Method and apparatus for transmitting image signals of images having different exposure times via a signal transmission path, method and apparatus for receiving thereof, and method and system for transmitting and receiving thereof

A receiving apparatus for receiving image signals having a first and a second image signals obtained by picking-up an image of a subject with different exposure times, said first and second image signals being compressed at data amounts, each of which has an identification signal, respectively, comprising:

• a reception interface coupled with a transmission line, for receiving said compressed first and second image signals;
• an expander coupled with said reception interface, for expanding said compressed first and second image signals, respectively, to said first and second image signals;
• a selector coupled with said expander, for selecting and outputting said expanded first and second image signals, respectively;
• a combiner for combining said expanded first and second image signals outputted from said selector at a predetermined combination ratio;
• and
• a second controller coupled with said expander, selector and combiner, for controlling said expander to detect said identification signals relating to said first and second image signals, respectively, for controlling the operation of said selector to select said expanded first and second image signals in response to said identification signals, and for controlling said combiner to combine said expanded first and second image signals.

An image signal transmission system comprising an transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus coupled with a transmission line therebetween, for transmitting image signals having a first and a second image signals obtained by picking-up an image of a subject with different exposure times, wherein

• said transmitting apparatus comprising:
• an image pick-up device for outputting said first and second image signals;
• a compressor coupled with said image pick-up device, for compressing data amounts of said first and second image signals, respectively;
• a transmission interface coupled with said compressor, for transmitting said compressed first and second image signals, respectively, to said transmission line;
• and
• a first controller coupled with said image pick-up device and said compressor, for controlling said image pick-up device so as to outputting said first and second image signals and for adding identification signals to said compressed first and second image signals for identifying said compressed first and second image signals transmitted to said transmission line;
• and
• said receiving apparatus comprising:
• a reception interface coupled with said transmission line, for receiving said compressed first and second image signals;
• an expander coupled with said reception interface, for expanding said compressed first and second image signals, respectively, to said first and second image signals;
• a selector coupled with said expander, for selecting and outputting said expanded first and second image signals, respectively;
• a combiner for combining said expanded first and second image signals outputted from said selector at a predetermined combination ratio;
• and
• a second controller coupled with said expander, selector and combiner, for controlling said expander to detect said identification signals relating to said first and second image signals, respectively, for controlling the operation of said selector to select said expanded first and second image signals in response to said identification signals, and for controlling said combiner to combine said expanded first and second image signals.

A method of transmitting image signals comprising the steps of:

• image picking-up a first and a second image signals obtained by picking-up an image of a subject with different exposure times;
• compressing data amounts of said first and second image signals, respectively;
• adding identification signals to said compressed first and second image signals, respectively, for identifying said compressed first and second image signals transmitted to a transmission line, and
• transmitting said compressed first and second image signals attached said identification signals, respectively, to said transmission line.

A method of receiving image signals having a first and a second image signals obtained by picking-up an image of a subject with different exposure times, said first and second image signals being compressed at data amounts, each of which has an identification signal, respectively, comprising the steps of:

• receiving said compressed first and second image signals;
• expanding said compressed first and second image signals, respectively to said first and second image signals;
• detecting said identification signals relating to said first and second image signals, respectively,
• selecting said expanded first and second image signals, respectively, in response to said identification signals;
• and
• combining said expanded first and second image signals at a predetermined combination ratio.

A method of transmitting image signals in a transmission system comprising an transmitting apparatus and a receiving apparatus coupled with a transmission line therebetween, comprising the steps of:

• image picking-up a first and a second image signals obtained by picking-up an image of a subject with different exposure times;
• compressing data amounts of said first and second image signals, respectively;
• adding identification signals to said compressed first and second image signals, respectively, for identifying said compressed first and second image signals transmitted to said transmission line,
• transmitting said compressed first and second image signals attached said identification signals, respectively, to said transmission line,
• receiving said compressed first and second image signals;
• expanding said compressed first and second image signals, respectively, to said first and second image signals;
• detecting said identification signals relating to said first and second image signals, respectively,
• selecting said expanded first and second image signals, respectively, in response to said identification signals;
• and
• combining said expanded first and second image signals at a predetermined combination ratio.