Abstract: A gradation conversion unit 23 performs, on an input image, gradation conversion in which a predetermined gain is applied to a gradation smaller than a boundary gradation CVth and a characteristic becomes a spline curve for a gradation larger than the boundary gradation. To determine a characteristic of the gradation conversion unit 23, an image analysis unit 22 obtains the boundary gradation CVth and a maximum gradation CVmax based on the input image, and determines a linear gain shift coefficient LGs so that the brightness decreasing rate of the maximum gradation CVmax when brightness control of a backlight 30 is performed becomes a limit value or less. In such a manner, power consumption of the backlight is reduced while suppressing deterioration in picture quality.

Abstract: A gradation conversion unit 23 performs, on an input image, gradation conversion in which a predetermined gain is applied to a gradation smaller than a boundary gradation CVth and a characteristic becomes a spline curve for a gradation larger than the boundary gradation. To determine a characteristic of the gradation conversion unit 23, an image analysis unit 22 obtains the boundary gradation CVth and a maximum gradation CVmax based on the input image, and determines a linear gain shift coefficient LGs so that the brightness degreasing rate of the maximum gradation CVmax when brightness control of a backlight 30 is performed becomes a limit value or less. In such a manner, power consumption of the backlight is reduced while suppressing deterioration in picture quality.

Abstract: A data flow information processing apparatus includes one or a plurality of data driven type processors for processing data packets based on a data flow program, one or a plurality of memories accessed by these processors, and a router receiving data packets processed by these data processors for selecting a path for selectively applying the data packet to any of the one or the plurality of memories. More preferably, a first router includes an address calculating unit for calculating the address based on the content of the data packet, and a branching unit for branching the path of the data packet based on the calculated address. The data packet includes a generation number allotted in accordance with the order of input time and data. The address calculating unit includes a unit for calculating a modified address by modifying the generation number based on the data.

Abstract: In a voltage comparator of the present invention, across a gate and a source of an amplifier transistor, a phase compensating capacitor and a first switch circuit are connected with each other in series, and a second switch circuit for short-circuiting the phase compensating capacitor is provided. The second switch circuit is turned on when the first switch circuit is turned off so as to (1) short-circuit the phase compensating capacitor and (2) discharge the phase compensating capacitor which has been charged while the first switch circuit was turned on. This permits to completely turn off the first switch circuit, and to prevent distortion of an output signal outputted from an output terminal, thereby preventing accumulation of unnecessary charges in the phase compensating capacitor.

Abstract: A method and device for configuring data packets for a data driven processor, the data driven information processor having a data packet generator that generates the data packets, and a data flow ring architecture for operating (according to data flow computational protocol) upon data packets received from the data packet generator. The data packet generator configures each data packet to include a multi-attribute tag. The multi-attribute tag has a first component and a second component. The first component identifies one of a plurality of data sets to which data contained in the data packet belongs. The second component uniquely identifies the data within the particular data set identified by the first component contained in the data packet. Where the data driven information processor is doing image processing: the first component of the multi-attribute tag is the field/image number; and the second component of the multi-attribute tag is the location of a pixel in the field/image.

Abstract: A method and device for configuring data packets for a data driven processor, the data driven information processor having a data packet producing device that produces the data packets, and a data flow ring architecture for operating (according to data flow computational protocol) upon data packets received from the data packet producing device. The data packet producing device configures each data packet to include a multidimensional generation number. The multidimensional generation number has at least two components, enabling it to identify at least two things to the data flow ring architecture. The first component identifies a generation to which data contained in the data packet belongs. The second component identifies an additional attribute of the data contained in the data packet.

Abstract: A data flow information processing apparatus includes one or a plurality of data driven type processors for processing data packets based on a data flow program, one or a plurality of memories accessed by these processors, and a router receiving data packets processed by these data processors for selecting a path for selectively applying the data packet to any of the one or the plurality of memories. More preferably, a first router includes an address calculating unit for calculating the address based on the content of the data packet, and a branching unit for branching the path of the data packet based on the calculated address. The data packet includes a generation number allotted in accordance with the order of input time and data. The address calculating unit includes a unit for calculating a modified address by modifying the generation number based on the data.