System and method for using an anamorphic fiber optic taper to extend the application of solid-state image sensors

Abstract

An apparatus and method for allowing television systems using solid-state image sensors to be compatible with a multiplicity of television standards. Scenes conforming to a standard which specifies a format aspect ratio or a specific number of active scan lines per frame are input into the anamorphic television system. The anamorphic television system modifies these scenes to take optimum advantage of the resolution of the solid-state image sensor. The anamorphic television system alters the dimensions of the scene along the horizontal and/or vertical axis so that the scene conforms to the format aspect ratio of the solid state image sensor and/or to the number of active scan lines per frame as specified in the applicable standard. The solid-state image sensor converts the optical information into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is retrieved from the solid-state image sensor by timing circuitry. The retrieved electrical information is converted into a composite video signal which is then displayed on the display monitor. The original proportionality of the scene is recaptured by altering the vertical and/or horizontal height controls on the display monitor and/or by altering the rate at which the information is retrieved from the image sensor and displayed on the display monitor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.