an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving the optical image and generating a first video signal with a first exposure interval, and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals having respectively first and second effective detection scales which are different but continuous; synchronizing the first video signal with the second video signal, each corresponding to frames of the first and second video signals; detecting an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges; adjusting a difference in gains of the first and second circuit video signals synchronized according to the exposure ratio; generating a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second video signals according to the first and second adjusted gain video signals; and generating and producing the combined video signal of the first and second gain-adjusted video signals according to the mixing control signal and the levels of the first and second gain-adjusted video signals to have an expanded dynamic scale, so that the first effective detection scale is connected to the second effective detection scale. In accordance with the present invention, a second image forming apparatus is provided, characterized in that it comprises: an image former including a conducting circuit for receiving an optical image and generating a first video signal with a first exposure interval, and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals having respectively first and second dynamic scales that are different but continuous; a synchronization circuit for synchronizing the first video signal with the second video signal, each corresponding to frames of the first and second video signals; a generating circuit of the mixing control signal for generating a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second video signals; a video generation circuit for generating a combined video signal of the first and second video signals of the synchronization circuit according to the mixing control signal and the levels of the first and second video signals to have a dynamic scale expanded, so that the first effective detection scale is connected to the second effective detection scale; an edge improvement signal generating circuit for generating an edge improvement signal from the combined video signal; a control circuit for the amount of edge improvement sensitive to the driving circuit for controlling an amount of the edge improvement signal according to the mixed control signal; and an addition circuit for adding the edge improvement signal of the gain adjustment circuit and the combined video signal and producing an improved edge video signal. The second image forming apparatus may further comprise a generating circuit that generates a control signal of the amount of core removal in accordance with the mixing control signal, and a core removal circuit for effecting an operation of core removal for the edge improvement signal according to the control signal of the core removal amount. In accordance with the present invention, a second method is provided for generating a combined video signal from an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving the optical image and generating a first video signal with a first exposure interval, and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals having respectively first and second effective detection scales which are different but continuous; synchronizing the first video signal with the second video signal, each corresponding to frames of the first and second video signals; generating a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second video signals according to the first and second adjusted gain video signals; generating, the combined video signal of the first and second video signals synchronized according to the mixing control signal and the levels of the first and second video signals to have an expanded detection scale, so that the first scale effective detection is connected to the second effective detection scale; generating an edge improvement signal from the combined video signal; controlling an amount of the edge improvement signal according to the mixing control signal; and adding the adjusted gain edge signal and the combined video signal and producing an improved edge video signal. The second method may further comprise the steps of: generating a control signal of the amount of core removal according to the mixing control signal; and performing a core removal operation for the edge enhancement signal according to the control signal of the core removal amount. In accordance with the present invention, a third imaging apparatus is provided, characterized in that it comprises: an image former including a conduction circuit for receiving an optical image and generating a first video signal with a first exposure interval, and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals having respectively first and second effective detection scales which are different but continuous; a synchronization circuit for synchronizing the first video signal with the second video signal, each corresponding to frames of the first and second video signals; a circuit for detecting the exposure interval ratio sensitive to the conduction circuit for detecting an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges; a generating circuit of the mixing control signal for generating a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second video signals according to the first and second video signals of the synchronization circuit; a combining circuit for generating a combined video signal of the first and second video signals of the synchronization circuit according to the mixing control signal and the levels of the first and second video signals to have an expanded dynamic scale, so that the first effective detection scale is connected to the second effective detection scale; an edge improvement signal generating circuit for generating an edge improvement signal from the combined video signal; a control circuit for the amount of edge enhancement for controlling an amount of the edge improvement control signal according to the mixing control signal and the exposure interval ratio; and an addition circuit for adding the edge improvement signal of the gain adjustment circuit and the combined video signal and producing an improved edge video signal. The third image forming apparatus may further comprise: a signal generation circuit controlling the amount of core removal to generate a control signal of the amount of core removal according to the control signal -of mixing and the exposure ratio; and a core removal circuit for performing a core removal operation for the improved edge signal in accordance with the control signal of the core removal amount of the signal generation control circuit of the amount of removal of the core. core.ad.

In accordance with the present invention, a third method is provided for generating a combined video signal from an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving, the optical image and generating a first video signal with a first interval of exposure, and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals having respectively first and second effective detection scales that are different but continuous; synchronize the first video signal with the second video signal; detecting an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges; generating a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second synchronized video signals according to the first and second synchronized video signals; generating the combined video signal of the first and second video signals synchronized according to the mixing control signal and the levels of the first and second video signals to have an expanded detection scale, so that the first scale - effective detection is connected to the second effective detection scale; generating an edge improvement signal from the combined video signal; controlling an amount of the edge improving signal according to the mixing control signal and the exposure interval; and adding the adjusted gain edge signal of the gain adjustment circuit and the combined video signal and producing an improved edge video signal. The third method may further comprise the steps of: generating a control signal of the amount of core removal according to the mixing control signal and the exposure ratio; and performing a core removal operation for the edge enhancement signal according to the control signal of the core removal amount. In accordance with the present invention, a fourth image forming apparatus is provided, comprising: an image former including a driving circuit for receiving separate red, green and blue optical images, and generating first red video signals, first green and first blue with a first exposure interval, and video signals of second red, second green and second blue with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, video signals of first red, first green and first blue having respectively effective detection scales of first red, first green and first blue which are different from the second red, second green and second blue, but continuous; a synchronization circuit for synchronizing the video signals of first red, first green and first blue with video signals of second red, second green and second blue, each corresponding with frames of video signals of first red, first green and first blue and video signals of second red, second green and second blue, respectively; a circuit for detecting the ratio of the exposure range sensitive to the conduction circuit to detect an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges; a gain adjustment circuit for respectively adjusting the difference between gains of the video signals of the first red, first green and first blue, and video signals of the synchronization circuit according to the exposure ratio of the circuit of detection of the ratio of the exposure interval; a mixing control signal generation circuit for generating, respectively, red, green and blue mixing control signals, indicating mixing ratios between the first red, first green and first blue video signals and the video signals of second red, second green and second blue according to the video signals of the first red, first green and first blue and the video signals of second red, second green and second blue; and a combination circuit to generate and produce combined video signals of red, green and blue from the video signals of first red, first green and first blue and video signals of second red, second green and second blue of the circuit of gain adjustment according to the red, green and blue mixed control signals and the levels of the video signals of red first, green first and blue first and video signals of red second, green second and blue second, to have expanded red, green and blue detection scales, so that the effective detection scales of first red, first green and first blue are connected to the video signals of second red, second green and second blue, respectively. The fourth image forming apparatus may further comprise: a maximum detection circuit for detecting a maximum level between the video signals of combined red, combined green and combined blue for a frame period; and a non-linear processing circuit responsive to dynamic display scale data to generate and produce, respectively, red, green and blue display signals having non-linear characteristics, so that the maximum level becomes equal to, or less than, that, dynamic display scale data when the maximum detected level is greater than dynamic display scale data, and producing the combined video signal of red, green and blue such as when the maximum level detected is not greater than the data of the dynamic scale of deployment. In accordance with the present invention, a fourth method is provided for generating a combined video signal from an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving separated red, green and blue optical images; generate video signals of first, red, first green and first blue with a first exposure interval, and video signals of second red, second green and second blue with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the video signals of first red, first green and first blue having respectively effective detection scales of first red, first green and first blue; and the video signals of second red, second green and second blue respectively having effective detection scales of second red, second green and second blue which are different from the effective detection scales of first red, first green and first blue, but continuous; synchronize the video signals of first red, first green and first blue with video signals of second red, second green and second blue, each corresponding with frames of video signals of first red, first green and first blue and signals of video of second red, second green and second blue, respectively; detecting an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges; adjust the difference between the gains of the video signals of the first red, first green and first blue and video signals of the second red, second green and second blue of the synchronization circuit according to the exposure ratio; generating red, green and blue mixing control signals respectively indicating mixing ratios between the video signals of first red, first green and first blue and video signals of second red, second green and second blue; and generate and produce combined video signals of red, green and blue from the video signals of the first red, first green and first blue and video signals of the second red, second green and second blue of the gain adjustment circuit of according to the red, green and blue mixed control signals and the levels of the video signals of first red, first green and first blue and video signals of second red, second green and second blue to have detection scales of red, green and blue expanded, so that the effective detection scales of first red, first green and first blue are respectively connected to the video signals of second red, second green and second blue. The fourth method may further comprise the steps of: detecting a maximum level between the video signals of combined red, combined green and combined blue for a frame period; and generate and produce red, green and blue deployment signals that have non-linear characteristics according to dynamic deployment data and the maximum level, so that the maximum level becomes equal to, or less than, the dynamic scale data of deployment when the detected maximum level is greater than the dynamic scale-of-deployment data, and produce the combined video signal of red, green and blue as they are when the maximum level detected is not greater than the data of the dynamic scale of deployment. In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a video camera comprising: a lens unit; separation unit for separating an optical image beam into optical images of separated red, green and blue; an image forming unit including driving circuit for receiving separate red, green and blue optical images and generating video signals of the first red, first green and first blue with a first exposure interval, and second red video signals, second green and second blue with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the video signals of first red, first green and first blue having respectively effective detection scales of first red, first green and first blue, the video signals of second red, second green and second blue having respectively effective detection scales of second red, second green and second blue which are different from the effective detection scales of first red , first green and first blue, but continuous; a synchronization circuit for synchronizing the video signals of first red, first green and first blue with video signals of second red, second green and second blue, each corresponding with frames of video signals of first red, first green and first blue and video signals of second red, second green and second- blue, respectively; a circuit for detecting the ratio of the exposure range sensitive to the conduction circuit to detect an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges; a gain adjusting circuit for respectively adjusting the difference between the gains of the video signals of first red, first green and first blue and video signals of second red, second green and second blue of the synchronization circuit according to the ratio of exposure of the detection circuit of the ratio of the 5 exposure interval; a mixing control signal generating circuit for generating red, green and blue mixing control signals respectively indicating mixing ratios between the first red, first green and first blue video signals and red second video signals, second green and second blue; and a combination circuit to generate and produce combined video signals of red, green and blue from the video signals of first red, first green and first blue and video signals of second red, second green and second blue of the circuit of gain adjustment according to the red, green and blue mixed control signals and the video signal levels of red first, green first and blue first and video signals of red second, green second and blue second to have red detection scales , green and - blue expanded, so that the effective detection scales 20 of first red, first green and first blue are respectively connected to the signals - video of second red, second green and second blue. The camera may further comprise: a maximum detection circuit for detecting a maximum level between video signals of combined red, combined green and combined blue for a frame period; and a non-linear processing circuit responsive to dynamic display scale data to generate and produce red, green and blue display signals having non-linear characteristics, so that the maximum level _ is made equal to, or less than, dynamic display scale data when the detected maximum level is greater than the dynamic scale-of-deployment data, and producing the combined video signal of red, green and blue such as when the maximum level detected is not greater than the data of the dynamic scale of deployment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The object and features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a first modality; Figure 2 is a block diagram of the first embodiment, showing the structure of the synchronization circuit shown in Figure 1; Figures 3A to 3E are time regulation diagrams of the first embodiment, to illustrate the synchronization operation; Fig. 4 is a timing diagram of the first embodiment, showing the identification signal of the exposure interval shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a timing diagram of the first embodiment, showing the gain control signal shown in Fig. 1; Figures 6A to 6C are graphical drawings of the first embodiment, showing the combination and gain adjustment operations; Figures 7A to 7C are graphical drawings of the first embodiment, showing another example of the combination and gain adjustment operations 10; Figure 8 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a second embodiment; Figures 9A and 9B are graphic drawings of the second embodiment; Figure 10 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a third embodiment; Figures HA to 11D are graphic drawings of the third embodiment; «Figure 12 is a block diagram of an apparatus for forming images of a fourth embodiment; Figure 13 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a fifth embodiment; Figure 14 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a sixth embodiment; Figure 15 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a seventh embodiment; Figures 16 and 17 are graphic drawings of the seventh embodiment of this invention, illustrating the dynamic scale compression operation; Figure 18 is a block diagram of the non-linear processing circuit of the seventh embodiment; and Figures 19A to 19C are graphic drawings of the seventh embodiment, illustrating nonlinear processing. The identical or corresponding elements or parts are designated with the same references in all the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIRST MODALITY Figure 1 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a first embodiment. An imager 1010 receives an optical image therein through a lens unit 10, and alternatively generates a long-exposure video signal with a first exposure interval, and an exposed short-range video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time (at slightly different t-time regulations, ie, two consecutive frames) under control by a driving circuit 1020. The second exposure interval is shorter than the first exposure interval. The long exposure video signal and the short exposure video signal respectively have first and second effective detection scales 11 and 12. A pre-processing circuit 1030 performs the pre-processing of the long exposure video signal and the short exposure video signal. The pre-processing circuit 1030 includes a CDS circuit (not shown) 5 for canceling the noise components in the long-exposure analog video signal and the short-exposure analog video signal from the 1010 image former by double sampling of correlation, a controlled gain automatic amplifier (not shown) to amplify the long exposure video signal and the short exposure video signal of the CDS circuit with the automatically controlled gain, a level setting circuit to set the output of the controlled gain automatic amplifier to send it to the next 1040 a / d converter. He a / d converter 1040 converts the long exposure video signal and the short exposure video signal into a long exposure digital video signal and a short exposure digital video signal. The output 1041 of the a / df converter 1040 is supplied to a synchronization circuit 1050. The synchronization circuit 1050 synchronizes the long-exposure digital video signal with the short-exposure digital video signal, and produces the video signal Long exposure digital and short exposure digital video signal in parallel at the same time over time different brief adjusted. A circuit for detecting the exposure ratio 1140 sensitive to the circuit. conduction 1020 detects an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges, and produces a gain control signal 1141. A gain adjustment circuit 1150 adjusts a difference between the gains of the first and second video signals of the gain circuit. synchronization 1050 according to the exposure ratio in the gain control signal 1141 of the exposure ratio detection circuit 1140, i.e., a gain of the short exposure video signal of the synchronization circuit 1050 is set. video signal combination circuit 1080 includes a mixing control signal generation circuit 1083 to generate a mixing control signal indicative of a mixing ratio k between the long exposure video signal and the short video signals exposure, and combines the long exposure signal of the 1050 sync circuit with the video signal of short expo setting of the gain adjustment circuit 1150 according to the mixing control signal 1082 shown in FIG. 7B and the levels of the long exposure video signal and the short gain exposure video signal adjusted to have a scale of expanded detection, so that the first effective detection scale 11 is connected to the second effective detection scale 12. The combined video signal 1080 shows a linearity, because the gain of the short-exposure video signal 1070 is adjusted .

The combined video signal 1081 is supplied to a gamma adjustment circuit 1090 and to an edge improvement signal generation circuit 1100. The gamma adjustment circuit 1090 adjusts the gamma of the combined video signal 5 1081. The circuit edge improvement signal generation 1100 generates an edge improvement signal from the combined video signal 1081, and supplies the edge improvement signal to a core removal circuit 1110. The core removal circuit 1110 remove the components of noise levels lower than a predetermined level, and supplies the edge enhancement signal to a multiplexer 1120. The multiplexer 1120 multiplies the edge enhancement signal with an edge enhancement control signal, and supplies the edge signal. improvement of edge to an adder 1130.

The adder 1130 adds the edge enhancement signal of the multiplexer 1120 to the adjusted gamma video signal 1091 to generate an output video signal 1131. The lens unit 10 is further provided with the image forming apparatus I to provide a video camera. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the first embodiment showing the structure of the synchronization circuit shown in Figure 1. The synchronization circuit 1050 includes a memory for storing the output of the a / d converter 1041, a selector 10513 for producing the output 1041 of the converter a / o the output 10512 of the memory 10511 according to an exposure interval identification signal 1021 of the driving circuit 1020 to selectively produce the long exposure video signal 1060, and a selector 10514 to produce the output 1041 of the converter a / do the output 10512 of the memory 10511 in accordance with the identification signal of the exposure interval 1021 of the driving circuit 1020 to selectively produce the short-exposure video signal 1060. FIGS. 3A a 3E are timing diagrams of the first embodiment, to illustrate the synchronization operation by the synchronization circuit 1050. The image former 1010 alternatively produces the long exposure video signal and the short exposure video signal as shown in Figure 3A as the output 1041 of the a / d converter 1040. The memory 10511 produces the output 1041 of the 1040 A / D dump with a delay of -frame.

Therefore, a frame of the short exposure video signal on the line 10515 is synchronized with the corresponding frame of the long exposure video signal of the memory 10511. For the next frame interval, the long video signal The exposure on the line 10515 is synchronized with the corresponding frame of the short exposure video signal of the memory 10511. This operation is repeated as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The identification signal of the exposure interval 1021 changes its output level between "2" and "64" each frame (field), as shown in Figure 3C. The selector 10513 performs the switching operation to produce only the long exposure video signal 1060, continuously as shown in FIG. 3E. The selector 10514 performs the switching operation to continuously produce only the short exposure video signal 1070, as shown in FIG. 3D. A frame of the short exposure video signal of the selector 10514 is synchronous with the corresponding frame of the long exposure video signal 1060 of the selector 10513, as shown in Figures 3D and 3E. Figure 4 is a timing diagram of the first mode, showing the identification signal of the exposure interval 1021. The driving circuit 1020 generates the identification signal of the exposure interval 1021 alternatively showing a high level value of "64" for the long exposure interval, and a low level value of "2" for the short exposure interval, as shown in Figure 4. Figure 5 is a timing diagram of the first mode, showing the gain control signal 1141. The exposure ratio detecting circuit 1140 detects the exposure ratio of "32" from the high level value of "64" for the interval (frame) of long exposure, and the low level value of "2" for the interval (frame) of short exposure, as shown in figure 5. Figures 6A to 6C are graphic drawings of the first modality, which shows the combination and gain adjustment operations. As shown in Figure 6A, the level of the long exposure video signal 1060 increases with the amount of illumination received to a saturation level (SAT) at a saturation amount. After the amount of saturation, the level of the long exposure video signal 1060 is constant. The long exposure video signal is saturated with a relatively low amount of light because the exposure interval is relatively long. On the other hand, in the level of dark level the noise level is relatively low. Therefore, the long exposure video signal has the first effective detection scale 11. The short exposure video signal 1070, as shown in FIG. 6B, a level of the short exposure video signal 1070, increases with the amount of illumination received up to the saturation level with a low gamma. The short exposure video signal is saturated with a relatively high amount of light because the exposure interval is relatively short. On the other hand, in the level of darkness level, the noise level is relatively high. Therefore, the short exposure video signal has the second effective detection scale 12. As shown in FIG. 6C, the long exposure video signal 1060 is combined with the short exposure video signal 1070 to provide a expanded detection scale 13. Figures 7A to 7C are graphical drawings of the first embodiment, showing another example of the combination and gain adjustment operations. Figure 7B shows the mixed control signal 1083. The mixing control signal 1082 represents the mixing ratio k = 0 in the long exposure region 15, the mixing ratio k = 1 in the short exposure region 17, and the mixing ratio increases proportionally from k = 0 ak = 1 in the mixing region 16. The long exposure video signal is modified by the ratio (1-k) in the mixing region 16, and the short exposure video signal is modified by the mixing ratio k in the mixing ratio 16, as shown in Figure 7A. The combination circuit 1080 combines the short exposure video signal of the gain adjustment circuit 1150 with the short exposure video signal 1060 by adding the modified long exposure video signal to the short exposure video signal, as shown in Figures 7A and 7C, to provide the video signal combined with an expanded detection scale 13, so that the first effective detection scale 11 is connected to the second effective detection scale 12. In this embodiment, the gain of the short exposure video signal is adjusted by the gain adjustment circuit 1150. However, it is also possible to adjust the gain of the long exposure video signal to match its gamma with that of the short exposure video signal.

SECOND MODE Figure 8 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a second embodiment. The image forming apparatus of the second embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the first embodiment. The difference is that the gain adjustment circuit 1150 and the exposure ratio detecting circuit 1140 are omitted, and a control signal generating circuit is further provided for the edge enhancement amount 1160 and a multiplier 1170. Figures 9A and 9B are graphic drawings of the second embodiment. Figure 9A shows the mixing control signal which is also shown in Figure 7A. Fig. 9B shows a control signal of the edge enhancement amount 1161. The edge improvement amount control circuit 1160 generates the control signal of the edge enhancement amount 1161 according to the control signal of mixed 1082, as shown in Figures 9A and 9B. The multiplier 1170 controls the amount of the edge improvement signal 1101 according to the control signal of the edge enhancement amount 1161, and supplies the edge improvement signal subject to the edge enhancement amount, to the edge improvement circuit. core removal processing 1110. The control signal of the edge enhancement amount 1161 in the long exposure region 15 indicates a coefficient of "1" for the multiplier 1170, and a coefficient of "2" in the shortening region. exhibition 17, for example. Therefore, the edge enhancement signal is controlled to have a larger edge enhancement signal in the short exposure ratio 17 by the multiplier 1170. In this embodiment, the gain adjustment circuit 1150 and the detection circuit of the exposure ratio 1140. However, it is also possible that these circuits are additionally provided to the image forming apparatus of the second embodiment, similar to the first embodiment.

THIRD MODALITY Figure 10 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a third embodiment. The image forming apparatus of the third embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the second embodiment. The difference is that a control circuit for the amount of core removal 1180 and a multiplier 1190 is also provided, and a core removal amount can be controlled, i.e., a core removal circuit 1112 is provided.

Figures HA to 11D are graphical drawings of the third embodiment, wherein Figure HA shows the mix control signal 1082 which is also shown in Figure 7A. The core removal amount control circuit 1180 generates the control signal of the core removal amount 1181 according to the mixing control signal 1082. The multiplier 1190 multiplies the control signal of the amount of removal of the core. 1181 core with a coefficient, and supplies a control signal of the amount of core removal to the core removal circuit 1112. Therefore, the noise components in the edge enhancement signal are controlled by the core removal circuit 1112. The Figure 11C shows the case when the core removal amount is "1", and Figure 11D shows the case when the core removal amount is "1.5". The noise components in the enhanced edge video signal are then suppressed in the short exposure region 17, which is conspicuous in the reproduced image, so that the noise in the output video signal is improved. In this embodiment, the gain adjustment circuit 1150 and the exposure ratio detection circuit 1140 are omitted. However, it is also possible to additionally provide these circuits in the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment as is similar to the first embodiment.

FOURTH MODE Figure 12 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a fourth embodiment. The image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the second embodiment. The difference is that the exposure ratio detection circuit 1140 and a multiplier 1200 are additionally provided. The multiplier 1200 controls the control signal 1161 of the edge enhancement amount in accordance with the gain control signal 1141 indicating the exposure ratio of between the long exposure interval and the short exposure interval. The total amount of the edge enhancement signal is controlled, that is, weighted, by the multiplier 1170 according to the edge improvement amount control signal derived from the mixed control signal 1082, and the control signal from 1141 profit derived from the exposure ratio. Then, the edges in the short exposure region, which tend to be flat due to the short exposure, can be further improved. In this mode, the gain adjustment circuit 1150 is omitted. However, it is also possible to additionally provide the gain adjustment circuit 1150 to the image forming apparatus of the fourth embodiment as is similar to the first embodiment. In addition, the edge improvement amount control circuit 1160 may be omitted as the modification of this mode.

FIFTH MODE Figure 13 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a fifth embodiment. The image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the fourth embodiment. The difference is that a multiplier 1210 and the core removal amount control circuit 1180 and the multiplier 1190 that are used in the third mode are additionally provided. The core removal amount control circuit 1180 generates the core removal amount control signal 1181 according to the mixed control signal 1082 as mentioned in the third embodiment. The multiplier 1210 controls the core removal amount control signal 1181 according to the gain control signal 1141, indicating the exposure ratio between the long exposure interval and the short exposure interval. The second core removal amount control signal 1211 is controlled, ie, weighted, by the multiplier 1210, according to the core removal amount control signal 1181 derived from the mixed control signal 1082 and the signal gain control 1141 derived from the exposure ratio. The noise components in the edge enhancing signal of the multiplier 1170 are suppressed by the core removal circuit 1112. Then, the edges in the short exposure region that tend to be flat due to short exposure will be further increased and the core removal of the noise component in the short exposure region which tends to be flat due to the short exposure, can be further improved by providing the edge improvement control circuit 1160. In addition, the noise components in the Improved edge video signal in the short exposure region 17 which is conspicuous in the reproduced image, such that the noise in the input video signal is improved. In this mode, the gain adjustment circuit 1150 is omitted. However, it is also possible that the gain adjustment circuit 1150 is additionally provided in the image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment as is similar to the first embodiment. In addition, it is also possible as modifications of this embodiment, that the edge improvement amount control circuit 1160 and the multipliers 1170 and 1200 or the core removal amount control circuit 1180 and the multipliers 1190 and 1210 are omitted.

SIXTH MODE Figure 14 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a sixth embodiment. The image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the first embodiment. The difference is that a prism unit 1000 is additionally provided to separate the incident image on color images, that is, an image of red, an image of green, and an image of blue, are additionally provided and the imagers 1010 respectively they receive the image of red, the image of green, and the image of blue, and the processing circuits, each including the pre-processing circuit 1030, the a / d converter 1040, the synchronization circuit 1050, the circuit of gain adjustment 1110, combination circuit 1080, are provided for the red, green and blue images, respectively, and a 1090 camera processing circuit is additionally provided to process the respective color video signal. For color separation, dichroic mirror units can be used in place of the prism unit 1000. The imager 1010 of each color receives an optical image from the prism 1000 and generates a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second exposure interval substantially at the same time, the second exposure interval being shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signal respectively having first and second effective detection scales 11 and 12 The synchronization circuit 1050 for each color synchronizes the first video signal with the second video signal. The exposure interval ratio detection circuit 1100, responsive to the conduction circuit 1020, detects an exposure ratio between the first and the second exposure interval. The gain adjustment circuit 1110 for each color adjusts the gain of the second video signal from the synchronization circuit 1050 in accordance with the exposure ratio. The generation of mix control signal 1083 for each color generates a mix control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second video signals. The combination circuit 1080 for each color generates a combined video signal of the first and second video signals according to the mix control signal and the levels of the first and second video signals, to have an expanded detection scale in such a way that the first effective detection scale is connected to the second effective detection scale as described in the first embodiment. The camera processing circuit 1090 processes the combined video signals 1081 of red, green and blue color to generate red output signal, an output signal to be viewed, and a blue output signal.

In this embodiment, the second to fifth modes are applicable to the image formation apparatus of the sixth embodiment.

SEVENTH MODE Figure 15 is a block diagram of an image forming apparatus of a seventh embodiment. The image forming apparatus of the seventh embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the sixth embodiment. The difference is that a maximum detection circuit 1130, non-linear processor circuits 1120, and a dynamic display scale setting circuit 1140 are additionally provided. The display dynamics setting circuit 1140 generates or receives and supplies 1141 scale data deployment dynamics (DESP MAX) '. The maximum detection circuit 1130 detects the maximum level between the third video signals of red, third of green, and third of blue for a frame period. Non-linear processing circuits 1120 responsive to dynamic display scale (DESP MAX) data 1141 generate and produce red, green and blue display signals having non-linear characteristics, such that the maximum level becomes equal to or less than, the data of the dynamic scale of deployment when the detected maximum level is greater than the data of the dynamic scale of deployment and produces the combined video signal of red, green and blue as they are when the maximum level detected is not greater than the data of the dynamic scale of deployment. If the dynamic scale of a display device that receives the output signals of red, blue and green of this image forming apparatus is smaller than that of the dynamic scale of the output signals of red, blue and green, it is necessary to compress the dynamic scale of the output signals of red, blue and green. The non-linear processing circuit 1120 compresses the dynamic scale of the combined video signal to obtain a display video signal according to the detected maximum level (the highest light) among the third video signals of red, third of green and third of blue for a frame period, saturation data and the dynamic scale scale setting data (DESP MAX) 1141, internally dividing the operation. Figures 16 and 17 are graphs of the seventh embodiment of this invention illustrating the dynamic scale compression operation. It is assumed that the dynamic scale of deployment (DESP MAX) 1141 is 20 and the maximum value (MAX RVA) is 25. The characteristic curve (graduation characteristic) of the combined video signals 1081 are doubled above the saturation level (SAT). In fact, the compressed scale video signal level is provided by the internal division of the combined video signal level using the maximum (MAX RVA), the saturation level (SAT), and the dynamic display setting data ( DESP MAX) 1141. The maximum detection circuit 1130 detects a maximum level between the combined video signals 1081 of red, green and blue for one frame and supplies the maximum level (RVA MAX) 111 for non-linear processing circuits 1120.

The non-linear processing circuit 1120 generates the compressed scale video data according to the maximum detected value, the saturation data, and the deployment scale (DESP MAX) 1141. As shown in FIG. 16, level A of the combined video signal is deviated to A ", and the S level is deviated to S" (= MAX RVA = MAX DESP), to avoid saturation.

However, if level A is smaller than the saturation level (SAT), non-linear processing is not executed, this is A = A. "More specifically, if level A is more than the saturation level (SAT) ), assuming that n is a control coefficient for controlling the non-linear characteristic curve, the A level "after non-linear processing is given as follows: When RVA MAX - DESP MAX • 0 and A • SAT, Á A = (A - SAT) / (RVA MAX - SAT) A "= A - { (Á A) nx (RGB MAX - DESP MAX).} When RVA MAX - DESP MAX • 0 and A < SAT, Á A = OA "= A When RVA MAX - DESP MAX < O, Á A = 0 A "= A Figure 17 shows the curves to provide the non-linear characteristic when the control coefficient n varies from 1 to 3. Figure 18 is a block diagram of the non-linear processing circuit 1120 of the seventh embodiment. The non-linear processing circuit 1120 includes a discernment circuit 20, subtractors 21 to 24, multipliers 25 and 26, a splitter 27, switches 28 and 29, and generates a non-linear video signal 1121 in response to the combined video signal 1081, the maximum value 1131, the saturation data 1082, and a maximum display value 1141. The control coefficient n for the non-linear characteristic is determined by the number of multipliers 25 and connections around the multipliers 25. The dynamic scale Deployment (DESP MAX) 1141 may be generated by a ROM or RAM saved in the dynamic deployment scale (DESP MAX) 1141, manually set, or produced from the display device to be connected. In addition, the SAT saturation value can be reduced by an operator as necessary. Figures 19A to 19C are graphs of the seventh embodiment illustrating nonlinear processing. It is assumed that the dynamic scale of deployment (DESP MAX) 1141 = 20, the maximum level between the video signals of red, green, and blue (MAX RVA) = 25, and the saturation level (SAT) of the signal of long exposure video = 3, and that the video signals of red, green and blue respectively show the levels R: V: A = 20: 5: 25. The level of the video signal of red is deviated from 20 to 17 by non-linear processing, the level of the green video signal remains around 5, since the original level "5" is close to the cut-off point "3" which is the saturation level, and the level of the signal of blue video is deviated from 25 to 20 by non-linear processing. Then, that is, the output levels of the non-linear circuits 1120 are R: V: A = 17: 5: 20, in such a way that saturation in the display apparatus is prevented by connecting to this image forming apparatus , and the ratio of levels of the video signals of red, green and blue, that is, a color tone, is substantially maintained. The second to fifth modes are applicable to the image forming apparatus of the seventh embodiment.

Claims (9)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - An image forming apparatus comprising: image means including driving means for receiving an optical signal and generating substantially at the same time, a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second exposure interval, said second exposure interval is shorter than said first exposure interval, said first and second video signals respectively have first and second effective detection scales that are different but continuous; synchronization means for synchronizing said first video signal with said second video signal each corresponding frame of said first and second video signals; exposure interval ratio sensing means responsive to said conduction means for detecting an exposure ratio between said first and second exposure ranges; gain adjusting means responsive to said first and second video signals of said synchronization means for adjusting a difference between the gains of said first and second video signals of said synchronization means, in accordance with said exposure ratio of the means of exposure interval ratio detection; means for generating a mix control signal to generate a mix control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of said first and second video signals, according to said first and second video signals of said gain adjusting means; combining means for generating and producing a combined video signal of said first and second video signals from said gain adjusting means, in accordance with said mixing control signal and the levels of said first and second video signals, to have an expanded detection scale such that the first effective detection scale is connected to said second effective detection scale.

2. - A method of generating a combined video signal of an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving said optical image and generating substantially at the same time a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second signal of video with a second exposure interval, said second exposure interval is shorter than the first exposure interval, said first and second video signals respectively have first and second scales of effective detection that are different but continuous; synchronizing said first video signal with said second video signal of each corresponding frame of said first and second video signals; detect an exposure ratio between the first and the second exposure intervals; adjusting a gain difference of the first and second video signals synchronized according to said exposure ratio; generating a mix control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second video signals according to said first and second video signals adjusted in gain; and generating and producing said combined video signal from the first and second video signals adjusted in gain according to said mixing control signal and the levels of the first and second video signals adjusted in gain, to have an expanded dynamic scale in such a way that the first effective detection scale is connected to said second effective detection scale.

3. - An image forming apparatus comprising: image means including driving means for receiving an optical image and generating substantially at the same time a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second exposure interval, said second exposure interval is shorter than said first exposure interval, the first and second video signals respectively have first and second effective detection scales that are different but continuous; synchronization means for synchronizing said first video signal with said second video signal each corresponding frame of said first and second video signals; means for generating a mix control signal to generate a mix control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of said first and second video signals, according to said first and second video signals; video signal generation means for generating a combined video signal of said first and second video signals of said synchronization means, according to said mixing control signal and the levels of said first and second video signals to have an expanded dynamic scale, so that the first effective detection scale is connected to the second effective detection scale; means for generating edge improvement signal to generate an edge improvement signal of said combined video signal; means for controlling the amount of edge enhancement to control an amount of said edge improvement signal in accordance with said mix control signal; and adding means for adding said edge enhancement signal of said gain adjustment means and said combined video signal, and producing an improved edge video signal.

4. - A method of generating a combined video signal of an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving said optical image and generating substantially at the same time a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second signal of video with a second exposure interval, said second exposure interval is shorter than said first exposure interval, said first and second video signals respectively have first and second effective detection scales that are different but continuous; synchronizing said first video signal with said second video signal of each corresponding frame of said first and second video signals; generating a mix control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of said first and second video signals according to the first and second synchronized video signals; generating said second combined video signal of the first and second video signals synchronized according to said mixing control signal and the levels of said first and second video signals, to have an expanded detection scale such that said first effective detection scale is connected to said second effective detection scale; generating an edge improvement signal of said combined video signal; controlling an amount of said edge improving signal according to said mixing control signal; and adding the controlled edge improvement signal in amount and said combined video signal and producing an improved edge video signal.

5. - The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, further characterized in that it comprises: generating means that generate a control signal of core removal amount according to said mixing control signal; and core removal means for performing a core removal operation on the edge improvement signal, in accordance with said core removal amount control signal.

6. The method according to claim 4, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of: generating a control signal of core removal amount according to said mixing control signal, and performing a core removal operation to said edge improvement signal according to said core removal amount control signal. 1 . An image forming apparatus comprising: image means including driving means for receiving an optical image and generating substantially simultaneously a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second interval of exposure, said second exposure interval is shorter than the first exposure interval, said first and second video signals respectively have first and second effective detection scales that are different but continuous; synchronization means for synchronizing said first video signal with said second video signal each corresponding frame of said first and second video signals; exposure ratio sensing means responsive to said image means for detecting an exposure ratio between said first and second exposure ranges; means for generating a mix control signal to generate a mix control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of said first and second video signals, in accordance with said first and second video signals; combining means for generating a combined video signal of said first and second video signals of said synchronization means, in accordance with said mixing control signal and the levels of said first and second video signals to have an expanded dynamic scale , such that said first effective detection scale is connected to said second effective detection scale; means for generating edge improvement signal to generate an edge improvement signal of said combined video signal; edge improvement amount controlling means for controlling an amount of said edge improving signal according to said mixing control signal and said exposure interval ratio; and adding means for adding said edge enhancement signal of said gain adjusting means, and said combined video signal and producing an improved edge video signal. 8. - A method of generating a combined video signal of an optical image, comprising the steps of: receiving said optical image and generating substantially at the same time a first video signal with a first exposure interval and a second video signal with a second exposure interval, said second exposure interval is shorter than said first exposure interval, the first and second video signals respectively have first and second effective detection scales that are different but continuous; synchronizing said first video signal with said second video signal; detecting an exposure ratio between said first and second exposure ranges; adjusting a gain of said second synchronized video signal according to said exposure ratio of each corresponding frame of said first and second video signals; generating a mix control signal indicative of a mixing ratio of the first and second video signals synchronized according to the first and second video signals adjusted in gain; generating said combined video signal of the first and second video signals synchronized according to said mixing control signal and the levels of said first and second video signals, to have an expanded detection scale such that the first scale effective detection is connected to said second effective detection scale; generating an edge improvement signal of said combined video signal; controlling an amount of said edge improving signal according to said mixing control signal and said exposure ratio; and adding the adjusted gain improvement signal of said gain adjusting means and said combined video signal, and producing an improved edge video signal. 9. - The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further characterized in that it comprises: means for generating control signal of core removal amount to generate a control signal of core removal amount according to said mix control signal and said exposure ratio; and core removal means for effecting a core removal operation on the improved edge signal in accordance with said core removal amount control signal of said core removal amount control signal generating means. 10.- The method according to the claim 8, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of: generating a control signal of core removal amount according to said mixing control signal and said exposure ratio; and performing a core removal operation on the edge enhancement signal in accordance with said core removal amount control signal. 11. An image forming apparatus comprising: image means including driving means for receiving optical images separated from red, green and blue, and generating substantially at the same time, first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue with a first exposure interval, and second video signals of red, second of green and second of blue with a second exposure interval, said second exposure interval being shorter than said first exposure interval, said first signals of red, green and blue video respectively have effective detection scales first of red, first of green and first of blue, and said second video signals of red, green and blue respectively have effective detection scales of second red, second of green and second blue, 5 which are different from said effective detection scales first of red, first of green and first of blue, respectively, p But they are continuous; synchronization means for synchronizing said first video signals of red, first green and first blue with video signals 10 second of red, second of green and second of blue each corresponding frame of said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and said signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue; detection means of the exposure interval ratio sensitive to 15 said conducting means for detecting an exposure ratio between the first and second exposure ranges; gain adjustment means for respectively adjusting difference between the gains of the signals t_ * of first video of red, first of green and first of blue and said second video signals of red, second of green and second of blue of said means of synchronization, according to said exposure ratio of said exposure interval ratio detecting means; means for generating the mix control signal to generate respectively red, green and blue mixing control signals 25 indicating mixing ratios between said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and second video signals of red, second green and second blue according to said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and video signals of second red, second of green and second of blue; and combining means for combining and producing combined video signals of red, green and blue of said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue of said gain adjusting means according to said red, green and blue mixing control signals and the levels of said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and signals of second video of red, second of green and second blue, to have expanded detection scales of red, green and blue, such that the first effective detection scales of red, first green and first blue are connected to said second video signals of red, second green and second blue, respectively. 12. - The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, further characterized in that it comprises: means of maximum detection to detect a maximum level between said combined video signals of red, combined green and combined blue for a period of picture; and non-linear processing means responsive to dynamic scale-out data to generate and produce red display signals, green and blue having non-linear characteristics, such that said maximum level is made equal to or less than said dynamic scale-of-deployment data when the detected maximum level is greater than said dynamic scale-of-deployment data, and produce said signal of combined video of red, green and blue as they are when the maximum level detected is not greater than said data of dynamic scale of deployment. 13. - A method of generating a combined video signal of an optical image comprising the steps of: receiving optical images separated from red, green and blue; generate substantially at the same time, first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue with a first exposure interval and second video signals of red, second of green and second of blue with a second exposure interval, said second exposure interval is shorter than said first exposure interval, the first video signals respectively have effective detection scales first red, first green and first blue, said second video signals respectively have effective detection scales second red , second green and second blue are respectively different from the effective detection scales first red, first green and first blue, but are continuous; synchronize said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue with signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue, of each corresponding frame of said signals of first video of red, first of green and first of blue and said video signals second of red, second of green and second of blue; detecting an exposure ratio between said first and second exposure ranges; adjust the difference between the gains of said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and said signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue, of said means of synchronization according to said relation of exposition; generating mix control signals of red, green and blue respectively indicating mixing ratios between said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and said signals of second video of red, second of green and second of «blue , according to said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and the second video signals of red, second of green and second of blue; and generating combined video signals of red, green, and blue from said first video signals of red, first green, and first blue, and said second video signals of red, second of green, and second of blue of said gain adjusting means. , according to said mix control signals and levels of said first video signals of red, first green and first of blue and said second video signals of red, second of green and second of blue, to have detection scales expanded red, green and blue, such that said first effective detection scales of red, first green and first blue are connected to said second video signals of red, second of green and second of blue, respectively. The method according to claim 13, further characterized in that it comprises the steps of: detecting a maximum level between said combined video signals of red, third of green and third of blue for a frame period; and generating and producing red, green and blue deployment signals having a non-linear characteristic according to dynamic display data and said maximum level, such that said maximum level is made equal to, or less than, said scale data. deployment dynamics when the detected maximum level is greater than said dynamic display scale data, and produce said combined red, green, and blue video signals as they are when the detected maximum level is not greater than said dynamic display scale data . 15. - A video camera comprising: a lens unit; separation means for separating an optical image beam into optical images separated from red, green and blue; image means including driving dots for receiving separate optical images of red, green and blue and generating substantially at the same time first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue with a first exposure interval, and video signals second red, second green and second blue with a second exposure interval, said second exposure interval is shorter than the first exposure interval, said first video signals respectively have first effective detection scales of red, first green and first blue, said first 5 and second video signals respectively have scales effective detecting second of red, second of green and second of blue which are different from said effective detection scales first of red, first of green and first of blue, but are continuous; synchronization means for 10 synchronize said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue with signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue each corresponding frame of said video signals first of red, first of green and first of blue and said second video signals of red, 15 second of green and second of blue; exposure interval ratio sensing means, responsive to said conduction means for detecting an exposure ratio between said first and second exposure ranges; means of »Gain adjustment to adjust the difference between the 20 gains of said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue and second video signals of red, second of green and second of blue of said synchronization means, in accordance with said exposure ratio of said means of Interval ratio detection 25 exhibition; means for generating mix control signal to generate mix control signals of red, green and blue respectively indicating mixing ratios between said first video signals of red, first of green, and first of blue and second video signals of red, second green and second blue, according to said first video signals of red, first of green and first of blue, and signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue; and combining means for generating and producing combined video signals of red, green and blue of said video signals, first of red, first of green and first of blue and signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue of said gain adjustment means, according to said mixing control signals and said first video signal levels of red, first of green and first of blue and signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue to have expanded detection scale of red, green and blue, such that said effective detection scales first of red, first of green and first of blue are connected with said signals of second video of red, second of green and second of blue, respectively. 16.- The camera in accordance with the claim 15, further characterized in that it comprises: maximum detection means for detecting a maximum level between said combined video signals of red, third of green and third of blue for a frame period; and non-linear processing means responsive to dynamic display scale data to generate and produce red, green and blue display signals having a non-linear characteristic, such that said maximum level is made equal to or less than said scale data deployment dynamics when the detected maximum level is greater than the dynamic scale-of-deployment data, and produce said combined red, green, and blue video signal as they are when the detected maximum level is not greater than said dynamic scale-of-deployment data . 1

7. The image formation apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that said gain adjusting means adjust said difference between the gains of the first and second video signals of said synchronization means to provide a linearity in the scale of expanded detection. 1

8. - The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: means of generating edge improvement signal to generate an edge improvement signal from said combined video signal; edge improvement amount controlling means for controlling an amount of said edge improving signal according to said mixing control signal; and adding means for adding said edge enhancement signal of said gain adjusting means and said combined video signal and producing an improved edge video signal. 1

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that said edge improvement amount control means controls said amount of said edge improvement signal in accordance with said exposure ratio, in addition to said mix control signal. 20. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: means for generating edge improvement signal to generate an edge improvement signal from said combined video signal; means for generating a core removal amount control signal to generate a core removal amount control signal according to said mix control signal; core removal means for effecting a core removal operation on the improved edge signal, in accordance with said core removal amount control signal from said core removal amount control signal generation means; and adding means for adding said edge improving signal of said edge improving signal generating means and said combined video signal, and producing an improved edge video signal. 21. The image forming apparatus according to claim 20, characterized in that said core removal amount control signal generation means generate said core removal amount control signal in accordance with said exposure ratio, in addition of the mix control signal. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An image circuit generates substantially at the same time a first video signal with a first exposure interval 5 and a second video signal with a second exposure interval, the second exposure interval is shorter than the first exposure interval, the first and second video signals respectively have first and second dynamic scales that are different but continuous; the The first video signal is synchronized with the second video signal; an exposure ratio between the first and the second exposure interval is detected; a gain of the second video signal is adjusted according to the exposure ratio; a combined video signal is generated from the First and second video signals, according to a mix control signal, indicative of a mixing ratio between the first and second video signals and the levels of the first and second video signals, to have a scale _ * expanded dynamics, such that the first dynamic scale 20 is connected to the second dynamic scale with difference in gains of the first and second video signals adjusted for linearity; an edge improvement signal may be controlled in gain or controlled in core removal according to the mix control signal or the exposure ratio; the similar apparatus and method for color signals are also described; The dynamic scale of output for a deployment is limited by a non-linear process _ MG / EA / asg * ehp * mmr * blm * apm. P98-1293.