Electro-optical control of light attenuation in the optical path of a camera

• US 5,387,958 A
• Filed: 06/30/1992
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Electronics Inc. (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Pashley, Raymond F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TUCCILLO, NICHOLAS
• Application Number:
  US07/906,687
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 354/227.1, 354/430, 354/271.1, 358/228, 348/224
• US Class Current: 396/457
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/75 by influencing optical camera components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/88 for colour balance, e.g. white-balance circuits or colour temperature control

Abstract

A camera which has an electrochromic neutral density filter. The neutral density filter is placed in the optical path of the camera. The filter changes the amount of light which may pass through it when a voltage is applied thereby regulating the amount of light which may enter the camera. By controlling the amount of light which passes through the electrochromic filter, the camera operator can control incoming light to maintain desired density (depth of field). In another embodiment, a color video camera has a color separator which separates the light into red, green and blue components. Electrochromic filters are placed between the color separator and red and blue light sensors of the camera to control the amount of light reaching the red and blue sensors. By controlling the amount of light which passes through the electrochromic filters, the camera operator can control incoming light to correct color.

Claims

1. In a camera comprising a taking lens for focusing light entering said camera, an optical sensor for receiving said light entering said camera, an iris, located between said taking lens and said optical sensor, said iris having an adjustable diameter aperture for restricting the amount of said light entering said camera and controlling depth of field, an apparatus for compensating for an increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera when said aperture diameter of said iris is changed to adjust said depth of field, said apparatus comprising:

an electrochromic neutral density (ND) filter, located between said iris and said taking lens; and

ND control means coupled to said ND filter for applying a ND control current to said ND filter, said ND filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said ND control current to said ND filter, such that the amount of light reaching said optical sensor may be maintained constant by darkening or lightening said ND filter.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said optical sensor comprises a light-sensitive chemical coating on a base surface.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said optical sensor converts said light into a video signal.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said ND control means comprises a ND control potentiometer coupled to the ND filter, output of said ND control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the ND filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter by manually setting said ND control potentiometer.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter is controlled automatically by said ND control means.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ND control means comprises a light sensor which measures the amount of light reaching said optical sensor and generates a value to cause the ND filter to proportionately change to maintain constant light output from the ND filter.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said ND control means measures the amount said iris is opened or closed and generates a value to cause the ND filter to proportionately change to maintain constant light output from the ND filter.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said camera further comprises:

an optical separator, located between said ND filter and said optical sensor, for separating said light entering said camera into red, green and blue light beams; and

wherein said optical sensor comprises;

a red sensor which receives said red light beam from said optical separator and converts said red light beam into an R video signal;

a green sensor which receives said green light beam from said optical separator and converts said green light beam into a G video signal;

a blue sensor which receives said blue light beam from said optical separator and converts said blue light beam into a B video signal.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 further comprising:

an electrochromic red filter, located between said optical separator and said red sensor;

red light control means for applying a red light control current to said red filter, said red light control means coupled to said red filter, said red filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said red light control current to said red light filter;

an electrochromic blue filter, located between said optical separator and said blue sensor;

blue light control means for applying a blue light control current to said blue filter, said blue light control means coupled to said blue filter, said blue filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said blue light control current to said blue light filter;

such that the amount of red and blue light reaching said respective red and blue sensors may be adjusted by darkening or lightening said red and blue filters to compensate for a respective increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera, thereby providing color correction.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said blue light control means comprises a blue control potentiometer coupled to the blue filter, output of said blue control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the blue filter and said red light control means comprises a red control potentiometer coupled to the red filter, output of said red control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the red filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter by manually setting said blue control potentiometer and said operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter by manually setting said red control potentiometer.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter is controlled automatically by said blue light control means and an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter is controlled automatically by said red light control means.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said red light control means is coupled to said red and green sensors and generates a first value to cause the red filter to change to make the R and G video signals have equal amplitude when said red light control means is in a white balancing mode and wherein said blue light control means is coupled to said blue and green sensors and generates a second value to cause the blue filter to change to make the B and G video signals have equal amplitude when said blue light control means is in said white balancing mode.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said ND filter is located between said optical separator and said green sensor, said ND filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said green sensor, said electrochromic red filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said red sensor, and said electrochromic blue filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said blue sensor, such that said ND, red and blue filters cooperate to compensate for the increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera.

14. In a color video camera comprising a taking lens for focusing light entering said camera, an optical separator for separating said light entering said camera into red, green and blue light beams, a red sensor which receives said red light beam from said optical separator and converts said red light beam into an R video signal, a green sensor which receives said green light beam from said optical separator and converts said green light beam into a G video signal, a blue sensor which receives said blue light beam from said optical separator and converts said blue light beam into a B video signal, an apparatus for providing color correction comprising:

an electrochromic red filter, located between said optical separator and said red sensor;

red light control means for applying a red light control current to said red filter, said red light control means coupled to said red filter, said red filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said red light control current to said red light filter;

an electrochromic blue filter, located between said optical separator and said blue sensor;

blue light control means for applying a blue light control current to said blue filter, said blue light control means coupled to said blue filter, said blue filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said blue light control current to said blue light filter;

such that the amount of red and blue light reaching said respective red and blue sensors may be adjusted by darkening or lightening said red and blue filters to compensate for a respective increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said color video camera, thereby providing color correction.

15. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said blue light control means comprises a blue control potentiometer coupled to the blue filter, output of said blue control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the blue filter and said red light control means comprises a red control potentiometer coupled to the red filter, output of said red control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the red filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter by manually setting said blue control potentiometer and said operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter by manually setting said red control potentiometer.

16. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter is controlled automatically by said blue light control means and an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter is controlled automatically by said red light control means.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said red light control means is coupled to said red and green sensors and generates a first value to cause the red filter to change to make the R and G video signals have equal amplitude when said red light control means is in a white balancing mode and wherein said blue light control means is coupled to said blue and green sensors and generates a second value to cause the blue filter to change to make the B and G video signals have equal amplitude when said blue light control means is in said white balancing mode.

18. The apparatus as set forth in claim 14, wherein said color video camera further comprises:

an iris, located between said taking lens and said optical separator, said iris having an adjustable diameter aperture for restricting the amount of said light entering said camera and controlling depth of field;

an electrochromic neutral density (ND) filter, located between said iris and said optical separator;

ND control means for applying a ND control current to said ND filter, said ND control means coupled to said ND filter, said ND filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said ND control current to said ND filter such that the amount of light reaching said optical separator may be maintained constant by darkening or lightening said ND filter;

whereby an increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera is compensated for when said aperture diameter of said iris is changed to adjust the depth of field.

19. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein said ND control means comprises a ND control potentiometer coupled to the ND filter, output of said ND control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the ND filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter by manually setting said ND control potentiometer.

20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter is controlled automatically by said ND control means.

21. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18 wherein said ND filter is located between said optical separator and said green sensor, said ND filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said green sensor, said electrochromic red filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said red sensor, and said electrochromic blue filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said blue sensor, such that said ND, red and blue filters cooperate to compensate for the increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera.

22. In a color video camera comprising a taking lens for focusing light entering said camera, an optical separator for separating said light entering said camera into red, green and blue light beams, an iris, located between said taking lens and said optical separator, said iris having an adjustable diameter aperture for restricting the amount of said light entering said camera and controlling depth of field, a red sensor which receives said red light beam from said optical separator and converts said red light beam into an R video signal, a green sensor which receives said green light beam from said optical separator and converts said green light beam into a G video signal, a blue sensor which receives said blue light beam from said optical separator and converts said blue light beam into a B video signal, an apparatus for controlling the amount of light reaching said red, green and blue sensors comprising:

an electrochromic neutral density (ND) filter, located between said iris and said optical separator;

ND control means for applying a ND control current to said ND filter, said ND control means coupled to said ND filter, said ND filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said ND control current to said ND filter such that the amount of light reaching said optical separator may be maintained constant by darkening or lightening said ND filter, whereby an increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera is compensated for when said aperture diameter of said iris is changed to adjust said depth of field;

an electrochromic red filter, located between said optical separator and said red sensor;

red light control means for applying a red light control current to said red filter, said red light control means coupled to said red filter, said red filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said red light control current to said red light filter;

an electrochromic blue filter, located between said optical separator and said blue sensor;

blue light control means for applying a blue light control current to said blue filter, said blue light control means coupled to said blue filter, said blue filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said blue light control current to said blue light filter;

such that the amount of red and blue light reaching said respective red and blue sensors may be adjusted by darkening or lightening said red and blue filters to compensate for a respective increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera, thereby providing color correction.

23. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein

said ND control means comprises a ND control potentiometer coupled to the ND filter, output of said ND control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the ND filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter by manually setting said ND control potentiometer,

said blue light control means comprises a blue control potentiometer coupled to the blue filter, output of said blue control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the blue filter and wherein the operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter by manually setting said blue control potentiometer, and

said red light control means comprises a red control potentiometer coupled to the red filter, output of said red control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the red filter and wherein said operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter by manually setting said red control potentiometer.

24. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter is controlled automatically by said ND control means, an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter is controlled automatically by said blue light control means and an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter is controlled automatically by said red light control means.

25. The apparatus as set forth in claim 22 wherein said ND filter is located between said optical separator and said green sensor, said ND filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said green sensor, said electrochromic red filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said red sensor, and said electrochromic blue filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said blue sensor, such that said ND, red and blue filters cooperate to compensate for the increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera.

26. In a camera comprising a taking lens for focusing light entering said camera, an optical sensor for receiving said light entering said camera, an iris, located between said taking lens and said optical sensor, said iris having an adjustable diameter aperture for restricting the amount of said light entering said camera and controlling depth of field, a method for controlling the amount of light reaching said sensor comprising the steps of:

providing an electrochromic neutral density (ND) filter between said iris and said optical sensor, said ND filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying a ND control current to said ND filter;

if the diameter of said aperture of said iris is increased to decrease said depth of field, applying said ND control current to said ND filter to darken said ND filter and thereby decrease the amount of light reaching said optical sensor;

if the diameter of said aperture of said iris is decreased to increase said depth of field, applying said ND control current to said ND filter to lighten said ND filter and thereby increase the amount of light reaching said optical sensor;

such that the amount of light reaching said optical sensor may be maintained constant by darkening or lightening said ND filter as the diameter of the aperture increases or decreases, whereby an increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera is compensated for when said aperture diameter of said iris is changed to adjust said depth of field.

27. The method as set forth in claim 26 further comprising a step wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter by manually setting said ND control means.

28. The method as set forth in claim 26 further comprising a step wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter is controlled automatically by said ND control means.

29. The method as set forth in claim 28, wherein said ND control means comprises a light sensor, and said method further comprises a step wherein said light sensor measures the amount of light reaching said optical sensor and generates a value to cause the ND filter to proportionately change to maintain constant light output from the ND filter.

30. The method as set forth in claim 28 further comprising a step wherein said ND control means measures the amount said iris is opened or closed and generates a value to cause the ND filter to proportionately change to maintain constant light output from the ND filter.

31. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said camera comprises an optical separator for separating said light entering said camera into red, green and blue light beams, said iris is located between said taking lens and said optical separator, said optical sensor comprises a red sensor which receives said red light beam from said optical separator and converts said red light beam into an R video signal, a green sensor which receives said green light beam from said optical separator and converts said green light beam into a G video signal, a blue sensor which receives said blue light beam from said optical separator and converts said blue light beam into a B video signal, the method further comprising the steps of:

providing an electrochromic red filter between said optical separator and said red sensor, said red filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying a red light control current to said red light filter;

providing an electrochromic blue filter between said optical separator and said blue sensor, said blue filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying a blue light control current to said blue light filter;

if the amount of light entering said camera changes, applying said blue light control current to said blue light filter to lighten or darken said blue filters to control the amount of blue light which reaches said blue sensor and applying said red light control current to said red light filter to lighten or darken said red filter to control the amount of red light which reaches said red sensor;

such that the amount of red and blue light reaching said respective red and blue sensors may be adjusted by darkening or lightening said red and blue filters to compensate for a respective increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera, thereby providing color correction.

32. The method as set forth in claim 31 further comprising steps wherein:

an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter by manually setting said blue light control means; and

said operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter by manually setting said red light control means.

33. The method as set forth in claim 31 further comprising steps wherein:

an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter is controlled automatically by said blue light control means; and

an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter is controlled automatically by said red light control means.

34. The method as set forth in claim 31 wherein the ND filter is provided between said optical separator and said green sensor, said ND filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said green sensor, said electrochromic red filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said red sensor, and said electrochromic blue filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said blue sensor, such that said ND, red and blue filters cooperate to compensate for the increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera.

35. A camera comprising:

a taking lens for focusing light entering said camera;

an optical sensor for receiving said light entering said camera and for converting said light into a video signal;

an iris, located between said taking lens and said optical sensor, said iris having an adjustable diameter aperture for restricting the amount of said light entering said camera and controlling depth of field; and

an apparatus for compensating for an increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera when said aperture diameter of said iris is changed to adjust said depth of field, said apparatus comprising;

an electrochromic neutral density (ND) filter, located between said iris and said optical sensor; and

ND control means coupled to said ND filter for applying a ND control current to said ND filter, said ND filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said ND control current to said ND filter, such that the amount of light reaching said optical sensor may be maintained constant by darkening or lightening said ND filter.

36. The camera as set forth in claim 35 wherein said ND filter is located between said iris and said taking lens.

37. The camera as set forth in claim 35 wherein said taking lens is located between said iris and said ND filter.

38. The camera as set forth in claim 35 wherein said ND control means comprises a ND control potentiometer coupled to the ND filter, output of said ND control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the ND filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter by manually setting said ND control potentiometer.

39. The camera as set forth in claim 35 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter is controlled automatically by said ND control means.

40. The camera as set forth in claim 35 wherein said camera further comprises:

an optical separator, located between said ND filter and said optical sensor, for separating said light entering said camera into red, green and blue light beams; and

wherein said optical sensor comprises;

a red sensor which receives said red light beam from said optical separator and converts said red light beam into an R video signal;

a green sensor which receives said green light beam from said optical separator and converts said green light beam into a G video signal;

a blue sensor which receives said blue light beam from said optical separator and converts said blue light beam into a B video signal.

41. The camera as set forth in claim 40 further comprising:

an electrochromic red filter, located between said optical separator and said red sensor;

red light control means for applying a red light control current to said red filter, said red light control means coupled to said red filter, said red filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said red light control current to said red light filter;

an electrochromic blue filter, located between said optical separator and said blue sensor;

blue light control means for applying a blue light control current to said blue filter, said blue light control means coupled to said blue filter, said blue filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said blue light control current to said blue light filter;

such that the amount of red and blue light reaching said respective red and blue sensors may be adjusted by darkening or lightening said red and blue filters to compensate for a respective increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera, thereby providing color correction.

42. The camera as set forth in claim 41 wherein said blue light control means comprises a blue control potentiometer coupled to the blue filter, output of said blue control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the blue filter and said red light control means comprises a red control potentiometer coupled to the red filter, output of said red control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the red filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter by manually setting said blue control potentiometer and said operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter by manually setting said red control potentiometer.

43. The camera as set forth in claim 41 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter is controlled automatically by said blue light control means and an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter is controlled automatically by said red light control means.

44. The camera as set forth in claim 43 wherein said red light control means is coupled to said red and green sensors and generates a first value to cause the red filter to change to make the R and G video signals have equal amplitude when said red light control means is in a white balancing mode and wherein said blue light control means is coupled to said blue and green sensors and generates a second value to cause the blue filter to change to make the B and G video signals have equal amplitude when said blue light control means is in said white balancing mode.

45. The camera as set forth in claim 41 wherein said ND filter is located between said optical separator and said green sensor, said ND filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said green sensor, said electrochromic red filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said red sensor, and said electrochromic blue filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said blue sensor, such that said ND, red and blue filters cooperate to compensate for the increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera.

46. In a camera comprising a taking lens for focusing light entering said camera, an optical sensor for receiving said light entering said camera, an iris, located between said taking lens and said optical sensor, said iris having an adjustable diameter aperture for restricting the amount of said light entering said camera and controlling depth of field, an apparatus for compensating for an increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera when said aperture diameter of said iris is changed to adjust said depth of field, said apparatus comprising:

an electrochromic neutral density (ND) filter, located between said iris and said optical sensor; and

ND control means coupled to said ND filter for applying a ND control current to said ND filter, said ND filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said ND control current to said ND filter, said ND control means comprising a light sensor which measures the amount of light reaching said optical sensor and generates a value to cause the ND filter to proportionately change to maintain constant light output from the ND filter such that an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter is controlled automatically by said ND control means and the amount of light reaching said optical sensor may be maintained constant by darkening or lightening said ND filter.

47. The apparatus as set forth in claim 46 wherein said taking lens is located between said iris and said ND filter.

48. The apparatus as set forth in claim 46 wherein said optical sensor comprises a light-sensitive chemical coating on a base surface.

49. The apparatus as set forth in claim 46 wherein said optical sensor converts said light into a video signal.

50. The apparatus as set forth in claim 49 wherein said camera further comprises:

an optical separator, located between said ND filter and said optical sensor, for separating said light entering said camera into red, green and blue light beams; and

wherein said optical sensor comprises;

a red sensor which receives said red light beam from said optical separator and converts said red light beam into an R video signal;

a green sensor which receives said green light beam from said optical separator and converts said green light beam into a G video signal;

a blue sensor which receives said blue light beam from said optical separator and converts said blue light beam into a B video signal.

51. The apparatus as set forth in claim 50 further comprising:

an electrochromic red filter, located between said optical separator and said red sensor;

red light control means for applying a red light control current to said red filter, said red light control means coupled to said red filter, said red filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said red light control current to said red light filter;

an electrochromic blue filter, located between said optical separator and said blue sensor;

blue light control means for applying a blue light control current to said blue filter, said blue light control means coupled to said blue filter, said blue filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said blue light control current to said blue light filter;

such that the amount of red and blue light reaching said respective red and blue sensors may be adjusted by darkening or lightening said red and blue filters to compensate for a respective increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera, thereby providing color correction.

52. The apparatus as set forth in claim 51 wherein said blue light control means comprises a blue control potentiometer coupled to the blue filter, output of said blue control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the blue filter and said red light control means comprises a red control potentiometer coupled to the red filter, output of said red control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the red filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter by manually setting said blue control potentiometer and said operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter by manually setting said red control potentiometer.

53. The apparatus as set forth in claim 51 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter is controlled automatically by said blue light control means and an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter is controlled automatically by said red light control means.

54. The apparatus as set forth in claim 53 wherein said red light control means is coupled to said red and green sensors and generates a first value to cause the red filter to change to make the R and G video signals have equal amplitude when said red light control means is in a white balancing mode and wherein said blue light control means is coupled to said blue and green sensors and generates a second value to cause the blue filter to change to make the B and G video signals have equal amplitude when said blue light control means is in said white balancing mode.

55. The apparatus as set forth in claim 51 wherein said ND filter is located between said optical separator and said green sensor, said ND filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said green sensor, said electrochromic red filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said red sensor, and said electrochromic blue filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said blue sensor, such that said ND, red and blue filters cooperate to compensate for the increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera.

56. In a camera comprising a taking lens for focusing light entering said camera, an optical sensor for receiving said light entering said camera, an iris, located between said taking lens and said optical sensor, said iris having an adjustable diameter aperture for restricting the amount of said light entering said camera and controlling depth of field, an apparatus for compensating for an increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera when said aperture diameter of said iris is changed to adjust said depth of field, said apparatus comprising:

an electrochromic neutral density (ND) filter, located between said iris and said optical sensor; and

ND control means coupled to said ND filter for applying a ND control current to said ND filter, said ND filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said ND control current to said ND filter, an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter being controlled automatically by said ND control means such that the amount of light reaching said optical sensor may be maintained constant by darkening or lightening said ND filter.

ND control means coupled to said ND filter for applying a ND control current to said ND filter, said ND filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said ND control current to said ND filter, said ND control means measures the amount said iris is opened or closed and generates a value to cause the ND filter to proportionately change to maintain constant light output from the ND filter such that an amount of lightening or darkening of said ND filter is controlled automatically by said ND control means and the amount of light reaching said optical sensor may be maintained constant by darkening or lightening said ND filter.

57. The apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein said taking lens is located between said iris and said ND filter.

58. The apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein said optical sensor comprises a light-sensitive chemical coating on a base surface.

59. The apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein said optical sensor converts said light into a video signal.

60. The apparatus as set forth in claim 56 wherein said camera further comprises:

an optical separator, located between said ND filter and said optical sensor, for separating said light entering said camera into red, green and blue light beams; and

wherein said optical sensor comprises;

a red sensor which receives said red light beam from said optical separator and converts said red light beam into an R video signal;

a green sensor which receives said green light beam from said optical separator and converts said green light beam into a G video signal;

a blue sensor which receives said blue light beam from said optical separator and converts said blue light beam into a B video signal.

61. The apparatus as set forth in claim 60 further comprising:

an electrochromic red filter, located between said optical separator and said red sensor;

red light control means for applying a red light control current to said red filter, said red light control means coupled to said red filter, said red filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said red light control current to said red light filter;

an electrochromic blue filter, located between said optical separator and said blue sensor;

blue light control means for applying a blue light control current to said blue filter, said blue light control means coupled, to said blue filter, said blue filter having a light transmission characteristic that is varied by applying said blue light control current to said blue light filter;

such that the amount of red and blue light reaching said respective red and blue sensors may be adjusted by darkening or lightening said red and blue filters to compensate for a respective increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera, thereby providing color correction.

62. The apparatus as set forth in claim 61 wherein said blue light control means comprises a blue control potentiometer coupled to the blue filter, output of said blue control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the blue filter and said red light control means comprises a red control potentiometer coupled to the red filter, output of said red control potentiometer is varied to darken and lighten the red filter and wherein an operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter by manually setting said blue control potentiometer and said operator selects an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter by manually setting said red control potentiometer.

63. The apparatus as set forth in claim 61 wherein an amount of lightening or darkening of said blue filter is controlled automatically by said blue light control means and an amount of lightening or darkening of said red filter is controlled automatically by said red light control means.

64. The apparatus as set forth in claim 63 wherein said red light control means is coupled to said red and green sensors and generates a first value to cause the red filter to change to make the R and G video signals have equal amplitude when said red light control means is in a white balancing mode and wherein said blue light control means is coupled to said blue and green sensors and generates a second value to cause the blue filter to change to make the B and G video signals have equal amplitude when said blue light control means is in said white balancing mode.

65. The apparatus as set forth in claim 61 wherein said ND filter is located between said optical separator and said green sensor, said ND filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said green sensor, said electrochromic red filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said red sensor, and said electrochromic blue filter lightens or darkens to control the amount of light reaching said blue sensor, such that said ND, red and blue filters cooperate to compensate for the increase or decrease in the amount of light entering said camera.