Abstract: Bayer-pattern pixels captured by an image sensor have only one of the three primary colors (RGB) per pixel location. Rather than interpolate the Bayer-pattern to generate the missing RGB color components for each pixel location, a direct conversion is performed to YUV pixels. A luminance calculator receives a 3×3 block of Bayer-pattern pixels and generates a luminance (Y) pixel for the center pixel location. Different coefficients are multiplied by each of the 9 Bayer-pattern pixels before summing to produce the center Y pixel, depending on the pattern location. A chrominance calculator first receives a 3×3 block of Y pixels generated by the luminance calculator. The 9 Y pixels are averaged to produce an average luminance. Two red or blue pixels in the 3×3 block are averaged and the average luminance subtracted. Then a constant is multiplied to generate the U and V pixels. Intermediate interpolated RGB avoided.

Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter in an active pixel sensor array includes on board memory elements for storing results. The stored results can be read out in a different order than the order in which they were converted.

Abstract: A moving picture decoding apparatus is provided which reduces the deterioration in image quality due to errors by a concealment processing for decoded image data, thereby improving the image quality of decoded images, without causing high deterioration in image quality resulting from the concealment processing. The moving picture decoding apparatus includes a decoder for decoding an input stream for each macroblock and generating decoded image data, a transmission error detector for detecting a transmission error in the input stream, and a stream error detector for detecting a stream error in the input stream. When the transmission error is detected, the moving picture decoding apparatus conceals the decoded image data in macroblock units and when the stream error is detected, the moving picture decoding apparatus conceals the decoded image data in video packet units.

Abstract: An image sensing device includes a solid state image sensor, such as a CCD. An electronic shutter controls the exposure of the sensor to light, and thus the period during which the sensor collects or accumulates an information charge with light receiving pixels. The image sensor includes a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor layer having parallel channel regions formed on the substrate, and transfer electrodes which intersect the channel regions. The channel regions generate and store the information charges.

Abstract: An data recording apparatus in accordance with the present invention is configured so as to determine whether a received data block is of the same data to a previously received data block or not on the basis of the data block particular information in the data block transmitted from the outside and stored in a buffer thereby determining the recording-or-not into a disk drive, or so as to determine whether it is to be recorded into the disk drive or not on the basis of the information transmitted from the outside.

Abstract: In an imaging apparatus for detecting a dark output level superposed on an imaging signal which is an output signal of an imaging device and correcting the imaging signal based on the detected dark output level, occurrence of a false signal caused by the dark output correction process is prevented and a substantial lowering in the effective imaging range is prevented by eliminating a dark output component from the imaging signal and setting a clip level and gain for a subject signal component according to the detected dark output level.

Abstract: The erasion level appending range of a file is instructed. According to this instruction, the erasion level is set. When this setting range does not agree with the cell unit of the current cell, the current cell is divided to set a sequence of divided cells. Playback management information of each of the divided cells and current cell is re-created, and erasion level information is appended to playback management information of the divided cell that belongs to the appending range.

Abstract: An apparatus is adapted to perform a method for recording and reproducing a digital signal in a track on a recording medium for reproduction at normal and trick play speeds. The method comprises the steps of processing the digital signal to form first and second record signals. The first record signal is recorded in a first part of the track. The second record signal is recorded in a second part of the track smaller than and separate from the first part of the track. The first and second record signals are reproduced from the first and second parts of the track.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus includes a device operable to reproduce image signals recorded on a recording medium; a unit operable to set at least one image signal start point and end point for editing the recorded image signals; a storage device operable to store the image signal start points and end points thus set; and a controller operable to control the display of marks corresponding to the stored image signal start points and end points. The controller controls the display in such a manner as to display marks corresponding in number to the stored start and end points.

Abstract: Image data is sequentially read out in units of frames from a storage apparatus storing NTSC images, divided into even and odd fields for each frame, and stored into a frame buffer. A judgment is made as to whether the even field of the currently read-out frame is the same image as the even field of the immediately previous frame, and if the images are the same image data is read out without a judgment being made for 4 frames starting from the next frame and 1 frame is removed so as to form a frame from the odd field of the currently read-out frame and the even field of the next read-out frame, a non-interlaced display being made at an interval of 1/24 for 4 the next 4 four frames that include this frame.

Abstract: The state of exposure of a video zone corresponding to position information from a two-dimensional position selecting circuit that allows a photographer to select a desired video zone is detected, an exposure correction is performed by an exposure control circuit based upon a signal indicative of the detected state, and the state of exposure which prevails when optimum exposure has been attained is maintained. As a result, the state of exposure of a subject is corrected to an optimum exposure and the optimum exposure of the subject is maintained even if the state of exposure of the surroundings change owing to a change in zoom magnification or movement of the subject.

Abstract: The imager system of the invention, provided in a semiconductor substrate, includes a plurality of photosensitive, charge integrating pixels that are arranged in rows and columns of a pixel array for capturing illumination of a scene to be imaged. Each pixel includes a photogenerated charge accumulation region of the semiconductor substrate and a sense node at which an electrical signal, indicative of pixel charge accumulation, can be measured without discharging the accumulation region. Pixel access control circuitry is connected to pixel array rows and columns to deliver pixel access signals generated by the access control circuitry for independently accessing a selected pixel in the array. An input interface circuit is connected to accept a dynamic range specification input for the array pixels.

Abstract: A high definition television player records and plays back HDTV signals in a closed circuit to demonstrate high definition television. The signals are recorded on a hard drive, CD, DVD or the like in discrete 2-meg data blocks, with each block of data being separately identified. The invention provides for continuous looping play of a desired program or programs by identifying the starting data block and ending data block of the program. The program play is begun at the starting block. When the program is finished at the end block, play continues at the start block, and so on until the stop button is pushed.

Abstract: Image pickup system having an image pickup device including an image pickup element for picking up the image of an object and outputting image data, a compression encoding circuit for effecting compression encoding of the image data, a wireless transmission circuit for modulating the compression encoded image data and transmitting the data to a wireless transmission channel, and a first connector adapted to be electrically and mechanically connected, in a detachable manner, to a display device for displaying the image picked-up by the image pickup element and to transmit the image data from the image pickup element. The system also includes a display device including a wireless reception circuit for receiving the transmitted image data from the wireless transmission channel. The display device selectively receives first or second image data and processes the received image data to output an image signal of a predetermined format.

Abstract: The system is for passing clear DVD program streams from a CPU (central processing unit) to an MPEG-2 decoder. In the system the CPU is connected to a first bus interface. A system memory is connected to the first bus interface via a memory bus. A second bus interface is connected to the first bus interface via a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) bus and a DVD data source is connected to the second bus interface. A packet data decoder is connected to the memory bus via a buffer. The CPU reads DVD data from the DVD data source across the PCI bus, decrypts the DVD data and creates a packet data, and sends the packet data to the buffer via the memory bus. The MPEG-2 decoder receives the packet data, via the transport bus, from the buffer. In more general terms, the system connects two existing busses in a computer of set-top box.

Abstract: An imaging device may include two channels, for example each with different magnification or fields of view as two examples. The user may select one of the channels and the image captured through that channel may be both viewed through a viewfinder and recorded on an imaging array or other recording media.

Abstract: A method for playing back a program which includes one or more interactive applications. A program which is stored, either in the form of a data stream or as a set of files is played back from a storage device. When playback is started, applications which are detected are launched. Applications are detected in the playback of pushed content when they become available in the playback stream. Applications are detected in the playback of pulled content by comparing the validity ranges of the applications to a current playback index. When special playback modes are used, signals which affect the lifecycle of an application are detected and corresponding signals are generated to maintain the proper state of the application. During these special playback modes, these various notification signals may be conveyed to applications which are configured to operate during these modes.

Abstract: Predetermined information, for example, BCA data and a total reproduction time etc. is read from a loaded disc and the disc information thus read is supplied to a CPU 1. Then, a discrete setting area 3b is retrieved to determine whether or not parameters are registered in correspondence with the disc information thus read. When it is determined that the parameters are registered, the parameters registered in correspondence with the disc information is read from the discrete setting area 3b and set in an audio decoder 12 and a subpicture decoder 13, respectively. When it is determined that the parameters are not registered, standard parameters are read from a standard setting area 3a and set to the audio decoder 12 and the subpicture decoder 13, respectively.

Abstract: A transmitter comprises a demodulation means for demodulating inputted stream data to digital data, and outputting the digital data to a digital interface; a decoding means for decoding the digital data to obtain an analog signal; and a format conversion means for converting the format of the analog signal, and outputting the analog signal to an analog interface. A recorder comprises a judgement means for judging whether the inputted digital data is recordable by the recorder or reproducible after recording; a data recording means for recording the digital data on a recording medium when the judgement means judges that the digital data is recordable; and a coding means for coding the analog signal when the judgement means judges that the digital data is unrecordable. Therefore, the data outputted from the transmitter such as a set-top box can be reliably recorded by the recorder.

Abstract: When recording or reproduction of data is to be performed, initially, recording or reproduction of data is performed from a position on a disk where data recording or reproduction becomes possible with a command being issued, followed by recording or reproduction of data corresponding to the subsequent positions. Thereafter, recording or reproduction of data corresponding to each position of a part on the disk where data recording or reproduction has not been performed is performed. Thereby, deterioration of recording/reproduction execution time due to a rotation wait which is caused by a command over-head or a retrial due to an error is reduced, whereby the recording/reproduction execution time can be reduced.