Image pick-up apparatus and synchronization-signal-generating apparatus

Image pick-up apparatus for generating an output image signal of variable frame rate that is synchronized with another image signal having a variable reference frame rate, said image pick-up apparatus comprising:

• an image pick-up signal generator for generating a picked-up image signal of a controllable frame-rate;
• and
• drive-and-control means for receiving frame rate information indicating said reference frame rate, and driving the image pick-up signal generator based on said received frame rate information to generate the picked-up image signal whose frame rate is controlled by said received frame rate information;
• and
• frame rate varying means for changing the number of frames per unit time in the picked-up image signal to vary the frame rate of said picked-up image signal, thereby to frame-synchronize the image signal generated by the image pick-up signal generator with said other image signal having the reference frame rate.

Image pick-up apparatus for generating an output image signal of variable frame rate to which an output image signal of another image pick-up device can be synchronized, said other image pick-up device being of the type to generate an output image signal whose frame rate is adjustable, said image pick-up apparatus comprising:

• an image pick-up signal generator that generates a picked up image signal of a pick-up frame-rate that is controllable;
• a controller driving and controlling the image pick-up signal generator and setting the pick-up frame rate of the picked-up image signal generated by the image pick-up signal generator to a frame rate within a predetermined range;
• a frame rate information generation unit that generates frame rate information associated with said frame rate set by said drive-and-control means;
• a frame rate varying unit changing the number of frames per unit time in the picked up image signal to vary the frame rate of said picked up image signal as a function of said frame rate information, thereby producing a frame-varied image signal;
• and
• an output unit that outputs the frame-varied image signal and that outputs said frame rate information.