A digital video camera system

A new video camera control system developed for extending the dynamic range of present single-chip CCD (charge coupled device) cameras whose dynamic range is inherently limited is discussed. This is accomplished by controlling the dynamic range using a signal which discriminates the contrast of the object, by compensating the white balance by detecting achromatic parts of the object out of video signals, and by reducing pseudocolor effects produced at a region where high-frequence components are abundant. Saturation and glooming problems associated with present consumer-use video cameras caused by the narrow dynamic range of the single CCD camera system and lack of signal processing capability are solved. The approach adopted prevents excessive iris closing under back lighting and saturation of a locally bright area of images produced by excessive forward lighting