A method of operating a video camera includes capturing a scene of imaging data using a focal plane array (FPA) module of the video camera. The scene of imaging data is characterized by a first bit depth. The method also includes processing, using an image processing module coupled to the FPA module, the scene of imaging data to provide display data characterized by a second bit depth less than the first bit depth. The method further includes forming a super frame including the display data and the scene of imaging data and outputting the super frame.

An apparatus may include a projector that switches from emitting monochromatic light of a first color to emitting monochromatic light of a second color that is different from the first color. The apparatus may also include one or more variable-pitch diffraction gratings that diffract monochromatic light emitted from the projector. The apparatus may further include a controller that changes a pitch of at least one of the one or more variable-pitch diffraction gratings from a first pitch used when the projector is emitting monochromatic light of the first color to a second pitch used when the projector is emitting monochromatic light of the second color.

An apparatus may include a projector that switches from emitting monochromatic light of a first color to emitting monochromatic light of a second color that is different from the first color. The apparatus may also include one or more variable-pitch diffraction gratings that diffract monochromatic light emitted from the projector. The apparatus may further include a controller that changes a pitch of at least one of the one or more variable-pitch diffraction gratings from a first pitch used when the projector is emitting monochromatic light of the first color to a second pitch used when the projector is emitting monochromatic light of the second color.

A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

A method of operating a video camera includes capturing a scene of imaging data using a focal plane array (FPA) module of the video camera. The scene of imaging data is characterized by a first bit depth. The method also includes processing, using an image processing module coupled to the FPA module, the scene of imaging data to provide display data characterized by a second bit depth less than the first bit depth. The method further includes forming a super frame including the display data and the scene of imaging data and outputting the super frame.

A method of operating a video camera includes capturing a scene of imaging data using a focal plane array (FPA) module of the video camera. The scene of imaging data is characterized by a first bit depth. The method also includes processing, using an image processing module coupled to the FPA module, the scene of imaging data to provide display data characterized by a second bit depth less than the first bit depth. The method further includes forming a super frame including the display data and the scene of imaging data and outputting the super frame.

A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

A method is provided for constructing a composite image. The method comprises illuminating an object with light of a particular spectral band, capturing a digital image of the illuminated object using a monochromatic image sensor of an imaging device to obtain a monochrome image, repeating the steps of illuminating and capturing to obtain a plurality of monochrome images of the object illuminated by light of a plurality of different spectral bands, processing the plurality of monochrome images to generate image data for one or more output channels, and generating a color composite image from the image data. The color composite image comprises the one or more output channels.

An image processing apparatus includes: at least one processor and/or at least one circuit to perform operations of the following units: an acquisition unit configured to acquire luminance information that indicates characteristic value of luminance of inputted image data; and a conversion unit configured to convert colors of the image data into conversion colors which are respectively associated with sub-ranges determined by dividing a luminance range of the image data using thresholds, wherein a first threshold of the thresholds is the characteristic value.