Abstract

An image data processing system, including a camera for producing a serial image data system corresponding to an array of pixels having a preselected relationship to a scene viewed thereby and producing a separate format signal stream accompanying the image data stream. The system further includes an image data modification system comprising multistage digital delay circuit for separately delaying the image data stream and the accompanying format signal stream in a synchronous manner, a circuit arrangement for withdrawing at least a portion of the image data stream from at least one stage of the delay circuit, a circuit arrangement for processing the withdraw image data stream portion in accordance with a preselected algorithmic function to produce a modified image data stream, and a circuit arrangement for reinserting the modified image data stream into a subsequent stage of the delay circuit. An image utilization device such as an image processing system is coupled to the image data modifier system for utilizing the modified image data stream.